Manually set ground fault circuit interrupter
US5418678A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 23, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/331
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device requires manual setting following initial connection to an AC power source or termination of a power source interruption. The improved GFCI device utilizes a controlled switching device which is responsive to a load power signal for allowing the relay contact sets of the GFCI device to be closed only when power is being made available at the output or load terminals. The controlled switching device preferably comprises an opto-isolator or other type of switching device which provides isolation between the GFCI input and output terminals when the relay contact sets are open. The improved GFCI device may be incorporated into portable units, such as plug-in or line cord units, for use with unprotected AC receptacles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.