Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – Ground fault protection
Patent
1995-05-22
1997-08-26
Gaffin, Jeffrey A.
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
Ground fault protection
361 45, H02H 300
Patent
active
056616236
ABSTRACT:
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) line cord plug utilizes an electronically latched relay, rather than a circuit breaker or other type of mechanical latching device, to interrupt the AC load power when a ground fault condition occurs. In order to reduce the size of the relay and minimize the cost and complexity of the GFCI plug, the fixed and movable relay contact structures are mounted directly to the circuit board which carries the remaining components of the GFCI circuit. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed relay contact structures are integral with the plug blades of the GFCI plug. The movable relay contact structures preferably comprise deflectable spring arms which are preloaded when the relay contacts are in the open position in order to control the contact gap, and which are deflected past the point of contact closure when the relay contacts are in the closed position in order to increase the closing force. The principal electrical components of the GFCI plug, including the relay contacts, relay coil and sensing transformer, are mounted on the circuit board in a generally tandem or in-line arrangement in order to minimize the dimensions of the plug.
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Photographs of Model GFP-115 Portable Plug-In GFCI, Hubbell Incorporated.
Photographs of Model GFP-115A Portable Plug-In GFCI, Hubbell Incorporated.
Photographs of Model GFP-4C15M Manual Set Portable GFCI Line Cord, Hubbell Incorporated.
Photographs of Omron 10-Amp, 100 VAC Portable Residual Current Device.
Photographs of Model 14880 Plug-In GFCI, Technology Research Corporation.
Howard Carol Z.
McDonald Thomas M.
Strang Ward E.
Gaffin Jeffrey A.
Holmes John E.
Hubbell Corporation
Jackson Stephen
Presson Jerry M.
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