Leviton SmartlockPro 15A 120V Outlet Branch Circuit Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Receptacle (AFTR1-W)

David M.: Very good device

United States on Aug 18, 2023

KO: This replace an original AFCI that was tripping for no reason. So far so good.

Canada on May 15, 2022

Erik Rogers: My local code does not require AFCI on existing circuits, but if a circuit is extended with new receptacles, they must have AFCI protection. Technically, I only needed to put it at the new receptacle, but I added it at the first on the circuit instead for maximum AFCI protection.

No nuissance trips yet and there is one light switch on the circuit.

I may gradually get more of these for all my general use circuits in my house, since the last home owner was one of those "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" types and did a LOT of renovations with a bit of non-compliant electrical work...

The device is obviously a little big, but I didn't have much trouble fitting it in the box. It's probably about the same size as most modern GFCI receptacles.

Canada on Oct 15, 2021

Glenn El Blanco: good device

Canada on Sep 28, 2020

Amazon Customer: good to have as many as possible in your home

Canada on May 10, 2020

ggg: I live in Canada and discovered that the electrical codes are different from US. In the US, when you replace a receptacle on a circuit that should be AFCI protected, you have to install one of these as the replacement, or upstream of the replacement. In Canada, only if you extend the wiring. In any event I installed one at the most-upstream receptacle of all of my indoor circuits, and they work fine. Pricey, but cheaper than a new breaker panel full of AFCIs.

Here's the US NEC:

406.4(D) (4) Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection. Where a receptacle outlet is supplied by a branch circuit that requires arc-fault circuit interrupter protection as specified elsewhere in this Code, a replacement receptacle at this outlet shall be one of the following: (1) A listed outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter receptacle (2) A receptacle protected by a listed outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter type receptacle (3) A receptacle protected by a listed combination type arc-fault circuit interrupter type circuit breaker Exception: Non-grounding type receptacle(s).

Here's the Canada (Ontario) requirement, per the Safety...

Canada on Jan 29, 2020

Amulek: I bought one of these out of curiosity more than anything, and because I'm an electrical engineer who finds technology intriguing. I own a home that was built before these things even existed and I wanted to test some of my homes wiring and some of my devices and extension cords to make sure they are safe. It seems like all the other reviewers have harped on the necessity and importance of these so I'll let you read their reviews for that stuff.

I'm an energy-wise type guy so naturally one of my first tests with this receptacle was to wire it up and plug it in to my Kill-A-Watt meter just to see if this thing uses electricity for itself. To my surprise it uses 0.7 Watts continually when it is actively protecting the circuit (nothing plugged in - just the receptacle itself), and still pulls 0.5 Watts when tripped. Yes, that is next to nothing, but hey every penny adds up, but I suppose it's a penny well spent, especially if it saves your home.

It seems like this AFCI is not prone to nuisance tripping as some of the first AFCI's built... but I still have long term testing to do on it. So far I haven't had anything cause it to trip that I have plugged in, so I guess...

United States on Mar 11, 2017

Michael PreyerMichael Preyer: Leviton is one of the few companies making these AFCI outlets. They make a very good product. You can buy them almost anywhere. However, my local Lowes and Home Depot were out of stock, so I purchased from Amazon for about the same price (slightly less, in fact).

I HIGHLY recommend these in for EVERY HOME to avoid FIRE. Even new homes can experience an electrical fire if the product being plugged into the outlet has a defective plug. That's what happened to me. A very low-powered portable CD player was plugged into a socket in my girls' bedroom for playing quiet music at bedtime. Early one morning, that outlet started to overheat to the point of smoking heavily, then the outlet began to melt. The rank, toxic smelling fumes set off the smoke detector which woke us all up. It was just starting to develop a small flame which I was able to extinguish, so we did not lose our home. The very interesting part of all that, to me, was that the BREAKER NEVER TRIPPED! It continued to arc over and over creating more and more heat, but THE POWER STAYED ON! And THAT, my friends, is why every home needs AFCI breakers or outlets. Unlike GFCI breakers and outlets which protect people from...

United States on Jan 02, 2015

Nutmegger: The media could not be loaded.  If you came to this page to purchase this product, you know what AFCI is and what it does.
It is great for the peace of mind, seeing as arc fires are the most common type of electrical fire.
It is also a great way to meet the code if you are extending an existing circuit or running a new one, and they don't manufacture AFCI breakers for your panel.

This receptacle is a great alternative to the more expensive AFCI breaker, and it is THE ONLY alternative if your panel is old and they don't make AFCI breakers for it.
My situation is somewhat specific: They DO make AFCI breakers for my panel (GE), but GE's AFCI's are notorious for nuisance tripping when you're using X10 remote switches in combination with high loads (space heaters) or motor loads (vacuums). Having gotten tired of the nuisance tripping, I decided to go with a regular breaker and AFCI receptacle.
With this receptacle, I haven't seen any nuisance trips yet.
Be careful though: Unless you can tie tripping to something very specific (such as running a vacuum), be very wary when your AFCI trips. If it happens repeatedly and without an obvious reason, call an...

United States on Feb 16, 2014