CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND RECEPTACLE INCLUDING SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHING DEVICE PROVIDING PROTECTION FROM A GLOWING CONTACT
First Claim
1. A receptacle comprising:
- a housing;
an input connection;
an output connection;
separable contacts structured to electrically connect said input connection and said output connection;
an operating mechanism structured to open said separable contacts responsive to a trip signal; and
a trip circuit structured to generate said trip signal responsive to current flowing to or from said output connection, said trip circuit comprising a trip detection circuit and a semiconductor switching device, said semiconductor switching device being mounted within said housing and being located within about 0.25 inch of said input connection or said output connection, said semiconductor switching device being structured to generate said trip signal responsive to said trip detection circuit and responsive to overheating of said input connection or said output connection, respectively.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A receptacle includes a housing, an input connection, an output connection, separable contacts structured to electrically connect the input connection and the output connection, an operating mechanism structured to open the separable contacts responsive to a trip signal, and a trip circuit. The trip circuit is structured to generate the trip signal responsive to current flowing to or from the output connection. The trip circuit includes a trip detection circuit and a semiconductor switching device. The semiconductor switching device is mounted within the housing and is located within about 0.25 inch of the input connection or the output connection. The semiconductor switching device is structured to generate the trip signal responsive to the trip detection circuit and responsive to overheating of the input connection or the output connection, respectively.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A receptacle comprising:
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a housing; an input connection; an output connection; separable contacts structured to electrically connect said input connection and said output connection; an operating mechanism structured to open said separable contacts responsive to a trip signal; and a trip circuit structured to generate said trip signal responsive to current flowing to or from said output connection, said trip circuit comprising a trip detection circuit and a semiconductor switching device, said semiconductor switching device being mounted within said housing and being located within about 0.25 inch of said input connection or said output connection, said semiconductor switching device being structured to generate said trip signal responsive to said trip detection circuit and responsive to overheating of said input connection or said output connection, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A circuit interrupter comprising:
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an input connection; an output connection; separable contacts structured to electrically connect said input connection and said output connection; an operating mechanism structured to open said separable contacts responsive to a trip signal; and a trip circuit structured to generate said trip signal responsive to current flowing to or from said output connection, said trip circuit comprising a trip detection circuit and a semiconductor switching device, said semiconductor switching device being located within about 0.25 inch of said input connection or said output connection, said semiconductor switching device being structured to generate said trip signal responsive to said trip detection circuit and responsive to overheating of said input connection or said output connection, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification