Abstract: Ground fault circuit interrupter components, including a fault-sensing circuit and a relay, are enclosed within a housing having terminals for connection of the wires of a line cord extending from an electrical appliance or other electrical load for which ground fault protection is provided. Standard plug blades extend from the housing for insertion into a conventional electrical receptacle to connect the load to a source of electrical power, the circuit interrupter components being interposed between the wire connection terminals and the blades. The housing configuration and assembly provides an essentially waterproof enclosure for all elements between the line cord and plug blades which is preferably divided into two discrete compartments, one containing the wire connection terminals and the other the GFCI components. Thus, if the one compartment should develop a leak, the water-tight integrity of the other is still maintained.

Abstract: A pair of separate electrical switches are disclosed, each including a fixed contact supported by and electrically connected to a printed circuit board, and a movable contact comprising a deflectable portion of a strip of springy, conducting material. A single such strip is supported by and electrically connected to terminals of the circuit board in a central portion of the strip, the opposite end portions forming the movable switch contacts. A pair of push rods are carried by spaced, flexible, rubber boots which position the push rods and move them axially to urge the respective ends of the strip to a deflected position which moves one strip end away from the associated pin, opening a normally closed switch, and moves the other strip end to contact the pin, closing a normally open switch. The electrical and physical configuration of the switches is particularly suited to use as test and reset switches of a ground fault circuit interrupter device, in which context the invention is disclosed.