US 5,600,524 A · Intelligent ground fault circuit interrupter

Abstract

An intelligent circuit interrupt system is electrically connected between an AC source and a load for interrupting a flow of AC from the source to the load upon detection of an interrupt condition. A circuit interrupter electrically connected to phase and neutral terminals of the AC source defines the interrupt condition. A relay switch with a relay coil and phase and neutral contacts is included such that line and load ends of the phase contact are electrically connected, respectively, between the interrupt means load side phase port and a phase terminal of the load. Line and load ends of the neutral contact are electrically connected, respectively, between the interrupt neutral port and a neutral terminal of the load. The relay coil is electrically coupled between load sides of said phase and neutral contacts for controlling the contacts in response to the interrupt signal. An open-contact miswiring detector (OCMD) is electrically connected to one of the phase and neutral contacts for detecting a miswiring condition when the contacts are in an open state, and a closed-contact miswiring detector (CCMD) is electrically connected to the OCMD and to one of the neutral and phase contacts for detecting a miswiring condition when the contacts are in a closed state. A timing signal generator generates system timing signals. A test circuit electrically coupled to the interrupt means and the timing signal generator tests the interrupt means operability. An alarm circuit is electrically responsive to the test circuit, the timing signal generator, the OCMD and the CCMD for, communicating an open-contact miswiring condition, a closed-contact miswiring condition, an operational failure condition, and a need for external testing condition. A power supply is electrically connected between the load ends of the phase and neutral contacts, and to the timing signal generator.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An intelligent circuit interrupt system electrically connected load upon detection of an interrupt condition, comprising:

circuit interrupt means including line and load side phase and neutral ports, wherein said line side phase and neutral ports are electrically connected, respectively, to phase and neutral terminals of said AC source and said circuit interrupt mean generate an interrupt signal for interrupting said AC flow at detection of said interrupt condition;
a relay switch including a relay coil and phase and neutral contacts, wherein line and load ends of said phase contact are electrically connected, respectively, between said interrupt means load side phase port and a phase terminal of said load, line and load ends of said neutral contact are electrically connected, respectively, between said interrupt means load side neutral port and a neutral terminal of said load and said relay coil is electrically coupled between said load ends of said phase and neutral contacts for controlling said contacts in response to said interrupt signal;
an open-contact miswiring detector (OCMD) electrically connected to said line and load ends of one of said phase and neutral contacts for detecting a miswiring condition when said contacts are in an open state;
a closed-contact miswiring detector (CCMD) electrically connected to said load end of said phase contact and to said line and load ends of one of said neutral and phase contacts for detecting a miswiring condition when said contacts are in a closed state;
a timing signal generator electrically connected to said open and closed contact miswiring detectors for generating system timing signals;
a test circuit electrically coupled to said interrupt means and responsive to said timing signal generator for regularly testing said interrupt means' operability;
an alarm circuit electrically responsive to each of:
said test circuit, said timing signal generator, said open contact miswiring detector and said closed contact miswiring detector for communicating at least one of:
an open-contact miswiring condition, a closed-contact miswiring condition, an operational failure condition, and a need for external testing condition;
and
a power supply electrically connected between said load ends of said phase and neutral contacts, and to said timing signal generator.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Intelligent ground fault circuit interrupter

Life of this patent

Intelligent ground fault circuit interrupter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17