Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for opening a circuit when a ground fault has been detected in an attached circuit includes a current path structure containing no more than one splice and no more than one pair of contacts. A cantilevered movable contact arm and an activation device that moves in a linear fashion can be provided to open the current path structure when a ground fault is detected by the GFCI. In addition, the GFCI can include a transformer boat and solenoid bobbin that are snap fit onto a circuit board and located adjacent each other to provide rigidity to the circuit board and GFCI. The GFCI can be tested by a test switch that includes an integral cantilevered extension from an electrical terminal disposed over a resistor such that the cantilevered extension can be bent by a test button to contact a lead of the resistor and simulate a ground fault condition for the GFCI.

Abstract: The fault circuit interrupter with fail safe mode and method can include a detection circuit for determining whether an error has occurred in an exterior circuit, and an interrupter device for stopping current flow to the exterior circuit when an error has been detected. The fault circuit interrupter can also include a fail safe mode, wherein if any of the fault circuit interrupter's key electrical and/or mechanical components malfunction or are not working, the fault circuit interrupter is incapable of being reset after a trip.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for opening a circuit when a ground fault has been detected in an attached circuit includes a current path structure containing no more than one splice and no more than one pair of contacts. A cantilevered movable contact arm and an activation device that moves in a linear fashion can be provided to open the current path structure when a ground fault is detected by the GFCI. In addition, the GFCI can include a transformer boat and solenoid bobbin that are snap fit onto a circuit board and located adjacent each other to provide rigidity to the circuit board and GFCI. The GFCI can be tested by a test switch that includes an integral cantilevered extension from an electrical terminal disposed over a resistor such that the cantilevered extension can be bent by a test button to contact a lead of the resistor and simulate a ground fault condition for the GFCI.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for opening a circuit when a ground fault has been detected in an attached circuit includes a current path structure containing no more than one splice and no more than one pair of contacts. A cantilevered movable contact arm and an activation device that moves in a linear fashion can be provided to open the current path structure when a ground fault is detected by the GFCI. In addition, the GFCI can include a transformer boat and solenoid bobbin that are snap fit onto a circuit board and located adjacent each other to provide rigidity to the circuit board and GFCI. The GFCI can be tested by a test switch that includes an integral cantilevered extension from an electrical terminal disposed over a resistor such that the cantilevered extension can be bent by a test button to contact a lead of the resistor and simulate a ground fault condition for the GFCI.

Abstract: A standoff assembly is disclosed for supporting an electrical component including at least one lead. The standoff assembly comprises a first supporting member including a protrusion and defining an opening and a second supporting member including a protrusion to mate with the opening of the first supporting member. The second supporting member defines an opening to receive the protrusion of the first supporting member and the protrusions engage one another to assemble the first and second supporting members.

Abstract: An electrical device to be mounted on a support includes a housing having an inner part and an outer part secured to one another. The housing is mounted on the support in a position in which the outer part of the housing is accessible. A cover plate is provided for obscuring the view of at least a portion of the housing and surrounding areas of the support. The cover plate has at least one through opening in it. The cover plate is secured to the housing by a screw passing through the opening and an aperture. The screw engages the thread of a threaded bore when the device is fully assembled. The outer housing part includes webs at or within the opening for engaging the shank of the screw and temporarily holding it, and with it the cover plate, in their proper positions prior to engagement of the shank thread with the bore thread.

Abstract: A ground fault protection electrical outlet with miswiring indication includes, besides a main outlet unit that includes a housing, a primary and a secondary pair of first and second electrical connectors accessibly arranged on the housing, two main switches respectively interposed between the first, and the second, connectors of the primary and secondary pairs and simultaneously switchable between their open and closed positions, and at least two electrical contacts located at the same side of the switches as the secondary connectors, an indicator circuit built into the main outlet unit and operative for indicating a miswiring situation in which the wires of a wire pair that supplies electrical current to the outlet unit are mistakenly connected to the connectors of the secondary pair.

Abstract: A release key is detachably connected to a wiring device within easy access. After detachment from the wiring device, the key is insertable into a release passage in order to unlock and enable the removal of an uninsulated end portion of an electrical conductor from a terminal located within a housing of a wiring device.

Abstract: A dual mode grounding arrangement includes a one-piece, multi-function, grounding strip assembled within an electrical receptacle, and includes a screw terminal which is highly resistant to removal of a grounding screw from the strip. A grounding wire is connected to the screw terminal by either a wrap-around or a push-in wiring technique.

Abstract: An electrical cord is clamped in a plug or connector by longitudinally moving a set of projections integral with an inner main body against a set of locking legs integral with an outer husk. The cord is circumferentially clamped within an interior compartment so as to resist removal of the cord therefrom.