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Ground fault circuit interrupters providing end of the life test

  • US 7,315,227 B2
  • Filed: 02/27/2006
  • Issued: 01/01/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A circuit interrupting device containing a line side connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity;

  • a load side connection capable of being electrically connected to a load side conductor; and

    a user accessible load;

    wherein said circuit interrupting device comprises;

    a housing;

    a circuit board;

    a trip apparatus capable of tripping said circuit interrupting device to cause electrical discontinuity between said line side connection, said load side connection, and said user accessible load when a fault occurs;

    a reset button; and

    a two-level test button;

    wherein when said circuit interrupting device is properly wired or powered, depressing said two-level test button activates a first-level test button which generates a leakage current to test whether components of said circuit interrupting device are working properly;

    wherein when said components of said circuit interrupting device are functioned properly, said reset button can be reset;

    wherein when one or more of said components of said circuit interrupting device are not functioned properly, said reset button cannot be reset; and

    wherein when said circuit interrupting device is not properly wired or powered, depressing said two-level test button does not activate said first-level test button, but a further depression of said two-level test button activates a second-level test button which mechanically trips said circuit interrupting device.

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