Patent ID: 7317600

Claim:
A circuit interrupting device comprising: a test circuit which automatically generates a simulated leakage current to test components of said circuit interrupting device; wherein said test circuit comprises an end-of-service-life detecting integrated circuit chip; and wherein said end-of-service-life detecting integrated circuit chip is connected to a switch which interacts with a reset button; whereby when said circuit interrupting device is powered and said circuit interrupting device is in a tripped state, if all of said components of said circuit interrupting device are working properly, said test circuit allows said circuit interrupting device to be reset; whereby when said circuit interrupting device is powered and said circuit interrupting device is in a tripped state, if at least one of said components of said circuit interrupting device is not working properly, said test circuit prevents said circuit interrupting device from being reset; whereby when said circuit interrupting device is in a tripped state, said switch is conductive which sends a signal to said end-of-service life detecting integrated circuit chip to generate a simulated leakage current to test said components of said circuit interrupting device; whereby when all of said components of said circuit interrupting device are working properly, said reset button is capable of being reset; and whereby when at least one of said components of said circuit interrupting device is not working properly, said reset button is not capable of being reset.