CN1759460A - GFCI receptacle having blocking means - Google Patents

Abstract

Located within a GFCI device having receptacle openings in its face is a movable contact bearing arm held in either a closed or open position by a latching member connected to a spring loaded reset button. The reset button assumes a first depressed position when the GFCI is in a conducting state, and a second extended position when the GFCI is in a non conducting state. A blocking member located within the body of the GFCI is adapted to be moved to a first position to blocks at least one opening of each receptacle, or to a second position to allow the prongs of a plug to enter the receptacle openings. When the GFCI is in the conducting state, the reset button is in its first position and holds the blocking member in its first position to permit the prongs of a plug to be inserted into the receptacle openings. When the GFCI is in a non-conducting state or is defective, the reset button and the blocking member are in their second positions and the prongs of a plug are prevented from entering the receptacle.

Description

GFCI receptacle with blocking device

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/444573, filed February 3, 2003.

technical field

The present invention relates generally to resettable circuit interrupting devices and systems, and more particularly to ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected receptacles with plug blocking devices.

Background technique

Many electrical connection devices have a line side that can be connected to a power source, a load side that can be connected to one or several loads, and at least one conductive path between the line side and the load side. Electrical connections to lines supplying electrical energy or to lines conductively connected to one or several loads can be located on the line-side and load-side connections. The electrical wiring device industry demonstrates an ever-increasing demand for circuit interrupting devices or systems designed to interrupt power to various loads such as household equipment, electrical consumers and branch circuits. In particular, the electrical code requires that circuits in home bathrooms and kitchens be equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Currently available GFCI devices such as that described in commonly owned US Patent 4,595,894 ('894) use an electrically activated trip mechanism to mechanically break the electrical connection between the line side and the load side. Such a device can be reset after a trip, for example upon detection of a ground fault. In the device disclosed in the '894 patent, the trip mechanism for causing the mechanical breaking of the circuit (the conductive path between the line and the load side) includes a solenoid (or trip coil). Use the test button to test the trip mechanism and provide a circuit for fault detection. A reset button is provided for resetting the electrical connection between the line and load sides.

However, situations may arise where an abnormal condition such as a lightning strike may not only cause an electrical surge on the device and tripping of the device, but also cause the tripping mechanism to cause electrical disconnection of the circuit to fail. This can happen without the user's knowledge. In such a situation, an unwitting user, confronted with a tripped GFCI, could press the reset button, which in turn causes the device with the trip mechanism to reset without available ground fault protection.

Additionally, an open neutral condition, as specified in Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard PAG 943A, may exist in the wires powering such GFCI devices. If there is an open neutral condition on the neutral wire on the line (to load) side of a GFCI unit, a condition may arise in which a load passes through the unit from the phase (or live) line supplying the GFCI unit side and the current path from man to ground. In the presence of an open neutral condition, a GFCI device that has tripped can be reset even while maintaining an open neutral condition.

Commonly owned U.S. Patent 6,040,967, incorporated herein in its entirety, describes a class of resettable circuit interrupting devices capable of locking out the device if the circuit interrupting portion thereof is inoperable or if an open neutral condition exists. Reset part. In addition to line and load side connections such as attachment screws, circuit interrupting devices typically have user accessible load side connections such as GFCI protected receptacles. A user-accessible load-side connection socket can be used to connect equipment such as a toaster to the power supply provided by the line side. The load side connection and the receptacle are generally electrically connected together. As mentioned above, these devices are connected to external leads such that the line conductors are connected to the line-side connections and the load-side conductors are connected to the load-side connections. However, situations may arise in which the circuit interrupting device is incorrectly connected to the external conductor such that the load conductor is connected to the line side connection and the line conductor is connected to the load connection. This is called backwiring. This type of wiring is popular in new constructions where residential spurs are not yet powered and it is difficult for electricians to differentiate between line-side conductors and load-side conductors. In the event that the circuit interrupting device is reverse wired, users with access to the load connection may not be protected, even though fault protection for the load side connection remains.

A resettable circuit interrupt device including reverse wiring protection and optionally including a separate trip section and/or reset lockout section, such as a GFCI device, is disclosed in US Patent 6,246,558 ('558), assigned to and the present invention same assignee, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The '558 patent utilizes a bridging section located within the GFCI for isolating the conductors to the plug connection section from the conductors to the load if the line side lead to the GFCI is improperly connected to the load side when the GFCI is in a tripped state. The trip section operates independently of the circuit interruption section for interrupting electrical continuity of one or several conductive pathways in the device. If the circuit interrupting portion is not operable, or if an open neutral condition exists, the reset latching portion prevents the broken conductive path from re-establishing electrical continuity.

Although disconnecting the circuit and utilizing a bridge connection provides galvanic isolation protection between the load conductors and the receptacle connection when the GFCI is in a tripped state, a method with or without a bridge connection and/or reset lockout is required for user safety. A device blocking device that prevents a plug from being inserted into a GFCI receptacle when the GFCI is in a fault condition.

Contents of the invention

In one embodiment, a circuit interrupting device, such as a GFCI, includes phase and neutral conductive paths disposed at least partially within a housing between the line and load sides. The phase conduction paths terminate at a first connection capable of electrical connection to a power source, a second connection capable of conducting electrical conduction to at least one load, and a third connection capable of conducting electrical conduction to at least one user-accessible load through an outlet. Similarly, the neutral conductive path terminates at a first connection capable of electrical connection to a power source, a second connection capable of providing a neutral connection to at least one load, and a neutral connection capable of providing at least one user-accessible load through an outlet Connect the third connection. The first and second connections may be screw terminals.

The GFCI also includes a circuit interrupt portion disposed within the housing and configured to interrupt one or both of the phase and neutral conductive paths between the line side and the load side upon occurrence of a predetermined condition cause electrical interruption. The reset portion, activated by depressing a spring-loaded reset button disposed at least partially within the housing, is configured to re-establish electrical continuity in the open conductive path. The reset button is in a first or second position determined by the conductive state of the GFCI. When the GFCI is in the on state, the reset button is in a substantially fully depressed position within the GFCI housing, and this position is referred to as the first position. When the GFCI is in a non-conducting state, the reset button protrudes outward beyond the top surface of the GFCI housing, and this position is called the second position.

The GFCI may also include a reset lockout that prevents electrical continuity from being re-established in either the phase conductive path or the neutral conductive path, or both, if the circuit interrupting portion is not operating properly. Depressing the reset button when it is in its second position causes at least a portion of the phase conductive path to contact the at least one reset contact. When contact is achieved between the phase conductive path and the at least one reset contact, the circuit interrupting portion is activated to disable the reset latching portion and re-establish electrical continuity in the phase and neutral conductive paths.

The GFCI also includes a trip section that operates independently of the circuit interruption section. The trip portion is disposed at least partially within the housing and is configured to cause electrical interruption in the phase and/or neutral conductive path independently of operation of the circuit interruption portion. The trip section includes a trip activator, such as a push button, which is accessible from the outside of the housing, and a trip arm, preferably located within the housing, extending from said trip activator. The trip arm is configured to facilitate mechanical breaking of electrical continuity in the phase and/or neutral conductive path when the trip starter is activated.

Within a GFCI device having a receptacle there is provided a movable contact carrying arm which is held in a closed or open position with a fixed contact by means of a latch member which is connected to the spring loaded reset button. The reset button is in the first position or the second position, depending on the conductive state of the GFCI. When the GFCI is in the on state, the reset button is basically fully depressed inside the GFCI housing. When the GFCI is in a non-conducting state, the reset button protrudes outward beyond the upper surface of the GFCI's housing. Thus, the position of the reset button is determined by the movable contact-carrying arm acting through the latching member. The receptacle blocking member located within the body of the GFCI is partially positioned by the reset button so that the prongs of the plug can be freely inserted into the openings of the receptacle when the reset button is depressed, or when the reset button protrudes beyond the surface of the housing , blocking at least one opening of the socket so as to prevent the plug from entering the opening of the socket. Thus, when the GFCI is on, the reset button is depressed within the GFCI housing and positions the blocking member in the first position, allowing the prongs of the plug to be inserted into the openings of the receptacle. When the GFCI is in a non-conductive state, the reset button protrudes outward from the housing of the GFCI, so that the blocking member is in the second position, blocking at least one opening of the receptacle so as to prevent prongs of the plug from entering the receptacle. A GFCI typically has two separate sets of internally located contacts, known as bridge contacts, one set for connecting the load to the source and a second set for the user-accessible load and source. The bridge contacts are used to provide isolation between the conductors to the load and the conductors to the contacts of the GFCI receptacle when the GFCI is in a fault condition. In the GFCI disclosed herein, the blocking member may prevent the prongs of the plug from entering the receptacle when the GFCI is in a fault condition, therefore, in some circumstances, a bridge contact may not be required.

Description of drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a prior art ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device, with the interrupting components disclosed in the present invention shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a partial side view, partly in cross-section, of the GFCI device shown in FIG. 1, showing the GFCI device in an on state;

Figure 3 is a disassembled view of the internal components of the prior art GFCI device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the conductive pathway shown in Figure 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the circuit of the GFCI device of Fig. 1;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the GFCI device of Figure 1 without a bridge connection;

Figure 7 is a side view of a blocking component in a GFCI device in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view, partly in cross-section, of a portion of the GFCI device shown in Figure 1, showing the blocking member in the blocking position;

9 is a perspective view, partly in cross-section, of a portion of the GFCI device shown in FIG. 1 showing the blocking member in a non-blocking position, and

Figures 10 and 11 are side views showing the position of the reset button and blocking member when the blocking member is in blocking and non-blocking positions.

Detailed ways

The present application contemplates various types of circuit interrupting devices capable of breaking at least one conductive path on both the line side and the load side of the device. Said conductive path is generally split between the line side connected to the power supply and the load side connected to one or several loads. The resettable circuit interrupt devices include Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI), Immersion Detection Circuit Interrupters (IDCI), Appliance Leakage Circuit Interrupters (ALCI), and Appliance Leakage Circuit Interrupters (ELCI), which have sockets for receiving plugs.

For the purposes of the present invention, the structure or mechanism shown in the drawings and used in the circuit interrupting device described below is included in a GFCI protected receptacle, which can receive at least one plug and is suitable for installation in For example in single gang junction boxes used in residential wiring systems. However, mechanisms in accordance with the present application may be included in various resettable circuit interrupt devices.

The GFCI receptacle has line and load phase (or power) connectors, line and load neutral connectors, and a plug receiving receptacle for providing user accessible load phase and neutral connections. These connectors may, for example, be electrical fastening means for connecting or securing external conductors to circuit interrupting means. Examples of such connectors may include attachment screws, lugs, terminals and external socket connections.

In embodiments, the GFCI receptacle has a circuit interrupt section, a reset section, and if desired a reset latch and/or bridge contacts, in combination with a blocking component for blocking the The prongs of the plug go into the socket. The circuit interruption and reset portion described uses electromechanical elements to break (open) and connect (close) one or several conductive paths between the line and load sides of the device. However, electrical components such as solid state switches and supporting circuitry may also be used to open and close the conductive paths.

Generally speaking, the circuit interrupting portion is used to automatically break the electrical continuity of one or several conductive paths between the line and the load side (ie break the conductive path) when a fault is detected. The open conductive path is closed using a reset button. The operation and positioning of the blocking member for preventing the prongs of the plug from entering the opening of the socket when a fault is detected is determined by the position of the reset button and the interrupt and reset section. A movable arm supporting at least one of the contacts between the line side and the load side, acting through the latch member, determines the position of the reset button. The reset button is used to disable the reset lock, close the open conductive path and reset the blocking member to its open position, thereby enabling the plug to be inserted into the socket. The reset button and reset lockout section operate in conjunction with the circuit interrupting section so that when an open neutral condition exists and/or the device is reverse wired, electrical continuity cannot be re-established when the circuit interrupting section is inoperable and the interrupting section continues At least one opening of the receptacle is blocked thereby preventing insertion of the prongs of the plug into the receptacle.

The aforementioned structure for selectively blocking the blocking member of at least one opening of the receptacle can be included in any resettable circuit interrupting device, but for ease of description, this description is made for a GFCI receptacle.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent a GFCI device such as that disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Patent 6,246,558, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and portions of which are incorporated herein to provide the present invention disclosed herein full understanding. Referring to FIG. 1, a GFCI receptacle 10 has a housing 12 consisting of a central body 14 to which a face or cover portion 16 and a rear portion 18 are removably secured. Face 16 has entry ports 20 and 21 for receiving the common or polarized prongs of a standard type male plug at the end of a light or appliance cord set, and a ground prong receiving opening 22 for receiving a three-prong plug. The socket also includes a mounting shroud 24 for securing the socket to the junction box.

A test button 26 extends through opening 28 in face 61 of housing 12 for initiating a test operation that tests the operation of a circuit interrupting portion (or circuit interrupter) provided in the device. The circuit interrupting portion is used to break the electrical continuity of one or several conductive paths between the line side and the load side of the device. A reset button 30 forming part of the reset portion extends through an opening 32 in the face 16 of the housing 12 . The reset button is used to initiate a reset operation which re-establishes electrical continuity of the broken conductive path. Electrical connection to the existing household electrical wiring is achieved by connecting screws 34 and 36, wherein screw 34 is the input or line phase connection and screw 36 is the output or load phase connection. Two additional attachment screws 38 and 40 ( FIG. 2 ) are located on opposite sides of the socket 10 . These additional connection screws provide the line and load neutral connections respectively. A more detailed description of a GFCI receptacle is provided in US Patent 4,595,894, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Connecting screws 34, 36, 38 and 40 are examples of terminals that may be used to provide electrical connections. Examples of other types of terminal blocks include set screws, pressure clips, pressure plates, push-in connections, lead wires and quick connect tabs.

Referring to FIG. 2, the conductive path between the line phase connector 34 and the load phase connector 36 includes a contact arm 50 which can move between a stressed position and a released position. A contact 52 , a contact arm 54 fixed to or integral with the load phase connection 36 , and a fixed contact 56 mounted on the contact arm 54 . For the present embodiment, the user-accessible load connection includes a terminal arrangement 58 (see FIG. 3 ) having two connection terminals 60 engageable with the prongs of a male plug inserted therebetween. The conductive path between the line-phase connection 34 and the user-accessible load-phase connection comprises a contact arm 50 on which a movable contact 62 is fixed to or with a terminal arrangement 58. A contact arm 64 is formed integrally, and a fixed contact 66 is mounted on the contact arm 64 . These conductive paths are collectively referred to as phase conductive paths.

Similar to the above, the conductive path between the line neutral connector 38 and the load neutral connector 40 includes a contact arm 70 which is movable between a stressed position and a released position. A movable contact 72 , a contact arm 74 fixed to or integral with the load neutral connection 40 , and a fixed contact 76 mounted on the contact arm 74 . For the present embodiment, the user accessible load neutral connection comprises a terminal arrangement 78 having two connection terminals 80 engageable with the prongs of a male plug inserted therebetween. The conductive path between the line neutral connector 38 and the user-accessible load neutral connector includes a contact arm 70, a contact arm 84 secured to or integrally formed with the terminal arrangement 78, and Fixed contact 86 mounted on contact arm 84 . These conductive paths are collectively referred to as neutral conductive paths.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, the circuit interrupting portion has a circuit interrupter and electronic circuitry capable of detecting faults such as current imbalances on the live and/or neutral conductors. In the GFCI receptacle embodiment, the circuit interrupter includes a coil assembly 90, a plunger 92 responsive to energization and de-energization of the coil assembly, and a hanger 94 connected to the plunger 92. Hanging iron 94 has a pair of hooks 96 and 98 which interact with a movable latch 100 for setting and resetting electrical continuity in one or more conductive pathways. The coil arrangement 90 is energized in response to the detection of a ground fault, for example by the detection circuit shown in Figure 5, which includes a differential transformer for detecting current unbalance.

The reset part includes a reset button 30, a movable latch 100 connected to the reset button 30, a latch finger 102, and normally open momentary reset contacts 104 and 106, when in the trip position, when the reset button is pressed , these contacts momentarily activate the circuit-interrupting part. Latch fingers 102 are used to engage one side R of each contact arm 50, 70 and move the contact arms 50, 70 back to a force-bearing position in which the contacts 52, 62 respectively engage the contact 56, 66 contacts, contacts 72, 82 contact with contacts 76, 86 respectively. At this moment, the GFCI is in its conducting state, and the reset button is in the first position, that is, the upper surface of the button is substantially flush with the upper surface of the GFCI. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the engagement of the latch fingers with the bottom surface of the movable member 50 limits the upward movement of the reset button to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the GFCI.

A movable latch member 100 may be common to each section (eg circuit interrupt section, reset, and reset lock section) and is used to facilitate the establishment, interruption or locking of electrical continuity of one or several conductive pathways. However, the circuit interrupting device according to the invention also contemplates embodiments in which there are no common mechanisms or components between each part or between certain parts. In addition, this application contemplates the use of circuit interrupting devices having circuit interrupting, reset and reset locking portions for facilitating the establishment, interruption or locking of electrical continuity of either or both of the phase and neutral conductive paths .

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the reset locking portion includes a latch finger 102 which engages the L side of the movable arm 50 , 70 after the device has tripped such that the movable arm 50 , 70 is obstructed from sports. By resisting movement of movable arms 50, 70, contacts 52 and 56, contacts 62 and 66, contacts 72 and 76, and contacts 82 and 86 are prevented from making contact. Alternatively, only one of the movable arms 50 or 70 is blocked such that their respective contacts are prevented from making contact. Additionally, the latch fingers 102 act as a movement inhibitor to prevent contact contact. Alternatively, the natural bias of the movable arms 50 and 70 can be used as a static inhibitor for preventing contact contact. As described above, the latch finger 102 is positioned over the top of the movable member 50 and does not engage the movable member 50 after the device has tripped into a non-conductive state. Thus, the latch member 100 is free to move to its uppermost position to position the reset button to the second position, ie the top of the reset button protrudes beyond the upper surface of the GFCI.

Thus, when the device is in the on state, the top of the reset button is substantially flush with the upper surface of the device. When the device is in the non-conductive state, the top of the reset button is in a new position, ie above the upper surface of the device.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the GFCI receptacle is shown in its set position with movable contact arm 50 under force such that movable contact 52 and fixed contact 56 of contact arm 54 are in electrical engagement. If the detection circuit of the GFCI outlet detects a ground fault, the coil device 90 is excited, the plunger 92 is sucked into the coil device 90, and the hanging iron 94 moves upward. As the trolley moves upward, the trolley's front hook 98 strikes the latch member 100 causing it to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the connection formed by the top edge 112 and inner surface 114 of the finger 110 . Movement of the latch member 100 disengages the R side of the latch finger 102 and the distal end 116 of the movable contact arm 50, thereby allowing the contact arm 50 to return to its pre-forced state, opening the contacts 52 and 56. .

After tripping, the coil assembly 90 is de-energized, the spring 93 returns the plunger 92 to its original extended position, and the hanger 94 moves to its original position, thereby releasing the latch member 100 . At this point, the latch member 100 is in a locked position in which the latch finger 102 prohibits engagement of the movable contact 52 and the fixed contact 56 . Two or one latch finger 102 can act as a motion inhibitor for preventing these contacts from making contact. Alternatively, the natural bias of the movable arms 50 and 70 can be used as a static inhibitor for preventing these contacts from making contact.

To reset the GFCI receptacle so that contacts 52 and 56 close and re-establish continuity in the phase conduction path, reset button 30 is depressed sufficiently to overcome the biasing force of spring 120 and align latch member 100 in the direction of arrow A sports. Pressing the reset button 30 causes the latch finger 102 to contact the L side of the movable contact arm 50, and continuing to press the reset button 30 forces the latch member to overcome the stress exerted by the arm 50 so that the reset contact on the arm 50 Point 104 and reset contact 106 are closed. Closing of the reset contact, for example by means of a simulated fault, initiates operation of the circuit interrupter such that the plunger 92 moves the hanger 94 upwards, striking the latch member 100 which causes the latch fingers 102 to rotate, At the same time, the locking component 100 continues to move in the direction of the arrow A. As a result, the latch finger 102 is raised onto the L side of the distal end 116 of the movable contact arm 50 on the R side of the distal end of the movable contact arm. Contact arm 50 now returns to its unstressed position, opening contacts 52 and 56 and contacts 62 and 66, thereby terminating activation of the circuit interrupting portion, thereby de-energizing coil assembly 90.

After operation of the circuit interrupter is initiated, coil assembly 90 is de-energized, plunger 92 returns to its original extended position, hanger 94 releases latch member 100, and latch finger 102 is in the reset position. Release of the reset button causes latch member 100 and movable contact arm 50 to move in the direction of arrow B until contacts 52 and 56 electrically engage, as shown in FIG. 2 .

7 is a partial side view of the receptacle showing the relationship of the blocking member 300 to the reset button 30 and receptacle opening 20 of each of the two receptacles on the face of the GFCI. Figure 8 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a GFCI detailing the relationship of the blocking member relative to the reset button and receptacle opening.

8, blocking member 300 is positioned between housing 12 and cover portion 16 of the receptacle and is selectively operable to block the plug receiving opening in the face of receptacle 16 when the GFCI is in its non-conducting state. 20. Allowing the prongs of the plug to be inserted into said opening when the GFCI device is in its on state.

As shown in FIG. 8, a U-shaped blocking member 300 is positioned below the cover 16 of the receptacle and supports two ends 306, each with a downwardly extending end 308, adapted to fit within a mounting shroud 312. The cutout 310 is slidably and rotatably engaged. A slot 314 in the center of the blocking member is provided to cooperate with a finger 316 protruding from the side of the reset button 30 . The blocking member may be made of insulating material such as non-conductive plastic. The contact arm 54 is located below the blocking member. End 308 of blocking member 300 is slidably engaged in cutout 310 of the shroud and allows the mounting member to slide laterally along the shroud from left, or position B, to right, or position A. When the blocking part is on the left, position B, the finger 316 on the reset button is above the blocking part, not in the groove. If the reset button is pressed, the finger 316 is in the blocking position. Apply a downward force on the part. When the blocking member is to the right, position A, the finger on the reset button 30 is positioned over a slot 314 in the blocking member into which it would enter if the reset button was depressed. If the reset button 30 is depressed while the blocking member is moving from position B to position A, the finger 316 will slide along the top of the mounting member and drop into the slot 314 . In addition to being slidably connected to the shield 312, the blocking member may also be rotatably connected to the shield. More specifically, if the reset button 30 is pressed when the blocking member is to the right, position A, the finger 316 will contact the upper surface of the blocking member and force it around the end 308 of the blocking member against unrestrained contact. The force of the spring shown and/or the contact arm 54 rotates downward. When the blocking member is rotated downward, it forces the contact arm 54 downward and closes the contacts 56, 52 to begin the test cycle. Obviously, if the reset button is pressed while the blocking member is in position A, the finger 316 will enter the slot 314 and the test cycle will not be initiated. When the blocking part is in position A, the opening of the socket is not blocked by the blocking part, and the plug can be inserted therein. When the blocking part is in position B, the opening of the socket is blocked by the blocking part, and the plug cannot be inserted therein.

In operation, locking is first achieved when the blocking member blocks the receptacle opening on a miswired or defective unit. The blocking member is in position A when the GFCI device is in its locked state. Referring to Fig. 8, when the reset button is depressed, the finger 316 on the reset button interferes with the upper surface of the blocking member causing it to rotate about the end 308 and move the contact arm 54 downwardly to initiate the test cycle. If the GFCI is miswired or malfunctions, the blocking member will not be moved laterally and the GFCI will remain in its locked state.

However, if the GFCI is wired correctly and is fully operational, when the reset button is pressed and the test cycle begins due to the closure of the test switch 320, the coil assembly 90 will be operated causing the blocking member to move from position B to position A Move laterally. 9, the excitation of the coil device 90 causes the hanging iron to move the blocking member 300 from position B to position A. Referring to FIG. When the blocking member is moved to position A, the slot 314 moves under the finger 316 and the blocking member rotates upward. Continuing to press down on the reset button allows the latch finger 102 (see FIG. 2 ) to be positioned below contacting the end of the arm 50 . Upon release and thus upward movement of the reset button, the latch fingers 102 engage the ends of the arms 50, 70, which causes the contacts 56, 52 to close to energize downstream contacts. At this point, the reset button is in its down position. See Figure 10. This keeps the blocking member in position A and the socket opening is not blocked. It should be noted that the blocking member is now urged towards position B by a spring not shown, but is prevented from moving by fingers 316 located in slots 314 .

If the GFCI trips while the blades of the plug are in the receptacle, the reset button moves towards its upper position out of slot 314 and the blocking member will be spring forced towards position B. However, the blocking member will not completely block the receptacle opening because the plug blades are still in the receptacle. See Figure 11. This partially closed position of the blocking member causes interference between the blocking member and the fingers of the reset button. See Figure 11. If the reset button is pressed at this point, and the circuitry in the GFCI is operational, the coil assembly will be energized, and the GFCI will become operational after the reset button is released. However, if the GFCI is defective, the coil assembly will not be energized and the GFCI will not connect the load to the source.

While the components used during circuit interruption and device reset operations as described above are electromechanical in nature, the application also contemplates the use of electrical components such as solid state switches and support Continuity of other types of elements.

While the essential features of the invention have been shown, described and indicated, it should be understood that various omissions and substitutions in form and details of the described apparatus and its operation, and Change.

Claims (11)

1. circuit interruption device comprises:

A housing;

Phase conductive path and neutral conductive path, be at least partially disposed on separately in the described housing and between line side and load-side, described phase conductive path terminates in and can be connected with first of power supply electrical connection, can connect second of at least one load conduction, and can connect the 3rd of the come-at-able load conduction of at least one user, described neutral conductive path terminates in and can be connected with first of power supply electrical connection, can provide neutral second connection that connects to described at least one load, and can provide neutral the 3rd connection that connects to the come-at-able load of described at least one user;

The circuit interruption part, it is set in the described housing, comprises moveable arm, has the contact on it, described contact is applicable to and fixed contact is thrown off, so that cause that electricity interrupts in the described phase between described line side and load-side and the neutral conductive path when predetermined condition takes place;

The part that resets, it is set in the described housing at least in part, and is arranged in described phase and neutral conductive path and rebulids electric continuity;

Wherein said reset portion branch comprises:

A reset button is applicable to when the circuit interruption device is in conducting and nonconducting state to be the primary importance or the second place with respect to described housing; And

At least one reset contact, it can contact at least a portion of described phase conductive path, to cause described predetermined condition, if wherein described circuit interruption partly is exercisable, described circuit interruption part just is activated to forbid described reset locking part, and help in described phase and neutral conductive path, to rebulid electric continuity, if and wherein described circuit interruption partly is in nonconducting state, described reset locking part just keeps being enabled, and makes to stop to rebulid electric continuity in described phase and neutral conductive path; And

Occluding device, it links to each other with described reset button and reset portion branch, is used for blocking described the 3rd connection and links to each other with the come-at-able load of user when circuit interruption partly is in nonconducting state.

2. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said occluding device is applicable to and is in primary importance when the conducting of circuit interruption part, to allow described the 3rd connection to link to each other with the come-at-able load of user, when the circuit interruption part is non-conduction, be in the second place, link to each other with the come-at-able load of user to stop described the 3rd connection.

3. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said reset button be applicable to and be in primary importance when described device conducting, is in the second place when described not conducting of device, and

Wherein occluding device is connected to move to described primary importance by the described part that resets, and remains on described position by reset button when it is in primary importance.

4. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 3, wherein described occluding device is forced to and moves to its second place when described reset button is moved to its second place.

5. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said occluding device is forced to its second place by a spring.

6. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said occluding device is made by insulating material.

7. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said reset button are supporting a finger piece bossing, and it is applicable to and engages described occluding device and occluding device is remained on its primary importance when reset button is in its primary importance.

8. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 7, wherein when described predetermined condition takes place, reset button is applicable to and moves to its second place, so that finger piece projection and occluding device be disengaged, and the finger piece projection is placed on the top of occluding device.

9. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said finger piece projection works by described occluding device, is applicable to when being pressed and starts a test loop when reset button and occluding device are in its second place.

10. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said occluding device are applicable to and stop reset button to move to its primary importance when occluding device is in its second place.

11. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 3 is if the wherein described part that resets can not be operated then described occluding device can not move to its primary importance from its second place.

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