Patent ID: 8299799
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. An electrical wiring device comprising: a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals; at least one sensor coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals, the at least one sensor providing a sensor output signal corresponding to electrical perturbations propagating on the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals; a fault detection circuit coupled to the at least one sensor, the fault detection circuit being configured to generate a fault detection signal if the sensor output signal substantially corresponds to at least one predetermined fault criterion; an actuator assembly responsive to the fault detection signal, the actuator assembly including a breaker coil configured to generate an actuation force in response to being energized; a circuit interrupter coupled to the actuator assembly, the circuit interrupter including four sets of movable contacts configured to be driven into a reset state in response to a reset stimulus, the four sets of movable contacts being configured to be driven into a tripped state in response to the actuation force; a self-test circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the at least one sensor, the self-test circuit being configured to automatically generate a test signal from time to time during a predetermined portion of an AC power line cycle, the self-test circuit being configured such that the test signal is sensed by the at least one sensor when the at least one sensor is operational, the sensor output signal being a function of the test signal; and a monitor circuit configured to monitor the fault detection circuit or the actuator assembly, the mechanical actuation force being substantially inhibited when the fault detection circuit or at least a portion of the actuator assembly properly respond to the test signal, the monitor circuit generating an end-of-life response if the fault detection circuit or the actuator assembly do not respond to the test signal within a predetermined period of time.