Abstract: A ground fault detecting circuit and trip mechanism for sensing ground fault signals and for interrupting a protection circuit. The trip mechanism includes a cross bar connected by means a pin to a pushbutton. A trip cross bar is rotatably assembled to the frame and engages the cross bar. When a ground fault is detected, a solenoid rotates the trip cross bar to release the cross bar. Two springs connecting the pin for retaining the cross bar pull the pushbutton and cross bar away from the trip cross bar to thereby free a pair of contacts to open the circuit. Subsequently, the trip mechanism can be reset by properly pushing the button to force the cross bar to engage the trip cross bar against the elastic pull of the springs.