Circuit interrupting device with single throw, double mode button for test-reset function
First Claim
1. A circuit interrupting device comprising:
- a housing;
a phase conductive path disposed at least partially within said housing between a line side and a load side, said phase conductive path terminating at a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one load and a third connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one user accessible load;
a circuit interrupting portion disposed within said housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in said phase conductive path between said line side and said load side upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition; and
switch means disposed at least partially within said housing to initiate a test to determine if the predetermined condition is present, and to provide electrical continuity in said phase conductive path between said line side and said load side if the test determined that a second predetermined condition is not present.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A typical duplex GFCI receptacles has two buttons, a test button that, when pressed, shuts off power to the receptacle and down stream devices, and a reset button that, when pressed, restores power to the GFCI and down stream devices. Generally, the test button is pressed to verify that the GFCI will interrupt power to the conductive paths and the reset button is pressed to reset the GFCI. In operation, the test portion of the GFCI will automatically break electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths (i.e., open the conductive path) between line and load sides upon the detection of a fault such as a reverse wiring condition, a ground fault, an open neutral and/or a defective GFCI device. When this happens the reset button in the typical GFCI receptacle is then pressed in an to attempt to restore power. The GFCI here disclosed has only one button which is used for both the test and reset operation. It is pressed to test the GFCI and its associated circuitry for operability and, only if all circuits are operable, upon release it resets the GFCI by closing open conductive paths. If, during operation, the test portion of the GFCI detects a fault and operates to shut off power to the receptacle and down stream devices, the pressing and releasing of the single button will reconnect power to the receptacle and down stream devices only if the GFCI is operational, if an open neutral condition does not exists and/or if the device is not reversed wired.
10 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A circuit interrupting device comprising:
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a housing;
a phase conductive path disposed at least partially within said housing between a line side and a load side, said phase conductive path terminating at a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one load and a third connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one user accessible load;
a circuit interrupting portion disposed within said housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in said phase conductive path between said line side and said load side upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition; and
switch means disposed at least partially within said housing to initiate a test to determine if the predetermined condition is present, and to provide electrical continuity in said phase conductive path between said line side and said load side if the test determined that a second predetermined condition is not present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A circuit interrupting device comprising:
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a housing;
a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path each disposed at least partially within said housing between a line side and a load side, said phase conductive path terminating at a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one load and a third connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one user accessible load, and said neutral conductive path terminating at a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one load and a third connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one user accessible load;
a circuit interrupting portion disposed within said housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths between said line side and said load side upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition;
switch means disposed within said housing to determine the presence of a second predetermined condition is present and, said second predetermined condition is not present, establish electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths; and
a trip portion configured to cause electrical discontinuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths between said line side and said load side.
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Specification