About Outlet Branch Circuit AFCI Devices
Outlet Branch Circuit (OBC) AFCI Devices are an alternative solution to AFCI Breakers. These devices are designed to help prevent electrical fires that can be caused by potentially dangerous arc-faults in an electrical circuit. An arc-fault is an unintentional arcing condition that occurs in an electrical circuit. Arcing can create high intensity heat, which may over time ignite surrounding material such as wood framing or insulation. Arcing may be caused by damaged wires behind a wall or damaged cords that are plugged into an outlet.
OBC AFCI Devices address the dangers associated with both types of potentially hazardous arcing – parallel and series. They offer the benefit of localized TEST and RESET, with these buttons located on the face of the device itself. This is very convenient, making the device easily accessible to reset. In addition, indicator lights in the device face that communicate a miswired or end-of-life condition also serve to provide an immediate status of protection. Because this status indicator is at the point of use, corrective action is more likely to take place quickly should protection be compromised.