A protective device having source and load terminals between a conductive path, and face terminals, the protective device comprising: a latching mechanism, adapted to be operable between a first state in which said latching mechanism permits electrical contact between said source and load terminals and said face terminals, and a second state in which said contact is broken; and a sensing circuit, adapted to selectively place the latching mechanism in said second state upon detection of a ground fault condition to electrically isolate said face terminals from said source and load terminals. view more

A protective device according to claim 14, wherein said protective device includes a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

A protective device according to claim 14, wherein said source terminals and load terminals are adapted to connect to a power source.

A protective device according to claim 16, wherein when said latching mechanism is in said second state said face terminals are isolated from said power source if said power source is connected to either said load terminals or said source terminals.

A protective device according to claim 14, wherein said first state comprises a closed condition and said second state comprises an open condition.

A protective device according to claim 14, wherein said face terminals include contacts separate from said conductive path and said source and load terminals.

A protective device according to claim 14, wherein said conductive path comprises: a neutral conductor, adapted to connect said source and load terminals; and a hot conductor, adapted to connect said source and load terminals.

A method for protecting against powering face terminals of a protective device having source terminals and load terminals connected between a conductive path, comprising: providing separate contacts for each one of said face terminals, source and load terminals; providing a latching mechanism operable to be in one of a first state which electrically connects said face, source and load terminals and a second state which electrically isolates said face, source and load terminals; and placing said latching mechanism in said second state when a sensing circuit detects a ground fault condition in said conductive path. view more

A method according to claim 26, wherein said protective device comprises a ground fault circuit interrupter.

A method according to claim 26, wherein said first state comprises a closed condition and said second state comprises an open condition.

A method according to claim 26, further comprising connecting a power source to either said source terminals or said load terminals.