Self testing ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) with end of life (EOL) indicator, secondary power supply for EOL and self test circuitry, and device for opening line hot when EOL occurs
US7315437B2 · kind B2 · utility
52Cited by
16References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 1, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2071/044
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A self test (ST) ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) provides a half wave rectifier for powering circuitry for determining and annunciating end of life (EOL) of the GFCI regardless of a shorted diode bridge or opening of a printed circuit board (PCB) trace. A fuse resistor is provided to open before an open PCB trace can occur. A microprocessor-controlled heat-conducting circuit is provided adjacent to a thermal fuse to controllably open the thermal fuse and remove power from face receptacle contacts and load terminals when EOL occurs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.