Abstract: The present invention is directed to a electrical wiring device that includes a housing having a plurality of line terminals. A cover assembly is coupled to the housing, the cover assembly including at least one set of receptacle openings disposed on either side of a central portion of the cover assembly. A plurality of receptacle terminals are disposed in the housing, each of the plurality of receptacle terminals being coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of load terminal structures. Each of the plurality of receptacle terminals is in communication with a corresponding one of the at least one set of receptacle openings. A light assembly is disposed in the central portion of the cover assembly and coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. The light assembly has a light transmission region disposed in the central portion. The light transmissive region occupies a substantial portion of a width of the cover assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a front cover member having a front major surface and a back cover member having a back major surface substantially in parallel with the front major surface. The housing further includes an electrically isolating member disposed between the front cover member and the back cover member such that a front interior region is formed between the front cover member and the electrically isolating member and a rear interior region is formed between the back cover member and the electrically isolating member. The user accessible reset button assembly establishes a plane normal to the major front surface and subdividing the rear interior region into a first rear interior region portion and a second rear interior region portion. The interrupting contact assembly is configured to provide electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals and the plurality of receptacle terminals in a reset state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective wiring device that includes a plurality of line terminals coupled to a plurality of load terminals by way of at least one conductive path. A miswire detection circuit is coupled to the at least one conductive path. The miswire detection circuit is configured to monitor signal propagation characteristics on the at least one conductive path and generate a miswire detection signal based on the signal propagation characteristics commencing each time source power is applied to either the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the at least one conductive path. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect a fault condition propagating on the at least one conductive path. The fault detection circuit is configured to generate a trip signal in response to either the fault condition or the miswire detection signal. A circuit interrupter is coupled to the fault detection circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wiring device that includes a front cover assembly. The front cover assembly includes a front cover having at least one plug receptacle opening disposed therein. A ground strap is coupled to the cover assembly. A device assembly includes a plurality of line terminals configured to be connected to an AC power source, a plurality of load terminals configured to be connected to a downstream load, and at least one set of receptacle load terminals in communication with the at least one receptacle opening. The device assembly also includes a fault response circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals. A back cover is coupled to the front cover assembly to accommodate the device assembly therein. The ground strap element is disposed between the front cover assembly and the back cover. The back cover extending beyond the ground strap a distance substantially less than or equal to one inch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wiring device that includes a front cover assembly. The front cover assembly includes a front cover having at least one plug receptacle opening disposed therein. A ground strap is coupled to the cover assembly. A device assembly includes a plurality of line terminals configured to be connected to an AC power source, a plurality of load terminals configured to be connected to a downstream load, and at least one set of receptacle load terminals in communication with the at least one receptacle opening. The device assembly also includes a fault response circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals. A back cover is coupled to the front cover assembly to accommodate the device assembly therein. The ground strap element is disposed between the front cover assembly and the back cover. The back cover extending beyond the ground strap a distance substantially less than or equal to one inch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a electrical wiring device that includes a housing having a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals, the plurality of load terminals including a plurality of receptacle terminals. A cover assembly is coupled to the housing. The cover assembly includes at least one set of receptacle openings disposed on either side of a central portion of the cover assembly. Each of the at least one set of receptacle openings is in communication with a portion of the plurality of receptacle terminals. A fault detection assembly is coupled to the plurality of line terminals. The fault detection circuit is configured to provide a fault detection output in response to detecting a fault condition. A circuit interrupter is coupled between the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a electrical wiring device that includes a housing having a plurality of line terminals. A cover assembly is coupled to the housing, the cover assembly including at least one set of receptacle openings disposed on either side of a central portion of the cover assembly. A plurality of receptacle terminals are disposed in the housing, each of the plurality of receptacle terminals being coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of load terminal structures. Each of the plurality of receptacle terminals is in communication with a corresponding one of the at least one set of receptacle openings. A light assembly is disposed in the central portion of the cover assembly and coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. The light assembly has a light transmission region disposed in the central portion. The light transmissive region occupies a substantial portion of a width of the cover assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a housing having a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals. A cover assembly is coupled to the housing. The cover assembly includes a first set of receptacle openings and a second set of receptacle openings. A plurality of receptacle terminals are disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of load terminals. The plurality of receptacle terminals include a first set of receptacle terminals in communication with the first set of receptacle openings and a second set of receptacle terminals in communication with the second set of receptacle openings. A first protective shutter assembly is disposed in the cover assembly between the first set of receptacle openings and the first set of receptacle terminals and a second protective shutter assembly disposed in the cover assembly between the second set of receptacle openings and the second set of receptacle terminals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective wiring device that includes a plurality of line terminals coupled to a plurality of load terminals by way of at least one conductive path. A miswire detection circuit is coupled to the at least one conductive path. The miswire detection circuit is configured to monitor signal propagation characteristics on the at least one conductive path and generate a miswire detection signal based on the signal propagation characteristics commencing each time source power is applied to either the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the at least one conductive path. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect a fault condition propagating on the at least one conductive path. The fault detection circuit is configured to generate a trip signal in response to either the fault condition or the miswire detection signal. A circuit interrupter is coupled to the fault detection circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a circuit and method for self-testing a protection device for use in an AC power distribution system. The device is configured to be coupled between an AC power distribution system and at least one load. The method includes the step of introducing a simulated ground neutral fault during a first predetermined half cycle half cycle of the AC power. An attempt is made to detect the introduced simulated grounded neutral fault during the first predetermined half cycle half cycle. A fault condition is signaled if the introduced simulated grounded neutral fault is not detected within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the plurality of line terminals. The fault detection circuit is configured to provide a detection output signal in response to a detected condition. A switching device is coupled to the fault detection circuit. The switching device is configured to provide a trip signal in response to the detection output signal, the switching device being characterized by at least one device parameter. A circuit interrupting assembly is configured to electrically connect the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals in a reset state and disconnect the plurality of line terminals from the plurality of load terminals in response to the trip signal in a tripped state. An indicator circuit assembly is coupled to the switching device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring protection device that includes a housing assembly having at least one receptacle. The receptacle is configured to receive plug contact blades inserted therein. The housing assembly includes a hot line terminal, a neutral line terminal, a hot load terminal, and a neutral load terminal. A set of receptacle contacts is disposed in the housing assembly and in communication with the receptacle. The receptacle contacts includes a hot user-accessible load contact and a neutral user accessible load contact. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the test assembly. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto. A four-pole interrupting contact assembly is coupled to the fault detection circuit and includes a set of four-pole interrupting contacts. A reset mechanism is coupled to the four-pole interrupting contact assembly.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter which protects an AC circuit subjected to a possible arcing fault includes a sensor which produces a signal that can be evaluated to see if it is associated with arc fault current. The evaluation is done by a discrimination circuit which identifies a characteristic of the sensor signal associated with cessations of the arc fault current. An accumulator counts the number of occurrences of the cessations, and if the number of cessations counted within a predetermined time interval exceeds a predetermined number, the arc fault circuit interrupter interrupts the AC circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring protection device for use in coupling an AC power distribution system to at least one electrical load. The device includes an automated self-test circuit coupled to the AC power distribution system. The automated self-test circuit is configured to generate at least one simulated fault signal during a first predetermined half-cycle of AC power. A detector circuit is coupled to the automated self-test circuit. The detector circuit generates a detection signal in response to the at least one simulated fault signal. An interval timing circuit is coupled to the test circuit. The interval timing circuit is configured to enable the automated self-test circuit to generate the at least one simulated fault signal during a first predetermined interval and not enable the test circuit during a subsequent second predetermined interval. The first predetermined interval and the second predetermined interval are recurring time intervals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arc fault protective device that includes a sensor configured to generate a sensor signal in response to an electrical current signal propagating in an electrical distribution system. A level detection circuit is coupled to the electrical distribution system. The level detection circuit is configured to generate a first level detection signal if a magnitude of the electrical current signal is between a first predetermined threshold level and a second predetermined threshold level. The level detection circuit also is configured to generate a second level detection signal if a magnitude of the electrical current signal is greater than the second predetermined threshold level. An arc detection circuit is coupled to the sensor and the level detection circuit. The arc detection circuit is configured to compare the sensor signal to a first arc fault signature and a second arc fault signature.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) detects arc faults by identifying the various signature patterns of arc fault noise while rejecting arc mimicking noise from normal load phenomena.

Abstract: A protection device for an electrical circuit having a load includes a sensor operatively associated with the electrical circuit to sense current changes and voltage fluctuations in the electrical circuit. A detector receives input from the sensor and compares the input to known arc fault signatures and arc fault mimicking signatures to determine what category of arc fault or mimicked arc fault occurs. The detector then produces an encoded output signal indicative of the category of arc fault or mimicked arc fault. Categories of arc faults include upstream or downstream series, downstream parallel, downstream line to line, and downstream line to ground.

Abstract: An arc fault causes the line voltage across the line terminals of an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) to change its characteristic voltage pulse shape as the line voltage is momentarily removed from the AFCI terminals after the arc extinguishes and before it re-strikes by introducing a flat voltage portion to the pulse shape. This flat voltage portion changes the voltage pulse width. An arc detector/processor detects this change in pulse width to produce a signal indicative of upstream (line side) arcing. The flat voltage portion can also be detected using clamping diodes and charging capacitors.

Abstract: An arc fault detector for detecting arcing faults in an electrical distribution/branch circuit includes both a di/dt detector/amplifier and a 60 Hz (threshold) detector/amplifier connected to a current sensor. The detector includes a circuit which masks inductive/tungsten in-rush current such as is generated by a dimmer switch. The current sensor is a toroidal current transformer, with either two LINE conductors or a LINE and a NEUTRAL conductor passing through the toroid. A multi-winding secondary is formed around the toroidal core whose terminations constitute the output of the current sensor. When the outputs of both detectors simultaneously indicate fault current which is not due to a dimmer switch, a breaker coil is energized which in turn de-energizes the electrical distribution/branch circuit.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter which protects an AC circuit subjected to a possible arcing fault includes a sensor which produces a signal that can be evaluated to see if it is associated with arc fault current. The evaluation is done by a discrimination circuit which identifies a characteristic of the sensor signal associated with cessations of the arc fault current. An accumulator counts the number of occurrences of the cessations, and if the number of cessations counted within a predetermined time interval exceeds a predetermined number, the arc fault circuit interrupter interrupts the AC circuit.