GFCI WITH SELF-TEST AND REMOTE ANNUNCIATION CAPABILITIES

• US 20080007879A1
• Filed: 05/31/2007
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Bradley, Roger, Zaretsky, Albert
• Granted Patent: US 7,911,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/042
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/335 the main function being self testing of the device

Abstract

Methods and techniques are disclosed for an intelligent GFCI device (IGFCI) having a microcontroller programmed to perform self-testing on a periodic basis and communicate the results of this testing to a remote monitoring device such as a remote central logging computer. In some implementations, with two-way (bidirectional) communication, a plurality of self-testing IGFCI devices can be tested and reset systematically from a remotely located device to reduce disruption to users. The IGFCI device can be configured to be automatically reset or manually reset upon the application of AC power to the device.

Claims

1. A ground fault circuit interrupter device comprising:

a pair of contacts to make and break a conductive path between line and load side conductors; and

an intelligent circuit having self-test functionality to test and reset the ground fault circuit interrupter and to transmit the results thereof to a remote device.

2. The ground fault circuit interrupter according to claim 1 wherein said intelligent circuit comprises bi-directional transmission capability.

3. The ground fault circuit interrupter according to claim 1 wherein said intelligent circuit comprises a microcontroller.

4. The ground fault circuit interrupter according to claim 3 wherein said microcontroller comprises a visual indicator.

5. The ground fault circuit interrupter according to claim 3 wherein said microcontroller comprises an audible indicator.

6. The ground fault circuit interrupter according to claim 1 wherein said self test functionality comprises transmitting Auto-Test and Auto-Reset signals to the ground fault circuit interrupter.

7. A method for self testing a ground fault circuit interrupter comprising:

sending at least one control signal from a control device to the ground fault circuit interrupter to create at least one condition; and

sensing at least one response to said at least one control signal; and

transmitting a report comprising said at least one response to a remote device.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said control device is a microprocessor.