Abstract: A locking mechanism for protecting a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) from being faultily reset. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism has a blocking member secured onto a lateral side of the movable assembly, a resilient member, and a locking member having a first end portion positioned against the resilient member, a second end portion positioned in relation to the blocking member, and a body portion defined between the first end portion and the second end portion. When the movable assembly is in a first (tripping) position, the expanding force of the resilient member applied to the first end portion of the locking member causes the second end portion of the locking member to be positioned against the blocking member so that no movement of the movable assembly from the first position to a second (resetting) position is allowed.

Abstract: A self fault-detection circuit for a ground fault circuit interrupter comprising: (i) a Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) fault detection unit for detecting a fault condition of the MOV, and sending a first trigger signal if a fault condition of the MOV is detected, (ii) a trip circuit fault detection unit for detecting a fault condition of a trip circuit, and sending a second trigger signal if a fault condition of the trip circuit is detected; and (iii) a fault reaction unit for receiving at least one of the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal, and responding to the first and second trigger signals with an action, when at least one of the first and the second trigger signals is received by the fault reaction unit, the fault reaction unit indicates that at least one fault condition exists in the ground fault circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A leakage current detection interrupter with fire protection means, comprising: (i) a leakage current protection circuit, (ii) an electrical cord with metallic fire shields, and (iii) a fire protection circuit, wherein, in operation, the leakage current protection circuit and the fire protection circuit detect a fault condition including a leakage current, a ground fault and a fire hazard, and disconnect the source of electricity from the at least one user accessible load when leakage current, ground fault or fire hazard is detected. The electrical cord with metallic fire shields, the fire protection circuit, and the indicator circuit can be combined with any ground fault circuit interrupter, arc fault circuit interrupter, immerse detection circuit interrupter, appliance leakage current interrupter and electronic leakage current interrupter.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for protecting a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) from being faultily reset. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism has a blocking member secured onto a lateral side of the movable assembly, a resilient member, and a locking member having a first end portion positioned against the resilient member, a second end portion positioned in relation to the blocking member, and a body portion defined between the first end portion and the second end portion. When the movable assembly is in a first (tripping) position, the expanding force of the resilient member applied to the first end portion of the locking member causes the second end portion of the locking member to be positioned against the blocking member so that no movement of the movable assembly from the first position to a second (resetting) position is allowed.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the life of a leakage current protection device having a leakage current detection circuit and a trip mechanism having a switch device. In one embodiment, the apparatus a ground fault simulation unit, a fault detector of the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism, and a life testing detection control unit having an MCU for controlling operation of the fault detector. In operation, a first signal (pulse signal) is sent to the gate of the switching device to generate a first voltage at the cathode of the switching device, a second signal is sent to the ground fault simulation unit to generate a simulated ground fault for the leakage current detection circuit to generate a second voltage at the gate of the switching device, and the first and second voltages are measured to determine whether a fault exists in the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism.

Abstract: A self fault-detection circuit for a ground fault circuit interrupter comprising: (i) a Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) fault detection unit for detecting a fault condition of the MOV, and sending a first trigger signal if a fault condition of the MOV is detected, (ii) a trip circuit fault detection unit for detecting a fault condition of a trip circuit, and sending a second trigger signal if a fault condition of the trip circuit is detected; and (iii) a fault reaction unit for receiving at least one of the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal, and responding to the first and second trigger signals with an action, when at least one of the first and the second trigger signals is received by the fault reaction unit, the fault reaction unit indicates that at least one fault condition exists in the ground fault circuit interrupter.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the life of a leakage current protection device having a leakage current detection circuit and a trip mechanism. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a ground fault simulation circuit for generating a simulated ground fault during every negative half-wave of an AC power, a signature signal generating circuit for generating a signature signal reflecting the characteristic of the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism, when the simulated ground fault is generated, and a life testing detection control circuit having a microcontroller and an alarm circuit. In operation, the life testing detection control circuit receives the signature signal from the signature signal generating circuit, analyzes the received signature signal to determine whether at least one fault exists in the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism, and activates the alarm circuit if the at least one fault exists.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the life of a leakage current protection device, comprising a microcontroller unit, at least one of a first fault detector and a second fault detector, at least one of an audio alarm and a visual alarm, a power supply circuit. In operation, the first fault detector and/or the second fault detector receive at least one signal from the leakage current protection device, and generate at least one DC voltage corresponding to the at least one signal to be received by the MCU. The MCU compares the at least one DC voltage with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether a fault exists in the leakage current protection device, and activates the alarm circuit if at least one fault exists.

Abstract: A magnetic movement mechanism usable in a ground fault circuit interrupter, comprising: (i) a first permanent magnet, (ii) a second permanent magnet positioned apart from the first permanent magnet, (iii) a soft magnet positioned between the two permanent magnets, (iv) a balance frame positioned between the two ends of the soft magnet, (v) a first coil and (vi) a second coil, wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged such that when a current passes through the first coil, a first magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet in a first direction, and when a current passes through the second coil, a second magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the life of a leakage current protection device having a leakage current detection circuit and a trip mechanism having a switch device. In one embodiment, the apparatus a ground fault simulation unit, a fault detector of the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism, and a life testing detection control unit having an MCU for controlling operation of the fault detector. In operation, a first signal (pulse signal) is sent to the gate of the switching device to generate a first voltage at the cathode of the switching device, a second signal is sent to the ground fault simulation unit to generate a simulated ground fault for the leakage current detection circuit to generate a second voltage at the gate of the switching device, and the first and second voltages are measured to determine whether a fault exists in the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism.

Abstract: A magnetic movement mechanism usable in a ground fault circuit interrupter, comprising: (i) a first permanent magnet, (ii) a second permanent magnet positioned apart from the first permanent magnet, (iii) a soft magnet positioned between the two permanent magnets, (iv) a balance frame positioned between the two ends of the soft magnet, (v) a first coil and (vi) a second coil, wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged such that when a current passes through the first coil, a first magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet in a first direction, and when a current passes through the second coil, a second magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the life of a leakage current protection device having a leakage current detection circuit. In one embodiment, the apparatus a trip mechanism state generator, a fault alarm generator, a ground fault simulation unit. In operation, the ground fault simulation unit generates a simulated ground fault signal during every positive half-wave of an AC power, the simulated ground fault signal is detected by the leakage current detection circuit, the leakage current detection circuit responsively generates a signal to turn a switching device into its conductive state so as to allow a current to pass therethrough, the passed current is converted into a DC voltage in accordance with a trip mechanism state generated by the trip mechanism state generator, the fault alarm circuit receives and analyzes the DC voltage and indicates whether a fault exists in the leakage current protection device.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the life of a leakage current protection device having a leakage current detection circuit and a trip mechanism having a switch device. In one embodiment, the apparatus a ground fault simulation unit, a fault detector of the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism, and a life testing detection control unit having an MCU for controlling operation of the fault detector. In operation, a first signal (pulse signal) is sent to the gate of the switching device to generate a first voltage at the cathode of the switching device, a second signal is sent to the ground fault simulation unit to generate a simulated ground fault for the leakage current detection circuit to generate a second voltage at the gate of the switching device, and the first and second voltages are measured to determine whether a fault exists in the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the life of a leakage current protection device having a leakage current detection circuit. In one embodiment, the apparatus a trip mechanism state generator, a fault alarm generator, a ground fault simulation unit. In operation, the ground fault simulation unit generates a simulated ground fault signal during every positive half-wave of an AC power, the simulated ground fault signal is detected by the leakage current detection circuit, the leakage current detection circuit responsively generates a signal to turn a switching device into its conductive state so as to allow a current to pass therethrough, the passed current is converted into a DC voltage in accordance with a trip mechanism state generated by the trip mechanism state generator, the fault alarm circuit receives and analyzes the DC voltage and indicates whether a fault exists in the leakage current protection device.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the life of a leakage current protection device having a leakage current detection circuit and a trip mechanism having a switch device. In one embodiment, the apparatus a ground fault simulation unit, a fault detector of the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism, and a life testing detection control unit having an MCU for controlling operation of the fault detector. In operation, a first signal (pulse signal) is sent to the gate of the switching device to generate a first voltage at the cathode of the switching device, a second signal is sent to the ground fault simulation unit to generate a simulated ground fault for the leakage current detection circuit to generate a second voltage at the gate of the switching device, and the first and second voltages are measured to determine whether a fault exists in the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism.

Abstract: A leakage current detection interrupter with fire protection means, comprising: (i) a leakage current protection circuit, (ii) an electrical cord with metallic fire shields, and (iii) a fire protection circuit, wherein, in operation, the leakage current protection circuit and the fire protection circuit detect a fault condition including a leakage current, a ground fault and a fire hazard, and disconnect the source of electricity from the at least one user accessible load when leakage current, ground fault or fire hazard is detected. The electrical cord with metallic fire shields, the fire protection circuit, and the indicator circuit can be combined with any ground fault circuit interrupter, arc fault circuit interrupter, immerse detection circuit interrupter, appliance leakage current interrupter and electronic leakage current interrupter.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the life of a leakage current protection device having a leakage current detection circuit and a trip mechanism. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a ground fault simulation circuit for generating a simulated ground fault during every negative half-wave of an AC power, a signature signal generating circuit for generating a signature signal reflecting the characteristic of the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism, when the simulated ground fault is generated, and a life testing detection control circuit having a microcontroller and an alarm circuit. In operation, the life testing detection control circuit receives the signature signal from the signature signal generating circuit, analyzes the received signature signal to determine whether at least one fault exists in the leakage current detection circuit and the trip mechanism, and activates the alarm circuit if the at least one fault exists.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the life of a leakage current protection device, comprising a microcontroller unit, at least one of a first fault detector and a second fault detector, at least one of an audio alarm and a visual alarm, a power supply circuit. In operation, the first fault detector and/or the second fault detector receive at least one signal from the leakage current protection device, and generate at least one DC voltage corresponding to the at least one signal to be received by the MCU. The MCU compares the at least one DC voltage with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether a fault exists in the leakage current protection device, and activates the alarm circuit if at least one fault exists.

Abstract: A permanent-magnet ground fault circuit interrupter plug with self-diagnosing function having an enclosure and a permanent-magnet mechanism encased in the enclosure.

Abstract: A permanent-magnet ground fault circuit interrupter plug with self-diagnosing function having an enclosure and a permanent-magnet mechanism encased in the enclosure.