Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes phase and neutral conductive paths between a line side and a load side of the circuit interrupter. Differential and ground/neutral transformers are coupled to the phase and neutral paths. A circuit interrupter chip is coupled to the phase and neutral conductive paths, and to respective fault inputs from the transformers. A calibration circuit including a calibration resistor is coupled to a circuit interrupter controller. An interrupter circuit is configured to open the phase and neutral paths when a predetermined ground fault current condition is sensed. The circuit interrupter controller is configured to perform a self-calibration function to adjust a ground fault current trip-time response to maintain the ground fault current trip-time response within a predetermined range. Methods for using the self-calibrating circuit interrupter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes phase and neutral conductive paths between a line side and a load side of the circuit interrupter. Differential and ground/neutral transformers are coupled to the phase and neutral paths. A circuit interrupter chip is coupled to the phase and neutral conductive paths, and to respective fault inputs from the transformers. A calibration circuit including a calibration resistor is coupled to a circuit interrupter controller. An interrupter circuit is configured to open the phase and neutral paths when a predetermined ground fault current condition is sensed. The circuit interrupter controller is configured to perform a self-calibration function to adjust a ground fault current trip-time response to maintain the ground fault current trip-time response within a predetermined range. Methods for using the self-calibrating circuit interrupter are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illuminated receptacle. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the receptacle preferably includes a body, a cover for coupling to said body, said cover having one or more sockets for receiving a plug, a tamper resistant (TR) platform associated with each of the one or more sockets, each of the TR platforms being disposed between the body and the cover, each of the TR platforms including a cavity and an aperture extending thru said platform in said cavity, a slider disposed within each of the cavities of the platform and aligned with the openings of a respective socket, and a light source disposed within each of the apertures formed in the platforms, the light sources operatively coupled to electrical power for generating light to illuminate said slider, the light sources being positioned to directly transmit light to the sliders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illuminated receptacle. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the receptacle preferably includes a body, a cover for coupling to said body, said cover having one or more sockets for receiving a plug, a tamper resistant (TR) platform associated with each of the one or more sockets, each of the TR platforms being disposed between the body and the cover, each of the TR platforms including a cavity and an aperture extending thru said platform in said cavity, a slider disposed within each of the cavities of the platform and aligned with the openings of a respective socket, and a light source disposed within each of the apertures formed in the platforms, the light sources operatively coupled to electrical power for generating light to illuminate said slider, the light sources being positioned to directly transmit light to the sliders.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is disclosed that includes a first conductor, a second conductor, a switch between the first conductor and the second conductor wherein the switch is disposed to selectively connect and disconnect the first conductor and the second conductor, a circuit interrupter disposed to generate a circuit interrupting actuation signal, a solenoid coil and plunger assembly disposed to open the switch wherein the solenoid coil and plunger assembly is actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal wherein movement of the plunger causes the switch to open, and a test assembly that is configured to enable a test of the circuit interrupter initiating at least a partial movement of the plunger in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, without opening the switch.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device configured to cause electrical discontinuity along a conductive path upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition is disclosed. The device includes a fault sensing circuit detecting the predetermined condition and generating a circuit interrupting actuation signal, and a coil and plunger assembly actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal so that, upon detecting the predetermined condition, the plunger will move in a fault direction from a non-actuated to an actuated configuration a distance sufficient to cause disengagement of at least one set of contacts from each other to cause electrical discontinuity along the conductive path; and a test assembly causing the plunger to move in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, a distance insufficient to disengage the at least one set of contacts from each other. Analogous methods of testing the circuit interrupting device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bi-directional fault circuit interrupter system having mis-wiring protection via numerous different poles. There are at least three different transformers wherein at least two of the transformers are differential transformers and at least one transformer is a neutral transformer. There is also at least one actuator which is used to switch the switches back and forth to selectively connect the electrical current to the fault circuit.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is disclosed that includes a first conductor, a second conductor, a switch between the first conductor and the second conductor wherein the switch is disposed to selectively connect and disconnect the first conductor and the second conductor, a circuit interrupter disposed to generate a circuit interrupting actuation signal, a solenoid coil and plunger assembly disposed to open the switch wherein the solenoid coil and plunger assembly is actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal wherein movement of the plunger causes the switch to open, and a test assembly that is configured to enable a test of the circuit interrupter initiating at least a partial movement of the plunger in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, without opening the switch.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device configured to cause electrical discontinuity along a conductive path upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition is disclosed. The device includes a fault sensing circuit detecting the predetermined condition and generating a circuit interrupting actuation signal, and a coil and plunger assembly actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal so that, upon detecting the predetermined condition, the plunger will move in a fault direction from a non-actuated to an actuated configuration a distance sufficient to cause disengagement of at least one set of contacts from each other to cause electrical discontinuity along the conductive path; and a test assembly causing the plunger to move in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, a distance insufficient to disengage the at least one set of contacts from each other. Analogous methods of testing the circuit interrupting device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bi-directional fault circuit interrupter system having mis-wiring protection via numerous different poles. There are at least three different transformers wherein at least two of the transformers are differential transformers and at least one transformer is a neutral transformer. There is also at least one actuator which is used to switch the switches back and forth to selectively connect the electrical current to the fault circuit.

Abstract: A modular electronic device comprising a housing and at least one phase conductor, and at least one neutral conductor coupled to the housing. The housing has at least one receptacle for receiving a modular component when this modular component is inserted therein. The housing has at least one module release button coupled to the housing wherein when said module release button is pressed, the modular component is released from the housing. In at least one embodiment, the modular component is an electrical component, wherein the electrical component is electrically coupled to the at least one phase conductor and the at least one neutral conductor when the module is inserted into the housing. In at least one embodiment, the modular component has a power blade which connects the modular electrical component to the conductors of the housing. In at least one of these embodiments, the power blade is formed as a key which has at least one prong which uniquely identifies said modular component.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device such as a GFCI having a network of feed-through capacitors and other passive elements for providing enhanced Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) suppression where the feed-through capacitors and the other passive elements are integrated into a multilayer capacitor chip, also referred to as a Network Capacitor which is located between a differential transformer and at least one input terminal of an operational amplifier on an integrated circuit chip of the GFCI circuit.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter having an integrated variable timer circuit for alerting an end-user of an impending test of the circuit interrupter which expands the function of a basic circuit interrupter by adding visual/audible warning indicators and the capability of the circuit interrupter to test itself is described herein. The integrated variable timer circuit includes a variable resistor where the user can adjust the current flowing to a capacitor. The variable resistor enables the ability for the user to adjust the predetermined testing time. When the charge across the capacitor surpasses the voltage of a parallel, connected Zener diode, a transistor turns on a self-test subcircuit or visual/audible warning indicator. A switch across capacitor is used to discharge the capacitor and to reset the timer. A switch is included to enable a manual trip after the self test has completed.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device such as a GFCI having a network of feed-through capacitors and other passive elements for providing enhanced Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) suppression where the feed-through capacitors and the other passive elements are integrated into a multilayer capacitor chip, also referred to as a Network Capacitor which is located between a differential transformer and at least one input terminal of an operational amplifier on an integrated circuit chip of the GFCI circuit.