Electrical Code Changes in 2015 - AFCI Required in Kitchen, Garage, and Outdoor Receptacles

During a recent inspection a client asked me about those coiled wires in the combination panel and voiced concern about the hot glowing breakers on the infra-red camera.  

I commended his deduction, pointing out that arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) for the bedrooms are more sensitive than ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), more efficient at preventing fires, and have internal circuits which consume electricity, create heat, and feel a little warmer when you test them.

While we don’t want to see extra-long lengths of wire hanging around that can get snagged, bent, or pulled loose, the installer has taken care to wind the leads so as to dissipate heat which is a safer approach. 

As a home inspector, I expect to see AFCI in modern construction. While this 3 year old installation has arc fault protection for the bedrooms, starting in 2015, the Canadian Electrical Code changes require arc fault protection for branch circuits supplying receptacles installed in a bathroom or washroom located within 1 m of a wash basin, receptacles installed in a kitchen for a refrigerator, counter receptacles installed along the wall, on fixed islands and peninsular counters, and branch circuits that only supply single receptacles installed for a sump pump provided the sump pump receptacle is identified as such.

There are devices on the market that claim to test AFCI circuits but there is much debate about their validity. For the time being, it seems the safest and easiest approach is to use the test button on the breaker and recommend homeowners do the same every month to check operation.

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