Leviton Rolls Out New SmartlockPro® Outlet Branch Circuit AFCI Receptacle

Advanced technology helps protect against electrical fires resulting from arc-faults

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Jul 01, 2013, 07:02 ET

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

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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.

"Arc-fault protection is extremely important as arc-faults are often unseen and can occur anywhere in the home's electrical system including within walls as well as appliance cords and other extensions to branch circuit wiring," said Bill Grande, Leviton's Director of Safety Products. "The SmartlockPro OBC AFCI Receptacle is ideal for homeowners because it offers the benefit of localized TEST and RESET, providing a convenient option to AFCI breakers."

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.

The Leviton OBC AFCI Receptacle is now available through Leviton's network of retail and electrical distribution channels. For additional information on the SmartlockPro OBC AFCI Receptacle, visit www.leviton.com/afci.

About Leviton Residential
Leviton residential products are the brand most preferred by builders and electrical contractors. Leviton's award winning lighting controls, wiring devices and home automation products help electrical industry professionals and homeowners create smart living environments that deliver energy savings, convenience, reliability and safety. Learn more at www.leviton.com/residential.

About Leviton
Leviton is the smart choice, providing the most comprehensive range of solutions to meet the needs of today's residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Leveraging more than a century of experience, Leviton helps customers create sustainable, intelligent environments through its electrical wiring devices, network and data center connectivity solutions, and lighting energy management systems. From switches and receptacles, to daylight harvesting controls, networking systems, and equipment for charging electric vehicles, Leviton solutions help customers achieve savings in energy, time and cost, all while enhancing safety. For more information, visit www.leviton.com, http://www.facebook.com/leviton, http://twitter.com/leviton or http://www.youtube.com/Levitonmfg.

SOURCE Leviton