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406.4(D)(4), Ex. No. 1 and Ex. No. 2 General Installation

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Change Summary

  • Two new exceptions were added for AFCI requirements for replacement of existing receptacles.
NEC® Text

406.4 General Installation Requirements.
Receptacle outlets shall be located in branch circuits in accordance with Part III of Article 210. General installation requirements shall be in accordance with 406.4(A) through (F).
(D) Replacements. Replacement of receptacles shall comply with 406.4(D)(1) through (D)(6), as applicable. Arc-fault circuit-interrupter type and ground-fault circuit-interrupter type receptacles shall be installed in a readily accessible location.
(4) Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection. Where a receptacle outlet is supplied by a branch circuit that requires arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection as specified elsewhere in this Code located in any areas specified in 210.12(A) or (B), a replacement receptacle at this outlet shall be one of the following:
(1) A listed outlet branch-circuit type arc-fault circuit-interrupter receptacle
(2) A receptacle protected by a listed outlet branch-circuit type arc-fault circuit-interrupter type receptacle
(3) A receptacle protected by a listed combination type arc-fault circuit-interrupter type circuit breaker
Exception No. 1: Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection shall not be required where all of the following apply:
(1) The replacement complies with 406.4(D)(2)(b).
(2) It is impracticable to provide an equipment grounding conductor as provided by 250.130(C).
(3) A listed combination type arc-fault circuit-interrupter circuit breaker is not commercially available.
(4) GFCI/AFCI dual function receptacles are not commercially available.
Exception No. 2: Section 210.12(B), Exception shall not apply to replacement of receptacles. This requirement becomes effective January 1, 2014.

Leviton Comment: We believe the NEC made a minor error here and the above referenced Exception is really found in 210.12(D), not 210.12(B).

Copyright© 2016 National Fire Protection Association
(See NEC for complete text)

Expert Analysis

The parent text of 406.4(D)(4) was revised by removing text concerning the branch circuit providing power to the replaced receptacle, and replacing that text with a reference to 210.12(A) or (B). This revision will clarify where AFCI protection is required, which is at the receptacle outlet being replaced and not at receptacles located downstream of the replaced receptacle. If a receptacle is being replaced in a bedroom and that branch circuit serves not only that bedroom but a receptacle located outdoors at the front porch, this outdoor receptacle need not be AFCI-protected simply because a bedroom receptacle was being replaced. A literal reading of the previous text could have been interpreted in that way.

Two new exceptions were added for the 2017 NEC following this main rule that requires AFCI protection for replacement of existing receptacles.

In the first exception the installation must meet ALL 4 conditions called-out: Numbers (1) and (2) recognize applications where an existing two-wire receptacle (no equipment grounding conductor) is replaced and no equipment grounding conductor can be installed. Number (3) references a scenario where no listed combination type AFCI breaker is available and Number (4) references a scenario where no GFCI/AFCI dual function receptacle is available. This exception is really meaningless since combination type AFCI breakers and GFCI/AFCI dual function receptacles are both readily commercially available.

The second exception clarifies that the exception to 210.12(D) does not apply when replacing existing receptacles. The requirements of 210.12(D) concern AFCI protection for branch-circuit wiring in areas specified at 210.12(A) when said wiring is modified, replaced, or extended at existing dwelling units. The exception to 210.12(D) permits existing branch-circuit conductors to be modified or extended up to 1.8 m (6 ft) without AFCI protection where no additional outlets or devices are installed.

The Leviton SmartlockPro® Dual Function AFCI/GFCI Outlet offers a National Electrical Code (NEC) compliant option for AFCI/ GFCI protection in residential kitchens and laundry areas for new construction, modifications/ extensions and replacement receptacles. They are also ideal as a replacement for ungrounded outlets, satisfying NEC requirements for both AFCI and GFCI protection. The Dual Function AFCI/GFCI is available in 15- and 20-Amp with 20-Amp Feed-Through. They are Tamper-Resistant, are back and side wired and include a self-grounding clip included. Available in several colors.

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