Protection device with power to receptacle cut-off

• US 7,154,718 B1
• Filed: 07/28/2004
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pass And Seymour Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Pass And Seymour Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Morgan, Kent, Weeks, Richard, Richards, Jeffrey C., Savicki, Gerald R. Jr., Finlay, David A. Sr., Radosavljevic, Dejan, Wilson, Gary, Murphy, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Stephen W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Benenson, Boris
• Application Number:
  US10/900,769
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 361/42
• US Class Current: 361/42
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2071/044 Monitoring, detection or measuring systems to establish the end of life of the switching device, can also contain other on-line monitoring systems, e.g. for detecting mechanical failures
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 83/04 with testing means for indicating the ability of the switch or relay to function properly

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring protection device that includes a housing assembly having at least one receptacle. The receptacle is configured to receive plug contact blades inserted therein. The housing assembly includes a hot line terminal, a neutral line terminal, a hot load terminal, and a neutral load terminal. A set of receptacle contacts is disposed in the housing assembly and in communication with the receptacle. The receptacle contacts includes a hot user-accessible load contact and a neutral user accessible load contact. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the test assembly. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto. A four-pole interrupting contact assembly is coupled to the fault detection circuit and includes a set of four-pole interrupting contacts. A reset mechanism is coupled to the four-pole interrupting contact assembly. The reset mechanism includes a reset button and a reset actuator configured to reestablish electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts in response to a reset stimulus.

Claims

1. An electrical wiring protection device comprising:

a housing assembly including at least one receptacle, the at least one receptacle being configured to receive plug contact blades inserted therein, the housing assembly including a hot line terminal, a neutral line terminal, a hot load terminal, and a neutral load terminal;

at least one set of receptacle contacts disposed in the housing assembly and in communication with the at least one receptacle, the at least one set of receptacle contacts including a hot user-accessible load contact and a neutral user accessible load contact;

a fault detection circuit coupled to the hot line terminal and the neutral line terminal, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto;

a four-pole interrupting contact assembly coupled to the fault detection circuit and including,

at least one solenoid coupled to the fault detection circuit,

an armature coupled to the at least one solenoid, the armature being configured to move in only a first direction in response to any force generated by the at least one solenoid, and

a set of four-pole interrupting contacts having a first pair of hot contacts coupling the hot line terminal and the hot load terminal, a second pair of hot contacts coupling the hot line terminal to the hot user-accessible load contact, a first pair of neutral contacts coupling the neutral line terminal and the neutral load terminal, and a second pair of neutral contacts coupling the neutral line terminal to the neutral user-accessible load contact, the set of four-pole interrupting contacts being configured to provide electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts in a coupled state, the set of four-pole interrupting contacts being driven by the armature movement in the first direction to thereby interrupt electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts in a tripped state; and

a reset mechanism coupled to the four-pole interrupting contact assembly, the reset mechanism including a reset button and a reset actuator that selectively provides a reset stimulus in response to an actuation of the reset button, the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts being necessarily driven into the coupled state by the reset stimulus.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the set of four-pole interrupting contacts further comprises:

a first cantilever connected to the hot line terminal at a first end and including a first cantilever contact disposed thereon at a second end, the first cantilever contact and a hot load terminal contact forming a first contact pair of hot contacts configured to couple the hot line terminal and the hot load terminal;

a second cantilever connected to the hot line terminal at the first end and including a second cantilever contact disposed thereon at the second end, the second cantilever contact and a hot user-accessible load contact forming a second contact pair of hot contacts configured to couple the hot line terminal and the hot user-accessible load terminal;

a third cantilever connected to the neutral line terminal at a first end and including a third cantilever contact disposed thereon at the second end, the third cantilever contact and a neutral load terminal contact forming a first contact pair of neutral contacts configured to couple the neutral line terminal and the neutral load terminal; and

a fourth cantilever connected to the neutral line terminal at the first end and including a fourth cantilever contact disposed thereon at the second end, the fourth cantilever contact and a neutral user-accessible load contact forming a second contact pair of neutral contacts configured to couple the neutral line terminal and the neutral user-accessible load terminal.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a test mechanism configured to mechanically drive the set of four-pole interrupting contacts into the tripped state, the reset mechanism being independent of the test mechanism.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the reset button is coupled to a pair of test contacts, the reset mechanism generating a simulated fault condition in response to the pair of test contacts being closed, the fault detection circuit being configured to generate the fault detect signal in response thereto.

5. The device of claim 2, further comprising a latch mechanism coupled to the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever, the latch mechanism being configured to open the set of four-pole interrupting contacts in response to the fault detect signal.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one solenoid includes a first solenoid configured to move the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever in a first direction to thereby reestablish electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first solenoid includes a pair of test contacts coupled to the reset mechanism, the reset mechanism generating the simulated fault condition in response to the pair of test contacts being closed.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the reset stimulus is not provided to the first solenoid to reestablish electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts if the fault detection circuit fails to respond to the simulated fault condition.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the latch mechanism includes a second solenoid coupled to a test button, the second solenoid being configured to drive the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever in a second direction to cause electrical discontinuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts in response to the test button being actuated.

10. The device of claim 3, wherein the latch mechanism further comprises:

a latch toggle mechanism including a first arm and a second arm in a fixed positional relationship about an axis of rotation, the first arm being coupled to the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever;

a first solenoid coupled to the reset mechanism and configured to apply a first force to the second arm in response to the reset stimulus to thereby move the first arm and the second arm in a first direction about the axis of rotation, the first arm driving the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever in response thereto, whereby electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts is reestablished; and

a second solenoid coupled to a test button and configured to apply a second force to the first arm to thereby move the first arm and the second arm in a second direction about the axis of rotation, the first arm driving the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever in response thereto, whereby electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts is broken.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the reset stimulus is not provided to the first solenoid to reestablish electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts if the fault detection circuit fails to respond to the simulated fault condition.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising an end-of-life mechanism including an end-of-life circuit, a third pair of hot contacts coupling the hot line terminal and the hot load terminal, and a third pair of neutral contacts coupling the neutral line terminal and the neutral load terminal, the end-of-life circuit being configured to decouple the third pair of hot contacts and the third pair of neutral contacts if the fault detection circuit fails to provide the fault detection signal within a predetermined period of time after a simulated fault condition is generated, the end-of-life mechanism being independent of the set of four-pole interrupting contacts.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the four-pole interrupting contacts includes a first tri-contact member configured to provide electrical continuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal in a coupled state and cause electrical discontinuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal in a tripped state, the four-pole interrupting contacts also including a second tri-contact member configured to provide electrical continuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal in a coupled state and cause electrical discontinuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal in a tripped state.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first tri-contact member further comprises:

a first platform including three contacts disposed thereon, a first contact being aligned with a hot line contact, a second contact being aligned with a hot load contact, and a third line being aligned with a hot user-accessible load contact;

a first axial member coupled to the platform;

a first spring coupled to the axial member, the spring being configured to exert a first force tending to drive the platform into the tripped state causing electrical discontinuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal; and

a latch member coupled to the fault detection circuit, the latch member being configured to exert a second force greater than the first force, tending to drive the platform into the coupled state providing electrical continuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the second tri-contact member further comprises:

a second platform including three contacts disposed thereon, a first contact being aligned with a neutral line contact, a second contact being aligned with a neutral load contact, and a third line being aligned with a neutral user-accessible load contact;

a second axial member coupled to the platform;

a second spring coupled to the axial member, the spring being configured to exert a first force tending to drive the platform into the tripped state causing electrical discontinuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal; and

wherein the latch member is configured to exert a second force greater than the first force, tending to drive the platform into the coupled state providing electrical continuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the reset stimulus is a mechanical force configured to drive the first latch member and the second latch member into the coupled state.

17. The device of claim 13, further comprising a test mechanism configured to generate a simulated fault signal.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the fault detection circuit includes a miswire detection circuit, the miswire detection circuit being configured to detect a condition wherein AC power is applied to the load terminals.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein four-pole interrupting contact assembly further comprises:

a hot cantilever assembly including a hot line cantilever connected to the hot line terminal and including a first hot contact disposed thereon, a fixed second hot contact coupled to the hot user-accessible load terminal, and a hot load cantilever connected to the hot load terminal and including a third hot contact disposed thereon, the first hot contact, the second hot contact, and the third hot contact being aligned and configured to provide electrical continuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal in a coupled state and cause electrical discontinuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal in a tripped state, and

a neutral cantilever assembly including a neutral line cantilever connected to the neutral line terminal and including a first neutral contact disposed thereon, a fixed second neutral contact coupled to the neutral user-accessible load terminal, and a neutral load cantilever connected to the neutral load terminal and including a third neutral contact disposed thereon, the first neutral contact, the second neutral contact, and the third neutral contact being aligned and configured to provide electrical continuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal in a coupled state and cause electrical discontinuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal in a tripped state.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the hot load cantilever is disposed between the hot line cantilever and the fixed second hot contact.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the third hot contact is configured as a dual contact including a hot line contact portion configured to mate with the first hot contact and a user-accessible contact portion configured to mate with the fixed second hot contact.

22. The device of claim 19, wherein the neutral load cantilever is disposed between the neutral line cantilever and the fixed second neutral contact.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the third neutral contact is configured as a dual contact including a neutral line contact portion configured to mate with the first neutral contact and a user-accessible contact portion configured to mate with the fixed second neutral contact.

24. The device of claim 1, wherein the reset stimulus includes a mechanical force generated in response to the actuation of the reset button.

25. The device of claim 1, wherein the reset stimulus includes an electrical signal generated in response to the actuation of the reset button.

26. The device of claim 1, wherein the reset actuator includes a reset solenoid, the reset solenoid does not drive the armature.

27. The device of claim 1, wherein the reset mechanism does not include a lockout mechanism.

28. The device of claim 1, wherein the reset mechanism does not respond to a force generated by the at least one solenoid.

29. An electrical wiring device comprising:

a housing assembly including at least one user-accessible receptacle, the at least one user-accessible receptacle being configured to receive plug contact blades inserted therein, the housing assembly including a hot line terminal, a neutral line terminal, a hot load terminal, and a neutral load terminal;

at least one set of receptacle contacts disposed in the housing assembly and in communication with the at least one user-accessible receptacle, the at least one set of receptacle contacts including a hot user-accessible load contact and a neutral user accessible load contact;

a test assembly coupled to the hot line terminal and the neutral line terminal, the test assembly being configured to generate a simulated fault condition;

a fault detection circuit coupled to the test assembly, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto, the at least one fault condition including the simulated fault condition;

a set of four-pole interrupting contacts coupled to the fault detection circuit, the set of four-pole interrupting contacts including a set of four-pole interrupting contacts having a first pair of hot contacts coupling the hot line terminal and the hot load terminal, a second pair of hot contacts coupling the hot line terminal to the hot user-accessible load contact, a first pair of neutral contacts coupling the neutral line terminal and the neutral load terminal, and a second pair of neutral contacts coupling the neutral line terminal to the neutral user-accessible load contact, the set of four-pole interrupting contacts being configured to provide electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts in a coupled state and cause electrical discontinuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts in a tripped state; and

an end-of-life mechanism coupled to the test assembly, the end-of-mechanism including an end-of-life circuit, a third pair of hot contacts coupling the hot line terminal and the hot load terminal, and a third pair of neutral contacts coupling the neutral line terminal and the neutral load terminal, the end-of-life circuit being configured to decouple the third pair of hot contacts and the third pair of neutral contacts if the fault detection circuit fails to transmit the fault detection signal within a predetermined period of time after the simulated fault condition is generated, the end-of-life mechanism being independent of the set of four-pole interrupting contacts.

30. An electrical wiring protection device comprising:

a housing assembly including at least one user-accessible receptacle, the at least one user-accessible receptacle being configured to receive plug contact blades inserted therein, the housing assembly including a hot line terminal, a neutral line terminal, a hot load terminal, and a neutral load terminal;

at least one set of receptacle contacts disposed in the housing assembly and in communication with the at least one user-accessible receptacle, the at least one set of receptacle contacts including a hot user-accessible load terminal and a neutral user accessible load terminal;

a fault detection circuit coupled to the hot line terminal and the neutral line terminal, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto; and

a four-pole interrupting contact assembly coupled to the fault detection circuit, the four-pole interrupting contact assembly including,

a first cantilever connected to the hot line terminal at a first end and including a first cantilever contact disposed thereon at a second end, the first cantilever contact and a hot load terminal contact forming a first contact pair of hot contacts configured to couple the hot line terminal and the hot load terminal,

a second cantilever connected to the hot line terminal at the first end and including a second cantilever contact disposed thereon at the second end, the second cantilever contact and a hot user-accessible load contact forming a second contact pair of hot contacts configured to couple the hot line terminal and the hot user-accessible load terminal,

a third cantilever connected to the neutral line terminal at a first end and including a third cantilever contact disposed thereon at the second end, the third cantilever contact and a neutral load terminal contact forming a first contact pair of neutral contacts configured to couple the neutral line terminal and the neutral load terminal,

a fourth cantilever connected to the neutral line terminal at the first end and including a fourth cantilever contact disposed thereon at the second end, the fourth cantilever contact and a neutral user-accessible load contact forming a second contact pair of neutral contacts configured to couple the neutral line terminal and the neutral user-accessible load terminal, and

a pivoting latch mechanism configured to drive the first cantilever, the second cantilever, the third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever between a coupled state and a tripped state, whereby the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts are tripped in response to the fault detect signal.

31. The device of claim 30, further comprising at least one user actuated assembly including a test mechanism and a reset mechanism each coupled to the set of four-pole interrupting contacts, the test mechanism being configured to mechanically drive the set of four-pole interrupting contacts into a tripped state, the reset mechanism being independent of the test mechanism and configured to reset the set of four-pole interrupting contacts.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the reset mechanism includes a reset button coupled to a pair of test contacts, the at least one user actuated assembly generating the simulated fault condition in response to the pair of test contacts being closed.

33. The device of claim 31, wherein the pivoting latch mechanism is coupled to the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever, the latch mechanism being configured to open the set of four-pole interrupting contacts in response to the fault detect signal.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the pivoting latch mechanism includes a first solenoid configured to move the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever in a first direction to thereby reestablish electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the reset solenoid includes a pair of test contacts coupled to the at least one user actuated assembly, the at least one user actuated assembly generating the simulated fault condition in response to the pair of test contacts being closed.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the first solenoid is not actuated to reestablish electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts if the fault detection circuit fails to respond to the simulated fault condition.

37. The device of claim 33, wherein the latch mechanism includes a second solenoid configured to drive the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever in a second direction to cause electrical discontinuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts.

38. The device of claim 33, wherein the pivoting latch mechanism further comprises:

a latch toggle mechanism including a first arm and a second arm in a fixed positional relationship about an axis of rotation, the first arm being coupled to the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever;

a first solenoid configured to apply a first force to the second arm to thereby move the first arm and the second arm in a first direction about the axis of rotation, the first arm driving the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever in response thereto, whereby electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts is reestablished; and

a second solenoid configured to apply a second force to the first arm to thereby move the first arm and the second arm in a second direction about the axis of rotation, the first arm driving the first cantilever, second cantilever, third cantilever, and the fourth cantilever in response thereto, whereby electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts is broken.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein the first solenoid is not actuated to reestablish electrical continuity between the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts if the fault detection circuit fails to respond to the simulated fault condition.

40. The device of claim 30, further comprising an end-of-life mechanism coupled to the at least one user actuated assembly, the end-of-mechanism including an end-of-life circuit, a third pair of hot contacts coupling the hot line terminal and the hot load terminal, and a third pair of neutral contacts coupling the neutral line terminal and the neutral load terminal, the end-of-life circuit being configured to decouple the third pair of hot contacts and the third pair of neutral contacts if the fault detection circuit fails to transmit the fault detection signal within a predetermined period of time after the simulated fault condition is generated, the end-of-life mechanism being independent of the set of four-pole interrupting contacts.

41. The device of claim 30, further comprising a miswire detection circuit, the miswire detection circuit being configured to detect a miswire condition wherein AC power is applied to the load terminals, whereby the first pair of hot contacts, the second pair of hot contacts, the first pair of neutral contacts, and the second pair of neutral contacts are decoupled in response to the miswire condition being detected.

42. The device of claim 30, further comprising a test mechanism that includes a circuit configured to introduce a simulated ground fault during a predetermined half-cycle of each AC power period.

43. An electrical wiring protection device comprising:

a housing assembly including at least one user-accessible receptacle, the at least one user-accessible receptacle being configured to receive plug contact blades inserted therein, the housing assembly including a hot line terminal, a neutral line terminal, a hot load terminal, and a neutral load terminal;

at least one set of receptacle contacts disposed in the housing assembly and in communication with the at least one user-accessible receptacle, the at least one set of receptacle contacts including a hot user-accessible load terminal and a neutral user accessible load terminal;

a fault detection circuit coupled to the test assembly, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto, the at least one fault condition including the simulated fault condition; and

a four-pole interrupting contact assembly coupled to the fault detection circuit, the four-pole interrupting contacts including a hot tri-contact member configured to provide electrical continuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal in a coupled state and cause electrical discontinuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal in a tripped state, the four-pole interrupting contacts also including a neutral tri-contact member configured to provide electrical continuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal in a coupled state and cause electrical discontinuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal in a tripped state.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein the first tri-contact member further comprises:

a platform including three contacts disposed thereon, a first contact being aligned with a hot line contact, a second contact being aligned with a hot load contact, and a third line being aligned with a hot user-accessible load contact;

an axial member coupled to the platform;

a spring coupled to the axial member, the spring being configured to exert a first force tending to drive the platform into the tripped state causing electrical discontinuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal; and

a latch member coupled to the fault detection circuit, the latch member being configured to exert a second force greater than the first force, tending to drive the platform into the coupled state providing electrical continuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal.

45. The device of claim 44, wherein the second tri-contact member further comprises:

a platform including three contacts disposed thereon, a first contact being aligned with a neutral line contact, a second contact being aligned with a neutral load contact, and a third line being aligned with a neutral user-accessible load contact;

an axial member coupled to the platform;

a spring coupled to the axial member, the spring being configured to exert a first force tending to drive the platform into the tripped state causing electrical discontinuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal; and

a latch member coupled to the fault detection circuit, the latch member being configured to exert a second force greater than the first force, tending to drive the platform into the coupled state providing electrical continuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal.

46. The device of claim 43, further comprising:

a test assembly coupled to the fault detection circuit and configured to generate a simulated fault signal; and

a mechanical reset mechanism coupled to the four-pole interrupting contact assembly and configured to drive the four-pole interrupting contact assembly from the tripped state to the coupled state.

47. The device of claim 46, wherein electrical continuity in the four-pole interrupting contacts is not reestablished if the fault detection circuit fails to respond to the simulated fault condition.

48. The device of claim 46, wherein the test mechanism includes a circuit configured to introduce a simulated ground fault during a predetermined half-cycle of each AC power period.

49. The device of claim 48, wherein the four-pole interrupting contacts are tripped if the fault detect circuit fails to detect the simulated ground fault.

50. The device of claim 43, wherein the fault detection circuit includes a miswire detection circuit, the miswire detection circuit being configured to detect a condition wherein AC power is applied to the load terminals.

51. The device of claim 44, wherein the four-pole interrupting contact assembly is driven to the tripped state in response to detecting the miswire condition.

52. An electrical wiring protection device comprising:

a housing assembly including at least one user-accessible receptacle, the at least one user-accessible receptacle being configured to receive plug contact blades inserted therein, the housing assembly including a hot line terminal, a neutral line terminal, a hot load terminal, and a neutral load terminal;

at least one set of receptacle contacts disposed in the housing assembly and in communication with the at least one user-accessible receptacle, the at least one set of receptacle contacts including a hot user-accessible load terminal and a neutral user accessible load terminal;

a fault detection circuit coupled to the test assembly, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto, the at least one fault condition including the simulated fault condition; and

a four-pole interrupting contact assembly coupled to the fault detection circuit, the four-pole interrupting contacts including,

a hot cantilever assembly including a hot line cantilever connected to the hot line terminal and including a first hot contact disposed thereon, a fixed second hot contact coupled to the hot user-accessible load terminal, and a hot load cantilever connected to the hot load terminal and including a third hot contact disposed thereon, the first hot contact, the second hot contact, and the third hot contact being aligned and configured to provide electrical continuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal in a coupled state and cause electrical discontinuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the hot user-accessible load terminal in a tripped state, and

a neutral cantilever assembly including a neutral line cantilever connected to the neutral line terminal and including a first neutral contact disposed thereon, a fixed second neutral contact coupled to the neutral user-accessible load terminal, and a neutral load cantilever connected to the neutral load terminal and including a third neutral contact disposed thereon, the first neutral contact, the second neutral contact, and the third neutral contact being aligned and configured to provide electrical continuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal in a coupled state and cause electrical discontinuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the neutral user-accessible load terminal in a tripped state.

53. The device of claim 52, wherein the hot load cantilever is disposed between the hot line cantilever and the fixed second hot contact.

54. The device of claim 53, wherein the third hot contact is configured as a dual contact including a hot line contact portion configured to mate with the first hot contact and a user-accessible contact portion configured to mate with the fixed second hot contact.

55. The device of claim 52, wherein the neutral load cantilever is disposed between the neutral line cantilever and the fixed second neutral contact.

56. The device of claim 55, wherein the third neutral contact is configured as a dual contact including a neutral line contact portion configured to mate with the first neutral contact and a user-accessible contact portion configured to mate with the fixed second neutral contact.

57. The device of claim 52, wherein the fault detection circuit includes a miswire detection circuit, the miswire detection circuit being configured to detect a condition wherein AC power is applied to the load terminals.

58. The device of claim 57, wherein the four-pole interrupting contact assembly is driven to the tripped state in response to detecting the miswire condition.

59. The device of claim 52, further comprising a test mechanism configured to generate a simulated fault signal.

60. The device of claim 59, wherein the four-pole interrupting contacts are tripped if the fault detect circuit fails to detect the simulated fault signal.

61. The device of claim 59, wherein the test mechanism includes a circuit configured to introduce a simulated ground fault during a predetermined half-cycle of each AC power period.

62. The device of claim 61, wherein the four-pole interrupting contacts are tripped if the fault detect circuit fails to detect the simulated ground fault.

63. The device of claim 52, further comprising a mechanical reset mechanism configured to drive the four-pole interrupting contacts into the coupled state in response to a user stimulus.