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Ground fault circuit interrupter containing a dual-function test button

  • US 20070086127A1
  • Filed: 12/04/2006
  • Published: 04/19/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A circuit interrupting device comprises:

  • a housing;

    a circuit board located within said housing;

    a tripping device capable of tripping said circuit interrupting device to cause electrical discontinuity between a line side connection, a load side connection, and a user accessible load when a fault occurs;

    a reset button; and

    a dual-function test button having a first pole and a second pole underneath said dual-function test button;

    wherein when said circuit interrupting device is properly wired and/or powered, a first-level depression of said dual-function test button allows said first pole to operatively connect to a conductive pin which generates a leakage current to test whether components of said circuit interrupting device are working properly;

    wherein when said components of said circuit interrupting device are functioned properly, said reset button is capable of being reset;

    wherein when one or more of said components of said circuit interrupting device are not functioned properly, said reset button cannot be reset;

    wherein when said circuit interrupting device is not properly wired or powered, said first-level depression of said dual-function test button does not generate said leakage current, but a second-level depression of said dual-function test button allows said second pole to adapt to mechanically trip said circuit interrupting device.

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