Patent · US Expired

Ground fault/arc fault circuit interrupter and method of testing the same with a test button and a reset button

US6720872B1 · kind B1 · utility

51Cited by
17References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 16, 2002
Grant dateApr 13, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 14, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2083/201
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An arc fault/ground fault circuit interrupter for a power circuit includes a line terminal; a load terminal; and separable contacts electrically connected between the line and load terminals. An operating mechanism opens the separable contacts and has a closed position for closing the separable contacts. A trip mechanism cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A ground fault protection circuit is operatively associated with the power circuit. An arc fault protection circuit is also operatively associated with the power circuit. A circuit tests the ground fault protection circuit, tests the arc fault protection circuit, and restores the operating mechanism to the closed position responsive to sequential activation of test and reset buttons.

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