Still think AFCI breakers are overkill after a fire call last week

I was on a service call in a 2015-built house in Austin last Thursday. The homeowner said their bedroom lights were flickering. I popped open the panel and saw an AFCI breaker had tripped on the circuit. Most guys I know hate these things, say they nuisance trip too much. Well, I reset it and started checking the wiring in the bedroom. Found a staple that had been driven right through the Romex where it ran through a stud, arcing inside the wall for who knows how long. Without that AFCI, that house could have caught fire. Has anyone else had a similar experience where an AFCI actually proved its worth when you least expected it?

2 comments

2 Comments

troymorgan13d ago

Swallowed my pride along with my coffee when one of those things proved me wrong.

sanchez.mary13d ago

Grabbed my phone and showed the photo to my buddy. He laughed and said "see, told you so." Had to admit it was a good shot actually. Guess I was wrong about the thing.