Ground fault circuit interrupter containing a dual-function test button
First Claim
1. A circuit interrupting device comprises:
- a housing;
a circuit board located within said housing;
a tripping device capable of tripping said circuit interrupting device to cause electrical discontinuity between a line side connection, a load side connection, and a user accessible load side connection when a fault occurs;
a reset button; and
a dual-function test button having a first pole and a second pole underneath said dual-function test button;
wherein when said circuit interrupting device is properly wired and/or powered, a first-level depression of said dual-function test button allows said first pole to close a flexible switch (KT) to generate a leakage current to test whether components of said circuit interrupting device are functioned properly;
wherein when said circuit interrupting device is not properly wired or powered, said first-level depression of said dual-function test button does not generate said leakage current, but a second-level depression of said dual-function test button allows said second pole to adapt to mechanically trip said circuit interrupting device.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a circuit interrupting device, preferably a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), which contains a dual-function test button having a short pole and a long pole positioned underneath the dual-function test button. When the GFCI is properly wired and powered, and preferably in a reset state, a first-level depression of the dual-function test button allows the short pole to close a flexible switch (KT) to electrically connect a power input end to a power output end and generate a leakage current to test the components of the GFCI. If all of the components are functioned properly, the GFCI can be reset. If not, the GFCI cannot be reset. When the GFCI is miswired or reverse wired and not powered, the first-level depression of the dual-function test button does not test the components of the GFCI. However, a second-level depression of the dual-function test button allows the long pole presses against a tripping lever on a locking member in a tripping device which mechanically trip the GFCI. The present invention further provides an end-of-life detection circuit which can automatically generates a simulated leakage current to test the components in the GFCI. If one or more components are not functioned properly, the end-of-life circuit prevents the GFCI from resetting.
94 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A circuit interrupting device comprises:
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a housing; a circuit board located within said housing; a tripping device capable of tripping said circuit interrupting device to cause electrical discontinuity between a line side connection, a load side connection, and a user accessible load side connection when a fault occurs; a reset button; and a dual-function test button having a first pole and a second pole underneath said dual-function test button; wherein when said circuit interrupting device is properly wired and/or powered, a first-level depression of said dual-function test button allows said first pole to close a flexible switch (KT) to generate a leakage current to test whether components of said circuit interrupting device are functioned properly; wherein when said circuit interrupting device is not properly wired or powered, said first-level depression of said dual-function test button does not generate said leakage current, but a second-level depression of said dual-function test button allows said second pole to adapt to mechanically trip said circuit interrupting device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification