A.
Turn OFF the overcurrent device, circuit breaker or fuse, protecting the branch circuit
where the existing receptacle, if any, is installed. Test the branch circuit using a voltage
meter to ensure that the branch circuit is de-energized.
B.
Existing Receptacle
. With the power off, remove the existing coverplate, and gently
remove the receptacle. If the existing electrical box is too small to accommodate an
AFCI or GFCI outlet and the necessary pigtails, conductors, and connections, install a
larger outlet box before installing the receptacle. If the branch circuit wiring is
aluminum, install copper pigtails to the aluminum conductors for final connections to the
receptacle. Identify, remove and label the existing branch-circuit wiring, differentiating
between the supply conductors and conductors that supply loads downstream of the
receptacle location. Testing of the conductors while energized may be necessary to
differentiate between supply and load conductors.
C.
New Receptacle
. Install a new outlet box, level and plumb. For existing walls, be sure
not to remove the portion of wall necessary for the mounting ears of remodel or old-work
boxes. Install source conductors to the new outlet box matching the existing wiring
methods.
D.
Cut off the stripped portion of the existing conductor, if any, and strip approximately ¾-
inch of insulation from each conductor. If the existing conductors do not extend a
minimum of six inches beyond the face of the outlet box, provide a minimum of six-inch
lengths of color-coded conductors to use as pigtails for connecting receptacles to fixed
branch circuit wiring. Strip away approximately about ¾-inch of the insulation from
each end of each conductor. Bend one end of each conductor into a “U” shape for
connection to the terminals of the receptacle. Ensure that the “U” shape wraps around
each terminal screw in a clockwise direction.
Connect the bare or green conductor to the
grounding terminal of the receptacle.
Connect supply conductors to the receptacle
terminals labeled SUPPLY or LINE. Where the new receptacle is intended to protect
downstream locations, connect the conductors to downstream devices to the receptacle
terminals labeled LOAD.
Connect the white conductor to the silver or neutral terminal.
Connect the colored wire to the brass or phase terminal.
Tighten and torque connections
in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
Wrap a length of electrical tape
around the terminals of the receptacle to protect the terminals from inadvertent contact.
Connect the receptacle pigtails to the fixed branch circuit wiring using wirenuts.
E.
Gently push the conductors into the outlet box, and install the new receptacle in the outlet
box. Install the coverplate.
F.
Energize the receptacle by turning the overcurrent device, circuit breaker or fuse, to the
ON position. Verify that the receptacle and any protected downstream receptacles are
energized. With no load on the receptacle or on any downstream devices, test the
receptacle by pressing the TEST button. For an AFCI receptacle, the TEST button
generates a signal that simulates an arcing fault to the AFCI sensor. For a GFCI
receptacle, the TEST button creates a current imbalance between the phase and neutral
