Adding gfci where panel has AFCI breaker

[Denisk]

I live in a newer construction. So usually I put a gfci outlet and I’m done. However where I want to put a gfci outlet in my new place has a afci breaker in the panel but where the gfci outlets are in the house, they don’t have the afci breaker. Is it still ok to add a gfci outlet where the outlet is attached the afci breaker?

 

[LiveWire]

You can purchase and install a Dual purpose GFCI/AFCI breaker and install it in place of the AFCI and it will then protect you as well as the circuit. I have a Dual Purpose on one circuit for my fish room and so far I have had no issues with it. As aquarium equipment gets older though it is possible that the AFCI will give me some headaches and if it does I will just change it out with a GFCI breaker.

AFCI is used to protect the circuit for less chance of fire causing faults and GFCI is used to protect the user so if you ever have to go with one option always go with the GFCI as the AFCI will not protect you.

 

[Denisk]

You can purchase and install a Dual purpose GFCI/AFCI breaker and install it in place of the AFCI and it will then protect you as well as the circuit. I have a Dual Purpose on one circuit for my fish room and so far I have had no issues with it. As aquarium equipment gets older though it is possible that the AFCI will give me some headaches and if it does I will just install a GFCI breaker in the panel.

AFCI is used to protect the circuit for less chance of fire causing faults and GFCI is used to protect the user so if you ever have to go with one go with the GFCI as the AFCI will not protect you.

So if I don’t want to get the electrician in, could I just put a gfci outlet in anyways? Would that give me the same protection?

 

[LiveWire]

Yes you can add a GFCI to an AFCI breaker. A GFCI outlet is good in the case that it will protect you and anything at that outlet and downstream outlets that is wired into the secondary side of that outlet (If there are wires that continue that branch circuit) will protect you as well. It is best to check and see what is powered by that circuit before you start.

If you are only using one duplex to power your system then by all means you can just add a GFCI outlet in that space and you will be protected.

Make sure to turn the breaker off first before doing so. And also make sure to wire on the correct side of the outlet as there is an inlet side and an outlet side.

 

[WilliamBowman]

The GFCI breaker wiring is slightly different from standard circuit breakers due to the pigtail connected to both the breaker and the bus bar. Even if you’re not a professional licensed electrician, you can install a GFCI breaker in a panel by following the instructions in article.

 

[Paul B]

I answered but changed my mind

 

[Reeferdeluxe]

I would just add a power strip that has gfci protection.