Claims
- 1. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for an AC electrical receptacle, comprising:
first and second input terminals for connection to the line and neutral sides, respectively, of an AC source; first and second output terminals for connection to the line and neutral sides, respectively, of an AC receptacle outlet; a fuse disposed between said first and second input terminals and said first and second output terminals; first and second conductive paths extending, respectively, between said first input terminal and said first output terminal and between said second input terminal and said second output terminal; a first set of electrical relays connected in said first and second conductive paths, respectively, in order to selectively connect said input terminals to said output terminals when said relays are closed and to selectively disconnect said input terminals from said output terminals when said relays are open; a control circuit for causing said relays to open in response to an imbalance in current flow through said first and second conductive paths that is indicative of a ground fault condition at an AC load connected to said AC receptacle outlet; a test switch for selectively connecting one of said first and second input terminals to one of said second and first output terminals, respectively, in order to simulate an imbalance in current flow through said first and second conductive paths and thereby cause said control circuit to open said relays; a primary test switch contact for creating an imbalance in current flow for said GFCI when contact is made between said test switch and said primary test switch contact; and a secondary test switch contact for serving as backup in case said contact between said primary test switch contact and said test switch does not result in an imbalance, wherein contact between said test switch and said secondary test switch contact results in said fuse being blown when said test switch and said primary contact fail to result in an imbalance of the current flow.
- 2. A GFCI as in claim 1, wherein said blown fuse results in said GFCI being disabled.
- 3. A GFCI as in claim 1, wherein said blown fuse results in said GFCI operating as a receptacle without GFCI protection.
- 4. A GFCI as in claim 3, wherein a visual indicator is provided to indicate the operational status of said GFCI.
- 5. A GFCI as in claim 4, wherein said visual indicator is extinguished in the event said fuse is blown.
- 6. A GFCI as in claim 4, wherein said visual indicator is capable of providing at least two colors to indicate the status of said GFCI.
- 7. A GFCI as in claim 4, wherein said status comprises at least one of:
normal operation of said GFCI; an imbalance of current flow of said GFCI; receptacle operation of said GFCI without GFCI protection; and reverse wiring of said GFCI.
- 8. A GFCI as in claim 2, wherein a visual indication is provided to indicate the status of said GFCI.
- 9. A GFCI as in claim 2, wherein said blown fuse results in a loss of power of said control circuit.
- 10. A GFCI as in claim 2, wherein said control circuit comprises a solenoid.
- 11. A GFCI as in claim 2, wherein reverse wiring protection is provided for said GFCI.
- 12. A GFCI as in claim 3, wherein said relays comprise mechanical relays.
- 13. A GFCI as in claim 12, wherein energization of said control circuit results in the opening of said relays.
- 14. A GFCI as in claim 1, wherein a manually resettable latching mechanism is provided for releasably latching said relays in a closed position.
- 15. A GFCI as in claim 14, wherein said latching mechanism is actuated by a reset pushbutton.
- 16. A GFCI as in claim 2, wherein a pair of face plates are connected to first and second input terminals.
- 17. A method of providing secondary protection for a ground fault interrupter (GFCI) for an AC electrical receptacle, comprising:
detecting an imbalance in current flow between input terminals and output terminals; activating a test switch in response to the detection of an imbalance in current flow; opening a set of relays in response to the test switch coming into contact with a primary test switch contact; providing a short circuit between said input terminals and said output terminals via a contact between said test switch and a secondary test switch contact, wherein said contact between said test switch and said primary contact failed to open said relays, said short circuit resulting in a fuse being blown in said GFCI.
- 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:
providing a visual indicator for said GFCI, said indicator serving to provide status information for said GFCI.
- 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said visual indicator is a light emitting diode (LED).
- 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
extinguishing the illumination of said LED when said fuse is blown to indicate to a user said GFCI is operating as a receptacle without GFCI protection.
- 21. The method of claim 19 wherein said LED comprises at least two colors.
- 22. The method of claim 21 wherein at least one of said colors indicates normal operation of said GFCI.
- 23. The method of claim 21 wherein at least one of said colors indicates said GFCI is operating as a receptacle without GFCI protection.
- 24. The method of claim 21 wherein said GFCI becomes permanently inoperable upon the blowing of said fuse.
- 25. The method of claim 21 wherein at least one of said colors indicates normal operation of said GFCI.
- 26. The method of claim 17 wherein said relays are opened via a solenoid becoming deenergized.
- 27. The method of claim 17 further comprising:
providing reverse wire protection for said GFCI wherein if power is applied to said output terminals as opposed to said input terminals, said GFCI becomes inoperable.
- 28. The method of claim 27 further comprising:
providing a visual indication when said reverse wiring occurs.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Priority is claimed based on U.S. provisional patent applications Serial No. 60/265,623 filed on Feb. 2, 2001 by Nelson Bonilla, Serial No. 60/265,579, filed Feb. 2, 2001 by Nelson Bonilla and Joseph V. DeBartolo, Serial No. 60/311,346, filed Sep. 13, 2001 by Nelson Bonilla and Joseph DeBartolo, Serial No. and 60/311,345, filed Sep. 13, 2001 by Nelson Bonilla, the entire contents of said applications being expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (4)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60265623 |
Feb 2001 |
US |
|
60265579 |
Feb 2001 |
US |
|
60311346 |
Aug 2001 |
US |
|
60311345 |
Aug 2001 |
US |