AFCI breakers..........done

[washman]

Finally got the last one replaced today. 37.96 ea @ Lowes and HD. Not too terribly difficult except for the task of threading the 3rd neutral wire through a maze of existing wires in order to get to the neutral bar. The one I am referring to in the pic is the bar on the right side of the box.

Glad that these are the only things that smoked (other than my cable set top box) due to the power surge.

 

[gusherb]

You have no shortage of 20 amp circuits in that box. That's how I would go if I ever rewire a house again. Your panel isn't very sloppy either. The one in my parents house looks like it's stuffed full of spaghetti, but mostly because there is 37 circuits in there. When I helped rewire grandmas house I took charge of the panel wiring, circuit layout and device wiring. Panel looked very neat. Later on an electrician came in to tie up some loose ends who criticized my work to no end. Ironically in the end his work was sloppy and I went and redid much of it, including the spaghetti mess he left in the panel. All he cared about was code. (Funny thing was I did everything to code and then some).

 

[wayupnorth]

Stupid me! I put in a 100 amp service here, thought that would be all I ever needed and put no more than 3 things on a breaker. In 21 years I have never tripped one but now I have 1 more spot for a breaker in the box. Why I didnt do a 200 amp box like that is stupid to save a few cents.

 

[washman]

Well

in case I decide to put a jacuzzi or something like that in there, I will be good to go.

I think.

Hi frig!

 

[frigilux]

Hi, Ben!

You had a circuit-frying power surge? Hope your appliances and electronics survived the shock. I've heard if them, but fortunately have never experienced one.

 

[washman]

Everything is fine

but it took out the Motorola set top cable box. Cable company replaced it.

 

[cornutt]

That's very clean work. Nice job.

 

[washman]

I appreciate it cornutt

but I did not do the whole box, just replaced the breakers that were pooched due to a power surge. In fact I'd have to look up in my pile of notes on the house as to who did the original install.

 

[delaneymeegan]

 

 

 

Nice work.

 

I used to do the sloppy stuff in the circuit box..... 'til I got yelled at 

 but GOOD, when doing the wiring for a 4 bedroom house I was building.  A friend of my parents is an actual electrician and pulled the permit.  

 

Upon inspecting the work, before the inspector came in, he checked the box and bitched me out good.  I'm glad he did.  Now, when ever wiring a box, the wires are straight as can be with needle-nose created bends and zip tied where appropriate.  

 

If you have frequent lightning or surge issues, you can also consider a whole house surge protector that will install in the main circuit box and connect to an existing double pole breaker.  It will take the surge instead of your house wiring.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Watch AFCI.

As far as I've heard (haven't come across it yet myself) our dishwashers don't like AFCI. I forget what it is that happens, but they don't like it.

Chuck (Miele Field Service Tech)

 

[washman]

dishwahser

is on it's own regular breaker. No AFCI there.

 

[countryford]

Just curious, why did you replace with AFCI breakers? Why not with just regular breakers? I know for new build you have to have certain things with AFCI breakers.

 

[washman]

Because it was a new build in 2014

and...........

As of the 2014 version of the NEC,[4] combination type AFCI circuit breakers are required on all branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms or areas. They are also required in dormitory units. This requirement may be accomplished by using either a kind of circuit-breaker (defined by UL 1699) in the breaker panel that provides combined arc-fault and overcurrent protection or by using an OBC AFCI Receptacle for modifications/extensions, as replacement receptacles or in new construction.

So to stay in compliance with what the home was originally constructed with, I opted to "stay the line" so to speak. Last thing I wanted was some type of fire or issue that I would have to file a homeowners claim and have it denied. Besides, you know how I LOVE to comply with regulations right?