Leakage current detection interrupter extension cord with cord diagnostics

An electrical extension cord comprising:

• an electrical cable including separate, insulated phase and neutral conductors surrounded by a conductive shield wherein said cable is electrically connected at first ends of the phase and neutral conductors and conductive shield to a receptacle,
• an electrical plug comprising a plug housing, phase and neutral plug blades,
• a fault circuit interrupter wherein the fault circuit interrupter is electrically connected at load end phase, neutral and shield ports to the cable at second ends of the phase, neutral and shield conductors, and at line end phase and neutral ports to the phase and neutral plug blades, and
• impedance sensing means coupled to operate the fault circuit interrupter to electrically disconnect the receptacle from the plug upon the detection of an impedance between the shield and neutral conductors of less than a predetermined value.

An electrical extension cord comprising:

• an electrical cable including separate, insulated phase and neutral conductors surrounded by a conductive shield wherein said cable is electrically connected at first ends of the phase and neutral conductors and conductive shield to a receptacle,
• an electrical plug comprising a plug housing, phase and neutral plug blades,
• a fault circuit interrupter wherein the fault circuit interrupter is electrically connected at load end phase, neutral and shield ports to the cable at second ends of the phase, neutral and shield conductors, and at line end phase and neutral ports to the phase and neutral plug blades, and
• impedance sensing means coupled to operate the fault circuit interrupter to electrically disconnect the receptacle from the plug upon the detection of an impedance between the shield and a ground of less than a predetermined value.

An electrical extension cord comprising:

• an electrical cable including separate, insulated phase and neutral conductors surrounded by a conductive shield wherein said cable is electrically connected at first ends of the phase and neutral conductors and conductive shield to a receptacle,
• an electrical plug comprising a plug housing, phase and neutral plug blades,
• a fault circuit interrupter wherein the fault circuit interrupter is electrically connected at load end phase, neutral and shield ports to the cable at second ends of the phase, neutral and shield conductors, and at line end phase and neutral ports to the phase and neutral plug blades, and
• tripping means coupled to operate the fault circuit interrupter to electrically disconnect the receptacle from the plug upon the opening of the shield conductor.

An electrical extension cord comprising:

• an electrical cable including separate, insulated phase and neutral conductors surrounded by a conductive shield wherein said cable is electrically connected at first ends of the phase and neutral conductors and conductive shield to a receptacle,
• an electrical plug comprising a plug housing, phase and neutral plug blades,
• a fault circuit interrupter wherein the fault circuit interrupter is electrically connected at load end phase, neutral and shield ports to the cable at second ends of the phase, neutral and shield conductors, and at line end phase and neutral ports to the phase and neutral plug blades, and
• tripping means coupled to operate the fault circuit interrupter to electrically disconnect the receptacle from the plug upon the opening of the neutral conductor.

An electrical extension cord comprising:

• an electrical cable including separate, insulated phase and neutral conductors surrounded by a conductive sensing shield wherein said cable is electrically connected at first ends of the phase and neutral conductors and conductive sensing shield to a receptacle,
• an electrical plug comprising a plug housing, phase and neutral plug blades,
• a fault circuit interrupter wherein the fault circuit interrupter is electrically connected at load end phase, neutral and shield ports to the cable at second ends of the phase, neutral and shield conductors, and at line end phase and neutral ports to the phase and neutral plug blades wherein leakage current collected by the shield enables operation of the fault circuit interrupter to electrically disconnect the receptacle from the plug, and
• an integrity indicator located in the plug or receptacle to verify the conductivity of the phase or shield conductors and that protection is available during either the negative or positive half cycle of an AC signal of the phase conductor.