Electrical device with miswire protection and automated testing
US8299799B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2071/044
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes an actuator assembly that is responsive to the fault detection signal. The actuator assembly includes a breaker coil configured to generate an actuation force in response to being energized. A circuit interrupter includes four sets of movable contacts configured to be driven into a reset state in response to a reset stimulus, the four sets of movable contacts being configured to be driven into a tripped state in response to the actuation force. A self-test circuit is coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the at least one sensor. The self-test circuit is configured to automatically generate a test signal from time to time during a predetermined portion of an AC power line cycle. The self-test circuit is configured such that the test signal is sensed by the at least one sensor when the at least one sensor is operational, the sensor output signal being a function of the test signal. A monitor circuit is configured to monitor the fault detection circuit or the actuator assembly; the mechanical actuation force is substantially inhibited when the fault detection circuit or at least a portion of the act…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.