Abstract: A resettable circuit interrupting device such as a GFCI that, when reverse wired during installation, will trip and prevent power being applied to the load side of the GFCI when powered up. A current limiting circuit is connected between the phase and a ground terminal on the line side of the differential transformer of the GFCI. When the GFCI is connected correctly, the current through the current limiting circuit will have no significant effect on the GFCI, and it will operate normally. When, however, the line conductors are connected to the load terminals of the GFCI and the load conductors are connected to the line terminals of the GFCI, the current through the current limiting circuit will appear as a ground fault and cause the GFCI to trip.

Abstract: In the present invention the basic detection and interruption components of an Immersion Detection Circuit Interrupter (IDCI), in combination with the line, neutral and shield conductors of an extension or appliance cord provides a new improved type of detector, a Leakage Current Detector Interrupter (LCDI) which interrupts current to a load when current leakage is detected between the line or neutral conductors of the cord and the shield conductor.

Abstract: A resettable circuit interrupting device such as a GFCI that, when reverse wired during installation, will trip and prevent power being applied to the load side of the GFCI when powered up. A current limiting circuit is connected between the phase and a ground terminal on the line side of the differential transformer of the GFCI. When the GFCI is connected correctly, the current through the current limiting circuit will have no significant effect on the GFCI, and it will operate normally. When, however, the line conductors are connected to the load terminals of the GFCI and the load conductors are connected to the line terminals of the GFCI, the current through the current limiting circuit will appear as a ground fault and cause the GFCI to trip.

Abstract: In the present invention the basic detection and interruption components of an Immersion Detection Circuit Interrupter (IDCI), in combination with the line, neutral and shield conductors of an extension or appliance cord provides a new improved type of detector, a Leakage Current Detector Interrupter (LCDI) which interrupts current to a load when current leakage is detected between the line or neutral conductors of the cord and the shield conductor.

Abstract: With prior art Immersion Detection Circuit Interrupters (IDCI), the firing of the trip coil to open the contacts which interrupts the flow of current to a load uses the neutral conductor as the return path when leakage is detected. If, however, the neutral conductor should become open, there is no return path present to fire the coil. An unsafe condition because the voltage that is present cannot be disconnected from the load. With this invention the SCR, which is used to fire the coil, now uses the ground conductor and diodes as the return path to fire the coil to interrupt the voltage from the load. A fully shielded cord is used to detect a break in a conductor. An LED indicator in either the plug or the receptacle of the extension cord verifies that protection is available. A test button is provided to test shield continuity and to verify proper circuit operation.

Abstract: A string of miniature holiday lamps connected in a series circuit with each lamp having an indicating device connected in parallel to its respective lamp. The indicating device is operated in response to the non functioning of the lamp with which it is connected in parallel. When the lamp fails, the full line voltage of the series circuit passes through the indicating device causing it to activate, signaling the non functioning lamp. The signaling device can be a resistor associated with a thermochromic paint that changes color when activated by the heat from the resistor, a sound alarm, an odor activated device or an electroluminescent light. In another embodiment the signaling device can be used to indicate a circuit having a resistive load is energized.

Abstract: A string of miniature holiday lamps connected in a series circuit with each lamp having an indicating device connected in parallel to its respective lamp. The indicating device is operated in response to the non functioning of the lamp with which it is connected in parallel. When the lamp fails, the full line voltage of the series circuit passes through the indicating device causing it to activate, signaling the non functioning lamp. The signaling device can be a resistor associated with a thermochromic paint that changes color when activated by the heat from the resistor, a sound alarm, an odor activated device or an electroluminescent light. In another embodiment the signaling device can be used to indicate a circuit having a resistive load is energized.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a dimmer which incorporates an alternating current (AC) trigger which exhibits asymmetrical electrical characteristics. This eliminates the undesirable snap on hysteresis effect associated with conventional dimmers utilizing symmetrical AC triggers such as diacs and silicon bilateral switches (SBS). One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a zener diode to create the asymmetry. During one polarity of the AC source, the breakover voltage of the trigger is increased, forcing the trigger to breakover at a time later in the AC cycle than it would otherwise have with a symmetric trigger. This compensates for charge dumping of the phase control capacitor into the gate of the triac which would otherwise cause the snap on hysteresis effect.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a dimmer which incorporates an alternating current (AC) trigger which exhibits asymmetrical electrical characteristics. This eliminates the undesirable snap on hysteresis effect associated with conventional dimmers utilizing symmetrical AC triggers such as diacs and silicon bilateral switches (SBS). One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a zener diode to create the asymmetry. During one polarity of the AC source, the breakover voltage of the trigger is increased, forcing the trigger to breakover at a time later in the AC cycle than it would otherwise have with a symmetric trigger. This compensates for charge dumping of the phase control capacitor into the gate of the triac which would otherwise cause the snap on hysteresis effect.