Patent ID: 6229682
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: H02H

Abstract:
A protective circuit having hot, neutral, and ground leads arranged to be placed between corresponding hot, neutral, and ground leads of a power utility outlet and corresponding hot, neutral, and ground leads of electrical apparatus, said protective circuit comprising:a voltage surge protection circuit connected between the hot and neutral leads, comprising:first and second voltage surge protectors connected in series between the hot and neutral leads,said first and second voltage surge protectors being connected at a common connection to each other;a first relay connected between the hot and neutral leads of the protective circuit and controlling a first relay switch arm which connects the common connection of the first and second voltage surge protectors to an electrical path to ground when the first relay is receiving current, said first relay receiving current when the ground lead is connected to an electrical ground, and said first relay switch arm opening when current in the first relay circuit is not received to protect the voltage surge protectors of the voltage surge protector circuit when the ground lead is not connected to an electrical ground.