GFCI receptacle having plug blocking means

Abstract

A shaped member having at least one window is located within a GFCI protected receptacle and is operated by movement of a contact arm of the GFCI to occupy a first position to block at least one plug receiving aperture in the receptacle and to occupy a The second position allows the pins of the plug to freely enter the surface of the socket. In operation, when the circuit breaker enters the tripped state, the contact arm moves down to break the circuit. A downward movement of the contact arm, effected by the coupling key, causes the shaped element to move to a first position blocking at least one opening in the surface of the receptacle. The circuit breaker is reset by pressing and then releasing the reset button, causing the main contacts in the circuit breaker to close by upward movement of the contact arms. As the contact arm moves upward, it moves the coupling key to position the window of the shaped element to allow the plug pins to freely enter the openings in the face of the receptacle. A GFCI typically has two separate sets of internally located contacts called bridging points, one for connecting the load to the source and one for connecting the user-accessible load to the source. In the GFCI disclosed herein, the bridging points have been eliminated, which reduces manufacturing costs by connecting the wires of both the load and the user-accessible load to a single set of contacts.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C 119(e), this application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 441,956, filed January 23, 2003. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to resettable disconnect devices and systems, and in particular, to a new and improved Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected receptacle equipped with means to selectively prevent a plug from being inserted therein. Background technique [0004] Many electrical wiring devices have a line terminal connectable to a power source, a load terminal connectable to one or more loads, and at least one conductive path between the line and load terminals. Electrical connections to conductors that provide power or to conductors that conduct current to one or more loads may be at the line-side and load-side connections of the wiring arrangement. The electrical wiring device industry has expressed a growing appeal for di...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This miswiring is common in new constructions where power is not yet supplied to the branch circuit, and it can be difficult for the electrician / installer to discern between the line-side and load-side wires

In cases where the disconnect device is wired in reverse, it may not be possible to protect the user-accessible load connections, even though fault protection for the load-side connections is maintained

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