bauer09
Jan 18, 2011, 08:50 AM
I am re-wiring an entire 2nd floor apartment (it is currently a terrible mix of romex & K&T covered in insulation).
Since I am starting fresh, I am taking the opportunity to include some provisions for possible future electrical loads... for example, the apartment does not have central air -- seeing as it is likely that some tenant in the future will purchase window units, I am planning on adding separate dedicated circuits for them. Planning conservatively, I figure a medium size 1200watt window a/c draws around 10amps, and would need to be on its own circuit... while the apartment is small and the window units may not end up being that big, I figure now is the time to isolate them all so I might as well do it. Is that too conservative?
Anyway, my main question deals with the AFCI requirements of the 2008 NEC. According to my townships website, they follow the International Code Council Electrical Code 2009... not sure how that differs in AFCI requirements - but I was planning on putting AFCI breakers for all bedroom and living room outlets anyway (as prescribed by the NEC) as added precaution. My question is, do those AFCI requirements pertain to a dedicated outlet for the air conditioner if it was labeled as such? It's not that I'm trying to avoid purchasing more AFCI's, but rather have heard of nuisance tripping and wondering if the A/C units would tend to trip them more often...
Any thoughts?
Since I am starting fresh, I am taking the opportunity to include some provisions for possible future electrical loads... for example, the apartment does not have central air -- seeing as it is likely that some tenant in the future will purchase window units, I am planning on adding separate dedicated circuits for them. Planning conservatively, I figure a medium size 1200watt window a/c draws around 10amps, and would need to be on its own circuit... while the apartment is small and the window units may not end up being that big, I figure now is the time to isolate them all so I might as well do it. Is that too conservative?
Anyway, my main question deals with the AFCI requirements of the 2008 NEC. According to my townships website, they follow the International Code Council Electrical Code 2009... not sure how that differs in AFCI requirements - but I was planning on putting AFCI breakers for all bedroom and living room outlets anyway (as prescribed by the NEC) as added precaution. My question is, do those AFCI requirements pertain to a dedicated outlet for the air conditioner if it was labeled as such? It's not that I'm trying to avoid purchasing more AFCI's, but rather have heard of nuisance tripping and wondering if the A/C units would tend to trip them more often...
Any thoughts?