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Electrical device with miswire protection and automated testing

  • US 8,299,799 B2
  • Filed: 11/24/2010
  • Issued: 10/30/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An electrical wiring device comprising:

  • a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals;

    at least one sensor coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals, the at least one sensor providing a sensor output signal corresponding to electrical perturbations propagating on the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals;

    a fault detection circuit coupled to the at least one sensor, the fault detection circuit being configured to generate a fault detection signal if the sensor output signal substantially corresponds to at least one predetermined fault criterion;

    an actuator assembly responsive to the fault detection signal, the actuator assembly including a breaker coil configured to generate an actuation force in response to being energized;

    a circuit interrupter coupled to the actuator assembly, the circuit interrupter including four sets of movable contacts configured to be driven into a reset state in response to a reset stimulus, the four sets of movable contacts being configured to be driven into a tripped state in response to the actuation force;

    a self-test circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the at least one sensor, the self-test circuit being configured to automatically generate a test signal from time to time during a predetermined portion of an AC power line cycle, the self-test circuit being configured such that the test signal is sensed by the at least one sensor when the at least one sensor is operational, the sensor output signal being a function of the test signal; and

    a monitor circuit configured to monitor the fault detection circuit or the actuator assembly, the mechanical actuation force being substantially inhibited when the fault detection circuit or at least a portion of the actuator assembly properly respond to the test signal, the monitor circuit generating an end-of-life response if the fault detection circuit or the actuator assembly do not respond to the test signal within a predetermined period of time.

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