Patent ID: 6697238
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: H01H,H02H

Abstract:
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for an AC electrical receptacle, comprising:first and second input terminals for connection to the line and neutral sides, respectively, of an AC source; first and second output terminals for connection to the line and neutral sides, respectively, of an AC receptacle outlet; a fuse circuit containing a fuse and coupled to at least one of said first and second input terminals and said first and second output terminals; first and second conductive paths extending, respectively, between said first input terminal and said first output terminal and between said second input terminal and said second output terminal; a first set of electrical contacts connected in said first and second conductive paths, respectively, in order to selectively connect said input terminals to said output terminals when said contacts are closed and to selectively disconnect said input terminals from said output terminals when said contacts are open; a control circuit for causing said contacts to open in response to an imbalance in current flow through said first and second conductive paths that is indicative of a ground fault condition at an AC load connected to said AC receptacle outlet; a primary test switch for selectively connecting one of said first and second input terminals to one of said second and first output terminals, respectively, in order to create an imbalance in current flow through said first and second conductive paths and thereby cause said control circuit to open said contacts; and a secondary test switch adapted to be actuated in response to and following actuation of said primary test switch to complete said fuse circuit and thereby blow said fuse, wherein the blown fuse in said fuse circuit changes the operational state of said GFCI.