I see where the 2005 NEC requires ARC fault breakers on all bedroom circuits,lighting and wall recepticals. It appears that this is for new construction. Would this also apply to rewiring an old house? Thanks in advance. Tom

If you do a 100% rewire your local code may enforce the arc faults. Check with your local code office to see what they require.

Also make certain your local building codes follow the '05 NEC. Despite its being called a code it isn't. And your local code might be one that adopted an older version of the NEC.

In my case, the inspector told me that I will need to replace the breakers supplying the bedrooms with Arc-Fault breakers.

I had an electrician replace the old Pushmatic panel with a new GE panel and run a sub-panel (GE) to our new addition.

The inspector approved and signed off the electricians work and he has signed off on my rough-in. He then told me that I would need to replace the new breakers in the panel with Arc-Faults.

At $35 each for 4 breakers, I figured that it would be cheap insurance and help with my wife's piece of mind.

After all, what's $140 when we are spending more on the addition than we did to buy our new house.

Well if you can afford the breakers go for it. Be forwarned! Arc Fault breakers are funny at times. I have had lots of little problems that have cropped up with them and I find them to be tricky to troubleshoot at times. But when it all boils down they are a great thing.