The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires Arc fault circuit breakers or interrupters (AFCIs)ย in many areas of the home. This includes bedrooms, family rooms, diningย rooms, living rooms, and more. These differ from ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). They address slow leaks of energy from electrical line punctures or similar issues.ย AFCI breakers also typically carry a premium cost. They take the form of circuit breakers that are installed in your homeโs electrical panel. Theย Leviton OBC Arc Fault Circuit Interrupterย AFCI receptacles take the place of these more costly breakers.
Leviton OBC Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter AFCI Receptacles
Designed to recognize the same types ofย hazardous arc faults, Leviton AFCI receptacles could prove easier to install and manage in some situations. Your regional location may have particular implementation levels of the new NEC. As the use of AFCIs becomes more prevalent in both new construction and remodeling, innovative solutions like this can play a significant role.
Often unseen, arc faults can occur anywhere in theย homeโs electrical system, including within walls, at loose electricalย connections, or within electrical cords accidentally damaged. The ODB AFCI functions by de-energizing the circuit downstream of the device to detect an arc fault. This helps prevent ignition and a potential fire.
In a sense, the outlet works just like the AFCI breaker, but lets you install the upstream circuit protection in the home rather than at the electrical panel. This brings the added benefit of giving you โTestโ and โResetโ functionality right in the home. The Leviton SmartlockPro OBC AFCI Receptacle is also Tamper-Resistant in compliance with the latest NECย requirements. The shutter mechanism of the receptacle blocksย access to the contacts from most foreign objects for improved safety.
How the Leviton AFCI Receptacles Work
Engineeredย to detect and provide protection from both parallel and seriesย arc-faults downstream and series arc-faults upstream from its location,ย the Leviton SmartlockPro OBC AFCI Receptacle features Levitonโs patentedย reset/lockout technology, which automatically tests the AFCI every timeย the RESET button is pushed in. The AFCI will not reset if the AFCIย circuit is not functioning properly.ย
By blocking the reset of the AFCI ifย protection has been compromised, the SmartlockPro OBC AFCI Receptacleย reduces the possibility of end-users incorrectly assuming that a resetย AFCI is providing protection when it is not.
Certifications
Theย device meets Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard 1699A (Arc-Faultย Circuit-Interrupters, Outlet Branch Circuit Type), the definitiveย standard for AFCIs, and comes with a two-year limited product warranty. Available in White, Ivory, Light Almond, Gray, Black, and Brown, the Leviton AFCI receptacles are compatible with the companyโsย complete line of Decora wiring devices and wall plates.
For additional information on the Leviton SmartlockProย OBC AFCI Receptacle, visit the Levitonย website.
