Protective device with an auxiliary switch

Details Protective device with an auxiliary switch Protective device with an auxiliary switch

2011-04-05

2011-04-05

Barrera, Ramon M (Department: 2832)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Safety and protection of systems and devices

Ground fault protection

C335S006000, C335S015000, C335S018000, C335S021000, C335S022000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07920365

ABSTRACT:
The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a housing having a plurality of line terminals, a plurality of load terminals, and a plurality of user-accessible terminals accessible via apertures disposed in a front major surface of the housing. A fault detection assembly is coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the fault detection circuit being configured to provide a fault detection output in response to detecting a fault condition. A circuit interrupter is coupled to the fault detection assembly. The circuit interrupter includes a first set of interrupting contacts configured to provide electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the plurality of user-accessible terminals in a reset state. The first set of interrupting contacts are decoupled in response to the fault detection output to enter a tripped state such that the plurality of line terminals are decoupled from the plurality of load terminals and the plurality of user-accessible terminals. An auxiliary switch is coupled to the fault detection assembly. The auxiliary switch includes a second set of contacts configured to decouple at least a portion of the fault detection assembly from a source of electrical power in the tripped state. The second set of contacts being self-biased toward a predetermined switch position when no force is applied thereto. A latch block assembly is coupled to the circuit interrupter. The latch block assembly includes a first latch block portion and a second latch block portion. The first latch block portion is configured to drive the first set of contacts to close when transitioning from the tripped state to the reset state. The second latch block portion is configured to overcome the self bias of the second set of contacts to thereby drive the second set of contacts open when transitioning from the reset state to the tripped state.

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