Abstract:
An MOV element is physically and electrically connected to a heat sensitive material which changes from a low impedance path to a high impedance path, such as a spark gap, when the temperature of the MOV element rises to a temperature below that at which the MOV will enter into its thermal runaway state. More specifically, the heat sensitive material is located on a surface of the MOV and is electrically connected in series with the MOV. In operation, as the MOV gets hot, it heats the heat sensitive material. As the heat sensitive material gets hot, it starts to separate from the surface of the MOV to form a spark gap which is electrically connected in series with the MOV element to help dissipate excessive voltage. The heat sensitive material on the surface of the MOV element can be a coating of epoxy which cracks and/or breaks away, at least partially from the surface of the MOV element during the occurrence of a high voltage transient surge, or it can be a solder that sputters to form an arc path during the occurrence of a high voltage transient surge. In operation, when a GFCI is subjected to a high voltage transient surge above a certain magnitude, the heat sensitive material forms a spark gap which is in series with the MOV and prevents the GFCI from going into its destructive thermal runaway condition. Thus, prior to the MOV entering its thermal runaway state, it goes from being only an MOV to an MOV in series with a spark gap which can be used to protect an up stream GFCI during the occurrence of a high voltage transient surge.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to metal oxide varistors and, more particularly, to a metal oxide varistor that can modify its operating characteristics to protect a ground fault circuit interrupter during the occurrence of an overload voltage surge. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   A high voltage transient surge can totally or partially damage electrical devices such as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) located in homes, factories and commercial buildings. In many instances the damage can cause only the protective features of the GFCIs to become either partially or fully inoperative while the device itself continues to conduct electricity. For example, it is not uncommon for the contacts of a GFCI which was subjected to a high voltage transient surge to be fused together and continue to conduct current even while the protective features of the GFCI are no longer operational. 
   A need exists for a device which can protect loads from short term over-voltage conditions. One class of devices which can be used to protect the GFCI from an over-voltage condition is known as Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs). In operation, an MOV is connected in parallel with the device that is to be protected such as a GFCI. At low voltages the MOV has a very high resistance. At high voltages, the varistor has a very low resistance so that when a high voltage transient surge appears on the power supply line, the MOV, which appears as a low resistance, prevents the transient voltage surge from reaching the device. Conduction through an MOV begins when the voltage across the MOV reaches a maximum continuous operating voltage, referred to as the varistor voltage. As the voltage increases, the MOV&#39;s resistance drops rapidly and may approach zero. Because the resistance of the MOV decreases as the voltage increases, the MOV diverts transient current through itself and not through the device that is connected in parallel with and up stream of the MOV. After the occurrence of the voltage transient surge, the MOV returns to its normal high resistance state and is ready for the next high voltage surge. 
   Another characteristic of an MOV is that during operation, the MOV will increase in temperature as it conducts high voltage surges. If the voltage surges are well spaced, the MOV can cool down between events. However, if the events are closely spaced, the MOV will not have enough time to cool down and this heating of the MOV will allow additional current to flow through the MOV. The additional current will further raise the temperature of the MOV, and this will continue until the MOV destroys itself. This condition is known as thermal runaway. When in its thermal runway state, an MOV can explode and possibly cause extensive damage to surrounding components, a fire hazard and/or injury. 
   One way of protecting the MOV itself is with a thermal protection device wired in parallel with and located to be heated by the MOV element. The melting point of the thermal protection device is set to be at a temperature below that which will cause the MOV to enter its thermal runaway state. As the temperature of the MOV rises, a point will be reached where the thermal protection device will melt and disconnect the MOV from the load. When the load is a GFCI, it will no longer be protected by the MOV and the full impact of the high voltage transient pulse will be applied to the GFCI. Thus, when an overload condition occurs, the over voltage transient surge is free to destroy the GFCI that was being protected. 
   What is needed is an MOV which can protect a GFCI during an overload voltage surge. 
   The peak surge current rating of an MOV is a function of the area of the disc itself. To protect a GFCI from destructive high voltage transient surges, test have shown that an MOV of at least 20 mm is needed. Unfortunately, it is not possible to connect an MOV of this size to a GFCI and still fit the GFCI and the MOV into a single outlet box. 
   What is also needed is an MOV which, when connected to a GFCI, is small enough to fit within a single outlet box. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An MOV element is physically and electrically connected to a heat sensitive material which changes from a low impedance path to a high impedance path, such as a spark gap, when the temperature of the MOV element rises to a temperature below that at which the MOV will enter into its thermal runaway state. More specifically, the heat sensitive material is located on a surface of the MOV and is electrically connected in series with the MOV. In operation, as the MOV gets hot, it heats the heat sensitive material. As the heat sensitive material gets hot, it starts to separate from the surface of the MOV to form a spark gap which is electrically connected in series with the MOV element to help dissipate excessive voltage. The heat sensitive material on the surface of the MOV element can be a coating of epoxy which cracks and/or breaks away, at least partially from the surface of the MOV element during the occurrence of a high voltage transient surge, or it can be a solder that sputters to form an arc path during the occurrence of a high voltage transient surge. In operation, when a GFCI is subjected to a high voltage transient surge above a certain magnitude, the heat sensitive material forms a spark gap which is in series with the MOV and prevents the GFCI from going into its destructive thermal runaway condition. Thus, prior to the MOV entering its thermal runaway state, it goes from being only an MOV to an MOV in series with a spark gap which can be used to protect an up stream GFCI during the occurrence of a high voltage transient surge. 
   The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the sprit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent form the following detailed description, the appended claim and the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of an MOV device in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view, partly in section, of the device of  FIG. 1 , taken along the line  2 — 2 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of another MOV device in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of another MOV device; 
       FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of still another MOV device with its insulating layer remover to show the components of the MOV device; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the device of  FIG. 5  taken along the line  6 — 6 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of a further embodiment of the MOV device; 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the device of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a ground fault circuit interrupting device having an internally located MOV surge protection device according to the present application; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a portion of the GFCI device shown in  FIG. 9 , illustrating the GFCI device in a set or circuit making position; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of internal components of the circuit interrupting device of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a plan view of portions of electrical conductive paths located within the GFCI device of  FIG. 9  showing thermally conductive plastic coupled to the receptacle contacts; 
       FIG. 13  is a partial sectional view of a portion of a conductive path shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a partial sectional view of a portion of a conductive path shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevation view similar to  FIG. 10  illustrating the GFCI device in a circuit breaking or interrupting position; 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevation view similar to  FIG. 10  illustrating the components of the GFCI device during a reset operation; 
       FIGS. 17–19  are schematic representations of the operation of one embodiment of the reset portion illustrating a latching member used to make an electrical connection between line and load connections and to elate the reset portion of the electrical connection with the operation of the circuit interrupting portion; and 
       FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram of an MOV as herein disclosed connected in parallel with and up stream of a circuit for detecting faults. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first embodiment of a thermal protection device  10  constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention is shown. A layer of thermal fusible material  16  which is thermally sensitive and electrically conductive is placed on one face  14  of an MOV disc  12 . A heat sensitive thermosetting material, such as an epoxy resin, which is readily available in granular or powder form and is a rigid solid when heated and cured in the normal manner can be used. The thermal fusible material  16  can be attached to face  14  of the MOV element, shown as the disc  12 , by adhesives, bonding or the like. The heat sensitive material  16  converts from a low impedance conductive path to a spark gap with the surface of the MOV element increases to a temperature which is less than that which will cause MOV  12  failure. The layer of heat sensitive material  20  is of electrically conductive material suitable for high temperature operation and is heated by the MOV when the MOV is shunting an over voltage. The heat sensitive material can also be a ceramic or a solder. A connection tail  18  of the thermal fusible material layer  16  extends over the top of insulation layer  20  where it can be easily connected to a first lead  22 . A second lead  24  is connected to the other face  26  of the MOV device  12 . 
   Thermal energy due to a voltage surge through the MOV results in an increase in the temperature of the MOV. If voltage surges such as, for example, those due to the switching of power, etc. are well spaced, the MOV can cool down between the events. However, if the events are closely spaced the MOV does not have enough time to cool down and this heating of the MOV will allow more current to flow which will further raise the temperature of the MOV. This can continue until the MOV is destroyed by thermal runaway. 
   To prevent thermal runaway, the layer of thermal fusible material  16  is placed in intimate contact with face  14  of the MOV  12  and has a connection tail  18  to which is connected a lead  22 . Current normally flows through the lead  24  to the face  26  of the MOV  12 , the MOV  12  itself, the layer of material  16  to the connection tail  18  and the lead  22 . If the current flowing through this circuit rises due to load switching, etc. to cause the MOV to heat up, the material  16  will also heat up, will form at least one crack, and will separate at least partially from the surface of the MOV. If the material is an epoxy or a ceramic it will crack, and if it is a solder it will melt. In each instance, the path to the connection tail  18  and the lead  22  will be a high resistance path such as a spark gap. The creation of the spark gap keeps the MOV in the circuit during the over voltage surge to provide protection to the load and, at the same time, protect the MOV from excessive heating which could cause it to fracture and explode. 
   The material layer does not have to extend over the full face of an MOV. It can extend over a lesser portion of the face as is shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  7  and  8 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the front face of MOV  32  has a generally circular layer of heat sensitive material  34  having a diameter substantially equal to the radius of the MOV  32 . A connection tail  36  extends outwardly over a circular layer of insulation  38 . A conductor  40  is fastened to the connection tail  36  and a second conductor  42  is fastened to the other side of the MOV (not visible in the Fig.). The entire device is covered with a coating of heat sensitive material such as an epoxy or similar electrical insulation material except for the portion of conductors  40  and  42  that extend from MOV  32 . The operation of the device  30  of  FIG. 3  is the same as described above with respect to the device in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , one surface of the MOV  52  has placed thereon a layer of heat sensitive material  54  in the general shape of a rectangle. A connection tail  56  extends over a thick layer of insulation  58  and is coupled to a conductor  60 . A second conductor  62  is coupled to the opposite face of MOV  52  (not visible in the Fig.). The remainder of the face  64  of the MOV  52  is covered with a coating of Epoxy or other similar material applied at the factory.  FIGS. 7 and 8  show a device  70  where the material  78  occupies only a portion of face  74  of the MOV  72 . The difference in this embodiment over those of  FIGS. 1 to 4  is that the conductor  80  is coupled directly to the heat sensitive material layer  78  without the use of an intermediate connection tail. Conductor  82  is coupled directly to the rear face  76  of the MOV  72  element and the entire device is covered with a coating of insulation (not shown) such as epoxy or similar material except for the portion of conductors  80  and  82  that extend from MOV  72 . The operation of the devices  50  and  70  are the same as that described above with respect to device  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a further embodiment of device  90  is shown. The MOV  92  is made up of two halves  94  and  100  which are joined and spanned by a region of heat sensitive material  106 . A conductor  112  is coupled directly to rear face  98  of half  94  and a second conductor  114  is directly coupled to front face  102  of half  100 . The layer of insulation  108  (not shown in  FIG. 5  to provide a better understanding of the device  90 ) completely surrounds the device  90 , except for conductors  112  and  114  which extend from the MOV  92  and gap  110  and exists adjacent the heat sensitive material  106 . The gap  110  permits the run-off of heat sensitive layer as set froth above and any gases, produced when the material melts, to escape. With the heat sensitive material  106  in place a complete electrical path through the MOV  92  exists. The path goes from conductor  112  to MOV half  94 , through material  106  to MOV half  100  and conductor  114 . When the band of material  106  melts, the path between the halves  94  and  100  is opened to create a spark gap. 
   What is disclosed above is a new improved Metal Oxide Varistor that can change its mode of operation from operating only as an MOV to operating as an MOV in series with a spark gap to provide continuous over voltage protection to a load such as a GFCI during the occurrence of a voltage transient surge having a magnitude that can be sufficiently large to destroy the MOV. 
   Under normal operating conditions the MOV here disclosed operates as all MOVs operate to pass voltage spikes which do not exceed the design parameters of the MOV. But, when the MOV is subjected to one or more high voltage occurrences which exceed the design parameters of the MOV and which can destroy the MOV, the material, which can be a ceramic, an epoxy or a solder will allow a lead to separate from the MOV element but still stay intact to form a high resistance path such as a spark gap for the high voltage surge. When this occurs the MOV transforms itself from being only an MOV to being an MOV in series with a spark gap to prevent the MOV from destroying itself, and the MOV continues to remain in the circuit and clamp the transient voltage during the occurrence of the over voltage. 
   It is to be noted that the peak surge current rating of an MOV is a function of the area of the disc itself. Therefore, where stringent space requirements are such that an MOV which will satisfy the requirements of a circuit is too large to allow a GFCI with an MOV to be placed within a single outlet box, it is now possible with this invention to use a smaller diameter MOV which, in combination with a GFCI, can now be fitted into a single outlet box. 
   Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are normally connected to protect receptacles from various faults and are, themselves, subject to high voltage transients surges that are carried on the incoming power lines. In addition, GFCIs are normally located in a single outlet box where space is at a premium. In an attempt to use an MOV to protect a GFCI from destructive high voltage transient surges, tests showed that an MOV of at least 20 mm is needed. Unfortunately, it is not possible to connect an MOV of this size to a GFCI and still fit the GFCI and MOV into a single outlet box. But, by using an MOV constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention as disclosed above, an MOV with a diameter of only 7 mm can be substituted for the now required 20 mm MOV, and it was found that the 7 mm MOV here disclosed can sustain a surge of 6 thousand volt at 3 thousand amperes. Now, for the first time, using the new MOV here disclosed, an MOV can be connected in parallel with and upstream of a GFCI to protect the GFCI against high voltage transient surges and still be located in a single outlet box. 
   A description of a GFCI which can be used in combination with the MOV here disclosed follows. 
   The MOV disclosed above can be connected to protect Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) devices, such as the GFCI receptacle described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,894, which uses an electrically activated trip mechanism to mechanically break an electrical connection between one or more input and output conductors. Such devices can be reset after they are tripped by, for example, the detection of a circuit fault. In the device discussed in the &#39;894 patent, the trip mechanism used to cause the mechanical breaking of the circuit i.e., the conductive path between the line and load sides, includes a solenoid or trip coil. A test button is used to test the trip mechanism and circuitry used to sense faults, and a reset button is used to reset the electrical connection between line and load sides. 
   However, instances may arise where an abnormal condition caused by, for example, circuit switching or the like may result not only in a surge of electricity and a tripping of the device, but also a disabling of the trip mechanism used to cause the mechanical breaking of the circuit. This can occur without the knowledge of the user. Under such circumstances an unknowing user, faced with a GFCI which has tripped, may press the reset button which, in turn, will cause a device with an inoperative trip mechanism to be reset without ground fault protection being available. 
   Further, an open neutral condition, which is defined in Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard PAG 943A, may exist where the open neutral condition is on the line (verses load) side of the GFCI device to create a current path which can extend from the phase (or hot) wire supplying power to the GFCI device through the load side of the device to a person. 
   Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,967, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, describes a family of resettable circuit interrupting devices capable of locking out the reset portion of the device if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists. 
   Some of the circuit interrupting devices described above have a user accessible load side connection in addition to the line and load side connections. The user accessible load side connection includes one or more connection points where a user can externally connect to electrical power supplied from the line side. The load side connection and user accessible load side connection are typically electrically connected together. An example of such a circuit interrupting device is a GFCI receptacle, where the line and load side connections are binding screws and the user accessible load side connection is the plug connection to an internal receptacle. As noted, such devices are connected to external wiring so that line wires are connected to the line side connection and load side wires are connected to the load side connection. However, instances may occur where the circuit interrupting device is improperly connected to the external wires so that the load wires are connected to the line side connection and the line wires are connected to the load side connection. This in known as reverse wiring. In the event the circuit interrupting device is reverse wired, fault protection to the user accessible load connection may not be present, even if faulty protection to the load side connection remains. Commonly owned application Ser. No. 09/812,288 filed Mar. 20, 2001, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference describes a resettable circuit interrupting device that maintains fault protection for the circuit interrupting device even in those instances where the device is reverse wired. 
   While the devices identified above are configured to open the conductive path upon the occurrence of ground faults, immersion detection faults, appliance leakage faults, equipment leakage faults, reverse wiring faults and the like, they cannot meet the stringent requirements that are imposed on Transient Voltage Surge Suppression (TVSS) products. What is needed is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter having Enhanced Surge Suppression and still fit within a single outlet box. 
   The present application contemplates various types of circuit interrupting devices that are capable of breaking at least one conductive path at both a line side and a load side of the device when an overload high voltage surge occurs. The conductive path is typically divided between a line side that connects to supplied electrical power and a load side that connects to one or more loads. As noted, the various devices in the family of resettable circuit interrupting devices include: ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI&#39;s), immersion detection circuit interrupters (IDCI&#39;s), appliance leakage circuit interrupters (ALCI&#39;s) and equipment leakage circuit interrupters (ELCI&#39;s). 
   For the purpose of the present application, the structure or mechanisms for protecting a GFCI in response to an overload voltage surge condition can be incorporated within and made a part of any of the various devices in the family of resettable circuit interrupting devices such as GFCI&#39;s shown in the drawings and described below. 
   The GFCI receptacles described herein have line and load phase (or power) connections, line and load neutral connections and user accessible load phase and neutral connections. The connections permit external conductors or appliances to be connected to the device. These connections may be, for example, electrical fastening devices that secure or connect external conductors to the circuit interrupting device, as well as conduct electricity. Examples of such connections include binding screws, lugs, terminals and external plug connections. 
   In one embodiment, the GFCI receptacle has a circuit interrupting portion, a reset portion and a reset lockout. This embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 9–19 . In another embodiment, the GFCI receptacle is similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 9–19 , except the reset lockout can be omitted. Thus, in this embodiment, the GFCI receptacle has a circuit interrupting portion and a reset portion, which is similar to those described in  FIGS. 9–20 . In another embodiment, the GFCI receptacle has a circuit interrupting portion, a reset portion, a reset lockout and an independent trip portion (not illustrated). 
   The circuit interrupting and reset portions described herein can use electromechanical components to break (open) and make (close) one or more conductive paths between the line and load sides of the device. However, electrical components, such as solid state switches and supporting circuitry may be used to open the close the conductive paths. 
   Generally, the circuit interrupting portion is used to automatically break electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths i.e., open the conductive path, between the line and load sides upon the detection of a fault, which in the embodiments described is a ground fault. The reset portion is used to close the open conductive paths. 
   In the embodiments including a reset lockout, the reset portion is used to disable the reset lockout, in addition to closing the open conductive paths. In this configuration, the operation of the reset and reset lockout portions is in conjunction with the operation of the circuit interrupting portion, so that electrical continuity in open conductive paths cannot be reset if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists and/or if the device is reverse wired. 
   In the embodiments including an independent trip portion, electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths can be broken independently of the operation of the circuit interrupting portion. Thus, in the event the circuit interrupting portion is not operating properly, the device can still be tripped. 
   The above described features can be incorporated in any resettable circuit interrupting device, but for simplicity the descriptions herein are directed to GFCI receptacles. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 9 , the GFCI receptacle  210  has a housing  212  consisting of a relatively central body  214  to which a face of cover portion  216  and a rear portion  218  are removably secured. The face portion  216  has entry ports  220  and  221  for receiving normal or polarized prongs of a male plug of the type normally found at the end of a lamp or appliance cord set (not shown), as well as ground prong receiving openings  222  to accommodate a three wire plug. The receptacle also includes a mounting strap  224  used to fasten the receptacle to a junction box. 
   A test button  226  extends through opening  228  in the face portion  216  of the housing  212 . The test button is used to activate a test operation, that tests the operation of the circuit interrupting portion (or circuit interrupter) disposed in the device. The circuit interrupting portion, to be described in more detail below, is used to break electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths between the line and load side of the device. A reset button  230  forming a part of the reset portion extends through opening  232  in the face portion  216  of the housing  212 . The reset button is used to activate a reset operation, which reestablishes electrical continuity in the open conductive paths. 
   Electrical connections to existing household electrical wiring are made via binding screws  234  and  236 , where screw  234  in as input or line phase connection, and screw  236  is an output or load phase connection. It should be noted that two additional binding screws  238  and  240  (see  FIG. 3 ) are located on the opposite side of the receptacle  210 . These additional binding screws provide line and load neutral connections, respectively. A more detailed description of a GFCI receptacle is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,894, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. It should also be noted that binding screws  234 ,  236 ,  238  and  240  are exemplary of the types of wiring terminals that can be used to provide the electrical connections. Examples of other types of wiring terminals include a set screws, pressure clamps, pressure plates, push in type connections, pigtails and quick connect tabs. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10–14 , the conductive path between the line phase connection  234  and the load phase connection  236  includes contact arm  250  which is movable between stressed and unstressed positions, movable contact  252  mounted to the contact arm  250 , contact arm  254  secured to or monolithically formed into the load phase connection  236  and fixed contact  256  mounted to the contact arm  254 . The user accessible load phase connection for this embodiment includes terminal assembly  258  having two binding terminals  260  which are capable of engaging a prong of a male plug inserted there between. The conductive path between the line phase connection  234  and the user accessible load phase connection includes, contact arm  250 , movable contact  262  mounted to contact arm  250 , contact arm  264  secured to or monolithically formed into terminal assembly  258 , and fixed contact  266  mounted to contact arm  264 . These conductive paths are collectively called the phase conductive path. 
   Similarly, the conductive path between the line neutral connection  238  and the load neutral connection  240  includes, contact arm  270  which is movable between stressed and unstressed positions, movable contact  272  mounted to contact arm  270 , contact arm  274  secured to or monolithically formed into load neutral connection  240 , and fixed contact  276  mounted to the contact arm  274 . The user accessible load neutral connection for this embodiment includes terminal assembly  278  having two binding terminals  280  which are capable of engaging a prong of a male plug inserted there between. The conductive path between the line neutral connection  238  and the user accessible load neutral connection includes, contact arm  270 , movable contact  282  mounted to the contact arm  270 , contact arm  284  secured to or monolithically formed into terminal assembly  278 , and fixed contact  286  mounted to contact arm  284 . These conductive paths are collectively called the neutral conductive path. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , the circuit interrupting portion has a circuit interrupter and electronic circuitry capable of sensing faults, e.g., current imbalances, on the hot and/or neutral conductors. In the GFCI receptacle, the circuit interrupter includes a coil assembly  290 , a plunger  292  responsive to the energizing and de-energizing of the coil assembly and a banger  294  connected to the plunger  292 . The banger  294  has a pair of banger dogs  296  and  298  which interact with a movable latching member  100  used to set and reset electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths. The coil assembly  290  is activated in response to the sensing of a ground fault by, for example, the sense circuitry shown in  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 20  shows circuitry for detecting ground faults that includes a differential transformer that senses current imbalances. 
   The reset portion includes a reset button  230 , the movable latching members  100  connected to the reset button  230 , latching fingers  102  and reset contacts  104  and  106  that temporarily activate the circuit interrupting portion when the reset button is depressed, when in the tripped position. Preferably, the reset contacts  104  and  106  are normally open momentary contacts. The latching fingers  102  are used to engage side R of each contact arm  250 ,  270  and move the arms  250 ,  270  back to the stressed position where contacts  252 ,  262  touch contacts  256 ,  266 , respectively, and where contacts  272 ,  282  touch contacts  276 ,  286 , respectively. 
   The movable latching members  102  are, in this embodiment, common to each portion, i.e., the circuit interrupting, reset and reset lockout portions, and used to facilitate making, breaking or locking out of electrical continuity of one or more of the conductive paths. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the reset lockout portion includes latching fingers  102  which after the device is tripped, engages side L of the movable arms  250 ,  270  so as to block the movable arms  250 ,  270  from moving. By blocking movement of the movable arms  250 ,  270 , contacts  252  and  256 , contacts  262  and  266 , contacts  272  and  276 , and contacts  282  and  286  are prevented form touching. Alternatively, only one of the movable arms  250  or  270  may be blocked so that their respective contacts are prevented from touching. Further, in this embodiment, latching fingers  102  act as an active inhibitor that prevents the contacts from touching. Alternatively, the natural bias of movable arms  250  and  270  can be used as a passive inhibitor that prevents the contacts from touching. 
   Referring to FIGS.  10  and  15 – 19 , the mechanical components of the circuit interrupting and reset portions in various stages of operation are shown. The description of the operation which follows describes only the phase conductive path, but the operation is similar for the neutral conductive path, if it is desired to open and close both conductive paths. In  FIG. 10 , the GFCI receptacle is shown in a set position where movable contact arm  250  is in a stressed condition so that movable contact  252  is in electrical engagement with fixed contact  256  of contact arm  254 . If the sensing circuitry of the GFCI receptacle senses either a high heat condition or a ground fault, the coil assembly  290  is energized to draw plunger  292  into the coil assembly  290  so that banger  294  moves upwardly. As the banger moves upward, the banger front dog  298  strikes the latch member  100  causing it to pivot in a counterclockwise direction C, see  FIG. 15 , about the joint created by the top edge  112  and inner surface  114  of finger  110 . The movement of the latch member  100  removes the latching finger  102  from engagement with side R of the remote end  116  of the movable contact arm  250 , and permits the contact arm  250  to return to its pre-stressed condition opening contacts  252  and  256 , see  FIG. 15 . 
   After tripping, the coil assembly  290  is de-energized so that spring  293  returns plunger  292  to its original extended position and banger  294  moves to its original position releasing latch member  100 . At this time, the latch member  100  is in a lockout position where latch finger  102  inhibits movable contact  252  from engaging fixed contact  256 , see  FIG. 18 . As noted, one or both latching fingers  102  can act as an active inhibitor that prevents the contacts from touching. Alternatively, the natural bias of movable arms  250  and  270  can be used as a passive inhibitor that prevents the contacts from touching. 
   To reset the GFCI receptacle so that contacts  252  and  256  are closed and continuity in the phase conductive path is re-established, the reset button  230  is depressed sufficiently to overcome the bias force of return spring  120  and move the latch member  100  in the direction of arrow A, see  FIG. 16 . While the reset button  230  is being depressed, latch finger  102  contacts side L of the movable contact arm  250  and continued depression of the reset button  230  forces the latch member to overcome the stress force exerted by the arm  250  causing the reset contact  104  on the arm  250  to close on reset contact  106 . Closing the reset contacts activates the operation of the circuit interrupter by, for example simulating a fault, so that plunger  292  moves the banger  294  upward striking the latch member  100  which pivots the latch finger  102 , while the latch member  100  continues to move in the direction of arrow A. As a result, the latch finger  102  is lifted over side L of the remote end  116  of the movable contact arm, as seen in  FIGS. 15 and 19 . Contact arm  250  returns to its unstressed position, opening contacts  252  and  256  and contacts  262  and  266 , so as to terminate the activation of the circuit interrupting portion, thereby de-energizing the coil assembly  290 . 
   After the circuit interrupter operation is activated, the coil assembly  290  is de-energized so that plunger  292  returns to its original extended position, and banger  294  releases the latch member  100  so that the latch finger  102  is in a reset position, see  FIG. 17 . Release of the reset button causes the latching member  100  and movable contact arm  250  to move in the direction of arrow B, see  FIG. 17 , until contact  252  electrically engages contact  256 , see  FIG. 10 . 
   As noted above, if opening and closing of electrical continuity in the neutral conductive path is desired, the above description for the phase conductive path is also applicable to the neutral conductive path. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the circuit interrupting devices may also include a trip portion that operates independently of the circuit interrupting portion so that in the event the circuit interrupting portion becomes non-operational the device can still by tripped. Preferably, the trip portion is manually activated and uses mechanical components to break one of more conductive paths. However, the trip portion may use electrical circuitry and/or electromechanical components to break either the phase or neutral conductive path of both paths. 
   As can be appreciated, circuit interrupters may be designed to provide protection against various faults. For instance, GFCI&#39;s generally protect against ground current imbalances. They generally protect against grounded neutrals by using two sensing transformers in order to trip the device when a grounded neutral fault occurs. As can be appreciated, a GFCI may protect against open neutrals. In addition, the GFCI&#39;s can also provide protection against reverse wiring. Commonly owned application Ser. No. 09/812,288; Filed Mar. 20, 2001; Publication No. U.S. 2002/0071228 A1 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, describes a family of resettable circuit interrupting devices. 
   Referring to  FIG. 20 , there is shown a schematic diagram of an MOV  1000  as disclosed above connected in parallel with and up stream of a circuit for detecting faults. 
   The over voltage surge protection device here disclosed can also be incorporated within and made a part of an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). An exemplary embodiment of an AFCI circuit interrupter incorporating a reset lockout will now be described. Generally, each AFCI circuit interrupter according to the present application has a circuit interrupting portion, a reset portion and a reset lockout. Similar to the GFCI circuit interrupter, the circuit interrupting and reset portions use electromechanical components to break (open) and make (close) the conductive path between the line and load phase connections. However, electrical components, such as solid state switches and supporting circuitry, may be used to open and close the conductive path. Similar to the GFCI, the circuit interrupting portion is used to automatically break electrical continuity in the conductive path (i.e., open the conductive path) between the line and load phase connections upon the detection of an arc fault. The reset portion is used to disable the reset lockout and to permit the closing of the conductive path. That is, the reset portion permits re-establishing electrical continuity in the conductive path from the line side connection to the load side connection. Operation of the reset and reset lockout portions is in conjunction with the operation of the circuit interrupting portion so that the electrically conductive path between the line and load phase connections cannot be reset if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational and/or if an open neutral condition exists. 
   Similar to the GFCI, the AFCI may also include a trip portion that operates independently of the circuit interrupting portion. An AFCI with the trip portion can still be tripped, i.e., the conductive path between the line and load phase connections can still be opened, even if the circuit interrupting portion becomes non-operational. The trip portion can be manually activated and uses mechanical components to open the conductive path. However, the trip portion may use electrical components, such as solid state switches and supporting circuitry, and/or electromechanical components, such as relay switches and supporting circuitry, to open the conductive path between the line and load phase connections. 
   The circuit interrupting, reset, reset lockout and optional trip portions are substantially the same as those for the GFCI. A difference between the GFCI and the AFCI is the sensing circuitry used to detect faults. A detailed description of an arc fault sensing circuitry can be found in commonly owned, co-pending application Ser. No. 08/994,772, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. In addition, alternative techniques for sensing arc faults are provided in commonly owned, co-pending application Ser. Nos. 08/993,745; 08/995,130 and 09/950,733, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   Generally, the sensing circuitry can be configured to monitor the phase conductive path at either the line side of the conductive path, the load side of the conductive path at both the line and load sides of the conductive path. The sensing circuitry can also be configured to implement many of the various techniques capable of monitoring one or more conductive paths and determining whether signals on a conductive path comprise an arc fault. Similar to the GFCI, the sensing circuitry also operates to interrupt the AC power on at least the phase conductive path by opening contacts via actuation of a solenoid. 
   As noted, although the components used during circuit interrupting and device reset operations are electromechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using electrical components, such as solid state switches and supporting circuitry, as will as other type of components which may be mechanical in operation and which are capable of making and breaking electrical continuity in the conductive path. 
   While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the device described and illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.