Code Change Summary: The rules pertaining to AFCI protection for replacement receptacles have been revised.

Before this code change, if replacing receptacles in an older home, (receptacles installed and considered code compliant before AFCI protection was invented) a replacement receptacle was required to have AFCI protection if it was located in an area where current code requires AFCI protection.

This code language conflicted with the requirements in 406.4(D)(2)(b) which allow a non-grounding receptacle to be replaced with a GFCI type receptacle. Until a combination AFCI/GFCI receptacle is commercially available, the installer must pick one code section or the other and attempt to comply with at least one of them while violating the other.

In the 2017 NEC^®, this has been cleared up with the addition of two new exceptions. Now, AFCI protection is NOT required for a replacement receptacle if all four of the following conditions exist:

1. A two-wire, non-grounding receptacle is being replaced with a GFCI type receptacle per 406.4(D)(2)(b).

2. It is impracticable to provide an equipment grounding conductor as provided by 250.130(C).

3. A listed combination type arc-fault circuit-interrupter circuit breaker is not commercially available.

4. GFCI/AFCI dual function receptacles are not commercially available.

Exception 2 states that the exception in Section 210.12(B) does not apply to replacement receptacles. This is a misprint as the intent was to refer to the exception in 210.12(D) which permits a branch circuit extension or modification of existing wiring, up to 6 feet, to remain without AFCI protection as long as no additional outlets or devices are being added.

Adding exception 2 to 406.4(D)(4) was necessary because without it, a literal interpretation of the previous wording would allow a replacement receptacle to remain without AFCI protection if pig tails were made inside the receptacle box to extend the branch circuit wiring up to 6 feet and then terminate to the replacement receptacle.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2017 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.