Probably for all you service and punch list folks. Trying to find some thoughts and tactics to find root cause of problems with an arc fault circuit without having to open a bunch of back stabbed devices, fans, lights etc. This is of course when it's already verified that it's not the breaker.
It would depend on the circumstances of the tripping event. Lighting circuit, SABC, general use receptacles, direct wire appliance? As mentioned start with most obvious and move on from there. Then isolate sections of circuit, look for improperly done jboxes, etc.
Had one that was a puzzle not related to loose connections, after much searching finally isolated to a outside LED carriage light, remove fixture and replaced with a porcelain base and bulb, breaker holds, moved a similar carriage light into this location, breaker holds, put the original fixture back in that location, breaker trips, replaced with new fixture, breaker trips.
Another one called in for an AFCI breaker tripping. First confirm not breaker by swapping, then replace with standard breaker, it holds, gfci breaker holds. Starting tracking by what was last thing done onto the circuit, most likely as breaker had been holding for a good period prior. Reported that the trim work on cathedral ceiling was just done, so isolate that section, breaker holds. Found a gun finish nail hit the NM at the fixture box clipping the hot conductor on the outside edge not by the ground. Fortunately there was enough slack to get the damaged conductors pulled into the fixture box and repaired, no more tripping.
Weirdest one I've seen, and don't know how it happened, not on AFCI, not required at time of installation, got a call to move some wires for some carpentry. At some point in time, someone had nailed on some trim with 2 and1/2" finish nails and hit the hot side of a NM cable dead on and actually pierced the copper through the center, had been that way for years and operating.
