How about tweeting HD about it? If you can get some contractor friends to retweet maybe it will go somewhere...

Don't tweet but I did comment on their facebook post and wrote a similar scathing message on their fb page.

Yea the use of AFCI at the receptacle seems pointless IMO. Is it not meant for stopping power in the case of a arcs somewhere behind the wall or in a junction box?

It would be for an attached device, or perhaps downstream as well? I've see these things but never looked that close.

It would protect such things, but unless it happens to be installed in one of the few places where such protection is NOT required by the code, or it's fed with metal conduit, it's not meeting the code.

The problem with arcing is that wiring can arc and make a lot of heat and start a fire without ever causing enough current draw to trip a regular breaker. Ideally, the code would be written that any wire that passes through living space needs arc fault circiuts but that's unwieldy. The rule is any circuit that feeds any outlets (lighting or receptacles or whatever) in living space needs protection PRIOR to it entering the living space.

What is defined as living space?

As far as the 2014 & later code goes: kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas or similar rooms or areas.

The 2011 code omitted kitchens and laundry areas from the list.

The 2008 code only required it in bedrooms.

So, should I replace most of the breakers in my house with AFCI ones? I think the only circuits which don't have receptacles in one of the above mentioned rooms are basement utility room, workshop, and bathroom, and outside receptacles. What about ceiling lights? I got the original CO approved by the local building inspector in 2015.

At significant cost (around $30-$40 per breaker) plus the risk of nuisance tripping.

http://www.startribune.com/nuisance-tripping-at-afci-circuit-breakers/370615801/

I was dumbfounded to find this relatively new panel without a single AFCI circuit breaker, so I followed up with the seller. They explained to me that they kept experiencing nuisance tripping after moving into their newly built home, so their electrician installed circuit breakers that could better handle the electricity. At least that's how it was explained to them.

What really happened was that the electrician simply removed the AFCI circuit breakers and installed standard circuit breakers. I was at first disgusted with the electrician, but after reading about how much time and money AFCI devices have cost electricians (skip to the end of the NEMA article posted above), I understood a little bit more where the electrician was coming from ... not that it excuses this in any way, of course.

I had AFCIs in the bedroom from 2008. The original GE AFCI's were a pain in the posterior with regard to tripping. I upgraded them with a later mod of the same unit and things got a lot better.

I have similar problems with GFCI outlets. They trip for no apparent reason - such as turning on my small air compressor. Only not all the time, only once out of 5 or 10 times. After a number of trips, the thing doesn't reset anymore and has to be replaced. The idea of these protection devices is great, but whatever they are putting inside them is not doing its job.

I've also seen nuisance GFI trips with inductive loads.

As for the quality and durability, even brand name GFIs are now assembled by (mostly) Chinese subcontractors. They also don't cost $20-25 any more, as they did a couple of decades ago, so you have to wonder about the quality of the components going into them.

I remember paying about $20 for GFIs in 1994. With inflation, that would be $33 today.

Just wanted to share some principals involved with inductive and magnetic loads and the problems they can cause GFCIs/GFIs. You can look at this as purely theoretical FYI stuff, but hopefully can find it interesting facts.

Upon energizing say, a motor load, current rushes into the windings and because of the nature of the coils/windings, a magnetic field is started to form. This causes a LAG, or delay in the circuit current flow OUT of the circuit - in other words, the inductors oppose changes in current (to some, you may remember ELI and ICE principals). So, while the motor or magnetic load begins building up the magnetic field, current is opposed enough leaving the circuit to cause GFCIs to sense this (>5milli-amps) difference), and trip. Why does it not happen every time? Depends on exactly where the motor's rotor is positioned to the stator's windings - sometimes more magnetizing current is drawn based on the position of the rotor and additional starting current needed to get the rotor initially moving.

Regarding AFCI protection devices - they are susceptible to actuating when plugging an old school motor with brushes - think about it... AFCIs are to protect from ARCs, right?? And what happens on the commutator of universal motors?... Arcing! So the AFCIs are operating as designed, ironically... just not desirable.

Hmm, good thoughts there. The inherent nature of different motors.

In my opinion, the newer GFCIs I have not had a problem with, and it also appears the newer AFCIs have improved. Unfortunately, most corded power tools have brushes so that can be a deal breaker for me. I suppose I could have one circuit non AFCI and run a long 12 gauge extension cord if I needed to use a full powered tool for something.

Speaking of GFCIs for outside/garage, next time you have to run a corded tool or pump outside and are standing in water, remember about that GFCI protecting your butt when you plug it in... I am sure I have been saved a few times.