Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – Ground fault protection
Reexamination Certificate
2006-08-29
2006-08-29
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
Ground fault protection
Reexamination Certificate
active
07099129
ABSTRACT:
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) with built in intelligence is described that includes circuitry to automatically indicate a device miswiring condition. When a GFCI is wired with its AC and LOAD terminals reversed, downstream devices are still protected in the event of a ground fault but the duplex receptacle on the GFCI itself is not. The invention incorporates miswiring sense circuitry that automatically triggers the generation of visual and audible alarms in the event a miswiring condition is sensed. The invention employs an alarm inhibiting technique that incorporates sense circuitry connected to the AC terminals on one side of the internal GFCI switches or relays and alarm generation circuitry connected to the LOAD terminals on the opposite side.
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Gershen Bernard
Neiger Benjamin
Rosenbaum Saul
Hoang Ann T.
Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc.
Sircus Brian
Sutton Paul J.
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