Method and apparatus for supervisory circuit for ground fault circuit interrupt device

Abstract

An apparatus and method for a supervisory circuit for a ground fault detection device or ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device is disclosed in which is a test stimulus signal for a self test of the GFCI device is generated on a second secondary winding on a toroid of a differential current transformer. The GFCI device includes line and neutral conductors configured to connect an AC power source and a load. A differential current transformer includes a toroid, through which the line and neutral conductors pass, a first secondary winding wound on the toroid to generate a current in response to an imbalance of magnetic flux in the toroid, and a second secondary winding wound on the toroid. A differential ground fault detector is electrically connected to the first secondary winding of the differential current transformer to compare current generated in the secondary winding to a trip threshold. A controller is configured to control a test stimulus signal to be generated in the second secondary winding wound on the toroid of the differential current transformer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.