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I am upgrading a handful of breakers - a couple of circuits with lighting need CAFCI and two with outlets need GFCI (I am going with dual function breakers rather than GFCI outlets).

I have two lighting circuits that by code require arc fault protection but do not require GFCI. Would it be a problem to use a dual function breaker instead of a CAFCI breaker for those circuits?

It seems that DF are usually more expensive than CAFCI, which is a reason one wouldn't normally do what I am asking, but I happen to have a couple of extra DF breakers sitting around, and I would rather use them than have to purchase new CAFCIs.

Machavity
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susie derkins
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2 Answers2

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There's no downside to over-protecting a circuit beyond cost. So having GFCI on a circuit that isn't required to have it isn't an issue. You're more likely to have an arc fault on a lighting circuit anyways (halogen flood blew on one I had installed and the CAFCI registered it as an arc fault).

The only place an unneeded GFCI does become an issue would be some types of mission-critical circuits, like for a refrigerator.

Machavity
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It would give you more protection than maybe you want.

The trouble with installing safety systems, is the darn things go off on you. And then, you have to deal with the problem. Safety is always better if you do that, but it holds your feet to the fire and makes you fix any problems on its timetable, not yours. Because the circuit will not work until you do.

Harper - Reinstate Monica
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