Intelligent ground fault circuit interrupter employing miswiring detection and user testing
US6052265A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/335
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An intelligent ground fault circuit interrupter device that incorporates a test and miswiring control circuit in addition to an independent GFCI circuit. Since the test and miswiring circuit is separate and independent of the GFCI circuit portion, it can be used with any circuit interrupting means that can be reset and which incorporates a test circuit. The test and miswiring circuit functions to indicate to a user when the device must be manually tested. The test time events occur upon first installation and on a monthly basis thereafter. The device also indicates that testing is required after occasions of power outage of sufficient time duration and after the device has been tripped by the occurrence of a ground fault. At the times when manual testing of the device is required, a visual and/or audible alarm is triggered and continues until a successful test and reset sequence is completed. The ability to detect when the device is incorrectly wired in an electrical wiring system is also provided. Upon detection of a miswiring condition, a visual and/or audible alarm is triggered to alert the user to the miswired condition. The alarm cannot be disabled unless the miswiring conditi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.