Year back and I do mean YEARS Back, my parents house had two glass fuses, one for the kitchen and one for the rest of the house.
We couldn't use the Christmas Lights at the same time we watched TV... They had the panel upgraded when they bought their first electric stove, to a Major Fuse Holder insert and two glass fuses, didn't change much but they got to use the stove.
When I got out of the Army and was living home for a while, I rewired their whole house, we had 13 extension cords after the rewire.
The only power in the bed rooms were the center light in the ceilings, funny thinking on that now.
When the panel was put in, by me, they had three circuit for the kitchen, and a separate circuit for each rooms receptacles but no ceiling lighting, mom didn't light that.
Any how, the panels held up, with regular circuit breaks of the time, for over 50 years before the house was sold and had a complete redo on the electrical.
I understand the GFI thing, but if the system is put together well, circuits are separated and not over loaded, why is this ARC Fault a must have thing ?
My house in MA was wired in the same manner, a 200 amp box with plenty of circuits for every room and for expansion, and no problems, GFIs on all exterior receptacles and full GFIs in the kitchen except for the Frigerator, the Dishwasher, and the Compactor. We got by without the ARC Fault.
I can understand the possibility of saving someone from Electrocution or at least a jolt that might cause problems but I don't see the need. Yes if there was a fire I too would be in trouble, but if the system is installed properly, wires are tightened properly, no aluminum wire, and no overloading, there shouldn't be any trouble; at least that is the way I look at it !
Sorry got carried away AGAIN !