Follow up to to 7/04/02 post,starting with grounding which led up to th AFI discussion! Unaware? what are they breaker's,receptacle's or both, would assume all brand's avaiable. If the same as GFI'S whats the reason for them? are they cheaper. Don't have new code book,is the lighting allowed on same cicuit. What if replacing receptacle in older home,ETC,ETC.????

Eagle:

Could not find your original post since you did not say what forum it was in.

However to answer you question from the National Electric Code(NEC) 2002.

210.12 Arc-Fault-Circuit Interupter Protection.

(A) Definition. An arc-fault circuit interrupter is a device intended to provide protection from the effects of arc defaults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc is detected.

(B) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms. All branch circuits that supply 125-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by an arc-fault circuit interrupter listed to provide protection of the entire branch circuit.

My interpretation of the new code:

Now instead of just bathrooms, kitchens & basement receptacles for washer & outdoor receptacles requiring Ground-Fault-Circcuit- Interrupters, this new code takes a similar device into the bedrooms and it is called the arc-fault circuit-interupters.

The one sensing device monitors shorts through a ground fault sensing device. The other sensing device monitor arc-faults. Both accomplish essentially the same thing. They break the circiut if a fault is detected to protect the wiring & Device(s) connected to it.

I saw them at Home Depot, they are breakers and cost around $30.