The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 18, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 20, 1998
Albert Zaretsky, Boynton Beach, FL (US);
Roger M Bradley, North Belmore, NY (US);
Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc., Little Neck, NY (US);
Abstract
An intelligent ground fault circuit interrupter device that incorporates a test and miswiring control circuit in addition to an independent GFCI circuit. Since the test and miswiring circuit is separate and independent of the GFCI circuit portion, it can be used with any circuit interrupting means that can be reset and which incorporates a test circuit. The test and miswiring circuit functions to indicate to a user when the device must be manually tested. The test time events occur upon first installation and on a monthly basis thereafter. The device also indicates that testing is required after occasions of power outage of sufficient time duration and after the device has been tripped by the occurrence of a ground fault. At the times when manual testing of the device is required, a visual and/or audible alarm is triggered and continues until a successful test and reset sequence is completed. The ability to detect when the device is incorrectly wired in an electrical wiring system is also provided. Upon detection of a miswiring condition, a visual and/or audible alarm is triggered to alert the user to the miswired condition. The alarm cannot be disabled unless the miswiring condition is removed.