Circuit interrupter with test actuator for ground fault and arc fault test mechanisms
First Claim
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1. A circuit interrupter comprising:
- a housing;
separable contacts mounted in said housing;
an operating mechanism for opening said separable contacts when actuated;
trip means for actuating said operating mechanism in response to predetermined current conditions, said trip means including ground fault trip means for actuating said operating mechanism in response to a ground fault, and arc fault trip means for actuating said operating mechanism in response to an arc fault;
test means including ground fault test means for testing said ground fault trip means, and arc fault test means for testing said arc fault trip means;
means for automatically controlling said test means to test both of said ground fault trip means and said arc fault trip means; and
a test actuator in communication with said means for automatically controlling said test means to initiate testing of both of said ground fault trip means and said arc fault trip means.
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Abstract
A miniature circuit breaker incorporating ground fault protection and arc fault protection includes a test mechanism including a ground fault test circuit for testing a ground fault detector trip mechanism, and an arc fault test circuit for testing an arc fault detector trip mechanism. A state machine circuit automatically controls the test mechanism to sequentially test both of the ground fault and arc fault detector trip mechanisms. A test push button is interconnected with the state machine circuit and, when pressed, initiates sequential testing of both of the ground fault and arc fault trip mechanisms.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A circuit interrupter comprising:
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a housing; separable contacts mounted in said housing; an operating mechanism for opening said separable contacts when actuated; trip means for actuating said operating mechanism in response to predetermined current conditions, said trip means including ground fault trip means for actuating said operating mechanism in response to a ground fault, and arc fault trip means for actuating said operating mechanism in response to an arc fault; test means including ground fault test means for testing said ground fault trip means, and arc fault test means for testing said arc fault trip means; means for automatically controlling said test means to test both of said ground fault trip means and said arc fault trip means; and a test actuator in communication with said means for automatically controlling said test means to initiate testing of both of said ground fault trip means and said arc fault trip means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification