Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) with built in intelligence is described that includes circuitry to automatically indicate a device miswiring condition. When a GFCI is wired with its AC and LOAD terminals reversed, downstream devices are still protected in the event of a ground fault but the duplex receptacle on the GFCI itself is not. The invention incorporates miswiring sense circuitry that automatically triggers the generation of visual and audible alarms in the event a miswiring condition is sensed. The invention employs an alarm inhibiting technique that incorporates sense circuitry connected to the AC terminals on one side of the internal GFCI switches or relays and alarm generation circuitry connected to the LOAD terminals on the opposite side.

Abstract: A cordless telephone outlet device that not only provides the cordless telephone access to a telephone network, but also provides the cordless telephone the proper DC electrical energy for proper operation eliminating the need for an unsightly external DC power supply typically connected to an AC outlet. Further, the device significantly reduces exposure of the telephone line connection between the cordless telephone and the telephone network. The outlet device comprises a body having a communications connector mounted thereon and a base attached to the body. The base contains DC power supply circuitry that is connected to a source of AC electrical energy. The output of the power supply circuit is connected to a DC line terminated with a DC male plug.

Abstract: An electrical connector, such as one for receiving a plug, having at least two prongs for insertion into the connector, and having an electrical cable connected to the prongs of the plug and the connector in the usual way, includes a series circuit having an LED. The LED is located within the connector behind a window, and light from the LED provides a visual indication to a user that the connector is connected to a live circuit. The series circuit is located in a module that can be pre-assembled before being located within the connector and, when in the connector, the series circuit is electrically coupled directly to the contacts in the connector by means of spring contacts located in passageways in the module. Indexing means is provided for aligning the LED in the module with the window in the connector to insure that a user can see if the LED is on or off.

Abstract: Located within a GFCI device having a receptacle is a movable contact bearing arm which is held in either a closed or open position with a fixed contact by a latching member that is connected to the spring loaded reset button. The reset button assumes a first or a second position which is determined by the conductive state of the GFCI. When the GFC is in a conducting state, the reset button is substantially fully depressed within the housing of the GFCI. When the GFCI is in a non-conductive state, the reset button projects outward beyond the top surface of the housing of the GCFI. Thus, the movable contact bearing arm, acting through a latching member, determines the position of the reset button.

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.

Abstract: A manually operated test member for a resettable circuit interrupting device for determining if the circuit interrupting device is operating properly. The test member comprises a button and a support member. The support member is adapted to receive a trunnion and comprises holding and locating means which enables it to be accurately located on a mounting strap of the circuit interrupting device. The button of the test member supports trunnion means adapted to be rotatably received by the support member.

Abstract: A suppression and protection circuit is used in conjunction with a circuit interrupter. In one configuration, a voltage clamping device such as a metal oxide varistor is utilized in a ground fault circuit interrupter product for handling transient surges and overvoltage conditions and is placed in series with a solenoid coil. The suppression and protection circuit includes a crowbar device across the line such as a header spark gap to prevent overvoltages, and a low pass filter such as an LC filter for suppressing transient surges.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if the device is reverse wired. Methods for ensuring a reset lock out state before shipment are provided.

Abstract: A GFCI device which has reverse wiring protection is provided where no power is present at the face terminals even when the device is reverse wired. The device has a pair of movable bridges connected to its terminals. The terminal bridge pair makes contact with the load and face terminals providing power to these terminals when the device is reset. The device also has a reset lockout feature that prevents it from being reset after having been tripped if the circuit interrupting portion of the device is non-operational.

Abstract: A control system and method suppress noise in a power-line-based system which has a device repeater connected to an electrical device, and which may be capable of remote control by signals transmitted through the power-line-based system. The control system includes a control device and a communications bus. The communications bus connects the control device to the device repeater. The control device, using a control repeater, controls a phase signal of the device repeater to suppress noise during operation of the electrical device associated with the device repeater.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include neutral fault test simulation.