GFCI that cannot be reset until wired correctly on line side and power is applied

• US 7,031,126 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2003
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Bonilla, Nelson, DeBartolo, Joseph V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Easthom, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANG, ROBERT TRONG
• Application Number:
  US10/622,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20040223279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 361/42, 361/45, 361/93.1, 361/93.5, 361/93.6, 361/658, 361/356, 361/46, 335/18, 340/635, 340/638, 340/653
• US Class Current: 361/42
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 83/04 with testing means for indicating the ability of the switch or relay to function properly
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/338 also responsive to wiring error, e.g. loss of neutral, break

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a protection device for indicating when ground fault protection is not being provided by the protection device. The protection device includes source and load terminals between a conductive path and face terminals. The protection device further includes a latching mechanism, adapted to be operable between a first state in which the latching mechanism permits electrical contact between the source terminals and the load terminals and a second state in which the contact is broken; an alarm indicator, adapted to provide an indication that the protection device is not providing ground fault protection; and a fuse, adapted to blow when the latching mechanism fails to open during a manual test of the protection device.

Claims

1. A protective device having source and load terminals between a conductive path and face terminals, the protective device comprising:

a latching mechanism, adapted to be operable between a first state in which said latching mechanism permits electrical contact between said source terminals and said load terminals and a second state in which said contact is broken;

an alarm indicator, adapted to provide an indication that said protection device is not providing ground fault protection; and

a fuse, adapted to blow when said latching mechanism fails to open during a manual test of the protection device, said alarm indicator providing said indication in response to said fuse blowing.

2. A protection device according to claim 1, wherein said alarm indicator is a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

3. A protection device according to claim 2, wherein the LED flashes to indicate the device is not providing ground fault protection.

4. A protection device according to claim 2, wherein the LED extinguishes to indicate the device is not providing ground fault protection.

5. A protection device according to claim 2, wherein the LED comprises a red LED.

6. A protection device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sensing circuit, adapted to selectively place the latching mechanism in said second state upon detection of a ground fault condition to electrically isolate said face terminals from said source and load terminals.

7. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein said protective device includes a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

8. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein said source terminals and load terminals are adapted to connect to a power source.

9. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein said latching mechanism comprises:

an electromechanical device, adapted to place said latching mechanism in one of said first and second states;

a first transformer, adapted to detect a current imbalance in said conductive path; and

a second transformer, adapted to detect an amount of the current imbalance in said conductive path.

10. A protective device according to claim 9, wherein said electromechanical device comprises a solenoid.

11. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein said first state comprises a closed condition and said second state comprises an open condition.

12. A protective device according to claim 9, wherein when said latching mechanism is in said second state said face terminals are isolated from said power source if said power source is connected to either said load terminals or said source terminals.

13. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein said face terminals include contacts separate from said conductive path and said source and load terminals.

14. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein said conductive path comprises:

a neutral conductor, adapted to connect said source and load terminals; and

a hot conductor, adapted to connect said source and load terminals.

15. A method of providing a protection device that indicates a lack of ground fault protection being provided by said protection device, comprising:

providing a latching mechanism for operating between a first state in which said latching mechanism permits electrical contact between source load terminals and load terminals and a second state in which said contact is broken;

blowing a fuse when said latching mechanism fails to open during a manual

test of the protection device; and

energizing an alarm indicator when said fuse blows to indicate that said protection device is not providing ground fault protection.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said alarm indicator is a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the LED flashes to indicate the device is not providing ground fault protection.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the LED extinguishes to indicate the device is not providing ground fault protection.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein the LED comprises a red LED.

20. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:

providing a sensing circuit for selectively placing the latching mechanism in said second state upon detection of a ground fault condition to electrically isolate face terminals from said source and load terminals.

21. A method according to claim 15, wherein said protective device comprises a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).