Patent ID: 8159803

Claim:
An apparatus for detecting an overheating condition at a ground fault circuit interrupting receptacle, said apparatus comprising: a module having an input and an output, said module including a ground fault circuit interrupter, said module selectively electrically connecting said input to said output, said output being a socket configured to receive an electrical power plug with at least two prongs; a test switch operatively connected to said module, said ground fault circuit interrupter interrupting a circuit between said input and said output when said test switch is actuated, said module latching in a tripped configuration when said test switch is actuated; a reset switch operatively connected to said module; and a temperature switch responsive to a temperature proximate said module, said temperature switch having a setpoint between a maximum operating temperature and an insulation melting temperature of a wire proximate said temperature switch, said module interrupting said circuit between said input and said output when said temperature switch senses said temperature being greater than said setpoint, said module resetting said circuit after said reset switch is actuated with said temperature switch sensing said temperature being less than said setpoint.