Arc Fault GFCI confusion

[Nick Markowitz Jr.]

Here is the quickie on arc fault and gfci issues regarding Fire/burg systems
etc. per new NEC 70 which seems to be causing confusion

Arc fault protection is required if smoke alarms being installed in a
bedroom are the 120vac type if the smoke detectors are low voltage and
attached to a fire/burg panel they do not need arc fault protection.

If the outlet you are plugging the power supply for the fire/burg panel is
in a bedroom area that outlet would need arc fault protection if it is new
construction or newly installed.

Regarding gfci protection if the fire/burg panel power supply transformer
is plugged in to an area such as unfinished basement ,garage etc which
requires gfci protection. A single purpose dedicated outlet just for the
fire/burg system can be installed and does not need gfci protection so a
gfci nuisance trip will not interfere with system operation.

 

[Bob La Londe]

Here is the quickie on arc fault and gfci issues regarding Fire/burg
systems etc. per new NEC 70 which seems to be causing confusion

Arc fault protection is required if smoke alarms being installed in a
bedroom are the 120vac type if the smoke detectors are low voltage and
attached to a fire/burg panel they do not need arc fault protection.

If the outlet you are plugging the power supply for the fire/burg panel is
in a bedroom area that outlet would need arc fault protection if it is new
construction or newly installed.

Regarding gfci protection if the fire/burg panel power supply transformer
is plugged in to an area such as unfinished basement ,garage etc which
requires gfci protection. A single purpose dedicated outlet just for the
fire/burg system can be installed and does not need gfci protection so a
gfci nuisance trip will not interfere with system operation.

Nick, I have experienced that GFI breakers tend to have a much lower
incidence of nuisance trips than GFI receptacle. The price however tends to
be much higher, and since most new homes require 2-4 GFI circuits depending
on configuration the cost will add up, so being the ever wise masters of all
things with wire the electricians don't seem to use them.


--
Sincerly,
The guy who makes the final decision
on who we do business with.
Bob La Londe

The Security Consultant
Bob La Londe - Owner
P.O. Box 5720
Yuma, Az 85366

(928) 782-9765 ofc
(928) 782-7873 fax

Licensed Contractor
ROC103044 & ROC103047

 

[Frank Olson]

Here is the quickie on arc fault and gfci issues regarding Fire/burg systems
etc. per new NEC 70 which seems to be causing confusion

Arc fault protection is required if smoke alarms being installed in a
bedroom are the 120vac type if the smoke detectors are low voltage and
attached to a fire/burg panel they do not need arc fault protection.

If the outlet you are plugging the power supply for the fire/burg panel is
in a bedroom area that outlet would need arc fault protection if it is new
construction or newly installed.

You guys just love those wall warts, dont'cha?? We hard wire our
transformers. We use the Frost double pig-tail units. The high voltage
end gets mounted to an 1110 box (or extenstion ring), and the other end
mounts to the lower knock-out of the can. No fuss. No muss.

 

[Robert L Bass]

Here in our town the AHJ Chief electrical inspector. will allow you
to have a single duplex grounded non-GFI receptacle in the basement
for your alarm transform.

But because you need the mounting screw of a duplex and not a
single receptacle to mount the transformer.
He makes you cut off the taps to the top half and silicone it shut.

In Connecticut GFCI protection was only required if the outlet was
below grade or in a wet location (kitchen, bath, laundry, etc). Our
solution was to mount either a single quad or two duplex outlets on
the alarm backboard above grade level. That gave me room for more
than one transformer plus power for light and tools next to the
panel.

BTW, if the job entails multiple power supplies and other
wall-mounted stuff, I like to have a shelf for tools, manuals and
stuff. When doing integrated systems consider installing a half or
even full sheet of 1" exterior grade plywood on the basement wall.
You can mount a multi-outlet power strip near the top and plug in all
your wall warts there. I sometimes used to nail studs to the
basement wall (nail gun) and mount the plywood to them, leaving a
hollow chase behind to drop my cables. Then I'd use the large
knockouts on the backs of the panels to bring the wires in through
the plywood. The effect is nice and clean -- no wires visible
outside the boxes -- but you have to fuss with them a bit more to
make everything stay neat inside the boxes. You also need to leave a
gap hear the ceiling so you can easily fish new cables in later if
needed.

Borrowing from a tip in one of the trade rags many years ago, I used
to buy ACX (waterproof and very smooth on the good side) plywood and
either shellac it or paint it gray before mounting. If I had some
spare time I would pre-cut the cable holes and mount the cans on the
back board at the office, run interconnect cables as needed, then
bring it over in the van and hang the whole thing at once.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>

 

[Nick Markowitz Jr.]

Not using one side of the duplex plug and cutting off the tabs would meet
the intent of the single purpose outlet

 

[alarman]

"Robert L Ass" wrote I used to...

snipped bullshit story

Yeah, sure fat boy.

js