The AFCI is one of the worst examples of manufacturers lobbyists corrupting the NEC code. This is also the reason why we now have to have smoke and CO2 alarms both inside and outside of every bedroom as well as on every floor. I am still waiting to see homeowners insurance go down as a result of this major extra cost in
safety devices, but no: The insurance companies will keep the saving on claims to themselves.
There is one way to avoid AFCIs in new construction, that might be break-even or better in cost: Build the whole thing in EMT. If I were building a house right now, I would certainly do that.
Paul Dent
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