Abstract:
A manually operated test member for a resettable circuit interrupting device for determining if the circuit interrupting device is operating properly. The test member comprises a button and a support member. The support member is adapted to receive a trunnion and comprises holding and locating means which enables it to be accurately located on a mounting strap of the circuit interrupting device. The button of the test member supports trunnion means adapted to be rotatably received by the support member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application having application No. 60/444,424, filed Feb. 3, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present application is directed to a family of resettable circuit interrupting devices and systems that includes ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI&#39;s), arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI&#39;s), immersion detection circuit interrupters (IDCI&#39;s), appliance leakage circuit interrupters (ALCI&#39;s), equipment leakage circuit interrupters (ELCI&#39;s), circuit breakers, contactors, latching relays and solenoid mechanisms. More particularly, the present application is directed to circuit interrupting devices that include a circuit interrupting portion that can break electrically conductive paths at both a line side and a load side of the devices. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Many electrical wiring devices have a line side, which is connectable to an electrical power supply, and a load side, which is connectable to one or more loads and at least one conductive path between the line and load sides. Electrical connections to wires supplying electrical power or wires conducting electricity to the one or more loads are at line side and load side connections. The electrical wiring device industry has witnessed an increasing call for circuit breaking devices or systems which are designed to interrupt power to various loads, such as household appliances, consumer electrical products and branch circuits. In particular, electrical codes require electrical circuits in home bathrooms and kitchens to be equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), for example. Presently available GFCI devices, such as the device described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,894, use an electrically activated trip mechanism to mechanically break an electrical connection between the line side and the load side. Such devices are resettable after they are tripped by, for example, the detection of a ground 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 a lightning strike, occurs which may result not only in a surge of electricity at the device and a tripping of the device but also a disabling of the trip mechanism used to cause the mechanical breaking of the circuit. This may 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 the device with an inoperative trip mechanism to be reset without the ground fault protection available. 
   Further, an open neutral condition, which is defined in Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard PAG 943A, may exist with the electrical wires supplying electrical power to such GFCI devices. If an open neutral condition exists with the neutral wire on the line (versus load) side of the GFCI device, an instance may arise where a current path is created from the phase (or hot) wire supplying power to the GFCI device through the load side of the device and a person to ground. In the event that an open neutral condition exists, current GFCI devices, which have tripped, may be reset even though the open neutral condition may remain. 
   Commonly owned application Ser. No. 09/138,955, filed Aug. 24, 1998, 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. Commonly owned application Ser. No. 09/175,228, filed Sep. 20, 1998, 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 and capable of breaking electrical conductive paths independent of the operation of the circuit interrupting portion. 
   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 (i.e., a three-prong or two-prong male plug). 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 connection. This is known as reverse wiring. In the event the circuit interrupting device is reverse wired, fault protection to the user accessible load connection may be eliminated, even if fault protection to the load side connection remains. Further, because fault protection is eliminated the load terminals or user accessible plugs will have electrical power making a user think that the device is operating properly when in fact it is not. Therefore, there exists a need to detect faults when the circuit interrupting device is reverse wired. Also, there exists a need to prevent a device from being reverse wired. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention relates to a family of resettable circuit interrupting devices having a test button which is used to purposely trip the devices to determine whether such devices are operating properly. The test button comprises a support piece which is attached to a mounting strap of the circuit interrupting device. A button piece with an integrated trunnion can then be detachably attached to the support piece. In this manner the two piece test button can be independently attached to the mounting strap. In another embodiment, a test button piece can be mounted onto the support piece forming a pivot point between the support piece and the button piece is springingly mounted onto the mounting strap. The two piece test button of the present invention allows for a simpler structure for the mounting strap. The two piece button of the present invention can be assembled off line as a sub-assembly and speeds up manufacturing by eliminating loose parts introduced onto the main assembly line. 
   In one embodiment, the circuit interrupting device includes a housing and phase and neutral conductive paths disposed at least partially within the housing between the first and second pairs of terminals. The phase conducting path ends at a phase terminal and the neutral conducting path ends at a neutral terminal. Preferably, one of the phase terminals (e.g., from the first pair of terminals) is connected to a source of electricity and the other phase terminal (e.g., from the second pair of terminals) is available for connection to one or more loads. 
   The circuit interrupting device also includes a circuit interrupting portion that is disposed within the housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in one or both of the phase and neutral conductive paths, between said line side and said load side upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition. A reset portion is disposed at least partially within the housing and is configured to reestablish electrical continuity in the open conductive paths. 
   Preferably, the phase conductive path includes a plurality of switch devices that are capable of opening to cause electrical discontinuity in the phase conductive path and closing to reestablish electrical continuity in the phase conductive path, between said line and load sides. The neutral conductive path also includes a plurality of switch devices that are capable of opening to cause electrical discontinuity in the neutral conductive path and closing to reestablish electrical continuity in the neutral conductive path between said line and load sides. In this configuration, the circuit interrupting portion causes the plurality of switch devices (with contacts) of the phase and neutral conductive paths to open, and the reset portion causes the plurality of switch devices (with contacts) of the phase and neutral conductive paths to close. 
   One embodiment for the circuit interrupting portion uses an electro-mechanical circuit interrupter to cause electrical discontinuity in the phase and neutral conductive paths, and sensing circuitry to sense the occurrence of the predetermined condition. For example, the electro-mechanical circuit interrupter includes a coil assembly, a movable plunger attached to the coil assembly and a banger attached to the plunger. The movable plunger is responsive to energizing of the coil assembly, and movement of the plunger is translated to movement of said banger. Movement of the banger causes the electrical discontinuity in the phase and/or neutral conductive paths. 
   The circuit interrupting device may also include a reset lockout portion that prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in either the phase or neutral conductive path or both conductive paths, unless the circuit interrupting portion is operating properly. That is, the reset lockout prevents resetting of the device unless the circuit interrupting portion is operating properly. In embodiments where the circuit interrupting device includes a reset lockout portion, the reset portion may be configured so that at least one reset contact is electrically connected to the sensing circuitry of the circuit interrupting portion, and that depression of a reset button causes at least a portion of the phase conductive path to contact at least one reset contact. When contact is made between the phase conductive path and the at least one reset contact, the circuit interrupting portion is activated so that the reset lockout portion is disabled and electrical continuity in the phase and neutral conductive paths can be reestablished. 
   The circuit interrupting device may also include a trip portion that operates independently of the circuit interrupting portion. The trip portion is disposed at least partially within the housing and is configured to cause electrical discontinuity in the phase and/or neutral conductive paths independent of the operation of the circuit interrupting portion. In one embodiment, the trip portion includes a trip actuator accessible from an exterior of the housing and a trip arm preferably within the housing and extending from the trip actuator. The trip arm is preferably configured to facilitate mechanical breaking of electrical continuity in the phase and/or neutral conductive paths, if the trip actuator is actuated. Preferably, the trip actuator is a button. However, other known actuators are also contemplated. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present application are described herein with reference to the drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference characters, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a ground fault circuit interrupting device according to the present application; 
       FIG. 2  is side elevational view, partly in section, of a portion of the GFCI device shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the GFCI device in a set or circuit making position; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of internal components of the circuit interrupting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of portions of electrical conductive paths located within the GFCI device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial sectional view of a portion of a conductive path shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view of a portion of a conductive path shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 2 , illustrating the GFCI device in a circuit breaking or interrupting position; 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 2 , illustrating the components of the GFCI device during a reset operation; 
       FIGS. 9–11  are schematic representations of the operation of one embodiment of the reset portion of the present application, illustrating a latching member used to make an electrical connection between line and load connections and to relate the reset portion of the electrical connection with the operation of the circuit interrupting portion; 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of a circuit for detecting ground faults and resetting the GFCI device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a ground fault circuit interrupting device according to the present application; 
       FIG. 14  is side elevational view, partly in section, of a portion of the GFCI device shown in  FIG. 13 , illustrating the GFCI device in a set or circuit making position; 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 14 , illustrating the GFCI device in a circuit breaking position; 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 14 , illustrating the components of the GFCI device during a reset operation; 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded view of internal components of the GFCI device of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of a circuit for detecting ground faults and resetting the GFCI device of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 19  is side elevational view, partly in section, of components of a portion of the alternative embodiment of the GFCI device shown in  FIG. 13 , illustrating the device in a set or circuit making position; 
       FIG. 20  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 19 , illustrating of the device in a circuit breaking position; and 
       FIG. 21  is a block diagram of a circuit interrupting system according to the present application. 
       FIGS. 22–28  show the two embodiments of the two piece test button independently attached to a mounting strap of the circuit interrupting device of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present application contemplates various types of circuit interrupting devices that have at least one conducting path. 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), arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI&#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 used in the circuit interrupting devices, shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow, are incorporated into a GFCI device suitable for installation in a single-gang junction box used in, for example, a residential electrical wiring system. However, the mechanisms according to the present application can be included in any of the various devices in the family of resettable circuit interrupting devices. 
   The GFCI devices described herein have at least two pairs of terminals (one for the line connection and the other for at least one load connection). The at least one load connection permits 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 device has a circuit interrupting portion, a reset portion and a reset lockout. This embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 1–12 . The configuration and electromechanical operation of the GFCI shown in  FIGS. 1–12  operate in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,953 which is incorporated herein by reference. In another embodiment, the GFCI device is similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1–12 , except the reset lockout is omitted. Thus, in this embodiment, the GFCI device has a circuit interrupting portion and a reset portion, which is similar to those described in  FIGS. 1–12 . In another embodiment, the GFCI device has a circuit interrupting portion, a reset portion, a reset lockout and an independent trip portion. This embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 13–20 . 
   The circuit interrupting and reset portions described herein preferably use electro-mechanical 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 and 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 devices. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 1 , the GFCI device  10  has a housing  12  consisting of a relatively central body  14  to which a face or cover portion  16  and a rear portion  18  are removably secured. The face portion  16  has entry ports  20  and  21  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  22  to accommodate a three-wire plug. The GFCI device also includes a mounting strap  24  used to fasten the device to a junction box. 
   A test button  26  extends through opening  28  in the face portion  16  of the housing  12 . 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  30  forming a part of the reset portion extends through opening  32  in the face portion  16  of the housing  12 . The reset button is used to activate a reset operation, which reestablishes electrical continuity in the open conductive paths. 
   The configuration and arrangement of the two-piece test button of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 22–28 . Referring to  FIG. 22  there is shown the configuration of the mounting strap to which the two-piece test button of the present invention is attached. The mounting strap has various apertures and ground clips (clip A and clip B) arranged to engage grounding plug of an inserted plug from a device such as a household appliance. The ground clips are attached to the mounting strap with rivets (rivet A and rivet B). A circular opening serving as a mating hole for a button support (described infra) is located between the ground clips. The mounting strap has a bent down tab threaded to receive a ground screw secured to the tab by a ground nut. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 23 , there is shown the two piece test button of the present invention mounted onto the mounting strap. The two piece test button comprises a trunnion support piece that is attached to the mounting strap by a snap-on arrangement. A test button with an integrated trnnnion portion is then frictionally snapped on and detachably attached to the trunnion support as shown. An exploded view of  FIG. 23  is shown in  FIG. 25  showing the trunnion support having a protruding dowel that engages the mating hole (circular opening) of the mounting strap. As the trunnion support is snapped onto the mounting strap (shown in  FIG. 26 ) the dowel protrusion engages with the mating hole.  FIG. 26  shows a front exploded view of how the trunnion support engages the mounting strap from the vantage point shown by arrow X. 
     FIG. 24  shows another embodiment of the two-piece test button of the present invention. The test button comprises a button support piece that is attached to the mounting strap in a snap-on arrangement. A void underneath a front portion of the button piece engages with the top (shown in dashed lines) of the support piece forming a pivot. Although not shown, a gap underneath the rear portion of the test button allows a portion of a spring to rest therein where the spring is mounted onto the mounting strap by surrounding a dowel protrusion (not shown) emanating from the mounting strap. A similar spring arrangement can be configured for the first embodiment of the present invention, viz., the button piece with a trunnion configuration shown in  FIG. 23 . Referring now to  FIG. 27 , there is shown an exploded view of  FIG. 24  showing how the button support engages with the mounting strap by a snap-on arrangement of the legs of the button support which legs have engaging hooks. Note that the legs of the trunnion support of  FIG. 26  also have engaging hooks. Referring back to  FIG. 27 , the button support has a protruding dowel configured to mate with the circular opening of the mounting strap as the button support is snapped onto the mounting strap.  FIG. 28  shows an exploded front view of how the button support engages the mounting strap viewed from vantage point shown by arrow Y. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 1 , electrical connections to existing household electrical wiring are made via binding screws  34  and  36  where, for example, screw  34  is an input (or line) phase connection, and screw  36  is an output (or load) phase connection. However, screw  34  can be an output phase connection and screw  34  an input phase or line connection. Screws  34  and  36  are one half of terminal pairs. Thus, two additional binding screws  38  and  40  (seen in  FIG. 3 ) are located on the opposite side of the device  10 . These additional binding screws provide line and load neutral connections, respectively. A more detailed description of a GFCI device 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  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40  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 set screws, pressure clamps, pressure plates, push-in type connections, pigtails and quick-connect tabs. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2–6 , the conductive path between the line phase connection  34  and the load phase connection  36  includes contact arm  50  which is movable between stressed and unstressed positions, movable contact  52  mounted to the contact arm  50 , contact arm  54  secured to or monolithically formed into the load phase connection  36  and fixed contact  56  mounted to the contact arm  54 . The user accessible load phase connection for this embodiment includes terminal assembly  58  having two binding terminals  60  which are capable of engaging a prong of a male plug inserted therebetween. The conductive path between the line phase connection  34  and the user accessible load phase connection includes, contact arm  50 , movable contact  62  mounted to contact arm  50 , contact arm  64  secured to or monolithically formed into terminal assembly  58 , and fixed contact  66  mounted to contact arm  64 . These conductive paths are collectively called the phase conductive path. 
   Similarly, the conductive path between the line neutral connection  38  and the load neutral connection  40  includes, contact arm  70  which is movable between stressed and unstressed positions, movable contact  72  mounted to contact arm  70 , contact arm  74  secured to or monolithically formed into load neutral connection  40 , and fixed contact  76  mounted to the contact arm  74 . The user accessible load neutral connection for this embodiment includes terminal assembly  78  having two binding terminals  80  which are capable of engaging a prong of a male plug inserted therebetween. The conductive path between the line neutral connection  38  and the user accessible load neutral connection includes, contact arm  70 , movable contact  82  mounted to the contact arm  70 , contact arm  84  secured to or monolithically formed into terminal assembly  78 , and fixed contact  86  mounted to contact arm  84 . These conductive paths are collectively called the neutral conductive path. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , 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 a preferred embodiment for the GFCI device, the circuit interrupter includes a coil assembly  90 , a plunger  92  responsive to the energizing and de-energizing of the coil assembly and a banger  94  connected to the plunger  92 . The banger  94  has a pair of banger dogs  96  and  98  which interact with a movable latching members  100  used to set and reset electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths. The coil assembly  90  is activated in response to the sensing of a ground fault by, for example, the sense circuitry shown in  FIG. 12 . 
   The reset portion includes reset button  30 , the movable latching members  100  connected to the reset button  30 , 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  50 , 70  and move the arms  50 , 70  back to the stressed position where contacts  52 , 62  touch contacts  56 , 66 , respectively, and where contacts  72 , 82  touch contacts  76 , 86 , 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. However, the circuit interrupting devices according to the present application also contemplate embodiments where there is no common mechanism or member between each portion or between certain portions. Further, the present application also contemplates using circuit interrupting devices that have circuit interrupting, reset and reset lockout portions to facilitate making, breaking or locking out of the electrical continuity of one or both of the phase or neutral conductive paths. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the reset lockout portion includes latching fingers  102  which after the device is tripped, engages side L of the movable arms  50 , 70  so as to block the movable arms  50 , 70  from moving. By blocking movement of the movable arms  50 , 70 , contacts  52  and  56 , contacts  62  and  66 , contacts  72  and  76  and contacts  82  and  86  are prevented from touching. Alternatively, only one of the movable arms  50  or  70  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  50  and  70  can be used as a passive inhibitor that prevents the contacts from touching. 
   Referring now to FIGS.  2  and  7 – 11 , the mechanical components of the circuit interrupting and reset portions in various stages of operation are shown. For this part of the description, the operation will be described only for 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. 2 , the GFCI device is shown in a set position where movable contact arm  50  is in a stressed condition so that movable contact  52  is in electrical engagement with fixed contact  56  of contact arm  54 . If the sensing circuitry of the GFCI device senses a ground fault, the coil assembly  90  is energized to draw plunger  92  into the coil assembly  90  so that banger  94  moves upwardly. As the banger moves upwardly, the banger front dog  98  strikes the latch member  100  causing it to pivot in a counterclockwise direction C (seen in  FIG. 7 ) 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  50 , and permits the contact arm  50  to return to its pre-stressed condition opening contacts  52  and  56 , seen in  FIG. 7 . 
   After tripping, the coil assembly  90  is de-energized so that spring  93  returns plunger  92  to its original extended position and banger  94  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  52  from engaging fixed contact  56 , as seen in  FIG. 10 . 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  50  and  70  can be used as a passive inhibitor that prevents the contacts from touching. 
   To reset the GFCI device so that contacts  52  and  56  are closed and continuity in the phase conductive path is reestablished, the reset button  30  is depressed sufficiently to overcome the bias force of return spring  120  and move the latch member  100  in the direction of arrow A, seen in  FIG. 8 . While the reset button  30  is being depressed, latch finger  102  contacts side L of the movable contact arm  50  and continued depression of the reset button  30  forces the latch member to overcome the stress force exerted by the arm  50  causing the reset contact  104  on the arm  50  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  92  moves the banger  94  upwardly 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  50  onto side R of the remote end of the movable contact arm, as seen in  FIGS. 7 and 11 . Contact arm  50  returns to its unstressed position, opening contacts  52  and  56  and contacts  62  and  66 , so as to terminate the activation of the circuit interrupting portion, thereby de-energizing the coil assembly  90 . 
   After the circuit interrupter operation is activated, the coil assembly  90  is de-energized so that so that plunger  92  returns to its original extended position, and banger  94  releases the latch member  100  so that the latch finger  102  is in a reset position, seen din  FIG. 9 . Release of the reset button causes the latching member  100  and movable contact arm  50  to move in the direction of arrow B (seen in  FIG. 9 ) until contact  52  electrically engages contact  56 , as seen in  FIG. 2 . 
   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 be tripped. Preferably, the trip portion is manually activated and uses mechanical components to break one or more conductive paths. However, the trip portion may use electrical circuitry and/or electromechanical components to break either the phase or neutral conductive path or both paths. 
   For the purposes of the present application, the structure or mechanisms for this embodiment are also incorporated into a GFCI device, seen in  FIGS. 13–20 , suitable for installation in a single-gang junction box in a home. However, the mechanisms according to the present application can be included in any of the various devices in the family of resettable circuit interrupting devices. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 13 , the GFCI device  200  according to this embodiment is similar to the GFCI device described in  FIGS. 1–12 . Similar to  FIG. 1 , the GFCI device  200  has a housing  12  consisting of a relatively central body  14  to which a face or cover portion  16  and a rear portion  18  are, preferably, removably secured. 
   A trip actuator  202 , preferably a button, which is part of the trip portion to be described in more detail below, extends through opening  28  in the face portion  16  of the housing  12 . The trip actuator is used, in this exemplary embodiment, to mechanically trip the GFCI device, i.e., break electrical continuity in one or more of the conductive paths, independent of the operation of the circuit interrupting portion. 
   A reset actuator  30 , preferably a button, which is part of the reset portion, extends through opening  32  in the face portion  16  of the housing  12 . The reset button is used to activate the reset operation, which re-establishes electrical continuity in the open conductive paths, i.e., resets the device, if the circuit interrupting portion is operational. 
   As in the above embodiment, electrical connections to existing household electrical wiring are made via binding screws  34  and  36 , where screw  34  is an input (or line) phase connection, and screw  36  is an output (or load) phase connection. It should be noted that two additional binding screws  38  and  40  (seen in  FIG. 3 ) are located on the opposite side of the device  200 . These additional binding screws provide line and load neutral connections, respectively. A more detailed description of a GFCI device is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,894, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4–6 ,  14  and  17 , the conductive paths in this embodiment are substantially the same as those described above. The conductive path between the line phase connection  34  and the load phase connection  36  includes, contact arm  50  which is movable between stressed and unstressed positions, movable contact  52  mounted to the contact arm  50 , contact arm  54  secured to or monolithically formed into the load phase connection  36  and fixed contact  56  mounted to the contact arm  54  (seen in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  17 ). The user accessible load phase connection for this embodiment includes terminal assembly  58  having two binding terminals  60  which are capable of engaging a prong of a male plug inserted therebetween. The conductive path between the line phase connection  34  and the user accessible load phase connection includes, contact arm  50 , movable contact  62  mounted to contact arm  50 , contact arm  64  secured to or monolithically formed into terminal assembly  58 , and fixed contact  66  mounted to contact arm  64 . These conductive paths are collectively called the phase conductive path. 
   Similarly, the conductive path between the line neutral connection  38  and the load neutral connection  40  includes, contact arm  70  which is movable between stressed and unstressed positions, movable contact  72  mounted to contact arm  70 , contact arm  74  secured to or monolithically formed into load neutral connection  40 , and fixed contact  76  mounted to the contact arm  74  (seen in  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  17 ). The user accessible load neutral connection for this embodiment includes terminal assembly  78  having two binding terminals  80  which are capable of engaging a prong of a male plug inserted therebetween. The conductive path between the line neutral connection  38  and the user accessible load neutral connection includes, contact arm  70 , movable contact  82  mounted to the contact arm  70 , contact arm  84  secured to or monolithically formed into terminal assembly  78 , and fixed contact  86  mounted to contact arm  84 . These conductive paths are collectively called the neutral conductive path. 
   There is also shown in  FIG. 14 , mechanical components used during circuit interrupting and reset operations according to this embodiment of the present application. Although these components shown in the drawings are electro-mechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using semiconductor type circuit interrupting and reset components, as well as other mechanisms capable of making and breaking electrical continuity. 
   The circuit interrupting device according to this embodiment incorporates an independent trip portion into the circuit interrupting device of  FIGS. 1–12 . Therefore, a description of the circuit interrupting, reset and reset lockout portions are omitted. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 14–16  an exemplary embodiment of the trip portion according to the present application includes a trip actuator  202 , preferably a button, that is movable between a set position, where contacts  52  and  56  are permitted to close or make contact, as seen in  FIG. 14 , and a trip position where contacts  52  and  56  are caused to open, as seen in  FIG. 15 . Spring  204  normally biases trip actuator  202  toward the set position. The trip portion also includes a trip arm  206  that extends from the trip actuator  202  so that a surface  208  of the trip arm  206  moves into contact with the movable latching member  100 , when the trip button is moved toward the trip position. When the trip actuator  202  is in the set position, surface  208  of trip arm  202  can be in contact with or close proximity to the movable latching member  100 , as seen in  FIG. 14 . 
   In operation, upon depression of the trip actuator  202 , the trip actuator pivots about point T of pivot arm  210  (seen in  FIG. 15 ) extending from strap  24  so that the surface  208  of the trip arm  206  can contact the movable latching member  100 . As the trip actuator  202  is moved toward the trip position, trip arm  206  also enters the path of movement of the finger  110  associated with reset button  30  thus blocking the finger  102  from further movement in the direction of arrow A (seen in  FIG. 15 ). By blocking the movement of the finger  110 , the trip arm  206  inhibits the activation of the reset operation and, thus, inhibits simultaneous activation of the trip and reset operations. Further depression of the trip actuator  202  causes the movable latching member  100  to pivot about point T in the direction of arrow C (seen in  FIG. 15 ). Pivotal movement of the latching member  100  causes latching finger  102  of latching arm  100  to move out of contact with the movable contact arm  50  so that the arm  50  returns to its unstressed condition, and the conductive path is broken. Resetting of the device is achieved as described above. An exemplary embodiment of the circuitry used to sense faults and reset the conductive paths, is shown in  FIG. 18 . 
   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. 
   An alternative embodiment of the trip portion will be described with reference to  FIGS. 19 and 20 . In this embodiment, the trip portion includes a trip actuator  202  that at is movable between a set position, where contacts  52  and  56  are permitted to close or make contact, as seen in  FIG. 19 , and a trip position where contacts  52  and  56  are caused to open, as seen in  FIG. 20 . Spring  220  normally biases trip actuator  202  toward the set position. The trip portion also includes a trip arm  224  that extends from the trip actuator  202  so that a distal end  226  of the trip arm is in movable contact with the movable latching member  100 . As noted above, the movable latching member  100  is, in this embodiment, common to the trip, circuit interrupting, reset and reset lockout portions and is used to make, break or lockout the electrical connections in the phase and/or neutral conductive paths. 
   In this embodiment, the movable latching member  100  includes a ramped portion  100   a  which facilitates opening and closing of electrical contacts  52  and  56  when the trip actuator  202  is moved between the set and trip positions, respectively. To illustrate, when the trip actuator  202  is in the set position, distal end  226  of trip arm  224  contacts the upper side of the ramped portion  100   a,  seen in  FIG. 19 . When the trip actuator  202  is depressed, the distal end  226  of the trip arm  224  moves along the ramp and pivots the latching member  60  about point P in the direction of arrow C causing latching finger  102  of the latching member  100  to move out of contact with the movable contact arm  50  so that the arm  50  returns to its unstressed condition, and the conductive path is broken. Resetting of the device is achieved as described above. 
   The circuit interrupting device according to the present application can be used in electrical systems, shown in the exemplary block diagram of  FIG. 21 . The system  240  includes a source of power  242 , such as ac power in a home, at least one circuit interrupting device, e.g., circuit interrupting device  10  or  200 , electrically connected to the power source, and one or more loads  244  connected to the circuit interrupting device. As an example of one such system, ac power supplied to single gang junction box in a home may be connected to a GFCI device having one of the above described reverse wiring fault protection, independent trip or reset lockout features, or any combination of these features may be combined into the circuit interrupting device. Household appliances that are then plugged into the device become the load or loads of the system. 
   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 well as other types of components capable or 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.