Ground fault circuit interrupter with functionality for reset

A method for using an electric circuit interrupter comprising circuitry that includes a relay and a means for detecting when a ground fault exists in a first circuit, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting the electric circuit interrupter to the first circuit;
• activating a reset switch on the electrical circuit interrupter to cause a simulated ground fault to occur;
• and
• causing the relay to change states in response to detection of the simulated ground fault when the circuitry of the electric circuit interrupter is operational, such that the first circuit changes from a closed state to an open state.

An electric circuit interrupter, comprising:

• a housing;
• a detection mechanism located within the housing and configured to determine when a ground fault in a first circuit exists and when a simulated ground fault exists;
• an interrupter device located within the housing comprising a relay configured such that a state of the relay can be changed when the electric circuit interrupter is operational and the state of the relay cannot be changed when the electric circuit interrupter is not operational;
• and
• a reset mechanism wherein when the electric circuit interrupter is operational and the reset mechanism is activated, the simulated ground fault is detected by the detection mechanism and the relay is caused to change states to close the first circuit when the first circuit is open, and to open the first circuit when the first circuit is closed.

A method for using an electric circuit interrupter comprising circuitry that includes a relay, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting the electric circuit interrupter to a first circuit;
• detecting whether a ground fault exists in the first circuit or whether a simulated ground fault exists;
• and
• causing the relay to change states in response to detection of the simulated ground fault when the circuitry of the electric circuit interrupter is operational, such that the first circuit changes to a closed state when in an open state, and to the open state when in the closed state.