What Are AFCI & GFCI Breakers? Why They’re Required in New Homes — and Why North Georgia Electrical Services Uses Dual-Function Breakers Instead

Electrical safety standards have come a long way. Modern homes in North Georgia now use advanced breakers that protect homeowners from electrical fires and shock hazards — two of the biggest risks inside residential wiring systems.

The core safety devices behind these protections are:

• AFCI breakers (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters)

• GFCI breakers (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters)

• Dual-Function AFCI/GFCI breakers (combination units that provide both types of protection)

At North Georgia Electrical Services, we install, troubleshoot, and upgrade thousands of these across Buford, Braselton, Dacula, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Flowery Branch, Lawrenceville, Hoschton, Auburn, Winder, Gainesville, and surrounding North Georgia areas.

Most homeowners don’t know the difference between AFCIs, GFCIs, or dual-function breakers — but these breakers are critical, required by modern code, and can prevent life-threatening hazards.

Let’s break it down.

What Is an AFCI Breaker? (Fire Protection)

An AFCI breaker — Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter — protects against electrical fires.

What is an arc fault?

An arc fault happens when electricity jumps across damaged, loose, or deteriorated wiring. It creates intense heat, often exceeding 1,000°F, which can ignite wood, insulation, or surrounding materials.

AFCI breakers detect unsafe arcing and shut the circuit down instantly before a fire can start.

Common causes of arc faults:

• Loose wire connections

• Damaged insulation

• Pinched wires behind outlets

• Rodent damage

• Overheated cords

• DIY electrical work

• Aging wiring in older homes

AFCI technology is especially important in homes built before modern safety standards.

What Is a GFCI Breaker? (Shock Protection)

A GFCI breaker — Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter — protects against electrical shock, especially in areas with water.

A GFCI monitors the electricity flowing in and out of a circuit. If even a tiny amount of electricity leaks outside the intended path (for example, through a person), the GFCI trips immediately.

GFCIs are required in areas such as:

• Kitchens

• Bathrooms

• Laundry rooms

• Garages

• Crawlspaces

• Exterior outlets

• Basements

• Anywhere within 6 ft of a sink

• Near pools, spas, and wet bars

GFCIs prevent fatal shocks — one of the most important safety upgrades in residential electrical systems.

What Is a Dual-Function Breaker? (AFCI + GFCI Together)

A dual-function breaker provides both:

✔ Arc fault protection (AFCI)
✔ Ground fault protection (GFCI)

This means it defends against both electrical fires and shock hazards on the same circuit.

Dual-function breakers are now commonly required in:

• Kitchens

• Laundry circuits

• Finished basements

• Living rooms

• Bedrooms

• Dining rooms

• Home offices

And they are becoming more common across all new builds and permitted upgrades.

Where Are These Breakers Required? (2023–2025 NEC Code)

AFCI Required Areas

Most habitable areas of the home:

• Bedrooms

• Living rooms

• Hallways

• Dining rooms

• Family rooms

• Offices

• Finished basements

• Closets

GFCI Required Areas

Any area with moisture:

• Kitchens

• Bathrooms

• Laundry

• Outdoor outlets

• Basements

• Garages

• Crawlspaces

• Bar sinks

• Unfinished basements

Dual-Function Required Areas

Many circuits now require both AFCI and GFCI, including:

• Kitchen appliance circuits

• Laundry room circuits

• Some bedroom/living circuits within 6 ft of sinks

• Remodels and additions

• Most circuits during a panel upgrade

• New construction

• Service changes

When NGES upgrades a service or panel, we bring circuits up to current NEC standards.

Why North Georgia Electrical Services Does Not Use Standalone AFCI or Standalone GFCI Breakers

This is where NGES stands apart.

Most electricians install the cheapest breaker that meets the minimum code — either AFCI or GFCI depending on what the inspector requires.

North Georgia Electrical Services does not do that.

We take the extra step to use Dual-Function AFCI/GFCI Combination Breakers, even when a single AFCI or GFCI breaker would technically satisfy minimum code.

Here’s why:

1. Dual-Function Breakers Provide Safer, Full Coverage Protection

Standalone AFCI only = fire protection
Standalone GFCI only = shock protection

Dual-function breakers provide:
✔ Fire protection
✔ Shock protection
✔ Overload protection
✔ Consistent monitoring

This eliminates gaps in safety that many older homes — and even newer ones — still have.

2. Code Is Moving Toward Requiring Both Anyway

The NEC continues to expand AFCI + GFCI requirements every cycle.

By installing dual-function breakers:

• Homeowners stay ahead of future code changes

• Homes remain safer long-term

• Fewer upgrades will be needed down the road

NGES builds homes to a higher standard than the minimum.

3. Fewer Nuisance Trips & Better Compatibility

Older GFCI outlets and separate AFCI breakers can fight each other, causing:

• Repeated tripping

• Random resets

• Appliance compatibility issues

Dual-function breakers are more stable and designed for modern electronics.

4. Cleaner, More Reliable Installations

All protection stays at the panel, not scattered across:

• Outlets

• Dead-front GFCIs

• Mix-matched breakers

This makes troubleshooting easier and ensures circuits are protected from beginning to end.

5. You Get the Same Safety We Install in Our Homes

We install dual-function breakers not because they are easier or cheaper — they aren’t — but because they provide best-in-class safety for your home and family.

NGES doesn’t cut corners.
We exceed code — every time.

Do Older Homes Need AFCI or GFCI Upgrades?

If your home is older, you’re not required to replace every breaker.

But if you:

• Upgrade a panel

• Add a new circuit

• Remodel

• Add appliances

• Finish a basement

• Add an EV charger

• Correct safety hazards

Then you must bring those circuits up to current codes.

NGES will advise you on the most affordable and code-compliant options.

Signs You Need Breaker Upgrades or Safety Testing

Call NGES if you notice:

• Breakers tripping repeatedly

• Warm outlets or switches

• Burning smell from panel or outlets

• Flickering lights

• Buzzing from the electrical panel

• Outlets without GFCI protection

• Two-prong outlets

• Added appliances that strain old circuits

These signs indicate dangerous wiring or outdated protection.

North Georgia Electrical Services — North Georgia’s Trusted Electrical Safety Experts

We proudly serve:

Buford, Dacula, Braselton, Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Flowery Branch, Hoschton, Auburn, Winder, Gainesville, and all surrounding North Georgia communities.

🏆 Best of Georgia 2024 Winner
🏆 Best of Gwinnett 2024 Winner
🏆 Nominated again for 2025

✔ Licensed
✔ Insured
✔ Family-Owned & Local
✔ Residential & Commercial Electrical Specialists

📞 Call Today: 404-502-8252
🌐 www.northgeorgiaelectrical.com

Schedule Your Breaker Safety Inspection With NGES

AFCI, GFCI, and dual-function breakers save lives — and NGES installs the highest standard available, not just the bare minimum required.

Protect your home. Protect your family. Keep your electrical system up to code.

Contact North Georgia Electrical Services today to schedule your breaker safety and panel inspection.

Here are a few examples of Full Service Upgrades we have done: