Ground fault circuit interrupter incorporating miswiring prevention circuitry

A ground fault circuit interrupter device electrically connected between a source of AC power and an electrical load for interrupting a flow of electrical current from said source of AC electrical power of said load when a ground fault condition is present comprising:

• a) a first selectively operable switch in a hot line extending from said AC power source to said electrical load, said first switch operable in a first condition to permit the flow of current from said AC power source to said electrical load in said hot line and operable in a second condition to prevent the flow of current in said hot line from said AC power source to said electrical load;
• b) a second selectively operable switch in a neutral line extending from said AC power source to said electrical load, said second switch operable in a first condition to permit the flow of current from said AC power source to said electrical load in said neutral line and operable in a second condition to prevent the flow of current in said neutral line from said AC power source to said electrical load;
• c) means for detecting ground faults coupled between said hot line and said neutral line on the line sides of said first and second operable switches to detect ground faults and produce a first output signal indicative of the detection of a ground fault condition;
• d) a coupling device interposed between said means for detecting ground faults and said first and second selectively operable switches, wherein an absence of said first output signal from said means for detecting ground faults permits said first and second switches to remain in their first condition and a presence of said first output signal from said means for detecting ground faults causes said first and second selectively operable switches to switch to their second condition to prevent the flow of current;
• e) a sensing device coupled to said hot line and said neutral line on a line side of said first and second selectively operable switches to detect the presence of current in both said hot line and said neutral line and generate an inhibit signal and in the absence of current on one or both of said hot and neutral lines to produce no inhibit signal;
• f) a power supply coupled to said hot and neutral lines on the line side of said first and second selectively operable switches and to said hot and neutral lines on the load side of said first and second selectively operable switches;
• g) an alarm device coupled to said power supply to receive operating voltages therefrom and to said sensing device to receive one of said inhibit and no inhibit signals, whereby in the presence of an inhibit signal from said sensing device while powered by said power supply, said alarm device is prevented from producing an alarm signal and in the presence of a no inhibit signal from said sensing device while powered by said power supply said alarm device is permitted to provide an alarm signal.