Log in

View Full Version : Multiple AFCI breakers trip at once


sailblue5
Dec 2, 2013, 08:39 AM
I am in a new housing development. A number of neighbors on my street are reporting the same behavior I am about to describe, and it happens to all of us at the same time.

Multiple AFCI breakers (usually between 2 and 8, and they will be different combo every time) in our homes will trip at the same time. The builder of the houses claims that the supply voltage from the power company is to blame. The electric company says their supply voltages are fine.

Assuming it is a supply voltage problem my question is will a whole home surge protector on my panel help stop the tripping? Any other ideas?

hkstroud
Dec 2, 2013, 10:30 AM
will a whole home surge protector on my panel help stop the tripping?
I doubt it. A power surge and arcing are two different things.

This is far beyond my ability to trouble shoot. However, because you say this is a new housing development and because both you and your neighbors are having the same problems, I would replace one or two of your present arc fault breakers and see what happens.
This suggestion is based on the concept that the developer (really the subcontractor) probably used the cheapest breaker he could find and possibly not of the highest quality.

Granted you will have to use the same brand breaker but the quality of the breaker may be a little better. May not make any difference but it won't cost much to do.