Patent ID: 7791848
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: H01H,H02H

Abstract:
1. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device comprising: a fault detection circuit operable to detect faults; a circuit interrupting device having a plurality of contacts that open to remove power from a load; a processing device configured to determine whether the GFCI device is functioning properly, a hot conductive path electrically connecting a hot line terminal to a hot load terminal; a neutral conductive path electrically connecting a neutral line terminal to a neutral load terminal; a test fault conductive path electrically connecting said fault detection circuit and said processing device when the GFCI device is in a self-test mode, wherein said test fault conductive path is independent from said hot and neutral conductive paths; and a ground fault sensing device operable to sense a net flux in current, wherein said hot conductive path, said neutral conductive path and said test fault conductive path each pass through said ground fault sensing device.