Change Summary

• This revision provides more options to achieve AFCI protection of the entire branch circuit by allowing OBC AFCI receptacles under specific conditions provided in list items (1) through (6) of this section
• OBC AFCI Receptacles allowed with standard NM type cable as long as conditions are met
• Section 210.12(A) has been revised and expanded to provide multiple methods of providing AFCI protection for branch circuits in dwelling units
• This revision results from information provided in several UL research reports on the subject

Expert Analysis

Code Making Panel-2 (CMP-2) continued its work on Proposal 2-153 that was held in the 2011 cycle. The proposal sought to permit the use of outlet branchcircuit type AFCI protection (Receptacles) at the first outlet in a branch circuit, under restrictive conditions.  Action by CMP-2 on Proposal 2-92 and others, in addition to actions on Comments 2-46 and 2-52, and others, results in acceptance of this concept in the 2014 NEC.  This revision expands the types of arc-fault circuitinterrupter protective devices and specific conditions associated with each application. The expansion results from information obtained in UL Fact Finding Study titled Evaluation of Run Length and Available Current on Breaker Ability to Mitigate Parallel Arcing Faults. List items (2) through (6) provide specific allowances for using arc-fault circuit interrupter protection in device type configurations (Receptacles) and under specific conditions stated within each list item. List items (3) and (4) have specific conditions including a length limitation based on wire size used, aligning with the fact finding study. The information contained in former exceptions 1 and 2 have been incorporated into list items (5) and (6) in this section.

Leviton Comment

At the time the 2014 NEC was issued and the printing of this Pocket Guide, there was no agency standard available to allow for a system combination-type AFCI listing per the condition identified in 210.12(A)(4)(d).

It should be noted that the CMP-2 added the words “or devices” to include AFCI protection for all outlets and devices in areas that require AFCI protection.  So if a device in that protected area controls a load outside of that protected area, it too would effectively need AFCI protection.

Allowable AFCI Installation Scenarios

OBC AFCI Receptacle Protection

Electrical professionals and homeowners alike have been waiting for a viable alternative to AFCI circuit breakers.  Leviton has the answer… Introducing the Industry’s First AFCI Receptacle — Leviton’s SmartlockPro® Outlet Branch Circuit AFCI Receptacle.

Protection Receptacle based AFCI protection offers many advantages including:

• TEST and RESET buttons similar to traditional GFCI receptacles. This translates into greater acceptance of the technology and a more user-friendly platform
• Meets or exceeds UL requirements for tripping time on both series and parallel arcs
• Device design reduces nuisance tripping
• Impact-resistant thermoplastic cover and body
• Superior resistance to electrical surges and over-voltages
• Blank face AFCI available for protection of lighting and other loads