A circuit interrupting device comprising: a housing ; a line terminal disposed on the housing , said line terminal adapted to be connected to a power source circuit to provide electrical power; a load terminal disposed on the housing , said load terminal adapted to be connected to a load circuit; an interrupter disposed within the housing and electrically coupled between said line terminal and said load terminal , said interrupter having an open and a closed condition, wherein said interrupter electrically connects said line terminal to said load terminal in the closed condition and electrically disconnects said line terminal from said load terminal in the open condition; a fault detector configured to detect a fault in an electrical signal in said load circuit, wherein when a fault is detected on the load circuit, said fault detector causes actuation of said interrupter to the open condition; a communication interface adapted to receive a remote test command signal; characterized in that the circuit interrupting device further comprises a processor that generates, in response to receipt of the remote test command signal, a simulated fault in the load circuit, such that said fault detector attempts to cause actuation of said interrupter to the open condition; wherein said processor determines whether or not said fault detector successfully caused actuation of said interrupter to the open condition in response to receipt of the remote test command signal, and if not, generates an alarm signal indicative of a malfunction. wherein said processor is further adapted to receive a remote off command via the communication interface, and in response to the remote off command, generate the simulated fault in the load circuit, such that said fault detector causes actuation of said interrupter to the open condition, whereby one and the same interrupter is employed for both fault tripping and commanded tripping. a housing ; a line terminal disposed on the housing , said line terminal adapted to be connected to a power source circuit to provide electrical power; a load terminal disposed on the housing , said load terminal adapted to be connected to a load circuit; an interrupter disposed within the housing and electrically coupled between said line terminal and said load terminal , said interrupter having an open and a closed condition, wherein said interrupter electrically connects said line terminal to said load terminal in the closed condition and electrically disconnects said line terminal from said load terminal in the open condition; a fault detector configured to detect a fault in an electrical signal in said load circuit, wherein when a fault is detected on the load circuit, said fault detector causes actuation of said interrupter to the open condition; a communication interface adapted to receive a remote test command signal; characterized in that the circuit interrupting device further comprises a processor that generates, in response to receipt of the remote test command signal, a simulated fault in the load circuit, such that said fault detector attempts to cause actuation of said interrupter to the open condition; wherein said processor determines whether or not said fault detector successfully caused actuation of said interrupter to the open condition in response to receipt of the remote test command signal, and if not, generates an alarm signal indicative of a malfunction. wherein said processor is further adapted to receive a remote off command via the communication interface, and in response to the remote off command, generate the simulated fault in the load circuit, such that said fault detector causes actuation of said interrupter to the open condition, whereby one and the same interrupter is employed for both fault tripping and commanded tripping. <EOS>