Circuit interrupter employing a mechanism to open a power circuit in response to a resistor body burning open
US6724591B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2083/201
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A GFCI/AFCI circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. A first trip mechanism includes a GFCI/AFCI trip circuit having a resistor. The resistor is energized in response to a trip condition. The first trip mechanism cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts in response to the trip condition. The resistor has a body which burns open in response to a failure of the separable contacts to trip open. A second trip mechanism engages the body of the resistor and cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts in response to the body of the resistor burning open.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.