Question about the new 2023 NEC rule on AFCI protection for kitchen fridge circuits

I had to choose between installing a dual-function AFCI/GFCI breaker or trying to use a regular AFCI with a GFCI outlet for a fridge circuit in a Reno job last month. Went with the dual-function Siemens QF220A because I figured one device was less hassle than two. It went fine, but now I'm hearing some guys say the dual-functions can nuisance trip more on fridges. Has anyone else run into that with the Siemens ones specifically?

3 comments

3 Comments

garcia.miles2mo ago

Good call going with the dual function, that's the cleanest install. The nuisance trip thing is real with any fridge that has a variable speed compressor, those things put out some weird harmonics. Siemens are actually better than some other brands for it, but you still might get a trip on the initial startup surge if the fridge is older.

emmar752mo agoMost Upvoted

Actually, I've had the opposite experience with Siemens. Their boards seem overly sensitive to any load with a motor, even new ones. My neighbor's brand new Bosch fridge tripped his Siemens breaker twice last month. It's not just an age thing, it's how they're calibrated from the factory.

finleybutler13d ago

You know what, I used to be firmly in the "Siemens is bulletproof" camp. My whole panel is Siemens and I never had issues. But hearing about your neighbor's Bosch fridge really makes me think. I've got an older fridge with a standard compressor so I never see that, but a buddy of mine just put in a new LG with a variable speed one and he's had to swap breakers on his Eaton panel TWICE. I guess the harmonics thing is way more real than I thought. Maybe the sensitivity is actually a feature to catch something weird, not a bug.