What happens to AFCI protection when a 10-foot branch circuit extension is added to a dwelling family room?

AFCI, or Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter protection, is designed to prevent electrical fires caused by arc faults that may occur in circuits supplying power to receptacles in dwelling units. When a 10-foot branch circuit extension is added to a family room circuit, this extension is still subject to the same AFCI requirements that apply to the original circuit.

The key understanding here is that according to NEC (National Electrical Code) requirements, all circuits supplying 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in dwelling units, including family rooms, must be protected by AFCI devices. Since the added extension is an extension of a branch circuit and is likely to serve the same areas that the AFCI protection was initially designed for, it must also comply and continue the protection.

Therefore, when this 10-foot extension is added, AFCI protection remains required, ensuring that the entire circuit, including the extension, is safeguarded against potential arc faults. This upholds the overarching goal of maximizing safety within residential electrical installations, particularly in high-risk areas like family rooms where various devices may be plugged in.