the affected circuit. Carefully examine cords and plugs, and accessible components of light
fixtures, appliances and equipment, such as connections, terminations, wiring, lampholders and
ballasts, for evidence of arcing, thermal damage, insulation damage, shorted or pinched wires,
etc.
Turn off all fixed appliances, such as lights, ceiling fans, switched wall outlets, etc. Test the
fixed wiring to ensure that the circuit is de-energized. Perform insulation resistance testing of
the fixed wiring from phase to neutral, from phase to ground, and from neutral to ground.
Correct any deficiencies.
Keep in mind that insulation resistance testing will not detect a series fault, such as from a
broken conductor or a loose connection. A series arc-fault cannot be detected by an AFCI until a
load is connected and energized, establishing the arc. Additionally, a branch/feeder AFCI may
not detect a series arc-fault because the current level may be below the detection threshold of the
device.
Alternatively to insulation resistance testing, reset AFCIs and GFCIs in accordance with Section
5, and re-energize the fixed wiring system with no cord-and-plug appliances and with no fixed
appliances connected to the fixed wiring system. If the AFCI or GFCI trips with no load
connected to the fixed wiring system, examine all connections and terminations on the fixed
wiring system, including junction, outlet and switch boxes, for evidence of arcing, thermal
damage, insulation damage, shorted or pinched wires, etc. Correct deficiencies and test AFCIs
and GFCIs in accordance with Section 5.
If the AFCI or GFCI does not trip without load connected to the fixed wiring system, turn on
fixed appliances, such as lights, ceiling fans, switched wall outlets, hard-wired equipment, etc.,
one at a time to identify suspect equipment and components.
If the AFCI or GFCI trips after switching on a fixed appliance, examine the appliance and the
wiring, connections and terminations between the switch and the appliance for evidence of
arcing, thermal damage, insulation damage, shorted or pinched wires, etc. Correct deficiencies
and test AFCIs and GFCIs in accordance with Section 5.
If the AFCI or GFCI does not trip after turning on all fixed appliances, plug in and turn on all
cord-and-plug appliances and equipment one at a time. If the AFCI or GFCI trips after plugging
in and turning on a cord-and-plug appliance, discontinue using the appliance and examine the
appliance and the appliance cord for evidence of arcing, thermal damage, insulation damage,
shorted or pinched wires, etc. Correct deficiencies and test AFCIs and GFCIs in accordance with
Section 5.
If the AFCI or GFCI does not trip after plugging in and turning on all cord-and-plug appliances
and equipment, measure the load current on the circuit to determine whether the circuit is
overloaded. To test for overloads, turn off all of the loads on the circuit and energizing the
branch circuit wiring. Turn on all loads one at a time. Measure the time delay between turning
on the last load and when the AFCI or GFCI trips. Any measurable time delay in the tripping of
an AFCI or GFCI would indicate that the device is tripping due to overload. Calculate or
