Winnipeg: Clarification of Arc-Fault Circuits

April 20, 2026

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) protection has been required in the Canadian Electrical Code , Manitoba Electrical
Code and the Winnipeg Electrical Bylaw to varying degrees since 2003. Since that time, the Code requirements for arc
fault protection have expanded from sleeping rooms only to virtually the entire dwelling unit. With the expansion of the Rule many questions have surfaced regarding where arc-fault protection should be applied and what is exempt. This bulletin aims to clarify those requirements.

Code requirements and exceptions

Manitoba Electrical Code (MEC) Rule 26-658 states that each branch circuit for dwelling units supplying 125 Volt receptacles rated at 20 Amps or less must be protected by an arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) except for the following:

1. Receptacles in bathrooms and washrooms provided no other receptacles are connected to the circuit(s).
2. Kitchen counter, island and peninsula receptacles.
3. Kitchen refrigerator receptacles.
4. A sump pump receptacle when a single receptacle is permanently labeled for the sump pump only and is on a separate circuit feeding no other receptacles.

Detached structures

Receptacles for detached garages, sheds and other outbuildings and receptacles mounted on fence posts and on other standalone exterior structures are not considered as part of the dwelling unit so are not required to be AFCI protected.

Clarification of circuits requiring AFCI protection

All 15 and 20 Amp receptacles rated at 125 Volts located in or on a dwelling and not included in the above exceptions must be provided with arc-fault protection. This includes:

• Receptacles mounted under sinks and in cupboards for specific appliances such as
  garburators, dishwashers, switched low voltage lighting, etc.
• Switched receptacles, e.g.: in soffits, living rooms, bedrooms, etc.
• Bar and laundry counter receptacles.
• Receptacles for basement fridges and fridges in locations other than the kitchen.
• Receptacles for appliances such as freezers, microwaves, washing machines, gas ranges,
  central vacuum systems, etc.
• Receptacles for HRV systems.
• The utility room/unfinished basement receptacle (often located adjacent to the panel).
• Receptacles in attached garages including those for overhead garage door openers.
• All exterior receptacles mounted on the dwelling or on an attached garage including those in, on or for the porch, balcony, deck, yard appliances, and driveway receptacles.