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Automatic reset circuit for GFCI

  • US 4,979,070 A
  • Filed: 06/13/1989
  • Issued: 12/18/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. In a ground fault circuit interrupter having a ground fault sensor means and load current switching means responsive to said sensor means to supply a load current from an alternating current source to a load circuit and to interrupt said load current when a ground fault current flow exceeding a predetermined magnitude in the load circuit is sensed by said sensor means, said sensor means being incapable of sensing faults between the ungrounded and grounded conductors of said load circuit, the improvement comprising ground fault detecting means for determining the presence of a ground fault after interruption of load current by said switching means and providing an output signal determined by the impedance of said ground fault so detected, controlled reset means operably connected by coupling means to said detecting means and being responsive to said output signal for automatically resetting said ground fault circuit interrupter to supply said load current to said load circuit when the impedance of a ground fault would limit a load current through said ground fault to a magnitude which does not exceed a predetermined non-hazardous level.

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