GFCI that cannot be reset until wired correctly on line side and power is applied
First Claim
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1. A protection device having line and load terminals, the device comprising:
- a latching mechanism, adapted to move between a closed state which establishes electrical contact between said line and load terminals, and an open state which prevents electrical contact between said line and load terminals;
an initial reset prevention mechanism, adapted to prevent said latching mechanism from being set in said closed state until power is applied to said line terminals; and
a reset pin;
wherein;
said latching mechanism comprises a latching plate;
said initial reset prevention mechanism prevents said latching plate from engaging said reset pin to said latching mechanism to said closed state when power is not applied to said line terminals; and
said initial reset prevention mechanism comprises;
a solenoid, adapted to drive a plunger;
a contact arrangement; and
a locking plate, adapted to contact said contact arrangement to enable said contact arrangement to apply power to said solenoid when said power is applied to said line terminals, to energize said solenoid to drive said plunger from a first position to a second position to move said latching plate to a position at which said reset pin is engagable with said latching plate to said latching mechanism to said closed state.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for preventing the misfiring of a protection device. The protection device includes line terminals and load terminals. The protection device further includes a latching mechanism, adapted to move between a closed state which establishes electrical contact between said line and load terminals, and an open state which prevents electrical contact between said line and load terminals; and an initial reset prevention mechanism, adapted to prevent said latching mechanism from being set in said closed state until power is applied to said line terminals.
67 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A protection device having line and load terminals, the device comprising:
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a latching mechanism, adapted to move between a closed state which establishes electrical contact between said line and load terminals, and an open state which prevents electrical contact between said line and load terminals; an initial reset prevention mechanism, adapted to prevent said latching mechanism from being set in said closed state until power is applied to said line terminals; and a reset pin; wherein; said latching mechanism comprises a latching plate; said initial reset prevention mechanism prevents said latching plate from engaging said reset pin to said latching mechanism to said closed state when power is not applied to said line terminals; and said initial reset prevention mechanism comprises; a solenoid, adapted to drive a plunger; a contact arrangement; and a locking plate, adapted to contact said contact arrangement to enable said contact arrangement to apply power to said solenoid when said power is applied to said line terminals, to energize said solenoid to drive said plunger from a first position to a second position to move said latching plate to a position at which said reset pin is engagable with said latching plate to said latching mechanism to said closed state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of preventing miswiring of a protection device having line and load terminals, comprising:
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providing a latching mechanism for moving between a closed state which establishes electrical contact between said line and load terminals, and an open state which prevents electrical contact between said line and load terminals; providing an initial reset prevention mechanism for preventing said latching mechanism from being set in said closed state until power is applied to said line terminals; and providing a reset pin; wherein; said latching mechanism comprises a latching plate; said initial reset prevention mechanism prevents said latching plate from engaging said reset pin with said latching mechanism to said closed state when power is not applied to said line terminals; and the providing of said initial reset prevention mechanism comprises; providing a solenoid for driving a plunger; providing a contact arrangement; and providing a locking plate for contacting said contact arrangement to enable said contact arrangement to apply power to said solenoid when said power is applied to said line terminals, to energize said solenoid to drive said plunger from a first position to a second position to move said latching plate to a position at which said reset pin is engagable with said latching plate to said latching mechanism to said closed state. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification