A.F.C.I.s resemble G.F.C.I.s in that they both have test buttons, though it is important to distinguish between the two. Arc faults in a home are one of the leading causes of household fires. distinguishes between a working arc that may occur in the brushes of a vacuum sweeper, light switch or other household devices and a non-working arc that can occur in a lamp cord that has a broken conductor in the cord from over use. These types of breakers are to prevent fires by detecting non-working electrical arcs and disconnecting power before the arc starts a fire. (arc-fault circuit interrupters) for all 15 amp and 20 amp circuits for dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, sunrooms, closets and hallways. In newer construction, in the breaker box, you must have A.F.C.I. outlets need to be on whirlpool and hot tubs.Īll kitchen outlets that serve as counter top outlets except the refrigerator or freezer was in 1996 Remember to add one year on the years below to the national electrical code for the state of Wisconsin, they always adopt the electrical changes approximately one year after the national code. For more information, contact an electrician or your local electrical inspector. I will give you some approximate dates on when these outlets were required.
These outlets trip out and lose power to them in a power surge, water contact etc. They are the outlets that have a test button and reset button. It is likely you have seen them in your garage, kitchen and bathroom.
Ground-fault circuit interrupters, or G.F.C.I., outlets for short are safety outlets that are used around possible contact with water or moisture.
outlets, is this true?Īnswer: No, home inspectors are supposed to judge these items by when the house was built, not current standards, but I would recommend you do update them. Question: I was told that even though I have an older home I have to upgrade my outlets to G.F.C.I.