Abstract: A LCDI power cord circuit is provided. The includes energizing shielded wires and monitoring the energized shields for surges, e.g., arcing, and/or voltage drops, e.g., shield breaks detected by a Power Cord Fault Circuit (PCFC). The PCFC includes one dual purpose amplifying/switch transistor and the LCDI power cord circuit does not include any discrete capacitive components.

Abstract: A protective arrangement in a device that protects the device and personnel or users of the device when undesirable conditions develop within the device. The protective arrangement de-couples a power source from the device, prevents access to the device that may harm a user or aggravate the undesirable condition, and actuate an alarm when the undesirable condition occurs.

Abstract: A protective arrangement in a device that protects the device and personnel or users of the device when undesirable conditions develop within the device. The protective arrangement de-couples a power source from the device, prevents access to the device that may harm a user or aggravate the undesirable condition, and actuate an alarm when the undesirable condition occurs.

Abstract: A protective arrangement for an electrical device energized from an alternating current power supply which de-energizes the electrical device when undesirable conditions, develop within the electrical device. The protective arrangement, when provided for an electrical device having protection for undesirable leakage currents in the power cord supplying to electrical device, utilizes the same circuit interrupting device to de-energize the electrical device upon the occurrence of an undesirable condition, other than a leakage current, within the device, or upon the occurrence of an undesirable leakage current in the power cord supplying the electrical device.

Abstract: A leakage current protection device, such as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), is provided that can be used in single phase or polyphase systems, with a range of input voltages from 70 to 264 volts AC, frequencies of 50 or 60 hertz, and ground fault trip currents of 6 to 30 milliamperes. A leading power factor circuit is connected to the secondary winding of the GFCI differential transformer to permit the magnetic circuit to respond to pulsating DC signals. Provision is made for continuing to provide GFCI protection in the event of an open neutral lead, with a timing circuit to prevent current flow to the ground lead until current flow in the neutral lead is completely discontinued. Various types of circuit interrupting devices, such as a circuit breaker or a power converter, may be selectively utilized.

Abstract: An electrical system, such as a system for providing power to an appliance or a building, includes arcing current protection, either in connection with or separate from a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). In one embodiment a sensing lead is located between a power line and a neutral line conveying power to the load, but is not connected to the load. The sensing lead is preferably larger than the power line and neutral line. Also, an integrity checking device may be connected from the sensing lead to the power line to determine continuity of the sensing lead, but current flow through the integrity checking device is limited to a very small magnitude. When an arcing current above a predetermined magnitude occurs in the sensing lead, an SCR is triggered to open the circuit. The sensing lead in such an embodiment may be the ground line of a three line system.

Abstract: A modular leakage current detector and machine interrupter including a sense module for detecting ground fault currents in excess of a given value, the sense module including circuitry to provide an interrupt signal, a circuit interrupter interconnected to the sense module to disconnect power to the machine upon receipt of the interrupt signal, and a test and control module electrically connected to the sense module, the test and control module providing a fault signal to periodically test the operability of and reset the modular leakage current detector and machine interrupter.

Abstract: A resettable circuit interrupter for ALCI and GFCI applications utilizes movable contacts mounted on contact spring arms adjacent a U-shaped bight of the spring arm. Closing of the contacts is achieved by compression of the bight by an actuating member that is latched in the closed contact position. Unlatching of the actuating member results when current imbalances are detected, so that the contacts are opened by the bias forces produced by the contact spring arms. A reset button is located in a recess between the prongs of the plug-in member so that the device can be reset only when it is unplugged from an electrical receptacle.

Abstract: An alternating current watt transducer including an integrated circuit analog multiplier, providing four quadrant multiplication, to the input terminals of which are applied alternating current signals proportional to the voltage and current determinative of the watts to be measured. The integrated circuit analog multiplier provides an alternating current output signal which being proportional to the product of the in-phase components of the input signals, is proportional to the watts being measured. The alternating current signal which is proportional to watts is transformed to a constant-current direct current output.

Abstract: A ground fault current interrupter circuit is provided in which open neutral and open ground conditions create actuation of the interrupter circuit, as well as a ground fault. This is achieved by utilizing a supplemental secondary winding on the differential transformer of a common type of ground fault interrupter circuit. An open neutral lead or an open ground lead produces a current flow through the supplemental secondary winding that induces a trip signal in the secondary winding to initiate opening of the power line. In a second embodiment the supplemental secondary winding induces a trip signal in the transformer only for an open ground lead, while tripping for an open neutral is achieved by directly gating an SCR switch. The circuit arrangements also protect against other conditions, such as a potential in excess of a predetermined voltage between the neutral and ground leads or a reversal of the input connections.

Abstract: A resettable contact closing device opens a load circuit connected to a power line protected by a ground fault interrupter circuit, if the neutral conductor is broken. The contacts are closed by a mechanical reset actuator only if a solenoid is energized by a potential proportional to the line-to-neutral voltage to hold the actuator in a contact closing position. If the neutral conductor is broken, the solenoid will not be energized and the contacts, and hence the power line to the load circuit, will be opened.

Abstract: An electric receptacle for trade size outlet boxes having a ground fault circuit interrupting machanism incorporated therein. A receptacle housing includes contact jaws seated therein to receive the plug of a conductor leading to a load, electronic components to detect a ground fault and grounded neutral condition on the load side of the receptacle, plus a coil and trip mechanism to open the receptacle circuit on occurrence of a ground fault or grounded neutral condition. The complete receptacle assembly is approximately the same depth as conventional household receptacles which do not have ground fault circuit interrupting means included therein. Means to periodically test the ground fault interrupting mechanism is also included in the receptacle assembly, as well as means to indicate the circuit has been interrupted and means to reset.

Abstract: An electric receptacle for trade size outlet boxes having a ground fault circuit interrupting mechanism incorporated therein. A receptacle housing includes contact jaws seated therein to receive the plug of a conductor leading to a load, electronic components to detect a ground fault and grounded neutral condition on the load side of the receptacle, plus a coil and trip mechanism to open the receptacle circuit on occurrence of a ground fault or grounded neutral condition. The complete receptacle assembly is approximately the same depth as conventional household receptacles which do not have ground fault circuit interrupting means included therein. Means to periodically test the ground fault interrupting mechanism is also included in the receptacle assembly, as well as means to indicate the circuit has been interrupted and means to reset.

Abstract: A portable electrical device has a molded body having a cavity closed by a rear wall. Two conductive prongs project through the rear wall for reception into a phase port and a neutral port, respectively, of an electrical outlet. A retractable grounding pin or prong, when in an extended position, extends outwardly from the rear wall in parallel spaced relationship with the two prongs and is receivable by a ground port of the outlet if there is one. When the device is used with an electrical outlet not having a ground port, the grounding pin retracts within the cavity against a spring bias. An indicating pin is operatively connected to the grounding pin and moves, in response to retracting movement of the grounding pin, to an exposed position within a recess in a front wall of the body to provide a visual indication that the device is not grounded by the grounding pin.