How To Look At A House

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Does a combination arc fault breaker (CAFCI) also provide GFCI protection?

Thursday, June 14, 2018

No, a CAFCI breaker is not rated to provide GFCI protection too. The “combination” part of its name came about because the original arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI’s) only recognized parallel arcing (hot-to-neutral or an arc to ground), but they did not protect against series arcing (between a small gap or frayed area in the same wire, for example). So the Combination-AFCI was developed, which combines protection for both parallel and series arc faults. Beginning in 2008, the National Electric Code (NEC) required the installation of CAFCIs for circuits that the code specifies for arc fault protection.


    There is, however, a breaker that provides both CAFCI and GFCI protection. It’s called DFCI, for Dual Function Circuit interrupter, and you can learn more about it at our blog post What is a Dual Function Circuit Interrupter (DFCI)?
 
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  To learn more about electrical wiring, devices, and receptacles, see these other blog posts:

 • What is the difference between what trips a GFCI (ground fault) receptacle and a circuit breaker?

What is the code requirement for GFCI protection for receptacles near a wet bar sink?

What is the requirement for a service receptacle outlet for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HACR) equipment? 

Why is an opening in the wall around the side of an electrical receptacle outlet a safety defect?  

When was GFCI-protection for kitchen dishwasher receptacle outlet first required? 

What is allowable voltage range at a wall receptacle outlet in a house?

What is a "while-in-use" weatherproof electrical receptacle outlet cover?

When should I replace electric receptacle outlets? 

Does an electric receptacle outlet in a storage shed require GFCI protection?

What are "self-contained" electrical receptacle outlets and switches?

What is the difference between an electrical receptacle, an outlet, and a plug?

Does a washing machine receptacle outlet require GFCI protection?

What is the building code requirement for receptacle outlets at stairs and stair landings?

Can I remove a 240-volt range receptacle and hard-wire the range? 

What is a "backstab" receptacle outlet? 

Why are some electric receptacle outlets upside down (ground slot up) in a house?   

What is the height requirement for an electric receptacle outlet? 

Where are GFCI receptacle outlets required?

When were GFCI receptacle outlets first required?

 Does a home inspector remove receptacle outlet cover plates?

What problems does having too many electric receptacle outlets on a single circuit cause? 

Is a house required to have outdoor electric receptacle outlets?

How I can tell if a receptacle outlet is tamper resistant?

Why is there a GFCI breaker in the electric panel for the bathroom shower light and exhaust fan?

What is a false ground, bootleg ground, or cheated ground receptacle? 

How far apart should electric receptacles be spaced in a bathroom? 

Is an ungrounded electric receptacle outlet dangerous?

My bathroom electric receptacle/outlet is dead and there are no tripped breakers in the electric panel. What's wrong?  

Is there an adapter that can be placed on a two-slot receptacle to make it safe? 

How do the new tamper-resistant electric outlets work?

Why is there no bathroom electric receptacle in this old house?

How can I tell if the electric receptacle outlets are grounded? 

How far apart should the electrical receptacles be placed?

What are the most common problems/defects found with electric receptacle outlets during a home inspection?

   Visit our ELECTRICAL page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.

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