The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes at least one sensor that provides a sensor output signal corresponding to electrical perturbations propagating on the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. A protective circuit assembly configure
The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes at least one sensor that provides a sensor output signal corresponding to electrical perturbations propagating on the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. A protective circuit assembly configured to detect a fault condition when the sensor output signal substantially corresponds to at least one predetermined fault criterion and generate a trip actuation signal in response thereto. A solenoid coil is configured to generate a trip actuation force in response to the trip actuation signal. A circuit interrupter assembly includes movable contacts configured to be driven into a tripped state in response to the trip actuation force. An automatic fault simulation circuit is configured to generate a self-test signal without execution of software code. The self-test signal is generated such that it is sensed by the at least one sensor if the at least one sensor is operational. An end-of-life detection circuit is coupled to the protective circuit assembly. The end-of-life detection circuit is configured to monitor the protective circuit assembly without execution of software code. The end-of-life detection circuit is configured to substantially inhibit the trip actuation force when the protective circuit assembly detects the fault condition and generates the trip actuation signal in response to the self-test signal. The end-of-life detection circuit is configured to generate an end-of-life response if the protective circuit assembly does not respond to the self-test signal within a predetermined period of time.
대표청구항▼
1. An electrical wiring device comprising: a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals;at least one sensor coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals, the at least one sensor providing a sensor output signal corresponding to electrical perturbat
1. An electrical wiring device comprising: a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals;at least one sensor coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals, the at least one sensor providing a sensor output signal corresponding to electrical perturbations propagating on the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals;a protective circuit assembly coupled to the at least one sensor, the protective circuit assembly being configured to detect a fault condition when the sensor output signal substantially corresponds to at least one predetermined fault criterion and generate a trip actuation signal in response thereto;a solenoid coil configured to generate a trip actuation force in response to the trip actuation signal;a circuit interrupter assembly coupled to the protective circuit assembly, the circuit interrupter including movable contacts, the movable contacts being configured to be latched into a reset state in response to a reset stimulus, the movable contacts being configured to be driven into a tripped state in response to the trip actuation force;an automatic fault simulation circuit configured to generate a self-test signal such that it is sensed by the at least one sensor if the at least one sensor is operational; andan end-of-life detection circuit coupled to the protective circuit assembly and the actuator assembly, the end-of-life detection circuit being configured to substantially inhibit the trip actuation force upon the occurrence of a successful test result, the successful test result occurring when the protective circuit assembly generates the trip actuation signal in response to the self-test signal, the end-of-life detection circuit being configured to generate an end-of-life response upon the occurrence of an unsuccessful test result, the unsuccessful test result occurring when the protective circuit assembly does not respond to the self-test signal within a predetermined period of time. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the automatic fault simulation circuit is configured to generate the self-test signal during a predetermined portion of an AC line cycle. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the self-test signal is generated during a negative half cycle of the AC line cycle. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable contacts include four sets of movable contacts. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the end-of-life response includes tripping the movable contacts or introducing a discontinuity between the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the automatic fault simulation circuit generates the self-test signal during a predetermined half-cycle of an AC line cycle in accordance with a predetermined periodic testing schedule. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the predetermined half-cycle is a negative half-cycle. 8. The device of claim 6, wherein the predetermined periodic testing schedule includes generating the self-test signal on selected negative half-cycles of the AC line cycle. 9. The device of claim 6, wherein the predetermined periodic testing schedule includes generating the self-test signal during every negative half-cycle. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the end-of-life detection circuit further comprises a noise immunized decision circuit configured to evaluate a plurality of test results to thereby provide a noise immunized end-of-life response. 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one indicator configured to emit an indication signal in response to the end-of-life response, the indication signal being a visual signal, an audible signal, or both. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one indicator is configured to emit a coded signal to indicate one of a plurality of events, the plurality of events including the end-of-life response, a tripped state, or a reset state. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the end-of-life response is generated in response to any one of a plurality of failure modes including a failed at least one sensor, a failed fault detector, an open solenoid, a shorted solenoid, a shorted SCR, or an open SCR. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit interrupter assembly includes a four-pole circuit interrupter that separates a plurality of receptacle load contacts from the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals in the tripped state. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one solenoid includes a primary solenoid and a redundant solenoid. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the automatic fault simulation circuit includes an automated switching mechanism configured to selectively introduce the self-test signal on the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the automated switching mechanism includes a relay coupled to a switch disposed on a test circuit. 18. The device of claim 1, wherein the end-of-life detection circuit includes a timing circuit coupled to the protective circuit assembly and the solenoid coil, the timing circuit being reset in response to the successful test result. 19. The device of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit configured to operate in a self test mode and in a non-self test mode in accordance with a predetermined schedule, the control circuit being configured to cause the self-test signal to be generated during a predetermined half-cycle of selected AC line cycles while in the self test mode in accordance with the predetermined schedule, the automatic fault simulation circuit being responsive to the control circuit. 20. The device of claim 1, wherein the automatic fault simulation circuit is configured to generate the self-test signal without execution of software code, and wherein the end-of-life detection circuit is configured to monitor the protective circuit assembly or the solenoid without execution of software code. 21. An electrical wiring device comprising: a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals;at least one sensor coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals, the at least one sensor providing a sensor output signal corresponding to electrical perturbations propagating on the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals;a protective circuit assembly coupled to the at least one sensor, the protective circuit assembly being configured to generate a fault detection signal when the sensor output signal substantially corresponds to at least one predetermined fault criterion;an actuator assembly coupled to the protective circuit assembly, the actuator assembly including a switch element coupled to at least one solenoid coil, the switch element being configured to generate a trip actuation signal in response to the fault detection signal, the at least one solenoid coil being configured to generate a trip actuation force in response to the trip actuation signal;a circuit interrupter assembly coupled to the protective circuit assembly, the circuit interrupter including movable contacts, the movable contacts being configured to be latched into a reset state in response to a reset stimulus, the movable contacts being configured to be driven into a tripped state in response to the trip actuation force;an automatic fault simulation circuit configured to generate a self-test signal such that it is sensed by the at least one sensor if the at least one sensor is operational; andan end-of-life detection circuit coupled to the protective circuit assembly and the actuator assembly, the end-of-life detection circuit being configured to substantially inhibit the trip actuation force upon the occurrence of a successful test result, the successful test result occurring when the protective circuit assembly generates the fault detection signal and the switch element generates the trip actuation signal in response to the self-test signal, the end-of-life detection circuit being configured to generate an end-of-life response upon the occurrence of an unsuccessful test result, the unsuccessful test result occurring when the protective circuit assembly or the actuator assembly does not respond to the self-test signal within a predetermined period of time. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the automatic fault simulation circuit generates the self-test signal during a predetermined half-cycle of an AC line cycle in accordance with a predetermined periodic testing schedule. 23. The device of claim 22, wherein the predetermined half-cycle is a negative half-cycle. 24. The device of claim 22, wherein the predetermined periodic testing schedule includes generating the self-test signal on selected negative half-cycles of the AC line cycle. 25. The device of claim 22, wherein the predetermined periodic testing schedule includes generating the self-test signal during every negative half-cycle. 26. The device of claim 21, wherein the end-of-life detection circuit further comprises a noise immunized decision circuit configured to evaluate a plurality of test results to thereby provide a noise immunized end-of-life response, at least one conductive path connecting the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals being interrupted in response to the noise immunized end-of-life response. 27. The device of claim 21, further comprising at least one indicator configured to emit an indication signal in response to the end-of-life response, the indication signal being a visual signal, an audible signal, or both. 28. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one indicator is configured to emit a coded signal to indicate one of a plurality of events, the plurality of events including the end-of-life response, a tripped state, or a reset state. 29. The device of claim 21, wherein the end-of-life response is generated in response to any one of a plurality of failure modes including a failed at least one sensor, a failed fault detector, an open at least solenoid, a shorted at least one solenoid, a shorted SCR, or an open SCR. 30. The device of claim 21, wherein the circuit interrupter assembly includes a four-pole circuit interrupter that separates a plurality of receptacle load contacts from the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals in the tripped state. 31. The device of claim 21, wherein the at least one solenoid includes a primary solenoid and a redundant solenoid. 32. The device of claim 21, wherein the automatic fault simulation circuit includes an automated switching mechanism configured to selectively introduce the self-test signal on the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. 33. The device of claim 32, wherein the automated switching mechanism includes a relay coupled to a switch disposed on a test circuit. 34. The device of claim 21, wherein the end-of-life detection circuit includes a timing circuit coupled to the protective circuit assembly and the actuator assembly, the timing circuit being reset in response to the successful test result. 35. The device of claim 21, further comprising a control circuit configured to operate in a self test mode and in a non-self test mode in accordance with a predetermined schedule, the control circuit being configured to cause the self-test signal to be generated during a predetermined half-cycle of selected AC line cycles while in the self test mode in accordance with the predetermined schedule, the automatic fault simulation circuit being responsive to the control circuit. 36. The device of claim 21, wherein the automatic fault simulation circuit is configured to generate the self-test signal without execution of software code, and wherein the end-of-life detection circuit is configured to monitor the protective circuit assembly without execution of software code. 37. An electrical wiring device comprising: a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals;at least one sensor coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals, the at least one sensor providing a sensor output signal corresponding to electrical perturbations propagating on the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals;a protective circuit assembly coupled to the at least one sensor, the protective circuit assembly being configured to detect a fault condition when the sensor output signal substantially corresponds to at least one predetermined fault criterion and generate a trip actuation signal in response thereto;a solenoid coil configured to generate a trip actuation force in response to the trip actuation signal;a circuit interrupter assembly coupled to the protective circuit assembly, the circuit interrupter including movable contacts, the movable contacts being configured to be latched into a reset state in response to a reset stimulus, the movable contacts being configured to be driven into a tripped state in response to the trip actuation force;an automatic fault simulation circuit configured to generate a self-test signal without execution of software code, the self-test signal being generated such that it is sensed by the at least one sensor if the at least one sensor is operational; andan end-of-life detection circuit coupled to the protective circuit assembly, the end-of-life detection circuit being configured to monitor the protective circuit assembly without execution of software code, the end-of-life detection circuit being configured to substantially inhibit the trip actuation force when the protective circuit assembly detects the fault condition and generates the trip actuation signal in response to the self-test signal, the end-of-life detection circuit being configured to generate an end-of-life response if the protective circuit assembly does not respond to the self-test signal within a predetermined period of time. 38. The device of claim 37, wherein the automatic fault simulation circuit is configured to generate the self-test signal during a negative half cycle of the AC line cycle. 39. The device of claim 37, wherein the movable contacts include four sets of movable contacts. 40. The device of claim 37, wherein the end-of-life response includes tripping the movable contacts or introducing a discontinuity between the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. 41. The device of claim 37, wherein the automatic fault simulation circuit generates the self-test signal during a predetermined half-cycle of an AC line cycle in accordance with a predetermined periodic testing schedule. 42. The device of claim 37, wherein the end-of-life detection circuit further comprises a noise immunized decision circuit configured to evaluate a plurality of test results to thereby provide a noise immunized end-of-life response, at least one conductive path connecting the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals being interrupted in response to the noise immunized end-of-life response. 43. The device of claim 37, wherein the end-of-life response is generated in response to any one of a plurality of failure modes including a failed at least one sensor, a failed fault detector, an open solenoid, a shorted solenoid, a shorted SCR, or an open SCR. 44. The device of claim 37, wherein the at least one solenoid includes a primary solenoid and a redundant solenoid. 45. The device of claim 37, wherein the automatic fault simulation circuit includes an automated switching mechanism configured to selectively introduce the simulated sensor fault signal on the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. 46. The device of claim 37, wherein the automated switching mechanism includes a relay coupled to a switch disposed on a test circuit. 47. The device of claim 37, wherein the end-of-life detection circuit includes a timing circuit coupled to the protective circuit assembly and the actuator assembly, the timing circuit being reset in response to the successful test result. 48. The device of claim 37, further comprising a control circuit configured to operate in a self test mode and in a non-self test mode in accordance with a predetermined schedule, the control circuit being configured to cause the automated test signal to be generated during a predetermined half-cycle of selected AC line cycles while in the self test mode in accordance with the predetermined schedule, the automatic fault simulation circuit being responsive to the control circuit.
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