Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a circuit coupled to the line terminals and configured to conduct a predetermined current flow when the line terminals are connected to a source of AC power, the predetermined current flow does not simulate a fault condition. An interrupting contact assembly includes four sets of interrupting contacts that are configured to provide electrical continuity between the line terminals, the load terminals and the at least one receptacle in a reset state and configured to interrupt the electrical continuity in tripped state. The interrupting contact assembly is energized to effect the tripped stated and substantially deenergized otherwise, the interrupting contact assembly being substantially prevented from effecting the reset state absent the predetermined current flow.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a plurality of line terminals including a line hot terminal and a line neutral terminal, and a plurality of load terminals including a load hot terminal and a load neutral terminal. An interrupting contact assembly includes four sets of interrupting contacts configured to provide electrical continuity at least between the line hot terminal and the load hot terminal and the line neutral terminal and the load neutral terminal in a reset state. The four sets of interrupting contacts are open in a tripped state. A miswire prevention arrangement is configured to prevent the interrupting contact assembly from maintaining the reset state when the load hot terminal and the load neutral terminal are connected to a source of AC power.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring protection device that includes a housing assembly having a hot line terminal, a neutral line terminal, a hot load terminal, and a neutral load terminal partially disposed therein. A miswire detection circuit is coupled to the hot line terminal, the neutral line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the neutral load terminal. The miswire detection circuit is configured to generate a miswire fault condition when AC power is coupled to the hot load terminal and the neutral load terminal and open circuit when AC power is coupled to the hot line terminal and neutral line terminal. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the miswire detection circuit. The fault detection circuit is configured to generate a fault detection signal in response to detecting at least one fault condition. The at least one fault condition including the miswire fault condition. An interrupting contact assembly is connected to the fault detection circuit.

Abstract: An AC power line protection device which includes miswiring protection has an indicator lamp which lights when the device is in the tripped condition and turns off when the device is reset. If the device is miswired after having been wired properly, the indicator lamp does not light when the device is tripped, and so provides a supplemental indication of miswiring. The indicator lamp is powered via the hot line bus bar of the interrupting contacts to meet safety standards.

Abstract: An AC power line protection device includes a resistive element connected at one end to a hot power conductor and at another end to either a breaker coil operatively associated with a set of interrupting contacts or to a gate or base for a switch element. When AC power is miswired to the load terminals, the device trips the contacts due to the presence of the resistive element. The device does not work properly until AC power is connected to the line terminals, at which time the resistive element clears itself from the circuit. An indicator lamp lights when the device is in the tripped condition and turns off when the device is reset. If the device is miswired after having been wired properly, i.e., the resistive element has cleared, the indicator lamp does not light when the device is tripped, and so provides a supplemental indication of miswiring.

Abstract: A gfi wiring device is disclosed in the form of a duplex receptacle for receiving the blades of a plug connecting an electrical appliance or other load to the circuit wherein the gfi device is connected. The housing sections and components of the gfi are so configured and relatively arranged that the device may be automatically assembled by downward, vertical movement of the components and the front housing section in a predetermined sequence relative to the rear housing section as the latter is positioned on a horizontal support. The device is operationally tested after assembly is complete and, upon successful testing, the housing sections are permanently connected by heat deformation of portions of one section to form a rivet-like connection. Reliability of testing is improved by breaking the usual traces on a printed circuit board extending between terminals to which jumper cables are connected to provide a fail-safe indication of circuit continuity through the jumper cables.

Abstract: A ground fault interrupter (gfi) wiring device includes a latch member having integral abutment, latching and spring portions. In the preferred embodiment, the latch member is formed from a unitary blank of springy sheet metal, the spring portion being a leaf spring formed at one end and biasing the latch member to a latching position to maintain the moveable contact(s) in circuit-making relation with the fixed contact(s) of the device. The latch member is released to permit circuit-breaking movement of the moveable contact(s) by a solenoid having an armature with a relatively enlarged head portion to enhance speed of operation. Optionally, a spring may be provided to maintain the otherwise freely-slidable armature with its end portion in spaced relation to the latch member abutment portion so that the armature gains momentum before contacting the abutment portion to effect unlatching movement of the latch member.