The garage I am converting into an apt.will have limited square footage. Basically there will be a bathroom and the other room will be the bedroom/ kitchenette/ sitting room/ grand ballroom, kind of flows together with no definite delineation. I have read the NEC lumps the kitchen/ dining room together, and was wondering , do I need to install arc-fault protection in the entire space, with the exception of the tiny kitchen area, which will be GFI protected?

First and most important question; What code do you follow? If the NEC, what year?

First and most important question; What code do you follow? If the NEC, what year? Umm, good question. I'm basically a carpenter embarking on a steep learning curve trajectory re: electrical work. So I'm trying to install to code, erring to side of beyond the minimum, leavened by common sense( common sense provided by my wife). Basically, project is in FL. no inspections, but when my retired building inspector friend stops by I want to hear", looks great", as opposed to", what in the...., I don't think I would have done it that way".

Well the 2008 NEC has a pretty broad AFCI requirement. The 2002 & 2005 only require AFCIs in bedrooms.

Also, the whole kitchen "area" does NOT have to be GFI protected, just receptacles serving counter areas.

Well the 2008 NEC has a pretty broad AFCI requirement. The 2002 & 2005 only require AFCIs in bedrooms.

Also, the whole kitchen "area" does NOT have to be GFI protected, just receptacles serving counter areas. That helps, I'll gfi the kitchen counter outlets and determine the bedroom area and concentrate afi in those circuits, thanks again, ken