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    dustinberkich's Avatar
    dustinberkich Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Nov 4, 2013, 01:20 PM
    Afci breaker
    Can I replace a feeder afci breaker with a combination type breaker with out further modifications?
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #2

    Nov 4, 2013, 03:16 PM
    What are you calling a combination type breaker?
    dustinberkich's Avatar
    dustinberkich Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Nov 4, 2013, 04:03 PM
    Don't know really, the old breaker says branch/feeder and the new one calls it a combination instead.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
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    #4

    Nov 4, 2013, 04:22 PM
    Most newer AFCI's are combination AFCI. Meaning they sense series and parallel arcs.
    They are a direct replacement.

    Why are you replacing it.
    dustinberkich's Avatar
    dustinberkich Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Nov 4, 2013, 04:24 PM
    Going from 15 to 20 amp
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
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    #6

    Nov 4, 2013, 06:55 PM
    What makes you think this is a good idea?
    Unless all the wiring on the circuit is #12 (at the smallest) you cannot simply put in a larger breaker.
    dustinberkich's Avatar
    dustinberkich Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Nov 4, 2013, 07:19 PM
    It is
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
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    #8

    Nov 4, 2013, 07:22 PM
    Then why was it a 15A to begin with?
    Sounds fishy to me.
    dustinberkich's Avatar
    dustinberkich Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Nov 4, 2013, 10:05 PM
    All wires in the box 20Amp and below are the same gauge according to my micrometer. Only the 30 and 50amp circuits are wired with a larger gauge. Agree with you, not like a builder to throw away money like that.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
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    #10

    Nov 5, 2013, 04:42 AM
    Not really throw away money, but throw away 5A worth of circuit power. Why not just use 20A and be done with it.

    The only explanation is in some places 15A circuits are required (Canada lighting circuits I think), and guys only want to stock one size wire for convenience purposes. IMO this is throwing away money.
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