Leviton Rolls Out New SmartlockPro® Outlet Branch Circuit AFCI Receptacle

Leviton today rolled out its new SmartlockPro® Outlet Branch Circuit (OBC) Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Receptacle offering protection from arc- faults that may lead to electrical fires resulting from damage in branch circuit wiring as well as extensions to branches such as appliances and cord sets.

The SmartlockPro OBC AFCI Receptacle is designed to detect a wide range of arcing electrical faults to help reduce the likelihood of the electrical system being an ignition source of a fire. It functions by de-energizing the circuit downstream of the device upon which an arc-fault is detected to help prevent ignition and a resultant fire. AFCIs are now required by the National Electrical Code® (NEC) in many areas throughout the home; and in 2014 the NEC® will require that AFCI protection be added when replacing receptacles in locations where AFCI protection is required in new home construction. The OBC AFCI also provides an ideal solution for adding AFCI protection to older homes which are statistically more likely to experience electrical fires.

The SmartlockPro OBC AFCI Receptacle is Tamper-Resistant in compliance with the latest NEC requirements. The receptacle’s shutter mechanism is designed to block access to the contacts from most foreign objects for improved safety.

Engineered to detect and provide protection from both parallel and series arc-faults downstream and series arc-faults upstream from its location, the Leviton SmartlockPro OBC AFCI Receptacle features Leviton’s patented reset/lockout technology which automatically tests the AFCI every time the RESET button is pushed in. The AFCI will not reset if the AFCI circuit is not functioning properly. By blocking the AFCI from resetting if protection has been compromised, the SmartlockPro OBC AFCI Receptacle reduces the possibility of end-users incorrectly assuming that a reset AFCI is providing protection when it is not.

The device meets Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard 1699A (Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters, Outlet Branch Circuit Type), the definitive standard for AFCIs and comes with a two-year limited product warranty. Available in White, Ivory, Light Almond, Gray, Black and Brown, the SmartlockPro OBC AFCI Receptacle is compatible with Leviton’s complete line of signature Decora® wiring devices and wallplates.