Circuitry with zener diode voltage surge suppressor connected to serve as half wave rectifier

Electrical apparatus comprising:

• a first circuit portion requiring a half wave rectified voltage source and including an element to be protected from surge voltages beyond a predetermined value;
• a three terminal diode arrangement interconnected with the first circuit portion, the diode arrangement including a pair of diodes connected in series opposition and having first and second terminals to common electrodes of said diodes that are not connected to each other and a third terminal at the other pair of common diode electrodes that are connected to each other with the first and second terminals available for connection to a full wave alternating voltage source and the second and third terminals connected across the element to be protected, at least said diode between said second and third terminals having rectification and voltage dependent conduction characteristics;
• said first circuit portion being a sense amplifier and trip circuit of a ground fault interrupter and said first and third terminals of said diode arrangement being connected to conductors of a full wave alternating voltage supply including a neutral conductor connected to the second diode terminal and a hot line conductor connected through a solenoid trip coil to the first diode terminal.