Ground fault/arc fault circuit interrupter and method of testing the same with a test button and a reset button
First Claim
1. A method of testing a circuit interrupter, said method comprising the steps of:
- engaging a test button;
opening separable contacts responsive to said step of engaging the test button;
testing an arc fault protection circuit responsive to said step of engaging the test button;
engaging a reset button;
testing a ground fault protection circuit responsive to said step of engaging the reset button; and
closing said separable contacts responsive to successfully testing at least one of said arc fault protection circuit and said ground fault protection circuit.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An arc fault/ground fault circuit interrupter for a power circuit includes a line terminal; a load terminal; and separable contacts electrically connected between the line and load terminals. An operating mechanism opens the separable contacts and has a closed position for closing the separable contacts. A trip mechanism cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A ground fault protection circuit is operatively associated with the power circuit. An arc fault protection circuit is also operatively associated with the power circuit. A circuit tests the ground fault protection circuit, tests the arc fault protection circuit, and restores the operating mechanism to the closed position responsive to sequential activation of test and reset buttons.
97 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of testing a circuit interrupter, said method comprising the steps of:
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engaging a test button;
opening separable contacts responsive to said step of engaging the test button;
testing an arc fault protection circuit responsive to said step of engaging the test button;
engaging a reset button;
testing a ground fault protection circuit responsive to said step of engaging the reset button; and
closing said separable contacts responsive to successfully testing at least one of said arc fault protection circuit and said ground fault protection circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
energizing a trip coil responsive to successfully testing said arc fault protection circuit; and
opening said separable contacts responsive to said step of energizing said trip coil.
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3. The method recited in claim 2 further comprising:
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opening an auxiliary contact responsive to said step of opening said separable contacts; and
de-energizing said trip coil responsive to said step of opening the auxiliary contact.
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4. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising:
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activating an indicator responsive to successfully testing said arc fault protection circuit; and
closing said separable contacts 6 responsive to successfully testing said ground fault protection circuit.
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5. The method recited in claim 4 further comprising:
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closing a switch responsive to said step of engaging the test button; and
testing said arc fault protection circuit responsive to said step of closing the switch.
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6. The method recited in claim 5 further comprising:
lighting said indicator responsive to successfully testing said arc fault protection circuit.
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7. The method recited in claim 6 further comprising:
extinguishing said indicator responsive to disengaging said test button.
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8. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising:
closing said separable contacts responsive to successfully testing both of said arc fault protection circuit and said ground fault protection circuit.
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9. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising:
removing power from said ground fault protection circuit responsive to unsuccessfully testing said arc fault protection circuit.
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10. The method recited in claim 9 further comprising:
opening a fuse responsive to unsuccessfully testing said arc fault protection circuit.
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11. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising:
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closing a switch responsive to said step of engaging the test button; and
testing said arc fault protection circuit responsive to said step of closing the switch.
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12. The method recited in claim 11 further comprising:
opening said separable contacts responsive to successfully testing said arc fault protection circuit.
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13. The method recited in claim 11 further comprising:
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employing a first switch as said switch responsive to said step of engaging the test button;
closing a second switch after said step of closing said first switch;
electrically connecting said second switch in series with a fuse; and
electrically connecting a load terminal with a neutral or ground terminal through said second switch and said fuse.
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14. The method recited in claim 13 further comprising:
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opening said separable contacts responsive to successfully testing said arc fault protection circuit; and
removing power from said load terminal without opening said fuse.
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15. The method recited in claim 13 further comprising:
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opening said fuse responsive to unsuccessfully testing said arc fault protection circuit; and
removing power from said ground fault protection circuit responsive to said step of opening said fuse.
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16. The method recited in claim 15 further comprising:
disabling closure of said separable contacts responsive to said step of removing power from said ground fault protection circuit.
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17. The method recited in claim 13 further comprising:
opening said separable contacts after said step of closing the second switch.
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18. A circuit interrupter for a power circuit, said device comprising:
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a first terminal;
a second terminal;
separable contacts electrically connected between said first terminal and said second terminal;
an operating mechanism for opening said separable contacts, said operating mechanism having a closed position for closing said separable contacts;
a trip mechanism cooperating with said operating mechanism to trip open said separable contacts;
a ground fault protection circuit operatively associated with said power circuit;
an arc fault protection circuit operatively associated with said power circuit;
a test button;
a reset button; and
means for testing said ground fault protection circuit, testing said arc fault protection circuit, and restoring said operating mechanism to the closed position responsive to sequential activation of said test button and said reset button. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of testing a circuit interrupter, said method comprising the steps of:
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engaging a test button;
opening separable contacts responsive to said step of engaging the test button;
testing a first fault protection circuit responsive to said step of engaging the test button;
engaging a reset button;
testing a second fault protection circuit responsive to said step of engaging the reset button; and
closing said separable contacts responsive to successfully testing at least one of said first and second fault protection circuits.
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Specification