AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters)

AFCI outlets are designed to recognize many types of potentially hazardous arc-faults and respond by interrupting power, reducing the likelihood of the home's electrical system being an ignition source of a fire. Often unseen, arc-faults can occur anywhere in the home's electrical system including within walls, at loose electrical connections or within electrical cords accidently damaged by impinging furniture.

AFCI outlets provide arc-fault protection which is extremely important since arc-faults are often unseen and can occur anywhere in the home's electrical system including within walls and at loose electrical connections. The Leviton OBC AFCI outlet offers the benefit of localized TEST and RESET, providing a convenient option to AFCI breakers.

No, an AFCI outlet provides protection against arc-faults. A GFCI outlet provides protection against ground faults. However, they can be used together on the same circuit.

The function of a GFCI is to directly protect people from the potentially fatal hazards of electric shock that could occur if parts of an electrical appliance or tool they are using become energized due to a ground fault. The function of an AFCI is to provide protection against dangerous arc-faults that could initiate an electrical fire, potentially injuring people and damaging homes.

No, every outlet doesn't need to be an AFCI. All AFCIs provide "feed-through" protection, which means they provide protection for all wiring and extensions attached to the load side. If an AFCI replaces the first outlet in the branch circuit, it will provide protection to the remaining outlets on that circuit as well as protection against series arcs on the wiring feeding the AFCI.

Unless you are familiar with your home's wiring, contact an electrician. If you are comfortable with replacing receptacles, to begin, TURN THE BREAKER OFF. Remove the outlet that you believe is the most likely to be first in the circuit. Cap the wires. Turn the breaker back on and test the other outlets. If you chose correctly, all the others will be dead. If you chose incorrectly, put the original outlet back in and try another and repeat the process.

An AFCI breaker is located in the service panel and when tripped, requires the user to reset the breaker at the panel. An AFCI outlet replaces a standard outlet and when tripped, requires the user to reset by pressing a button located on the outlet.

Leviton AFCI outlets are tamper-resistant to meet the latest National Electrical Code® child safety requirements. The shutter mechanism inside the outlet blocks access to the contacts unless a two-pronged plug is inserted.

This is an AFCI that protects against both series and parallel arcing. Current editions of the NEC® require that when using an AFCI breaker it must be a combination type.

The NEC provides options for using either combination type AFCI breakers or OBC AFCI outlets, or receptacles. For more information on code requirements go to www.leviton.com/afci

Yes, all Leviton AFCI outlets meet UL Standard 1699A (Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters, Outlet Branch Circuit Type) for AFCI and meet UL Standard 498 for outlet.

The AFCI outlet can be a great alternative depending on the circumstance. AFCI outlets work with any type of wiring and are not dependent on the type of breaker in the panel. They are also easily accessible and have a level of familiarity with users with the TEST and RESET buttons that are also present on GFCI outlets.

Yes, all outlets require a neutral wire to work.

The AFCI outlets are available through electrical distributors, retail and online merchants. Visit www.leviton.com and click "where to buy" for more information.

Yes, they both can be used on the same circuit.

Yes, AFCI outlets can be used in older homes that contain two wire circuits.

All OBC AFCI outlets are rated as 20A feed-through. This means they can protect all outlets on both 15A and 20A branch circuits.