Circuit interrupting device with single throw, double mode button for test-reset function

• US 7,161,780 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Germain, Frantz, Stewart, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson; Stephen W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KITOV, ZEEV V
• Application Number:
  US10/759,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20050013067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 361/42, 361 45- 46, 361/93.1, 361 935- 936, 361/104, 361/44, 340/635, 340/638, 340/653, 335/148
• US Class Current: 361/42
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/62 with means for preventing resetting while abnormal condition persists, e.g. loose handle arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 83/04 with testing means for indicating the ability of the switch or relay to function properly
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7135 with ground fault protector H01R13/7132 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts

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.

Claims

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 comprising a solenoid pivotly supported by a flexible support member 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 first predetermined condition; and

a reset actuator disposed at least partially within said housing which, when depressed, causes the solenoid to pivot about the flexible support member to close test contacts to initiate a test to determine if the first 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 the first predetermined condition and a second predetermined condition is not present.

2. The circuit interrupting device of claim 1 wherein the reset actuator is a single throw, double mode push button.

3. The circuit interrupting device of claim 1 wherein the reset actuator is a button which, when depressed initiates the test and when released provides 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.

4. The circuit interrupting device of claim 3 wherein the reset actuator comprises a button biased by spring means which urges the button to return to its initial position.

5. The circuit interrupting device of claim 1 wherein the second predetermined condition comprises defective operation of the circuit interrupting portion, or an open neutral condition, or a reverse wiring condition.

6. A circuit interrupting device comprising:

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 comprising a solenoid pivotly supported by a flexible support member 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 first predetermined condition;

a reset actuator disposed within said housing which, when depressed, causes the solenoid to pivot about the flexible support member to close test contacts to determine the presence of a second predetermined condition is present and if 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.