Conversion of standard class a ground-fault circuit-interrupters, (GFCI), to a class a ground-fault circuit interrupter with open neutral protection
First Claim
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1. An improved ground fault circuit interrupt outlet comprising:
- a voltage sensitive device which is capable of conducting current at a predetermined voltage;
said voltage sensitive device electrically connected between a ground on said ground fault circuit interrupt outlet and a neutral located on said ground fault circuit interrupt outlet, whereby said ground fault circuit interrupt outlet is converted into a ground fault circuit interrupt with open neutral protection and wherein said voltage sensitive device further comprises a threshold voltage that corresponds to a voltage difference between said neutral and said ground, and wherein said threshold voltage is less than a line potential and greater than two volts.
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Abstract
The present invention concerns an improved ground fault circuit interrupt outlet. The device includes a voltage sensitive device which is capable of conducting current at a predetermined voltage. The voltage sensitive device is electrically connected between a ground on the ground fault circuit interrupt outlet and a neutral located on the ground fault circuit interrupt outlet. Arranging the device in this manner converts the ground fault circuit interrupt outlet into a ground fault circuit interrupt with open neutral protection.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An improved ground fault circuit interrupt outlet comprising:
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a voltage sensitive device which is capable of conducting current at a predetermined voltage;
said voltage sensitive device electrically connected between a ground on said ground fault circuit interrupt outlet and a neutral located on said ground fault circuit interrupt outlet, whereby said ground fault circuit interrupt outlet is converted into a ground fault circuit interrupt with open neutral protection and wherein said voltage sensitive device further comprises a threshold voltage that corresponds to a voltage difference between said neutral and said ground, and wherein said threshold voltage is less than a line potential and greater than two volts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An outlet having a ground fault circuit interrupt circuitry comprising:
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an electrical pathway in communication with a neutral line and a ground line;
said pathway conducts current to said GFCI circuitry in the event of a break in said neutral line; and
a voltage sensitive device having a threshold voltage that corresponds to a voltage difference between said neutral and said ground, wherein said threshold voltage is less than a line potential and greater than two volts. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An improved ground fault circuit interrupt outlet comprising:
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a voltage sensitive device which is capable of conducting current at a predetermined voltage;
said voltage sensitive device electrically connected between a ground on said ground fault circuit interrupt outlet and a neutral located on said ground fault circuit interrupt outlet, whereby said ground fault circuit interrupt outlet is converted into a ground fault circuit interrupt with open neutral protection, and wherein said voltage sensitive device is a SIDAC.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeCooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
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Original AssigneeCooper Industries, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
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InventorsDuve, Jeff
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Primary Examiner(s)Toatley, Jr., Gregory J.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Nguyen, Danny
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Application NumberUS09/737,273Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,168 DaysField of Search361/42, 361/44, 361/45, 361/46, 361/47, 361/56, 361/93, 361/118US Class Current361/42CPC Class CodesH02H 3/338 also responsive to wiring e...
