Ground fault receptacle circuitry components
US4831496A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 1988 |
| Grant date | May 16, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H83/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A duplex wall receptacle having ground fault current interrupting capability includes an internal switch operable by manual depression of a button accessible on the front of the receptacle to test the device for proper operation. A blade of conducting material includes a first end portion which is held in contact with, but physically unattached to, one of the terminals to which one of the hot and neutral lines is attached on one side of the fault sensing means. A medial portion of the blade extends laterally across the interior of the receptacle, and a second end portion is positioned in normally spaced relation to a conducting member which is electrically connected to the terminal to which the other of the hot and neutral lines is attached on opposite side of the fault sensing element. Depression of the test button moves the medial portion and second end portion of the blade, placing the latter in contact with the conducting member to simulate a fault condition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.