Where Should We Be Using Dual Function Breakers?

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When installing circuitry into a residence, it is important to refer to the NEC to determine exactly what types of protection are needed. GFCI protection and AFCI protection being among them. But what about dual function breakers? In the latest episode of Electrician U, Dustin brings to light what a dual function breaker is and where would be the places to install them.
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Let’s discuss the difference between the standard GFCI breaker, a standard AFCI breaker, Combination breakers, and Dual Function breakers so there isn’t confusion with terminology. A standard GFCI breaker senses the difference between what’s going OUT to the load and what’s coming BACK and interrupts the circuit if there is a big enough difference to cause damage to personnel. There are 2 kinds of standard AFCI breakers. A Series AFCI breaker will sense if there is a break in a single wire (where there would be an arc from one side of that wire to the next) and will interrupt the circuit. A parallel AFCI breaker senses a small amount of arcing between a neutral and a hot of the same circuit (not enough to be a dead short but smaller arcing) and interrupts the circuit. A combination breaker has the capability to protect from BOTH Series AND Parallel arcs. And lastly, a Dual Function breaker will protect against Ground Faults AND Arc Faults.
The installation of a GFCI breaker isn’t specifically lined out in the NEC, just that GFCI protection for certain devices is required. Remember, GFCI protection is generally limited to the device, whereas AFCI protection is required for the entire circuit. Considering both the need to keep cost down AND convenience for the end user, a single GFCI breaker could take the place of several GFCI receptacles within a circuit or negate the need to run a large distance to protect the next receptacle in line of the GFCI device protecting it. In other words, a GFCI breaker will protect ALL the receptacles on the circuit. An AFCI breaker will do exactly the same thing, just from an Arc Fault standpoint in lieu of a Ground Fault.
Article 210.8(A) of the NEC covers GFCI requirements in a residential installation while article 210.12(B) covers AFCI requirements of the NEC. If you were to look in the code, you would see that several of those areas are required to have BOTH GFCI and AFCI protection. Enter the Dual Function Breaker. Take a residential kitchen for example. You could put a dual function breaker in several of the circuits in the kitchen, thus negating the need for an AFCI breaker AND a GFCI device. A laundry room could be done the same way as the requirement is there for both forms of protection. It potentially could save the contractor/owner/GC money by combining several forms of the required protection into one device and will certainly save the homeowner/contractor some aggravation by trying to figure out what exactly has tripped. A single breaker would be the source of turning the offending circuit back on (after troubleshooting it to figure out WHY it tripped!).
Another reason to use a dual function breaker in lieu of both a breaker for AFCI protection and a GFCI device for protection is that the breakers tend to be a bit more robust and will fail less frequently than a device. Especially the WR GFCI breakers installed outside as they are constantly exposed to the elements. This, overtime, could amount to significant savings in replacement. As always, refer to the current version of the NEC to find the protection requirements for your situation as codes are reworked every 3 years. Also, it may be work answering customers questions as to why you would install a Dual Function breaker or individual devices. It certainly pays to help them understand why we install things the way we do.
We hope this has been helpful in understanding the specifics of Dual Function breakers. Is there a topic you would like to see discussed on Electrician U? Leave a comment in the comments section and let us know. Please continue to follow Dustin and Electrician U as we are constantly updating our content to assist our followers in becoming the best electricians that they can be.
#electrician #electrical #electricity #dual #function #breakers #afci #gfci

[@bobmcdoggish9659]

Since Arc Faults and Ground Faults are usually very minor faults, powering your refrigerator or freezer on either an Arc Fault or Ground Fault circuit, thus risking the contents, seems iffy to me.

[@TNFTAW]

SPOILER: Everywhere

[@alexardonconstructionllc7271]

Sorry but everything with water required garbage disposal dishwasher washer garage outdoor gfci even the stove is in the kitchen the protection is the important here no lazy people no like reset the gfci

[@gary4739]

Why are you looking the 2013 NEC code instead of 2020 or 2023?

[@ippolitius]

An arcfault breaker would have saved my daughter's house.

[@BobBob-nr1zt]

this video's background music isn't loud enough nor annoying enough

[@goodtimes2654]

It’s a short list of where NOT TO USE dual function breakers these days

[@calmeilles]

I have not been really convinced by arc fault detection because all the "evidence" has come from the makers of… AFCIs. However they're in code now (or very close to being mandatory in Europe) so we fit them. Basically I'd fit dual function GFCI-AFCI breakers

[@Paul-jp8zz]

I just did a big complete kitchen remodel and due to upcoming code changes and frankly, supply chain, I used dual function on every circuit - all appliances (except the 240v 50amp oven) lights and SABC's... Inspector said "yup, that's pretty much how ya gotta do it these days"... $$$$$$

[@ToneCrushers]

$60?! Dang, I just paid $90!

[@josheh4]

These videos have been coming out just in time! Was looking to have an electrical panel replaced, and a few of your recent videos have helped answer a number of questions I had. I'm going to leave it up to an electrician to do the physical replacing, but now I have a better understanding of what I'm looking for in a replacement panel.

[@calvinjosey5784]

I cannot get enough of your videos, and appreciate them so much. I was curious if you have done a video on overload current protection on secondary conductors? I’ve been telling the apprentices I work with to watch your videos, and one of them just got a 66 on their last quiz pertaining to secondary conductor protection. Much thanks and please keep posting code videos!

[@morlamweb]

In my area, for Siemens breakers specifically (as I have a Siemens panel), the CAFCI / GFCI / dual-function breakers are the same price, $50 per breaker. I decided to go with dual-function breakers for most of the circuits because there's little benefit to going with CAFCI-only breakers. When I moved in to my house, there was only one GFCI breaker in the box, for the bathrooms, not even the kitchen or basement outlets. I've upgraded most of the breakers to dual-function slowly over time due to the cost.

[@chadrowland5234]

One of my favorite applications for combination AF/GF breakers is retractable hoses for central vacuums. Retractable hoses are wired to power 24/7 and it would not have a cord or plug. So, it will not be plugged into a receptacle. However, the code still requires AF protection for those. And, though it is hardwired, the hose still has a receptacle at the end. For central vacuum accessories that are hardwired, I just use a combination AF/GF breaker and call it a day. However, I go a step further. I put a wall switch for hardwired vacuum cleaner accessories. You shut it off when you are finished so, there is only power in the hose during cleaning.

[@JosephMilici]

Was updating receptacles to TR in my family room and the breaker tripped out on AFCI as soon as I turned it back on. I went back and checked my wiring to find that when I had pulled the tab on the receptacle to enable half to be switch-controlled, it left a small burr that was arcing. The AFCI may have saved my bacon.

[@Sembazuru]

Another advantage to putting the protection in the panel vs. as a device down the line (for example a GFCI outlet) is faults on the home run (like someone drilling through or putting a nail through the home run wire) should cause a trip instead of a death.

[@jimmiegill3981]

I put duel function on everything ! They area a better breaker than the standard afci

[@sparky178]

Just wired a basement, the wet bar area has a decorative stone wall. Had to put in 2 receptacles to meet code. I used a dual function breaker so I didn’t have a GFCI and duplex receptacle in the decorative wall. Now will have 2 matching duplex, just an aesthetic thing!

[@JohnThomas-lq5qp]

Had a few older customers who had me remove GFCI breakers in hard for them to access basement panels to reset them. Installed GFCI on first box from panel.

[@mr.c3928]

Dustin, thank you and blessings to your family🙂🎄