Patent · US Expired

Ground fault circuit interrupter

US4630015A · kind A · utility

55Cited by
7References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 10, 1985
Grant dateDec 16, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 10, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H71/123
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

In a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), a pair of flexure arms having moveable contacts disposed thereon are deflected in response to the activation of a solenoid having a moveable core. The core of the solenoid causes a pair of cam actuators which are preferably coupled together by a catcher to rotate. The rotation of the cam actuators causes the deflection of the flexure arms, thereby separating the moveable contacts from the stationary contacts and interrupting the flow of current. The activation of the solenoid is controlled by an electronic module. The electromechanical current interrupter and the electronic module are disposed within a housing that can be mounted within a standard electrical receptacle box.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.