Patent ID: 7403086
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: H01H,H02H

Abstract:
1. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), comprising a switching mechanism, wherein the switching mechanism comprises: two pairs of fixed contact holders, each member of each pair having at least one fixed contact at one end; a pair of movable contact holders, each having an end having two or more movable contacts, each movable contact being arranged for contacting a respective one of the fixed contacts; and a movable assembly that moves from a first position in which each fixed contact is in contact with the respective movable contact to a second position in which each fixed contact is separated from the respective movable contact, and from the second position to the first position, the movable assembly causing movement of the pair of movable contact holders when it moves from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position; and an electromagnetic mechanism comprising an electromagnetic tripping component configured such that when energized, the electromagnetic tripping component generates a first electromagnetic force that causes the movable assembly to be in the second position, and an electromagnetic resetting component configured such that when energized, the electromagnetic resetting component generates a second electromagnetic force that causes the movable assembly to be in the first position, wherein the electromagnetic tripping component and electromagnetic resetting component are different from one another.