摘要:
Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include a reset lockout mechanism, an independent trip mechanism and reverse wiring protection. A conical reset plunger is notched to force a successful test before reset.
摘要:
Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include a reset lockout mechanism, an independent trip mechanism and reverse wiring protection. A conical reset plunger is notched to force a successful test before reset.
摘要:
Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices that include a reset lockout mechanism are provided. The GFCI comprises a reset button which is selectively blocked from resetting the GFCI.
摘要:
A tamper-proof receptacle is provided wherein the receptacle comprises sliding shutters disposed between phase and neutral terminals of the receptacle and openings in the face of the receptacle. The shutters are connected to circuit interrupting circuitry such that when one of the shutters is displaced through a specific range of motion, the circuit interrupting portion of the receptacle is triggered to disconnect electrical power from the phase and neutral terminals of the receptacle. In an embodiment, a logic circuit is connected to the shutters, and a monitoring circuit monitors supply of power to the face terminals. The logic circuit is configured to detect insertion of an object into only one of the pair of openings. A signal from the logic circuit to the circuit interrupting device is effective to prevent the object from touching any of the face terminals while power is connected to the face terminals.
摘要:
An LCDI device comprising a first switching element coupled to a second switching element. A shield conductor coupled to the first switching element form a system that monitors output conductors of the device for faults. The second switching element is coupled to a relay that electrically connects input conductors of the device to output conductors of the device when the relay is energized by the second switching element. When a fault occurs, the first switching element generates a signal to the second switching element which de-energizes the relay causing said relay to electrically disconnect the input conductors from the output conductors.
摘要:
An MOV element is physically and electrically connected to a heat sensitive material which changes from a low impedance path to a high impedance path, such as a spark gap, when the temperature of the MOV element rises to a temperature below that at which the MOV will enter into its thermal runaway state. More specifically, the heat sensitive material is located on a surface of the MOV and is electrically connected in series with the MOV. In operation, as the MOV gets hot, it heats the heat sensitive material. As the heat sensitive material gets hot, it starts to separate from the surface of the MOV to form a spark gap which is electrically connected in series with the MOV element to help dissipate excessive voltage. The heat sensitive material on the surface of the MOV element can be a coating of epoxy which cracks and/or breaks away, at least partially from the surface of the MOV element during the occurrence of a high voltage transient surge, or it can be a solder that sputters to form an arc path during the occurrence of a high voltage transient surge. In operation, when a GFCI is subjected to a high voltage transient surge above a certain magnitude, the heat sensitive material forms a spark gap which is in series with the MOV and prevents the GFCI from going into its destructive thermal runaway condition. Thus, prior to the MOV entering its thermal runaway state, it goes from being only an MOV to an MOV in series with a spark gap which can be used to protect an up stream GFCI during the occurrence of a high voltage transient surge.
摘要:
A circuit interrupting device such as a GFCI having a network of feed-through capacitors and other passive elements for providing enhanced Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) suppression where the feed-through capacitors and the other passive elements are integrated into a multilayer capacitor chip, also referred to as a Network Capacitor which is located between a differential transformer and at least one input terminal of an operational amplifier on an integrated circuit chip of the GFCI circuit.
摘要:
A system and method for preventing miswiring of a GFCI device wherein load terminals of the GFCI device are provided with a shielding device that requires removal before the load terminals can be connected to a load. By requiring an affirmative act prior to connection of the load terminals of the GFCI to a load, miswiring of the GFCI is prevented.
摘要:
An electrical extension cord includes a leakage current detector interrupter (LCDI) with reset lockout that can interrupt the power being supplied a line side of the cord to a corded appliance or to household wiring when a leakage current is detected flowing from any of the wires in the load side of the cord to a shield within the cord. The LCDI may be enclosed in a housing on a plug end of the cord that includes the plug for connection to the line.
摘要:
A circuit interrupter having an integrated variable timer circuit for alerting an end-user of an impending test of the circuit interrupter which expands the function of a basic circuit interrupter by adding visual/audible warning indicators and the capability of the circuit interrupter to test itself is described herein. The integrated variable timer circuit includes a variable resistor where the user can adjust the current flowing to a capacitor. The variable resistor enables the ability for the user to adjust the predetermined testing time. When the charge across the capacitor surpasses the voltage of a parallel, connected Zener diode, a transistor turns on a self-test subcircuit or visual/audible warning indicator. A switch across capacitor is used to discharge the capacitor and to reset the timer. A switch is included to enable a manual trip after the self test has completed.