US 7,411,766 B1 · Circuit interrupting device with end of life testing functions

Abstract

The present invention provides a circuit interrupting device which comprises a novel reset mechanism to allow a user to test whether the device is wired properly. The novel reset mechanism includes a reset conducting apparatus which contains a reset start switch (KR-4). The KR-4 contains a first conducting pin, a second conducting pin, and a conducting bridge. When the reset button is depressed and the device is wired properly, the KR-4 is closed to allow the conducting bridge to be in contact with both the first and the second conducting pins so as to reset the device. The present invention also provides a circuit interrupting device which is capable of automatically checking the components of the circuit interrupting device (i.e., the end of life test) through a novel status test switch (KR-1). The KR-1 comprises a flexible metal piece and a simulated leakage current controlling resistor, which is located underneath of the flexible metal piece. When the circuit interrupting device is properly wired and at a tripped state, without touching any parts of the circuiting interrupting device, the KR-1 is closed which generates a simulated leakage current to allow the device to conduct the end of life test. If all of the components in the device are functioned properly, a reset indicating light is lit.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A circuit interrupting device which is capable of establishing or disconnecting electrical continuity between a power source, an output load and a user accessible load;

said circuit interrupting device comprising:
a reset button;
and
a reset conducting apparatus which comprises a reset start switch (KR-4) operationally connecting to said reset button so that when said circuit interrupting device is wired properly, a depression of said reset button allows said KR-4 switch to close;
said KR-4 comprising:
a first conducting pin having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said first conducting pin is adapted to electrically connect to ground via a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR);
a second conducting pin having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said second conducting pin is adapted to electrically connect to a hot wire at an input end of a power source via a solenoid coil;
and
a conducting bridge which connects to said second end of said first conducting pin and said second end of said second conducting pin when said reset button is depressed so as to establish said electrical continuity of said circuit interrupting device when said circuit interrupting device is wired properly.

6 more elements

A circuit interrupting device comprising:

a reset button;
and
a status test switch (KR-1) comprising a flexible metal piece having a first end and a second end;
wherein said first end of said flexible metal piece is soldered to a circuit board;
wherein said second end of said flexible metal piece is capable of contacting a simulated leakage current controlling resistor located underneath said flexible metal piece;
and wherein said flexible metal piece is adapted to electrically connected to a neutral wire of an input end of a power source;
wherein said simulated leakage current controlling resistor has a first end and a second end;
wherein said first end of said simulated leakage current controlling resistor is capable of contacting said flexible metal piece;
wherein said second end of said simulated leakage current controlling resistor is adapted to connect to said circuit board and electrically connect to a hot wire of said input end via a solenoid coil;
wherein when said flexible metal piece is adapted to electrically connect to said neutral wire of said input end, said simulated leakage current controlling resistor is adapted to electrically connect to said hot wire of said input end and vise versa;
wherein when said circuit interrupting device is powered on and at a tripped state, without depressing said reset button, said flexible metal piece is in contact with said simulated leakage current controlling resistor so as to close said KR-1;
and
wherein when said circuit interrupting device is reset, said flexible metal piece is separated from said simulated leakage current controlling resistor to open said KR-1.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Circuit interrupting device with end of life testing functions

Life of this patent

Circuit interrupting device with end of life testing functions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35