2008 National Electric Code®

Mike

One of the problems I find with the AFCI's is when they stack then in the panel they generate heat. What is going to happen when most of the whole panel is AFCI's? 

If they put it in the 2008 addition is it not possible they will give till 2010 to implement like they did with GFCI in 1999.

Hey it is always hard to argue against more and more safety.But good link.

Thanks for the information on this, I am glad you are active in AR. As for the 'rewiring of a home' I have a question. If someone wants 200 amps of power in/out, do they have to rewire a home? Lots of our homes have cloth wiring. Just wondered. It's come up more than once.

I'm going to have to keep reading about this, and I appreciate the head sup Mike.

Older homes should be grandfathered in

In thisinstance it will be up to the authrity having jurisdiction as how they interpret the 08 code.

 

Jack

And after taking the update class for the code the portions that are unclear begin at page one!! LOL I agreee but that's not what's happening. In my 30 years as an electrician I've seen two inspectors have different opinions as to what the code wants.

 

Jack

That's why as professionals we can't quit learning.

 

Jack

I have heard some states require these kind of updates when selling property. I believe Mass. is one of them. Here in the Gulf Shores, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida area we do not. Though as far as electric and safety we do recommend "upgrading" on items such as adding GFCI's, unsafe railings etc. 

I read the rules and will print them out when I'm on a home inspections. The number of inspectors that hold themselves out as experts in judging electrical systems is unreal. I'm a journeyman electrician, have taught adult education courses in electricity and I've been on inspections where an inspector ranted and raved that a GFCI wouldn't work because it didn't have a ground. It seems they believe thweir handy dandy cube works the way a GFCI works and it doesn't!

I can understand upgrading for safety GFCI's being one, but am wondering how the AFCI's are going to play out in remodeling. Unfortunately most old 2002 and older electrical systems weren't wired so AFCI's will work. In ohio the home builders association had our governor sign an order to hold off on the use of the 08 code for a short time. There premise was the increased cost although I think they were exaggerating an increase of 1,000 dollars a home. It was also surprising for the first time in years Ohio accepted the new code just after the new year.

In my code class we were told there are some states that haven't yet adopted the 2002 code let alone 05 and 08. We'll have to see how this all plays out.

Jack

SInce AFCI"s need separate neutrals any home wired with a 3 wire Edison system, as I understand it won't work with AFCI's.

 

Jack