Patent ID: 6433555
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
An error detection device for stopping current flow through a first circuit when an error has been detected in the first circuit, the error detection device comprising:a housing; a substructure located in said housing; an error detection sensor located on said substructure and capable of sensing whether an error has occurred in the first circuit; a current path structure extending from an input connection for connecting to an input voltage to an output connection for connecting to the first circuit, said current path structure being located on said substructure and including a first contact arm and a first terminal, said first contact arm and first terminal being detachably connected to each other at a contact position; and a latch block assembly movable between a reset position and a tripped position, the latch block assembly located in said housing and positioned adjacent said contact position such that no biasing force is applied by the latch block to the contact arm and first terminal when in the reset position, said latch block assembly being movable in said housing along an approximately linear path that is approximately perpendicular to an axis of one of the first terminal and the contact arm to disengage said contact arm from said first terminal and open said current path structure when said error detection sensor senses that an error has occurred in the first circuit, thus stopping current from flowing through the first circuit.