AFCI Protection (The Vacuum Killer)
If you live in a house built or remodeled after the 2008 NEC (and expanded in the 2014 NEC), you have likely experienced this: You plug in the vacuum, turn it on, and click. The room goes dark.
You assume the breaker is bad. You assume the vacuum is broken. Actually, the breaker is doing exactly what it was programmed to do.
The Difference:
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Standard Breakers: Protect the wire from getting too hot and melting.
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AFCI Breakers (Arc-Fault): Protect the house from fire. They listen for the specific electronic signature of “arcing”—sparks jumping between wires.
The Problem: Electric motors (like in your Dyson or blender) naturally create small sparks inside the motor. Sometimes, the AFCI breaker confuses those “safe” sparks with “house fire” sparks and cuts the power to save your life.
It is annoying. But considering that electrical arcing is a leading cause of house fires, it’s a trade-off the code writers decided was worth it.
The Fix: If it happens constantly, don’t just swap it for a regular breaker—that violates code and endangers your home. Call us. We can check if it’s a “nuisance trip” or if that old vacuum is actually dangerous.
If you have questions or need help with electrical work in the Huntsville area, visit us at huntsvillewireandhome.com or give us a call. We’re here to help.
#rocketcity #huntsvilleelectrician #huntsville #AFCI #electricalsafety
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