Hot information about AFCI's

from
electrician2.com

This is a copy of a post from alt.engineering.electrical newsgroup:

The real problem with rushing all of this into the code is this is an evolving technology that still can't detect a series arc (the one from a loose plug, cracked wire and all of those "aluminium" problems). They already have millions of obsolete AFCIs out there mandated in the 1999 code and enforced in the 2002 code that can't detect the bad power cord they scared us with when these were first proposed. The original AFCI only detects shorts in the wall. Finding a short in a power cord is what the "combination" unit is supposed to do. None can find a loose connection or partially broken wire. Then you have a bunch of Square D units that don't work at all and have been recalled but there is no tracking on this recall so most still remain in the customer's home. The technology is so proprietary that the industry can't agree on what a tester should inject in the line to see if the product works. An arcing short that trips a Square D might not be seen by a Cutler Hammer and vice versa. It is clear this is a product that is not ready for the public yet but has been jammed down our throat by NFPA and Cutler Hammer, the inventor and who proposed in in 1997. It is being tested in our homes, by force of law and the customer is paying for it.
by
gfretwell@aol.com

AFCI change in 2008 NEC

from
electrician2.com
I have just attended the Northwest IAEI Section meeting in Anchorage Alaska where the 2008 NEC and Analysis of Changes were taught. A new rule is requiring that all 120-volt, 15- and 20- ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination-type , installed to provide protection for the branch circuit. The combination-type means that the AFCI provides series and parallel circuit protection.
Also, the AFCI provides protection from bad arcs that cause fires but does not provide GFCI protection because the ground fault tip is set at 50 ma.
Now what came up with a Code making panel member during break was does anyone make a AFCI/GFCI that provides both the 5 ma GF protection and the AFCI protection and if they do, why not just go the whole course and require both?
It turns out that Cutler Hammer does make such a device, but Square D does not.
So now what should we do? Wait for the 2011 NEC or jump the gun and put these Cutler Hammer AFCI/GFCI devices in now?

Changes that need to be made for the next 2011 NEC

from
electrician2.com
Hopefully, someone or I will get these in by November of 2008 for the 2011 NEC.

1. Motors for R/V's need to have overload protection and disconnects regardless of voltage. Presently these RV electrical systems' low voltage circuits escape the NEC by being part of the automobile electrical system. Motors used for tip outs are now burning up at a rapid rate and sometimes they take the wiring harness with them. Something needs to be done.

2. R/V manufacturers should be required to provide an electrical diagram with the R/V's. Presently they are not all doing this and it is a nightmare to try to work on these electrical systems.

3. Greenhouses. Where receptacles are used in green houses to provide power for auxiliary equipment they should be protected by a Class a GFCI. I have watched at least one worker working on a wet floor with a frayed extension cord dragging in water as they run a vacuum cleaner in a greenhouse. This needs to be addressed.

4. Cathodic Protection. Impressed current cathodic protection systems are not included in the NEC. The Canadian Electrical Code does include them. These systems are used extensively to protect oil industry tanks and pipelines. The conductors are often mistaken as grounding conductors and vice versa. Something needs to be done.

5. Natural Hot Springs. What are they and what do they become when modified with liners, pumps, and electrical lights. I know of at least one such spring that is an accident waiting to happen. We have all heard of swimming pools in Mexico and Puerto Rico electrocuting several swimmers at once. Let us hope this doesn't happen in Alaska at Chena Hot Springs.

from
electrician2.com

I finally attended an IAEI Northwest Section Meeting in Anchorage, Alaska after 14 years. This one was a big one and the NFPA hurried their publishing date so the 2008 NEC would be there and for sale. The IAEI also had the Analysis of Changes for sale and given out to paying attendees. We had one half day on the CFR’s and application of NEC70E for employee safe work practices and two days of NEC changes taught by excellent instructors.
Now let’s get real. The seminar cost $340 plus travel and plus housing plus lost wages. Attendees could stay at the Hilton where the seminar took place for $150 a night. That would be 5 nights or $750. Then there is travel to and from Anchorage for those that do not live there. For some that comes to about $400 unless you bring your wife. So now we are up to $340+$750+$400 or $1490. Add to this your shopping and buying a few IAEI books and we are up to about $2000. Of course if you are working add lost wages so we now have about 3 grand into a sixteen hour code class for the 2008 NEC.
This is why I embrace the Internet online learning courses. They simply are the best and the most practical for most of us.
There were several code making panel members at this meeting and that was an enlightenment. I heard such remarks from them as we didn’t have time to really work this change out so we did the best we could and put in what we had, it will need further work. I was appalled. When I think about the number of inspectors and electricians that have put their jobs on the line for this NEC rule or that, and when you learn how casual the code panel members talk about the new rules, I wonder if they realize the consequences of their actions. I for one will never take the NEC to be the ultimate word as I once did. Common sense has to be applied. I have seen inpectors make a contractor tear out and completely rlocate a panelboard over a one inch clearance violation. That is simply wrong! On big projects for big companies I have seen inspectors work relentlessly to enforce the rules in the NEC to the "T" but after a company gets into serious trouble, who do they hire to supersede and intimidate the very inspector that tried to enforce the rules, no one but a distinguished Code Making panel member who comes in for $1200 and day plus per diem and who for that price tries to put the "bad" inspectors in place. I have been there and witnessed the events. That is simply wrong too. What is needed is a code of conduct for inspectors so they learn that the NEC is approximately correct, and in every case of enforcement a practical tolerance must be applied.