Advanced ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and methods of operation thereof

A ground fault circuit interrupter, comprising:

• a trip coil assembly configured to trip the ground fault circuit interrupter in response to a first trigger signal;
• and
• a safety lock coil assembly configured to place a tripped ground fault circuit interrupter in a mechanically permanent end-of-life state;
• and
• a main processing circuit comprising a processor,
• wherein:
• the safety lock coil assembly further includes:
• a safety lock coil;
• a safety lock coil iron core;
• a safety lock coil attraction plate;
• a gap in the safety lock coil attraction plate;
• a safety lock;
• and
• a safety lock buckle;
• the safety lock coil is configured to activate in response to a second trigger signal;
• the safety lock coil iron core is configured to partially push through the gap in the safety lock coil attraction plate in response to activation of the safety lock coil;
• the safety lock is configured to be pushed into the safety lock buckle by the safety lock coil iron core;
• and
• the safety lock and the safety lock buckle are configured to engage upon being pushed together.

A method for placing a tripped ground fault circuit interrupter in a mechanically permanent end-of-life state, comprising:

• providing a trigger signal to a safety lock coil;
• activating the safety lock coil in response to the trigger signal;
• partially pushing a safety lock coil iron core through a gap in a safety lock coil attraction plate in response to activation of the safety lock coil;
• pushing a safety lock into a safety lock buckle via the safety lock coil iron core;
• and
• engaging the safety lock and the safety lock buckle to mechanically block a reset button assembly from downward movement.