10/17/2022
A simple boring job, but stay with me here... Had a situation where the previous homeowner installed outlets, cool right? Welllll... now had a clothes washer that was not grounded and had no GFCI for safety. Additionally, the gas dryer was actually REVERSE polarity wired, and not grounded or GFCI. Good recipe for a shocking experience on concrete floors that may even be wet. So, umm, not so cool...
Well... The back wall of this basement received it's own dedicated, GFCI and AFCI protected circuit, with a plethora (yes, a plethora) of additional outlets we all appreciate in a basement setting. Yep, bunch of outlets, and safety to boot. Who'd have thought? Life is good. Now...
Of course, anything I do in a basement or garage setting gets the GFCI (Ground fault Circuit Interrupt) for shock safety, and it's code as well. But now.... Enter the AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupt) for the fire safety aspect. These units detect arcing within a circuit. They're especially good for things with small motors and heating element stuff. Say, dishwashers, fans, refrigerators. etc, and they'll even detect an arcing connection somewhere down the line, like that old light switch or dimmer you hear making a sizzling sound... Yes, that's an arc, reasonably safe arc I guess, but ya wanna replace that. . AFCIs can bought as a outlet style like we generally see, or a circuit breaker style, which we kinda won't really see, but it's hidden in the gray box thing on the wall, lol.
Bear in mind some larger motors like saws etc. turning on and off may throw an outlet style AFCI so, sometimes you may have to work around that and understand that is what is happening. Or try a circuit breaker style AFCI.
So, the AFCIs are best practice now, and required by code in many areas now they are commonly available. They will certainly prevent a lot of fires going forward.
Boring post yes, but maybe worth seeing. And it may be good to ponder what you may have going on in your own home.
Stay well, Stay safe!
