AFCI

[Cannabis_Man]

I am sereiously considering a AFCI but I am unsure what to get. I know they have portable units, which would be easy but would a breaker style AFCI work better? For instance, what if I had a portable AFCI run from a wall plug to the AFCI to extension cords to the lights and fans? Would I be protected from an arc coming from the wall plug or just anything from the AFCI unit down? Also can someone point me in the right direction to portable AFCI's, I cant seem to find any. Thanks.

 

[Guest]

I've never heard of anyone using one ina grow room,I wouldnt.I wouldnt use a GFCI either for that matter

 

[Cannabis_Man]

Youve never heard of an arc fault circuit interruptor? You wouldnt use a GFCI?

This is what the search button yields when you search arc fault:
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=24347&highlight=arc+fault

Rule #1:

1. Your grow room MUST be on an arc fault breaker. No exceptions. If you have a grow room and its not on an arc fault breaker your rolling the dice and this applies to experience growers or beginners. No good alternatives here, and no second opinions. No arc fault and you can burn. The arc fault breaker dissallows a short either in the in=wall wiring or in an appliance such as a ballast.
You can buy arc fault breakers at Lowes or any electrical supply. The cost about 40 bucks and install right into your panel box. They come with instructions and if your careful its easy to install.

Can I get some sereious help?

 

[Guest]

Yea where are all the experienced electricians haha?Go ahead believe what you read man,just be close by your grow all the time to be resetting your GFI or AFI lol.No exceptions huh?God I have to laugh at some of the total shit that people read and take for gospel.If you have the info,why are you even asking here?You wont find an experienced grower using any of those things and by the way,I've been a journeyman probably for longer than you've been alive lol.EDIT Ya wanna know the first thing me or any other experienced electrician does when they get to a new job and the inspector has taken a look at the panel with GFI breakers?We cut the fuckin wire to UNGFI it otherwise every time you start a power tool your at the panel resetting the thing!Go ahead man,knock yourself out.

 

[Budweiser13]

Being I used to be an electrician I would highly recommend you use both if you can afford to install them AFCI and GFI. I would not want my house burning down Because I was at work and My HPS bulb or ballast failed..............Good Luck sparky's.......

 

[Budweiser13]

Also Do a google search lots of info.........

 

[MTF-Sandman]

If it matters, the electrical inspector in my area recommended against using AFIs in bedrooms due to all the false trips...even though it's NEC code to use em in sleeping areas.

I checked some stats for AFI's and they would have saved like 7 lives a year if used in all sleeping areas...seems to me like there's much better odds of hitting the lottery. But to each his own - if you're a safety nut, be prepared to deal with the extra headaches.

 

[Budweiser13]

MTF that is weird did he say why they were false tripping they trip on the detection of an arc short. They are in all the new homes now. Well if you know what your doing when you set up your grow and it is done right you will be ok..........good luck and remember electricity kills........

 

[Cannabis_Man]

I aplolgize for my asshole tone. Thats not what growing is about. I just assumed you didnt know shit ballast man. I mean you said just dont use it and didnt elaborate at all. I thought you were either an asshole or just one of those people who chime in on every thread regardless of knowing about the topic or not. Anyway I did a google search before I started this thread and did some research aswell as you guys. Does anyone know of portable units similar to the gfci ones, I cant seem to find any.

 

[MTF-Sandman]

MTF that is weird did he say why they were false tripping they trip on the detection of an arc short. They are in all the new homes now. Well if you know what your doing when you set up your grow and it is done right you will be ok..........good luck and remember electricity kills........

He basically stated that the technology isn't up to the standards it should be and is overly sensitive alot of times...but he did say that they would probably adopt them as part of the local code within a few years after they get the bugs worked outta them.

 

[Cannabis_Man]

I dont know what to believe. Some people say that AFCI's are worth it some say not. Does anyone actually have an AFCI installed? It seems like a great safty device but people are saying fuck them. Whats the deal?

 

[Guest]

I apoligize too,man can I be a dick.I just personally wouldnt use them,if I were growing hydro I may consider a GFI,but I doubt it.AFI's would be out of the question on my lighting circuits.I've been growing this way for over 6 years now man,3K in flower and 1.8 in veg,the only overcurrent protection being the breakers.

 

[MTF-Sandman]

I did install a GFCI in my closet only because there were outlets below the upper chambers res...but if it weren't for that I would not have installed it. If you're doing the electrical for the room, just make sure that it's higher up than any water sources - that way if you have a leak, it won't risk coming in contact with an electrical source. That's why it's a big no-no to have electrical stuff on the floor of a grow room...

 

[Budweiser13]

Ok I talked to a good friend who is still an electrician that I use to work with and he says dont worry about using AFCI's that they are really not needed if everyting is wired correctly. And that is meaning that you dont go over 80% of the load on a particular circuit.......Your HID's lights could false trip and then there goes your flowers to hermies.......

 

[Guest]

afci's are part of the 2008 nec code. they are to be installed on anything that is wired inside a bedroom or sleeping area. basically receptacles, lighting and smoke/co2 detectors.
afci's are a good use for the morons that run flimsy 2 wire extension cords all over the bedrooms/ ran under the rug. when extension cords are run in buches or twisted up around itself, it genereates heat, and has the chance to catch on fire. this is what the afci is designed to avoid. CLUMSY ASS HOUSE FIRES.
i personally wouldn't use one, but to each their own.
i know my wiring is top notch and have no worries when it comes to a fire. after all, i run wires for a living.
you could potentially use a gfci, but only if that outlet, or plugged in devices, are subject to water damage.
you don't have to actually use a gfci if the required outlet location if both its plugs has something plugged in it all all times. if you only have one thing to plug into the gfci location, you can use a single receptacle in its place.
you have to understand something about new technology, it has bugs.
afci's are notorious for nuisance tripping.
if you want this headache, then do what you want.
but you don't need this headache, remember that.

 

[Dirty]

my 2 cents

my 2 cents

I ran 3 15amp GFCI outlets to my room, never had any false trips within the past 8 months.

i cannot comment on the arcfault, because even though i've read about it alittle I can't say I could really see the full reasoning for it in a grow room, and I had no idea they are now using it in new housing.

My theory is just to use GFI's if there's gonna be ANY water getting on the ground, Im doing ebb and flow tables now, and i have 5 tubs bubbling water in them, so you can believe i'm using GFI's.

 

[Guest]

Damn Thorodee thats what I was trying to say the other day in my own,assholelike way

 

[DB2004]

AFCIs are not necassry if all your wiring and equipment is professionally built and installed. If there is no chance of any of the wiring being damaged or shorted, then you'll be okay with out them.

Best Regards

DB