MXPA03003404A - Circuit interrupting device. - Google Patents

Abstract

Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices (ground fault circuit interrupters), ALCI devices (arc fault circuit interrupters), ICDI devices (immersion detection circuit interrupteurs), RCDs (residual current devices), that include reverse wiring protection (fig. 62), and optionally an independent trip portions (fig. 24) and/or a reset lockout portion (60, 330) are provided. Further is a signaling system employing indicator lamp means (64) and an audible alarm (236) is employed to remind a user to periodically test his GFCIs and to provide information regarding the status of the GFCI. The power lines that supply the GFCI with power are also coupled to the circuits on the PCB (122) to disconnect power to those circuits of the GFCI that trips due to faults or tests.

Description

CIRCUIT SWITCH DEVICE PRIORITY RIGHTS Applicants hereby require priority for this application to the following pending and commonly owned applications filed with the United States Patent Office (UPSTO): Application Serial No. 09 / 812,875, no. 0267-1415CIP8 power (41912.018100) and entitled "Reset Lockout For Sliding Latch GFCI" by the inventors Frantz Germain, Stephep Stewart, David Herzfeld, Steven Campolo, Nicholas DiSalvo and William R. Ziegler, filed March 20, 2001. Application that has Serial No. 09 / 812,288, no. 0267-1415CIP9 power (41912.015600) and entitled "Device With Interruptin Circuit Reset Lockout and Reverse Wiring Protection and Method of Manufacture" by the inventors Steven Campolo, Nicholas DiSalvo and William R. Ziegler, filed March 20, 2001. Request which has Serial No. 09 / 813,412, no. 0267-1415C1P6 power (41912.017400) and entitled "Reset Lockout Mechanism Pivot Point For A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter" by the inventors Frantz Germain, Stephen Stewart, Roger Bradley, Nicholas L. DiSalvo and William R. Ziegler, filed 21 March 2001. Application that has Serial No. 60 / 277,448, no. of power 0267-1596 (41912.017700) and entitled "GFCI With Reset Lockout" by the inventor Richard Bernstein, filed on March 21, 2001.

Application that has Serial No. 09 / 813,683, no. of power 0267-1415CIP4 (41912.017500) and entitled "IDCI With Reset Lockout And Independent Trip", by inventor Nicholas DiSaivo, filed on March 21, 2001. Application that has Serial No. 60 / 277,446, no. of power 0267-1415CIP7 (41912.017400) and entitled "ALCI With Reset Lockout and Independent Trip", by the inventors Richard Ulrich, William R. Ziegier, Nicholas L. DiSaivo, Frantz Germain, filed on March 21, 2001. Request that has the No of Series 60 / 277.097, no. of power 0267-1904 (41912.018200) and titled "Lockout Mechanism for Residual Current Devices", by the inventors Frantz Germain, Stephen Stewart, Armando Calixto and Steven Campolo, filed on March 19, 2001. Application that has the Serial No. 09 / 812,601, no. of power 0267-1689 (41912.017900) and entitled "Neutral Switch Test Mechanism For A Circuit Interrupter", by the inventors David Y. Chan, James Richter and Gerald N. King, filed on March 20, 2001. Application that has Serial No. 09 / 812,624, no. 0267-1415CIP5 power (41912.017300) and entitled "Reset Lockout Mechanism and Trip Mechanism For Independent Circuit Interrupting Device Center Latch" by the inventors Frantz Germain, Steven Stewart, Roger Bradley, David Chan, Nicholas L. DiSaivo and William R. Ziegier , filed on March 20, 2001. Application that has Serial No. 09 / 829,339, no. of power 0267-1430 (41912.018500) and entitled "Circuit Interrupter With Improved Surge Suppression", by inventors David Y. Chan, Eugene Sharif, filed on April 9, 2001. Application having Serial No. 09 / 688,481, do not. of power 0267-001 -1369 and entitled "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter" by the inventor David Herzfíeld, presented on October 16, 2001.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to commonly owned an application Serial No. 09 / 812.875, filed March 20, 2001, entitled Reset Lockout For Sliding Latch GFCI "by the inventors Frantz Germain, Stephen Stewart, David Herzfeld, Steven Campolo, Nicholas DiSalvo and William R. Ziegler, which has the power 0267-1415C1P8 (41912.018100), which is a continuation in part of the application Serial No. 09 / 688,481 filed on October 16, 2000, which is It is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.This application relates to a commonly owned application No. Serial No. 09 / 812,288, filed on March 20, 2001, entitled Circuit Interruption Device with Reset Lockout and Reverse Wiring Protection and Ethod Manufacter, by the inventors Steven Campolo, Nicholas DiSalvo and William R. Ziegler, who has the power 0267-1415CIP9 (41912.015600), which is a continuation in part of the application Serial No. 09/379, 138 filed on August 20, 1999, which is a continuation in part of the application Serial No. 09 / 369,759 filed on August 6, 1999, which is a continuation in part of the application Serial No. 09 / 138,955, filed on August 24, 1998 , now U.S. Patent No. 6,040,967, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety for reference. This application is related to the commonly requested property of Serial No. 09 / 812,624, filed on March 20, 2001, entitled Reset Lockout Mechanism and I ndependent Trip Mechanism for Center Latch Circuit Interrupting Device, by the inventors Frantz Germain, Steven Stewart , Roger Bradley, David Chan, N icholas L. DiSalvo and William R. Ziegler, who has the power 0267- 141 5CI P5 (41 912.01 7300), incorporated herein by reference. This application relates to the commonly requested property No. Serial No. 09/379, filed on August 20, 1999, which is a continuation in part of application No. Serial No. 09 / 369,759 filed on August 6 1 999, which is a continuation in part of the application Serial No. 09 / 138,955, filed on August 24, 1998, now the Patent of E. U. No. 6, 040, 967, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety for reference. This request is related to the commonly requested property of Serial No. 09/81 3,683 filed on March 21, 2001, entitled I DCI With Reset Lockout and Independent Trip, by the inventor N icholas DiSalvo, which has the power 0267-1415CI P4 (41 912-017500) which is incorporated herein in its entirety for reference. This request is related to the commonly requested property N o. of Series 09 / 813,412, filed on March 21, 2001, entitled Pivot Point Reset Lockout Mechanism for A Ground Faul Circuit Interruptter, by the inventors Frantz Germain, Stephen Stewart, Roger Bradley, Nicholas L. DiSalvo and William R. Z / egler, which has the power 0267-1415CIP6 (41912.017400), incorporated herein by reference. 1. Field The present invention is directed to repositionable circuit breaker devices that include, but are not limited to, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's), Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI's), Immersion Detection Circuit Breakers. (I DCI's), use dispersion circuit breakers (ALCI's), equipment dispersion circuit breakers (ELCI's), circuit breakers, contactors, interlocking relays and solenoid mechanisms. Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to circuit breaker devices that include a reset locking portion capable of preventing the device from repositioning under certain circumstances. Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to circuit interrupting devices that include a circuit interrupting portion that can interrupt electrically conductive paths between a line side and a charge circuit side of the device and between a line side and a circuit of user load. Certain embodiments of the present application are directed to circuit breaker devices that include a reset blocking portion capable of preventing the device from resetting if the circuit interruption portion is not functioning, if an open neutral condition exists or if the device is it connects badly Certain embodiments of the present application are directed to methods for manufacturing circuit breaker devices to initially be in a disengaged condition. Certain embodiments of the present application are directed to methods for manufacturing switching devices of circuit to be initially in a reset blocking condition. Certain embodiments of the present invention are also directed to circuit breaker devices that include a circuit interrupting portion that can isolate a power source connector from a load circuit connector. Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to repositionable circuit breaker devices that include without limitation GFCIs. Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to circuit breaker devices using a neutral fault simulation. Certain embodiments of the present application are directed to circuit breaker devices that include a neutral to neutral test switch. Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to elimination of overvoltage, and in particular to circuit breakers and GFCIs and related products with improved protection and transient suppression characteristics. Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to GFCIs that include a reset locking portion that does not turn on the solenoid for testing. Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to IDCIs that include a reset locking portion capable of preventing the device from repositioning under certain circumstances and an independent disengagement mechanism. Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to ALCIs and IDCIs that include a reset blocking portion capable of preventing the device from repositioning under certain circumstances. Certain embodiments of the present application are also directed to repositionable residual current devices (RCDs). More particularly, the present application is directed to an RCE which may block the reset function if a predetermined condition exists. Other embodiments of the present invention pertain to earth fault circuit breakers and more particularly to a GFCI which employs a combination of color lights and an audible alarm signal to display various GFCI states and designate time periods to take certain actions 2. Description of the Related Art I. Inoperating Disengagement Mechanism Many electrical connection devices have a line side, which is connected to a power supply, and a load circuit side, which is connected to one or more circuits load and at least one conductive path between the line sides and load circuit. Electrical connections to wires that supply electrical power or wires that conduct electricity to one or more load circuits are found on connections on the load circuit side and line side. The electrical connection device industry has witnessed an increasing demand for circuit breaker systems or devices that - >; - 8 - are designed to interrupt power to various charging circuits, such as household appliances, consumer electrical products and branch circuits. Many electrical appliances have an electrical cord that has a line side, which is connected to an electrical power supply, and a load circuit side that is connected to the appliance, which is an electrical charge. Certain devices may be susceptible to immersion in a conductive fluid, which may present a shock hazard. Other fault scenarios can be addressed by other circuit breakers alone or in combination. Accordingly, the electrical connection device industry has witnessed an increasing demand for circuit breaker systems or devices that are designed to interrupt power to various charging circuits, such as household appliances, consumer electrical products and branch circuits. In particular, appliances used in areas that may be damp, such as hair dryers, may be equipped with an IDCI to protect against immersion hazards. Such products have been sold by companies under marketable brands including Conair, Windmere and Wellong. In particular, electrical codes require that the electrical circuits in the kitchens and bathrooms of the home be equipped with circuit breakers with ground fault (GFCI), for example. GFCI devices currently available, such as the devices described in the U.S. Patent. 4,595,894 commonly owned, use an electrically activated release mechanism to mechanically interrupt an electrical connection between the line side and the load circuit side of a GFCI. Such devices are repositionable after they are released by, for example, the detection of a ground fault. In the device discussed in the '894 patent, the disengagement mechanism used to cause the mechanical interruption of the circuit (i.e., the conductive path between the line sides and load circuit) includes a solenoid (or trip coil). A test button is used to test the circuitry and release mechanism used to detect faults, and a reset button is used to reposition the electrical connection between the line sides and load circuit. However, cases may arise where an abnormal condition occurs, caused by, for example, an electric shock, which may result not only in an overvoltage of electricity in the device and a disengagement of the device but also a deactivation of the device. Disengagement mechanism used to cause the mechanical interruption of the circuit. This can happen without the user's knowledge. Under such circumstances an inexperienced user, who is confronted with a GFCI that has been disengaged, can press the reset button which, in turn, will cause the device with an inoperative disengage mechanism to be reset without the fault protection by land available. GFCI will be in a dangerous condition because it will provide power to a load circuit without ground fault protection. In addition, an open neutral condition, which is defined in Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard PAG 943A, may exist with electrical wires supplying electrical power to such GFCI devices. If an open neutral condition exists with the neutral wire on the line side (against load circuit) of the GFCI device, a case may arise where a current path is created from the phase (or hot) wire that supplies power to the GFCI device through the charging circuit side of the device and a person on the ground. In the case of an open neutral condition, the current GFCI devices, which have been disengaged, can be repositioned even when the open neutral condition can remain. The commonly requested property Serial No. 09/138, 955, filed on August 24, 1998, now Patent of E.U. No. 6,040,967, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a family of repositionable circuit breaker devices capable of blocking the reset portion of the device if certain conditions exist including that the circuit interruption portion is not being operated on or if there is a open neutral condition. According to the above, it may be advantageous to block the re-establishment function under certain circumstances. II. The Bad Connection Problem Some circuit breaker devices described above also have a charging circuit connection accessible by the user. The load circuit side connection accessible by the user includes one or more connection points when a user can externally connect to an electrical power supplied from the line side. The load circuit side connection and the load circuit connection accessible by the user are typically electrically connected together. An example of such a circuit breaker device is a typical GFCI receptacle, where the line side connections and load circuit are screwed together and the accessible load side side connection is the tap connection to an internal receptacle. As noted, such devices are connected to an external connection so that the line wires are connected to the line side connection and the wires of the load circuit side are connected to the load circuit side connection. However, cases may occur where the circuit breaker device is improperly connected to external wires so that the load circuit wires are connected to the line side connection and the line wires are connected to the line connection. charging circuit. This is known as an inverse connection. In the event that the circuit breaker device is reversed, the fault protection for the load circuit connection accessible to the user can be eliminated, even if the fault protection remains for the load circuit side connection. In addition, studies related to GFCI devices indicate that perhaps 10-20% or more of all installed GFCI devices were found inoperable by the user. However, after those devices returned to the manufacturer, most were found operational. In accordance with the above, it has been suggested that the devices were inversely connected by the user (line side-reverse load circuit). In addition, industry standard codes and codes such as those by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) may require GFCI devices to be manufactured with a warning label advising the user to correctly connect the device's line terminals and charging circuit. . In addition, even such warnings may not be adequate as suggested by the studies above. In addition, a reasonably simple connection bad connection prevention scheme may obviate the need for such a warning label. The GFCI devices may use a user load circuit such as a front receptacle. Typically, the GFCIs are devices with four terminals, two phases or AC connections for connection to AC electric power and two LOAD connections for connection to downstream devices. If a conventional GFCI is properly connected, GFCI provides ground fault protection for downstream devices and the built-in receptacle. However, if a conventional GFCI is connected inversely, the unprotected energy is provided to the front receptacle at all times. For example, when a conventional GFCI is connected inversely, the front receptacle is "upstream" of the current unbalance detecting coil. According to the above, if conventional GFCI is found in either unlatched or normal state, unprotected energy is provided to the front receptacle. Despite detailed instructions that come packaged with most GFCIs and identification of AC and LOAD terminals, GFCIs sometimes connect poorly. One reason for this problem is that in a new construction, both the downstream and the entry line cables look identical when the installer is connected to a new ground fault interrupter. This is especially a problem in a new construction where there is no available power in order to prove which cable conducts power to the device. The problem can be compounded when it is considered that many typical duplex receptacle GFCIs have a test button that will disengage and cut power when pressed to verify the operations of internal functions in the GFCI. However, the use of the test button does not indicate whether the built-in duplex receptacle is protected. Typical users may not be aware of this. Users simply test the device after installation and verify that the unit is disengaged at the pressure of the test button by means of an audible click, for example. This gives the user a false detection that everything is fine. What actually happens when GFCI is connected inversely is that GFCI disconnects the power from and protects everything downstream, but does not protect the receptacle to contact GFCI by itself. The device will disengage depending on the condition of internal components and irrespective of how the GFCI connects. It does not matter that GFCI was connected inversely when it was tested. Certain references describe devices that attempt to warn the user of a reverse connection condition. For example, one approach uses a GFCI with a reverse line polarity lamp indicator to indicate the proper installation of the GFCI. See, for example, US Patent. No. 4,412,193 issued to Bienwald et al., On October 25, 1983 and assigned to the owner of the present invention, however, a press button needs to be manually pressed in accordance with instructions in order to detect if GFCI misconnects. In another example, U.S. Patent No. 5,477,412 issued to Neiger et al., On December 19, 1995 and owned by the assignee of the present invention, is directed to a ground fault circuit interrupter incorporating the circuitry of prevention of bad connection. The bad connection detection circuitry automatically triggers the generation of visual and audible alarms in the case of bad connection conditions. The circuit employs a technique that inhibits the alarm that incorporates detector circuitry connected to the AC terminals on one side of the relays or switches of the internal GFCI and alarm generation circuitry connected to the load circuit terminal on the opposite side. The commonly owned application Serial No. 09 / 204,861, filed on December 3, 1998, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a device for testing reverse connection and providing a reverse connection indication. The above referenced requests as commonly related claims are proprietary and are incorporated herein for reference. The requests are generally related to blocking a standby function or otherwise inactivating a circuit breaker device in the occurrence of a condition. U.S. Patent No. 5,933,063 to Keung et al., Is intended to describe a GFCI device and apparently uses a unique central retention circuit. U.S. Patent No. 5,933,063 is hereby in its entirety for reference. U.S. Patent No. 5,594,398 to Marcou et al, has the purpose of describing a GFCI device and apparently uses a central retention circuit. The Patent of E. U. No. 5, 594,398 is found herein in its entirety for reference. U.S. Patent No. 5,510,760 to Marcou et al., Is intended to describe a GFCI device and apparently uses a central retention circuit. The Patent of E. U. No. ' 5,594,398 is found herein in its entirety for reference. A typical GFCI design that can benefit from a modification according to the present invention has been sold under the designation Pass &; Seymour Catalog No. 1591. Another GFCI design that can benefit from a modification according to the present invention has been sold under the designation Bryant Catalog Number GFR52FTW. The commonly owned application Serial No. 09/379, 138 filed on August 20, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes a family of repositionable circuit breaker devices capable of independent disengagement and protection against reverse connection. III. Unsuitable overvoltage protection Known GFCI products typically include a metal oxide varistor (MOV) placed across the power lines of the GFCI product, with MOV providing some surge protection to the GFCI product circuitry when setting transient voltages to levels acceptable The degree of fixation is determined by the size of the disk and classification of the voltage associated with MOV. Therefore, GFCI products have been limited to transient operating voltages from 6 kv to 100 A. There is a need for GFCI products capable of sustaining higher transient conditions. In addition, due to the deregulation of local power authorities, overvoltage conditions may be more prevalent, requiring circuits to survive, for example, overvoltage conditions 240 V for a rated product of 120 V. When such conditions occur, the components GFCI such as MOV in the prior art have not survived; for example, a MOV in the prior art operable beyond its overvoltage rating can disintegrate, and in this way such conditions can also destroy the rest of the electronics in the GFCI product. There is a need for an overvoltage protection circuit that allows components, such as a MOV, to survive the power conditions that exceed the voltage and current ratings, and thus allow a GFCI product to survive overvoltage conditions. IV. Lack of State Indication As discussed above, there are several circumstances that can cause a circuit breaker device to malfunction. The GFCIs present generally do not provide information to the user as to the status of the GFCI. A GFCI currently for sale provides a unique LED to show that the device is being operated, meaning that the main switch contacts are closed. Therefore, there is a need for the user to be able to determine if a circuit breaker device malfunctions when obtaining the state of such a device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present application relates to repositionable circuit breaker devices that provide a reset lock under certain conditions. Certain embodiments of the present application are directed to circuit breaker devices including a reset blocking portion capable of preventing the device from resetting if the circuit interruption portion is not functioning, if an open neutral condition exists or if the device is It connects badly when testing the portions of a device before allowing a reset. Certain embodiments maintain fault protection for the circuit breaker device even if the device is reversedly connected by using a jumper circuit to separately interrupt the line inputs of each respective load circuit side connector and the load circuit connector of the respective circuit. user. The circuit breaker device may also include reset blocking portion that prevents the reestablishment of electrical continuity in either the neutral or phase conductive path or both conductive paths, unless the circuit interruption portion is operating properly and / or connect properly. In certain embodiments, the reset portion may be configured such that at least one reset contact is electrically connected to the sensing portion of the circuit interruption portion, and that the depression of a reset button causes at least one portion of the reset circuit. the conductive phase path contacts at least one reset contact. When the contact is made between the phase conductive path and the at least one reset contact, the circuit interruption portion is activated so that the reset blocking portion is deactivated and the electrical continuity in the conductive paths, neutral and of phase, can be re-established. The circuit breaker device may also include a disengagement portion that operates independently of the circuit interruption portion. In one embodiment, the disengagement portion includes a disengagement actuator accessible from an exterior of the housing and a disengagement arm preferably within the housing and extending from the disengagement actuator. The release arm is preferably configured to facilitate the mechanical interruption of electrical continuity in the conductive, neutral and / or phase paths, if the disengagement actuator is actuated. In certain embodiments, the circuit breaker is manufactured having a jumper circuit that separately disconnects a load circuit side and a user load circuit when the circuit breaker is disengaged. In another embodiment, two single-pole, single-pole switching devices are used to interrupt each power line of the charging circuit and the user charging circuit, respectively. In another embodiment, the circuit breaker is manufactured in a reset lock state. In another embodiment, a releasable force device connected in a fixed or removable manner is used to force a disengagement in the installation. In another embodiment, an indicator provides a reverse connection indication. In another embodiment, a separate disengagement force device is connected to the circuit breaker before it supplies the trade current. In one embodiment of the method, the circuit breaker is set to a reset lock state before being supplied in the trade stream. The present invention also relates to a repositionable circuit breaker device that maintains fault protection for the circuit breaker device even if the device is reversely connected. In one embodiment, the circuit breaker device includes a housing and conductive paths, neutral and phase, placed at least partially inside the housing between the load sides of circuit and line. Preferably, the phase conductive path terminates at a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one charging circuit and a third connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one circuit of load accessible by the user. Similarly, the neutral conductive path preferably terminates in a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of providing a neutral connection to at least one charging circuit and a third connection capable of providing a neutral connection to at least one charging circuit accessible by the user; The circuit breaker device also includes a circuit interruption portion that is positioned within the housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in one or both of the conductive, neutral and phase paths between said line side and said circuit side of loading in the occurrence of a predetermined condition. A reset portion is positioned at least partially within the housing and is configured to re-establish electrical continuity in the open conductive paths. Preferably, the phase conductive path includes a plurality of contacts that are capable of opening to cause electrical discontinuity in the phase conductive path and closing to reestablish electrical continuity in the phase conductive path between said load and line circuit sides. The neutral conductive path also includes a plurality of contacts that are capable of opening to cause electrical discontinuity in the neutral conductive path and closing to reestablish electrical continuity in the neutral conductive path between said load and line circuit sides. In this configuration, the circuit interruption portion causes the plurality of contacts in the conductive, neutral and phase paths to open, and the reset portion causes the plurality of contacts in the conductive, neutral and phase paths, close One embodiment for the circuit interruption portion uses an electromechanical circuit breaker to cause electrical discontinuity in the conductive, neutral and phase paths, and detector circuitry to detect the occurrence of the predetermined condition. For example, the electromechanical circuit breaker includes a coil installation, a movable latch attached to the coil installation and a trigger attached to the latch. The movable latch is responsive to energizing the coil installation, and the movement of the latch is translated to the movement of said trigger. The movement of the trigger causes electrical discontinuity in the conductive phase and / or neutral paths. The circuit breaker device may also include a reset blocking portion that prevents the reestablishment of electrical continuity in either the neutral or phase conductive path or both conductive paths, unless the circuit interruption portion is operating in an appropriate manner . That is, the reset lock prevents re-establishment of the device unless the circuit interruption portion is operating properly. In embodiments wherein the circuit breaker device includes a reset lock portion, the reset portion can be configured such that at least one reset contact is electrically connected to the detector circuitry of the circuit interruption portion, and that the depression of a reset button causes at least one portion of the phase conductive path to contact at least one reset contact. When the contact is made between the phase conductive path and at least one reset contact, the circuit interruption portion is activated, so that the reset blocking portion is deactivated and the electrical continuity in the conductive paths, neutral and of phase, can be re-established. The circuit breaker device may also include a disengagement portion that operates independently of the circuit interruption portion. The disengagement portion is located at least partially within the housing and is configured to cause electrical discontinuity in the phase and / or neutral conductive paths independent of the operation of the circuit interruption portion. In one embodiment, the disengagement portion includes a disengagement actuator accessible from an exterior of the housing and a disengagement arm preferably within the housing and extending from the disengagement actuator. The release arm is preferably configured to facilitate the mechanical interruption of electrical continuity in the conductive phase and / or neutral paths, s the release actuator is activated. Preferably, the disengagement actuator is a button. However, other known actuators are also contemplated. In one embodiment, the circuit breaker is manufactured having a jumper circuit that separately disconnects a load circuit side and a user load circuit when the circuit breaker is disengaged. In another embodiment, two single-pole, single-pole switching devices are used to switch each power line of the charging circuit and the user charging circuit, respectively. In another embodiment, the circuit breaker is manufactured in a reset lock state. In another embodiment, a separate disengagement force device is connected to the circuit breaker before it supplies the trade current. In one embodiment of the method, the circuit breaker is set to a reset lock state before being supplied in the trade stream. The present invention also relates to repositionable circuit breaker devices that have a reset lock that is not based on a solenoid test. The present invention also relates to repositionable circuit breaker devices that include a user interface. Before the device is used, it disengages. The user must then use the user interface to allow a test driver to initiate a test on the device. If you pass the test, the device will be repositioned. Otherwise, the device will be blocked. In another embodiment, the device can be disengaged by a user interface to a mechanical disengagement mechanism. One embodiment for the circuit interruption portion uses an electromechanical circuit breaker to cause electrical discontinuity in at least one of the conductive, neutral and phase paths of the device, and detector circuitry to detect the occurrence of a predetermined condition. The mechanical release arm can be configured to facilitate the mechanical interruption of electrical continuity in the phase and / or neutral conductive paths, if the trip actuator is actuated. In addition, the lever or mechanical release arm can be configured so that it will not be operable to reposition the device.

The present invention also relates to a repositionable RCD that can be blocked for repositioning. A reset lever operated by the user moves from an off state to an on state through a test state. The test status will test the device and only allows progression to the power state if the test is passed. The present invention also relates to repositionable circuit breaker devices that simulate a fault condition by simulating a neutral fault condition. The neutral fault can be simulated by connecting a neutral line of load circuit to a line neutral line using a switch to create a feedback path in the detector that will trigger the circuit breaker. In addition, the neutral fault can be simulated by using a third wire through the transformer or by connecting a load circuit phase line to a line phase line. The fault switch is preferably configured to facilitate the mechanical connection between the neutral load and line circuit paths. However, other known actuators are also contemplated. The present invention also relates to repositionable circuit breaker devices that block the reset function under certain conditions. In one embodiment, a test mechanism is used to test the circuit breaker before allowing a reset. In one embodiment, a reset latch is modified to exert force in a disengage latch circuit in order to close a test circuit that will allow the reset latch to continue to a reset position only if the circuit breaker is running. The present invention also relates to a protection and elimination circuit used in conjunction with a metal oxide varistor (MOV) in a ground fault trip circuit breaker (GFCI) product to handle overvoltage conditions and transient overvoltages. The protection and elimination circuit includes a discharger to prevent overvoltages, and an LC low pass filter to eliminate transient overvoltages. The present invention also provides a GFCI that gives the user greater information agreement in the GFCI state and the circuit is to be protected. GFCI includes a dual color lamp that can produce three different colors. In addition, it is proposed that the lamp flashes at a first slow speed or a second higher speed. An audible alarm can be operated or kept silent. The information given to the user will depend on the color of the lamp, the speed at which it is flashing and the presence or absence of an audible alarm signal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new GFCI. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new GFCI with signaling means for displaying the status of the GFCI and associated circuits. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new GFCI with signaling means comprising blinking color lights and an audible alarm to show the status of the GFIC and associated circuits. Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which describe, by way of example, the principles of the invention, and the best mode currently contemplated for carrying them out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiments of the present application are described herein with reference to the drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference characters, wherein: FIGS. 1-41 show a GFCI of slide holding circuit with reset lock and in particular: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of GFCI constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention; FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the GFCI of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1 but with the covers, upper and lower, of GFCI removed; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mounting band of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the charging circuit and load circuit neutral phase terminals of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the replacement installations and printed circuit board of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the devices of FIG. 6 with the reset lever and PC card removed; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the coil installation of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the main movable contacts of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the latch, retaining circuit board and auxiliary contacts of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 1 1 is a perspective view showing the transformers mounted on the printed circuit board of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 12 is a side elevational view partially in section of the transformer bracket installation of FIG. eleven; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the test button and lever of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the test lever, test button, test arm and test pin in the open position; FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the components shown in FIG. 14 in the closed test position; FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the reset lever and reset button of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the reset button, reset lever, main contacts and auxiliary contacts in the reset or closed condition; FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the device according to FIG. 17; FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the components of FIG. 17 in the unhooked condition; FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 19; FIG. 21 is a table for showing the relationships between the state of the GFCI and associated circuits and the color, blinking speed and the presence or absence of an audible signal; FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a GFCI according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a GFCI according to an embodiment of the present invention having a bridge circuit; FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a GFCI according to an embodiment of the present invention having a bridge circuit of an independent disengagement mechanism; FIGS. 25-28b are partial cut diagrams of the reset locking mechanism of a GFCI according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 29a-c are partial cut diagrams of the reset locking mechanism of a GFCI according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 30 is a partial section diagram of the reset locking mechanism of a GFCI according to the FiG mode. 29a-c showing a manual release mechanism; FIGS. 31 a-f are partial cut diagrams of the reset locking mechanism of a GFCI according to the embodiment of FIG. 29a-c showing a manual release mechanism; FIGS. 32a-b are partial cut diagrams of the reset locking mechanism of a GFCI according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 33a-f are partial cut diagrams of the reset locking mechanism of a GFCI according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 34a-f are partial cut diagrams of the reset blocking button of a GFCI according to two embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a mode of a breakdown circuit device for grounding damage according to the present application having a switch activated by the load circuit of the user; FIGS. 36a-b are perspective views of a mode of a ground fault circuit interrupter device according to the present application having a switch device activated by the user's charging circuit; FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a mode of a ground fault breaker device according to the present application having a switch activated by the load circuit of the user; FIGS. 38a-c are perspective views of a mode of a ground fault circuit interrupter device according to the present application having a switch device activated by the load circuit of the user; FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a mode of a ground fault circuit interrupter device according to the present application having a switch device activated by the user's charging circuit for disengagement and reset activation without user buttons; and FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a mode of a ground fault breaker device according to the present application having a switch device activated by the user's charging circuit and not buttons; FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a mode of a ground fault circuit interrupter device according to the present application having a movable faceplate and switching devices activated by the faceplate movement for release and reset activation without user buttons. FIGS. 42-70 show a circuit breaker device with reset lock and reverse connection protection and manufacturing method such as a device wherein: FIG. 42 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a ground fault breaker device according to the present application; FIG. 43 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of the GFCI device shown in FIG. 42, which illustrates the GFCI device in an elaborate set or circuit position; FIG. 44 is an exploded view of internal components of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 42; FIG. 45 is a plan view of portions of electrical conductive paths located within the GFCI device of FIG. 42; FIG. 46 is a partial sectional view of a portion of a conductive path shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 47 is a partial sectional view of a portion of a conductive path shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 48 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the GFCI device in a circuit breaker or switch position; FIG. 49 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the components of the GFCI device during a reset operation; FIGS. 50-52 are schematic representations of the operation of a mode of the replacement portion of the present application, illustrating a retention member used to make an electrical connection between the line and load circuit connections and to relate the replenishment portion. of the electrical connection with the operation of the circuit interruption portion; FIG. 53 is a schematic diagram of a circuit for detecting grounded faults and repositioning the GFCI device of FIG. 1; FIG. 54 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a ground fault breaker device according to the present application; FIG. 55 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of the GFCI device shown in FIG. 54, which illustrates the GFCI device in a circuit or assembly ejaborating position; FIG. 56 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 55, which illustrates the GFCI device in a circuit interrupting position; FIG. 57 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 14, which illustrates the components of the GFCI device during a reset operation; FIG. 58 is an exploded view of internal components of the GFCI device of FIG. 13; FIG. 59 is a schematic diagram of a circuit for detecting grounded faults and repositioning the GFCI device of FIG. 54; FIG. 60 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of components of a portion of the alternative embodiment of the GFCI device shown in FIG. 54, which illustrates the device in a circuit or assembly ejaborating position; FIG. 61 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 60a, illustrating the device in a circuit interrupting position; FIG. 62 is a block diagram of a circuit breaker system according to the present application; FIGS. 63a-b are partial schematic diagrams of a conventional GFCI appropriately connected in FIG. 63a and inversely connected in FIG. 63b; FIGS. 64a-b are partial schematic diagrams of a GFCI according to an embodiment of the present invention appropriately connected in FIG. 64a and inversely connected in FIG. 64b; FIGS. 65a-b are partial schematic diagrams of a GFCI according to another embodiment of the present invention having a reset lock shown appropriately connected in FIG. 65a and inversely connected in FIG. 65b; FIG. 66a is a partial schematic diagram of a GFCI according to another embodiment of the present invention that utilizes two sole discharge switch devices, single pole per line; FIG. 66b is a partial schematic diagram of a GFCI according to another embodiment of the present invention utilizing a dual pole single discharge switch device with one end shortened per line; FIG. 67 is a partial schematic diagram of a GFCI according to another embodiment of the present invention that uses an indicator; FIG. 68 is a partial schematic diagram of a test connection used to configure a GFCI according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 69a-c are flow charts of methods for preparing a circuit breaker device according to embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a disengagement force device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 71-76 show a lock mechanism of rotational point reset according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 71-76 show a pivotal point reset lock mechanism for a GFCI where: FIG. 71 aa is a side, partial sectional view of a GFCI similar to the device of FIG. 42 according to another embodiment of the present application; FIG. 72a is a side, partial sectional view of a GFCI similar to the device of FIG. 42 according to another embodiment of the present application; FIG. 72b is a side, partial sectional view of a GFCI similar to the device of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the present application; FIG. 73 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 56, which illustrates another modality of the GFCI; FIGS. 74a-b are perspective sectional views of a reset locking slot and reset locking arm in different positions; FIG. 75a is a sectional view of the trigger of the device of FIG. fifteen; FIG. 75b is a sectional view of the trigger according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 73; and FIGS. 76a-b are perspective sectional views of a reset button and trigger according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 73. FIGS. 77-91 show an IDCI with independent reset and release lock in it; FIGS. 77-80 show a first embodiment of the IDCI of the present invention; FIG. 81-82 show a second embodiment of the IDCI of the present invention; FIG. 83 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 84 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an IDCI dip detection circuit breaker device according to the present invention; FIG. 85 is a schematic diagram representation of an embodiment of an IDCI according to the present invention; FIG. 85a is an exploded perspective view of components of the IDCI; FIG. 85b is a perspective view of a reset button and disengage arm of the IDCI; FIG. 85c is a perspective view of an IDCI closing latch; FIG. 85d is a perspective view of a holding and spring circuit of the IDCI holding circuit; FIG. 86 is a top view of an IDCI according to the present application; FIG. 87 is a partially sectional perspective view of the IDCI along line 4 shown in a disengaged state; FIG. 87a is a partial sectional perspective view of the IDCI along line 4a shown in a disengaged state; FIG. 87b is a partial sectional perspective view of the IDCI along line 4b shown in a disengaged state; FIG. 87c is a partial sectional perspective view of the IDCI along the line 4c shown in a disengaged state; FIG. 87d is a detailed view of section 4d of FIG. 4c; FIG. 88 is a partial cut-away front view of the IDCI in a reset blocking state; FIG. 88a is a perspective view of partial section in detail of the IDCI along the line 5a in a state of reset blocking; FIG. 88b is a partially sectional perspective view of the IDCI along the line 5b shown in a reset blocking state; FIG. 88c is a partial sectional perspective view of the IDCI along the line 5c shown in a reset blocking state; FIG. 89 is a partial sectional perspective view of the IDCI shown in an intermediate state with the latching circuit moving the latch; FIG. 89a is a detailed view of the IDCI shown in an intermediate state with the latching circuit moving the latch; FIG. 90 is a partially cut-away front view of the IDCl in an on state; FIG. 90a is a perspective view of partial section in detail of the IDCI along the line 5a in an on state; FIG. 90b is a partial sectional perspective view of the IDCI along the line 7b shown in an on state; FIG. 90c is a partial sectional perspective view of the IDCI along line 7c shown in an on state; FIG. 91 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the IDCI shown in an intermediate state with the holding circuit moving the manual release actuator; FIGS. 92-95 show an ALCI with independent reset and release lock where: FIGS. 92a and FIG 92c are perspective views of an ALCI according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 92b and FIG. 92 are perspective views of an ALCI such as an ALCI Windmere / CRT; FlGS 93a-93e are perspective views of an IDCl such as IDCL from Konhan Industries Catalog No. 303-0118; FIGS. 93f-93g are perspective views of an IDCI according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 94a-94f are perspective views of an IDCl such as Electric Shock Protection Nos. Of Catalog ESP-12 and ESP-31; FIGS. 94g-94h are perspective views of an IDCI according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 95a-95b are perspective views of an IDCI such as Wellong Catalog No. P8S; FIG. 95c is a perspective view of an IDCI according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 96-97 show a blocking mechanism for an RCD where: FIG. 96 is a schematic representation of the operation of an RCD in a failed condition according to the present application; FIG. 97 is a schematic representation of the operation of an RCD in a past condition according to the present application; FIGS. 98-101 show a neutral switch test mechanism for a circuit breaker where: FIG. 98 is a schematic diagram of a GFCI having an electrical test and bridge circuit according to the present invention; FIG. 99 is a schematic diagram of a GFCI having an independent disengagement such as a mechanical release for a test button and an electrical ground fault simulation test for reset blocking according to the present application; FIG. 100 is a schematic diagram of a GFCI having an independent disengagement such as a mechanical release for a test button and a mechanical switch (electrical test) for a neutral fault simulation test for reset blocking according to the present application; FIGS. 101 a and 101 b is a mechanical switch to perform a neutral fault simulation for a GFCI such as that shown in the Application Serial No. TBD, power 0267-1415CIP9 (41912.015600); FIGS. 102-1 17 show a reset locking mechanism and independent release mechanism for a circuit breaker device of the central holding circuit where: FIGS. 102a-b is an exploded view of a prior art GFCI; FIGS. 103a-b is a sectional side view of the prior art GFCI mechanism of FIGS. 102a-b; FIG. 104 is a detailed side view of the prior art GFCI mechanism shown in FIGS. 103a-b showing the movable contact; FIG. 105 is a side view of a mechanism of a GFCI according to the present invention; FIG. 106 is a side view of a GFCI latch according to the present invention; FIGS. 107a-c is a side view of the GFCI mechanism during the resetting stages according to the present invention; FIGS. 108a-b is a sectional side view of the mechanism of a prior art GFCI; FIG. 109 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a ground fault breaker device according to the present invention; FIG. 110 is an exploded view of a portion of a GFCI according to the present invention; FIGS. 1 1 1 a-f is a sectional side view of the mechanism of a portion of the GFCI of FIG. 109; FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a prior art GFCI as shown in FIGS. 108a-b; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a ground fault breaker device according to the present invention; FIG. 1 14a is a perspective view of a solenoid latch of a GFCI according to another embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 13 as modified from latch 166 of FIG. 112; FIG. 1 14b is a perspective view of a reset button / lifting latch / test contact contact of a GFCI according to the embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1 13 as modified from 128 of FIG. 1 12; FIG. 1 14c is a perspective view of a reset button of a GFCI according to the embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1 13 as modified from 126 of FIG. 112; FIG. 1 14d is a perspective view of a thread of the release lever of a GFCI according to the embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1 14; FIG. 1 14e is a perspective view of a contact vehicle with a switch attached to a GFCI according to the embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1 13 as modified from 180-182 of FIG. 1 12; FIG. 1 14f is a perspective view of a launch / test contact of a GFCI according to the embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1 13 as modified from 178 of FIG. 112; FIG. 114g is a partial and side top view of the holding circuit of a GFCI according to another embodiment of the present invention that is similar to FIG. 1 13 as modified from 178 of FIG. 1 2; FIGS. 15a-c is a section representation of part of a GFCI of the prior art. FIG. 116 is a sectional representation of part of a GFCI according to one embodiment of the present invention and relates to FIGS. 14a-c; and FIGS. 1 17a-b is a section representation of part of a GFCI according to one embodiment of the present invention and refers to FIGS. 1 15a-c. FIGS. 1 18-124 show a circuit breaker with improved overvoltage elimination where: FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of the protection and elimination circuit described, connected between power inputs and the GFCI circuit; FIG. 1 19 illustrates the circuits and components in FIG. 1 18 in an exemplary mode with more detail. FIG. 120 illustrates a schematic diagram of a GFCI circuit having a protection and removal circuit and a ground-neutral reset blocking test according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 121 illustrates a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the GFCI circuit of FIG. 3, using a lever device gas tube; FIG. 122a illustrates a discharging device having a discharger with a width of 0.1 inches; FIG. 122b illustrates a discharging device that has a discharger with a width of 0.04 inches; FIG. 122c illustrates a discharging device having a discharger with a width of .05 inches; FIG. 122d illustrates a discharging device with a vertical top pin and an angularly oriented top pin; FIG. 1 12e illustrates a discharging device with two angularly oriented upper pins; FIG. 123a illustrates a gas tube device having a discharger formed by two vertical top pins; FIG. 123b illustrates a gas tube device having a discharger formed by a vertical top pin and angularly oriented top pin; FIG. 124a illustrates a hybrid protection circuit for a MOV, having a low pass filter using a Zener diode and a resistor; and FIG. 124b illustrates a hybrid protection circuit for a MOV, which has a low pass filter using a Zener diode and an inductor. FIGS. 125-145 show a GFCI with status indication, where: FIG. 125 is a perspective view of a GFCI constructed with state indication capability; FIG. 126 is a bottom perspective view of the GFCI of FIG. 125; FIG. 127 is similar to FIG. 125 but with the covers, upper and lower, of the GFCI removed; FIG. 128 is a perspective view of the mounting band of the device of FIG. 125; FIG. 129 is a bottom perspective view of the charging circuit and charge circuit neutral phase terminals of the device of FIG. 125; FIG. 130 is a perspective view of the replacement installations and printed circuit board of the device of FIG. 125; FIG. 131 is a perspective view of the devices of FIG. 130 with the reset lever and PC card removed; FIG. 132 is a perspective view of the coil installation of the device of FIG. 125; FIG. 133 is a perspective view of the main movable contacts of the device of FIG. 125; FIG. 134 is a bottom perspective view of the latch, latch circuit board and auxiliary contacts of the device of FIG. 125; FIG. 135 is a perspective view showing the transformers mounted on the printed circuit board of the device of FIG. 125; FIG. 136 is a side elevational view partially in section of the transformer bracket installation of FIG. 135; FIG. 137 is a perspective view of the test button and lever of the device of FIG. 125; FIG. 138 is a front elevational view of the test lever, test button, test arm and test pin in the open position; FIG. 139 is a front elevational view of the components shown in FIG. 138 in the closed test position; FIG. 140 is a perspective view of the reset lever and reset button of the device of FIG. 125; FIG. 141 is a front elevational view of the reset button, reset lever, main contacts and auxiliary contacts in the reset or closed condition; FIG. 142 is a side elevational view of the device according to FIG. 141; FIG. 143 is a front elevational view of the components of FIG. 141 in the unhooked condition; FIG. 144 is a lateral elevational view of the device FIG. 143; FIG. 145 is a table to show the relationships between the state of the GFCI and associated circuits and the color, blinking speed and the presence or absence of an audible signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MODALITIES The present invention contemplates various types of circuit breaker devices that are capable of interrupting at least one conductive path on either a line side or a load circuit side of the device. The conductive path is typically divided between a line side that is connected to the electrical power supplied and a load side that is connected to one or more load circuits. As noted, the various devices in the family of repositionable circuit breaker devices include: ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's), arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI's), immersion detection circuit breakers ( IDCI's), use dispersion circuit breakers (ALCPs), equipment dispersion circuit breakers (ELCI's). For the purposes of the present application, the structure or mechanism used in the circuit breaker devices, shown in the drawings and described below, are incorporated into a suitable GFCI receptacle for installation in a single-pass junction box used in, for example, a residential electrical connection system. However, the mechanisms according to the present application can be included in any of the various devices in the family of repositionable circuit breaker devices. The GFCI receptacles described herein have phase (and power) connections of charge and line circuit, neutral connections of charge and line circuit and neutral and phase connections of charge circuit accessible by the user. The connections allow external conductors or devices to connect to the device. These connections can be, for example, electrical fastening devices that secure or connect external conductors to the circuit breaker device, as well as conduit electricity. Examples of such connections include connecting screws, connection tabs, terminals and external connection connections. The reset and circuit breaker portions described herein preferably use electromechanical components to interrupt (open) and make (close) one or more conductive paths between the line sides and load circuit of the device. However, electrical components, such as solid-state switches and supporting circuitry, can be used to open and close the conductive paths. Generally, the circuit interruption portion is used to automatically interrupt the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths (i.e., open the conductive path) between the line sides and load circuit in the detection of a fault, which in the described modalities is a ground fault. The reset portion is used to close the open conductive paths. In modalities that include a reset lock, the reset portion is used to disable the reset lock, in addition to closing the open conductive paths. In this configuration, the operation of the reset and reset lock portions is in conjunction with the operation of the circuit interruption portion, so that the electrical continuity in open conductive paths can not be repositioned if the interruption portion of the circuit is interrupted. circuit is not operational, if there is an open neutral condition and / or if the device is connected inversely.

In an alternative embodiment, the circuit breaker devices may also include a disengagement portion that operates independent of the circuit interruption portion so that in the event that the circuit interruption portion becomes non-operational the device may still disengage . Preferably, the disengagement portion is activated manually and uses mechanical components to interrupt one or more conductive paths. However, the disengagement portion may use electrical circuitry and / or electromechanical components to interrupt either the neutral or phase conductive path or both paths. The above described features can be incorporated into any repositionable circuit breaker device, but for simplicity the descriptions herein are directed to GFCI receptacles. A more detailed description of a GFCI receptacle is provided in U.S. Patent 4,595,894 which is incorporated herein in its entirety for reference and the commonly owned application number 09 / 688,481, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety for reference. It should be noted that the connecting screws are exemplary of the types of connection terminals that can be used to provide electrical connections. Examples of other types of connection terminals include fixed screws, clamps, pressure plates, push-type connections, arrival cables and quick-connect lugs. Various illustrative embodiments of a central retention circuit GFCI are now provided.

Returning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a GFCI 30 according to the present invention is shown. GFCI 30 is formed of an upper cover 32, a middle housing 34 and a lower housing 36 held in assembly by deflectable lugs (not shown) in the lower housing 36 which engage the U-shaped members 38 in the upper cover 32. A Mounting band 40 is mounted between upper cover 32 and middle housing 34 and has two openings 42 for mounting GFCI 30 to mounting ears of a standard through box (not shown). The top cover 32 has a face 44 that contains two groove assemblies for receiving a three blade grounding (not shown). Each set of slots is formed of a slot 46, 48 of a first length and a slot 50, 52 of a longer length and a U-shaped slot 54, 56 for receiving the ground terminal of the socket. Because the slots 50, 52 are longer than the slots 46, 48, the socket is naturally biased and conforms to the NEMA 5-15R standard. In the depression 58 in the top cover 32 is placed a reset button 60, a test button 62 and a lamp indicator means 64. The lamp indicator means 64 is a dual color lamp which produces a first color when a first filament is activated, a second color when a second filament is activated and a third color when both filaments are activated. The lower housing 36 has a series of four terminal screws (only two of which are shown in the figures). The terminal screw 66 is connected to the neutral load circuit terminal as described below. A similar screw 68 is connected to the load circuit phase terminal. The terminal screw 70 is connected to the line neutral terminal and a terminal screw 72 is connected to the line phase terminal as described below. Adjacent to each terminal screw 66, 68, 70 and 72 are two openings 74 for receiving the bare ends of electrical conductors (not shown). As will be described below, the conductive ends extend between a terminal contact and a thread nut which engages the conductor and pushes it against the terminal contact as the terminal screw is advanced. On the rear wall of the middle housing 34 is a ground connection screw 76 to which a grounded conductor (not shown inserted in the groove 78) can be attached. Returning now to FIG. 3 showing a GFCI 30 with upper cover 32 and lower housing 36 removed and FIGS. 4 and 5 showing details of the mounting band 40 and the neutral and phase terminals of the charging circuit. The mounting band 40 has two openings 42 as described above and a circular opening generally located centrally 80 for receiving the reset lever and a square opening 82 for receiving the test lever. Two clips 84, 86 are installed to engage the grounding terminal of inserted sockets and are connected to the mounting strip 40 by rivets 88. A downwardly bent tab 90 has a threaded opening for receiving the grounding screw 76. A grounded nut 92 is pushed against the lug 90 as the grounding screw 76 is advanced to the bare end of a conductor inserted in the groove 78 and between the lug 90 and the grounded nut 92. FIG. . 5 shows the charging circuit neutral terminal 94 and the charging circuit phase terminal 96. Each terminal 94, 96 has a central body portion 98, 100, respectively, with male blade attaching fingers 102, 104 at each end . The male blades of the socket with adjustment between each pair of gripper fingers 102, 104 to make mechanical and electrical contact with the male blades of the inserted socket. An inner lug 106 in the neutral charging circuit terminal 94 receives the main fixed neutral contact 106 while the inner lug 1 10 receives the main fixed phase contact 112. A dependent three-sided lug 1 14 has a slot 1 16 for receive through it the threaded portion of the terminal screw 66. A dependent three-sided lug, similar 1 18 has a slot 120 for receiving therethrough the threaded portion of the terminal screw 68. In FIG. 3 the mounting band 40 of FIG. 4 and terminals 94, 96 of FIG. 5 are shown assembled to the middle housing 34. Also mounted to the middle housing 34 is the printed circuit board (hereinafter PCB) 122 containing the various circuits that determine the color of the indicator lamp medium, its blinking speed and control of the doorbell. PCB 122 also contains the various components of the fault detectors, transformers and solenoids as described below. The terminal screw 70 is connected to a lug 124 having a slot 126 therein for receiving the threaded portion of the terminal screw 70. A similar structure is present for the terminal screw 72 not visible in the figure. Referring now to FIG. 6, the installation of PCB 122 and the replacement installation are shown with the middle housing 34 removed. The replacement installation comprises a reset button 60, a reset lever 128 and a reset spring 130 and a retention pin to be described below with respect to FIGS. 16 to 20. A latch 132 is placed in the passage of a solenoid coil 134. The latch 132 is shown in its reset position extending partially out of the solenoid coil passage 134. When the solenoid coil 134 is operated by the circuits in PCB 122, the latch 132 is then pulled toward the solenoid coil 134. The latch 132 controls the position of the retainer plate to be described with reference to FIG. 10. The retaining plate in cooperation with the retaining pin and reset spring 130 move the elevator 136 up against the movable contact arms 138 to approximate the main movable contacts 140 to the main fixed contacts 108, 1 12 on the side from under the inner lugs 106, 1 10 respectively. The movable contact arms 138 are deflected away from their associated internal lugs 106, 1 10 and when the latch pin has been released, the lifter 136 t pushes the latch plate downward to move the movable contacts 140 away from their fixed contacts. associated 108, 12. Also mounted on PCB 122 is a neutral transformer 142 and a differential transformer 144. Only the neutral transformer 142 is shown in FIG. 6. Both transformers and the bracket installation of the transformer 146 are shown in FIG. 12. The neutral transformer 142 is stacked in the differential transformer 144 with a fiber washer 148 therebetween. The bracket installation 146 substantially surrounds the transformers 142, 144 except for a slot 150 as shown in FIG. 11 and the slots in which the conductors are placed. The conductors for the windings of the transformers are presented to four pins of the transformer 152 to which the load and line circuit conductors can be coupled. One of the transformers will detect the current going to the charging circuit from the source and the other will detect the current from the charging circuit back to the source. Any difference in current through these transformers is an indication that there is a fault in the wiring of the circuit. A device that can measure small differences in current and supply, a fault signal is an integrated circuit available from many sources, for example, type number L 1851 of National Semiconductor or type number MC3426 of Motorola. This IC is located at PCB 122. The line neutral terminal 154 and the line phase termination 156 have arms 158, 160 (see FIG.9) which extend through the slots in the upper part of the cantilever installation. of transformer 146. As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal screw 70 extends through the groove 126 of the lug 124 which is part of the line neutral terminal 154 and towards a threaded opening in the nut 162 for, in this way, connect the neutral line conductor (not shown) to the two transformers. The arms 158, 160 act as one-turn windings for the transformers 142 and 144. The line phase conductor (not shown) is connected through the terminal screw 72 to the lug 164 which extends through a slot 166. on the lug 164 towards the threaded opening of a nut 168. The lug 162 is part of the line phase terminal 156. An isolator 168 extends between the arms 158, 160 to prevent shortening between them. The solenoid coil 134 is connected to two coil pins 170 to allow connection to PCB 122. FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, but omits PCB 122, the reset button 60, the reset lever 128 and the reset spring 130. FIG. 8 shows the coil installation 172 having solenoid coil 134 connected to coil pins 170 and holding the latch 132 in its passage. A camera 174 receives the elevator 136 and supports the elevator 136 when it is in its low position. A transverse member 176 supports the auxiliary switch formed of a fixed auxiliary contact arm 178 and movable auxiliary contact arm 180. The auxiliary switch when the fixed auxiliary contact 186 and auxiliary movable contact 188 are engaged provides power to several components in PCB 122. The auxiliary switch, when the auxiliary fixed contact 186 and auxiliary movable contact 188 are not engaged, cuts power to the components in PCB 122 and avoids possible damage to the PCB 122 components. For example, if the signal to the solenoid coil 134 is applied repeatedly while the main contacts are open there is a possibility to burn the solenoid coil 134. The auxiliary movable contact arm 180 is deflected towards the auxiliary fixed contact arm 178 and will engage it, unless forced to open the contacts FIG. 9 shows the elevator 136 in contact with the movable contact arms 138 and placed by the retaining plate 182 which in turn is controlled by the latch 132 and the reset spring of the latch 184. The positions of the elevator 136 and retainer plate 182 depend on the position of the reset lever 128 as will be described below.

The elevator 136 also controls the auxiliary movable contact arm 180. When the elevator 136 is in its lower position, the auxiliary movable contact 188 moves away from the contact with the auxiliary fixed contact 188 (not shown). A return spring (not shown) of the retaining plate repositions the retaining plate once the latch 132 is repositioned as will be established with respect to FIG. 10. In FIG. 10 shows the retaining plate 182, the latch 132 and the auxiliary fixed arm 178 with fixed auxiliary contact 186 and the auxiliary movable arm 180 with auxiliary movable contact 188. The reset spring of the latch 184 is held at the rear edge 200 of the retaining plate 182 and the lug 198 extending toward the rectangular opening 196. When the latch 132 moves to the right in FIG. 10 as a result of activation of the solenoid coil 134, the latch reset spring 184 is compressed and expanded to return the latch 132 to its initial position partially out of the solenoid coil 134, as shown in FIG. 6 when the solenoid coil 134 is deactivated. The return spring of the retainer plate 190 is connected between the elevator 136 and the lug 198 and is compressed by the movement of the retainer plate 182 to the right in FIG. 10 due to the movement of latch 132 to the right as well. When the latch 132 is removed, the return spring of the latch plate 190 expands to return the latch plate 182 to the left in FIG. 10. The arms 192 support the arms of the elevator 136. A central opening 194 is oval in shape with its longer axis extending along a central longitudinal axis of the retaining plate 182. In the center of the opening 194, the opening 194 is long enough for a retaining pin (not shown) to pass through the opening 194 and move, without engaging, the elevator 136. At one of the smaller ends, the retaining pin is held by the retaining plate 182 and causes the elevator 136 to move with the detent pin as will be described below. The auxiliary movable arm 180 is deflected upwardly so as to bring the auxiliary movable contact 188 into contact with the auxiliary fixed contact 186 on the auxiliary fixed arm 178. As will be described below, an arm of the elevator 136 will engage the auxiliary movable arm 180 for push it down in FIG. 10 to separate the auxiliary movable contact 188 from the auxiliary fixed contact 186 and open the auxiliary circuit. Returning now to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, the test button 62 is shown and its operation is described. The test button 62 has an upper member 204 from which the side members 206 extend. A central member 208 containing a cam 210 also extends from the upper member 204. The lever 208 extends through the square opening 82 in the mounting band 40. The cam 210, when the test button 62 is pressed, engages a test arm 212 and moves its free end 214 in contact with the test pin 216. The position of the test pin 216 is shown in FIG 6. The test pin 216 is coupled to a small resistor and a conductor that extends through one of the transformers 142, 144 to produce an imbalance in the power lines and cause the L 1851 integrated circuit to produce a signal for operate the solenoid 134 and in this way stimulate a fault. The return spring (not shown) of the test button returns the test button 62 to its initial position. FIG. 14 shows the reset position of the test button 64 with the cam 210 not lowering the test arm 212 and the free end 214 separated from the test pin 216. When the test button 62 is lowered as shown in FIG. 15, the cam 210 forces the free end 214 of the test arm 212 downwardly in contact with the test pin 216 to cause a simulated failure and operate the GFCI 30 to determine that the GFCI 30 is working properly. When it is released, the test button 62 returns to its reset position as shown in FIG. 14. The reset button 60 is shown in FIG. 16. The reset button 60 has an upper member 218 on which side members 220 depend. A retainer lever 222 that terminates in a detent pin 224 also extends from the upper member 218. The retaining pin 224 is generally indicated in FIG. its free end 228. The diameter of the retaining pin 224 is greater than the diameter of the retaining lever 222 which results in a retaining projection 226. A resetting spring 230 surrounds the retaining lever 222 as shown in FIG. 17. FIGS. 17 and 18 show the GFCI 30 in its reset position. FIG. 17 is a rear view while FIG. 18 is a lateral elevational view. The surrounding structure is shown in clear line to allow the GFCI 30 interruption components to stand out. In FIG. 18 the latch 132 extends out of the solenoid coil 134 and the retainer plate 182 is pulled out to the left of the figure so that a smaller end of the oval opening 194 engages the latch lever 222. The latch pin 224 can not be removed through the oval opening 194. The guide end 232 of the retainer plate 182 rests on the retaining projection 226 and is also placed under the elevator 136. The reset spring 230 drives the retainer lever 222 upwardly. causing the elevator 136 to also move up. This upward movement causes the movable contact arms 138 to also move upwardly bringing movable contacts 140 in contact with fixed contacts 108,12 (see FIG.17). The extension 234 of the elevator 136 moves away from its contact with the auxiliary movable arm 180 and the auxiliary movable arm 180 upwards causes auxiliary movable contact 188 to clutch the auxiliary fixed contact 186 on the auxiliary fixed arm 178 and thus supply energy to PCB. In response to an external or internal fault or in response to a test using test button 62, GFCI 30, if it works properly it will go to a disengagement state shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 where both the main circuits and the auxiliary circuit will open. The presence of the disengagement condition is indicated by the PCB circuits. A signal will be supplied to the solenoid coil 134 which pulls the latch 132 further toward the solenoid coil 134. The latch 132 causes the latch plate 182 to move to the right in FIG. 20 and place the central portion of the oval opening 194 on the retaining pin 224. In this position the guide end 232 of the retainer plate 182 no longer engages the retaining projection 226 and the retainer lever 222 is free to move to Through the oval opening 194. As a result nothing holds the movable contacts 140 in the movable contact arms 138 in contact with fixed contacts 108, 1 12 in the fixed arms 106, 1 10, respectively. The movable contact arms 138, deflected downwards are carried in the elevator 136, moving it below the spacer contacts 108, 112 and 140. The extension 234 is brought against the auxiliary movable arm 180 and causes its downward movement by separating the contact movable auxiliary 186 of the auxiliary fixed contact 186 and opening the auxiliary circuit to supply power to the circuits in PCB. The reset button 60 jumps as a result of the action of the reset spring 230 to indicate that GFCI 30 needs to be repositioned. In addition to the reset button boom 60, GFCI has a dual color indicator lamp means 64 and a piezo resonator 236 driven by a PCB oscillator (not shown) to produce an audible output. When selecting the oscillating frequency of 3.0 KHz +/- 20% and controlling the operating time of the oscillator, the audible signal must be active for 0.10 seconds and inactive for 2 seconds. FIG. 21 shows the various color combinations of light, lightning speed of light and ringing sound that may occur to show various states of GFCI 30. A supervisory signal indicating that GFCI 30 is working is provided for the first 25 days of the GFCI cycle 30. It is recommended that GFCI 30 be test and reset every 30 days to ensure that GFCI 30 is working properly. However, for most of this instruction is not taken into account by users. To encourage the GFCI 30 test, various lights and timbre planning are employed. At the end of the 25 days, the slow-flashing green light that signaled that the device was working changes to a faster flicker. The slow flashing or supervisor is 0.10 seconds for "on" and 15 seconds for "off". The fastest flashing is 0.10 seconds for power on and 0.9 seconds for power off. This rapid flash extends for five days at which time both filaments of the indicator lamp medium 64 are energized to produce an amber light that flashes at the rapid flash speed. If the power goes into reset the amber light will also flash at the fast speed until the supervisory condition is reached. The time periods are established by a counter and a clock generator in PCB. If an external fault is detected, the amber light comes on and the audible signal is generated. GFCI 30 will need repositioning. If the fault is in GFCI 30 by itself, for example, the soienoid coil 134 is burned, then the red filament of the indicator lamp means 64 is activated and the audible signal is generated. GFCI 30 will have to be replaced if the fault is in GFCI 30. A circuit breaker device having a reset blocking device and a separate load circuit breaker point may be desirable. Referring to FIG. 22, a schematic diagram of a GFCI according to an embodiment of the present invention having a reset locking mechanism using an electrical test depression R4 'is shown. Referring to FIG. 23, a schematic diagram of a GFCI according to an embodiment of the present invention incorporating a bridge circuit with reset blocking is shown. As can be seen, the bridge circuit can be implemented in the F1GS device. 1 -21 by separately isolating the load side and load circuit side of the user from the line side for each of the neutral and phase lines. For example, the bars 98 and 100 need to be modified to isolate the lugs 1 14 and 1 18 with respect to the lug 102 and its opposite counterpart. An extra contact at 106, 108 would be used. Referring to FIG. 24, a schematic diagram of a GFCI according to an embodiment of the present invention having a bridge circuit with reset lock and an independent release mechanism is shown. Referring to FIGS. 25-28b, a separate manual reset and release lock mechanism is provided for the FIGS device. 1-21. The device of FIGS. 1 -21 has a reset mechanism that operates as follows. When the reset button is pressed down, the end of the reset pin is centered on the holes in the retainer and elevator circuit, allowing the reset pin to go through the holes. Once the pin is through the holes, the retaining spring moves the holding circuit to its normal position. The device is then in a "reset position" (contact made between line% load circuit). When the solenoid is turned on (due to a fault or when pressing the test button), the latch opens the latch circuit and releases the reset pin.

Referring to FIGS. 25-28b, one embodiment of a reset mechanism has a disk 510 towards the final reset shaft 502 attached to the reset button 500. When the reset button 500 is pressed downward, the disk of the reset plug 510 interferes with the holding circuit 530 due to misalignment between the hole 534 in the holding circuit 530 and the disc of the holding pin 510 as shown in FIG. 26. When this occurs, the device is in a blocking state. Continuing the downward movement of the reset shaft 502 causes the test switch 550 to close. The test, if successful, will cause the solenoid (not shown) to turn on, thus aligning the hole 534 in the holding circuit 530 with the replacement plug disk 510. When the disk of the reset pin 510 passes completely through the holding circuit 530, the holding circuit returns to its normal position shown in FIG. 28a and a return spring (not shown) pushes the reset disk 510 upward to a reset position, thereby closing the contacts (not shown). A manual disengagement is provided, whereby a test button axis is angled at a distal end so as to force the latch circuit 532 through a cam action so that the disk of the reset pin 510 will clear the hole 534 and the device will reposition itself. Referring now to FIGS. 29a-30, another embodiment of a reset mechanism has a reset button 600 and a reset end 620. When the reset button 600 is pressed downward the retainer circuit 640 is moved to an open position as in the above. In this embodiment, a spacer 650 maintains the holding circuit 640 in its open position, preventing the clutch from the end of the reset pin 620. The spacer 650 is forced in place, between the elevator 630, holding circuit 640 and coil 644 by a spring 652. Although the reset button 600 is pushed down, the plug of the test switch 610 activates a test switch 616. If the device is able to turn on the solenoid (not shown), it will turn on and cause the extension bar 642 of the latch push the spacer 650 away from the holding circuit 640, allowing it to close. The device is now in a "reset position". As can be seen, the plug of the test switch 610 can not activate the test switch 616 although the device is in the "reset position" as shown in FIG. 29c. As can be seen, if the solenoid (not shown) fails to light for any reason, the reset button 600 can be released by pressing the manual release button 670 (it can be the marked test button). When the test button 670 (deflected upward by the spring 672) is lowered, the profile at the end of the shaft 674 acts as a cam against an arm 676 in the holding circuit 640, causing it to open and release the end of the 640 reset pin that deflects upwards. As can be seen, the reset button 600 can be lowered completely, without obstruction and returned to its upper position without clutch, if the solenoid does not turn on for any reason. Referring to FIGS. 31a-f, various views of the components of the reset locking mechanism of this mode are shown as described above in various stages of operation. Referring to FIGS. 32a-b, another embodiment of the present invention is shown using a single button activation method for reset blocking. In this embodiment, the device is repositioned as shown in the FIG device. 25. The blocking method is also the same. When the device is in the reset position, as shown in FIG. 32a, the retainer plate 706 moves upwards in direction C and holds a tilt plate 704 in a "ready" position. In this point, pushing down the reset button (not shown) causes the retainer plate 706 to release the tilt plate 704 when the projection 712 hits 706. The tilt plate 704 is then pushed against the reset pin 702, causing it to Tilt forward and stay in that position as shown in FIG. 32b. As the reset button (not shown) is released, the spring (not shown) deflecting the reset pin 702 pulls the reset pin upwards in direction C, the reset pin button 710 passes through the hole in the holding plate 707 because the reset pin 702 is still tilted as shown in FIG. 32b. When the reset button (not shown) is completely up (not shown), the reset pin 702 acts as a cam, and pushes the tilt plate 704 back to a closed position (not shown). The device has now been manually unhooked. The mechanism of this mode allows the device to be placed in a reposition position, and then a disengagement position, with the use of only one button. The operation of the device of this mode is similar to that of a push-button push-button switch. Referring to FIGS. 33a-f, another embodiment of the present invention is shown using a single button activation method for reset blocking. In this embodiment, the device of FIG. 25 can be used with this single button activation method of the reset locking mechanism. In this embodiment, a two-piece reset button 720 repositions and disengages the GFCI. The operation of this mode is similar to that of a retention push button switch. The device disengages (open contacts) when the button 720 is on top as shown in FIG. 33a. When the button 720 is pushed down, the device will reposition only if the test is successful. If the test, such as a simulated ground fault, fails, button 720 will lock and not reset. Starting with GFCI in the reset position (closed energy contacts). The push of the button 720 disengages the device, and the button 720 goes upwards. A disengagement arm 722, connected to the top of the reset button 720, uses a camming action to urge an unlocking block 724 against a retaining plate 726. The action causes the retaining plate 726 to move and release. The device then acts according to the device of FIG. 25. Has a test switch 728. The two-piece reset button 720 has two springs 730 and 732 to produce two different actions, when the reset button is pressed. A first pass portion through a depression of the reset button can force a mechanical release, while a second portion can use reset lock to require a successful test before repositioning the device. FIG. 33a shows the device in an open, unlatched contact state. FIG. 33b shows the device blocked. FIG. 33e shows the device in a closed contact state, replenishment. Referring to FIGS. 34a-c and 34d-f, two additional embodiments of the present invention are shown using a single-button activation method for reset blocking. In this embodiment, the device of FIG. 25 can be used with this single button activation method of the reset locking mechanism. When the latch 752, 753 of a reset locking mechanism engages, typically to disengage the GFCI mechanically, a separate release or test button is used. That button can move a sliding plate to a position by which the shaft 752, 753 (latch) will be free to release (disengage) only if the solenoid (not shown) is turned on. As shown in this modality, this disengagement can be done with the same reset button 750, 751 where the shaft (latch) 752, 753 is acting as a lever. With shaft 752, 753 engaged as shown in FIGS. 34b and e, one can use the 750, 751 button as an oscillating connection type switch as shown in FIGS. 34c and f to disengage the mechanism. The use of a GFCI as a representative circuit breaker is illustrative only and should not be considered limiting, with reference to FIGS. 35-41, a GFCI 810 with an activating switch device is shown by the user's charging circuit. Referring to GFCI 810 of FIG. 35, as shown in FIG. 36a, each time a user inserts a socket having intake blades 81 1 into the device, a mechanical disengagement is initiated. The user's intake blade 811 engages the actuator arm 820, which is deflected by the spring 825. As the actuator arm 820 passes in the direction A, a cam action forces the slide plate 831 to move first in direction D The device 810 is mechanically disengaged and the reset locking mechanism must allow a reset before the device 810 supplies power to the user's charging circuit. As can be appreciated, the user receptacle may exert force to hold the socket 81 1 in place despite the force exerted by the deflection spring 825. Referring to FIG. 36b, each time the user removes a socket having intake blades 81 1 from the device, a mechanical disengagement is initiated. The user's take-up blade 81 1 engages the actuator arm 820, which is deflected by the spring 825. As the knife 81 1 passes in the direction B, the spring 825 forces the actuator arm 820 to pass in the direction B and sliding plate 830 first moves in direction C. The device 810 is mechanically actuated again and the reset locking mechanism must allow a reset before the device 810 supplies power to the user's charging circuit. As can be seen, a GFCI receptacle with more than one user receptacle can use two switches that can also use common components to initiate the release mechanism. Similarly, the device can be configured to disengage only when the first tap is inserted or only when the last tap is removed. According to the above, in this modality, a user is forced to manually reposition the device for each use, a test facility to be used when used with a reset blocking GFCI. In the device of this mode that employs a reset lock mechanism, the device will only reposition if GFCI is operational, not in an open neutral condition and not inversely connected. In this mode an independent mechanical disengagement is initiated. However, a momentary switch can be used to provide a disengagement based on electrical test of the device as described above. The electrical test circuits described above can be used to initiate a disengagement of the device. Of course, the device can be manufactured or initiated in a reset locking state as described above, additionally, the deflection of the actuator arm can be provided with other known means including an actuator arm mounted to provide a spring deflection. With reference to FIGS. 37 and 38a-b, a device with only one reset button is shown. Because the socket will initiate a mechanical disengage every time it is inserted or removed, there may be no need for a release or test button. The device of FIGS. 38a-b is the same as that of FIGS. 36a-b except that there is no test button mechanism. With reference to F1G. 39, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. A GFCI 910 automatic test device is shown, which is configured to automatically test for itself 'when a user load circuit is accessed. A spring activated by the user's load circuit and switch as shown in FIG. 36a will execute a disengagement and reset that will be blocked if the device is not operational, in an open neutral or inversely connected state. When the user's socket 8 1 is removed, the device can again be disengaged. As can be appreciated, for a duplex user receptacle such as that of device 810, the first inserted jack can execute the test and reset, while the last removed jack can disengage the device in an unlocked hold state. In accordance with the above, because a reset and unlock lock test is performed for each tap insert, there may be no need for user buttons. As shown in FIG. 40, the mechanism for a device without buttons 910 is shown. The contact terminal of the socket 911 will engage the actuator arm 920, which is deflected by the spring 925. As the knife 911 passes in direction B, the actuator arm 920 first mechanically disengages the device with a sliding plate that forces the cam low 931 to release the reset shaft 930 to a disengaged position. The actuator arm continues down until it contacts the reset shaft 930 and engages a test to the reset locking mechanism as described above. According to the above, a device may not require buttons and is preferably supplied in a disengaged state. With reference to FIG. 41, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. An automatic test device GFCI 912 is shown and is similar to the device 910, except that the activation mechanism of the load circuit breaker of the user is activated by pressure on a faceplate 916 that deviates to an outward position and forces when a user socket is inserted. As noted, although the components used during device reset and circuit interruption operations are electromechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using electrical components, such as solid state switches and supporting circuitry, as well as other types of components capable of making and interrupting electrical continuity in the conductive path. Returning now to FIG. 42, the receptacle GFCI 310 has a housing 312 which consists of a relatively central body 314 to which a cover or front portion 316 and a rear portion 318 are removably secured. The front portion 316 has input ports 320 and 321 for receiving polarized or normal contact terminals of a male plug of the type normally found at the end of a lamp or cord assembly of the apparatus (not shown), as well as openings receiving the ground contact terminals 322 to accommodate a three-wire socket. The receptacle also includes a mounting band 24 used to secure the receptacle to a junction box. A test button 326 extends through the opening 328 in the front portion 16 of the housing 312. The test button is used to activate a test operation, which tests the operation of the circuit interruption portion (or circuit breaker). circuit) placed on the device. The circuit interruption portion, to be described in more detail below, is used to interrupt electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths between the load circuit side and the device line. A reset button 330 that forms a portion of the reset portion extends through the opening 332 in the front portion 316 of the housing 312. The reset button is used to activate a reset operation, which restores electrical continuity in the open conductive trajectories. The electrical connections to the electrical wiring of the house are made through union screws 334 and 336, wherein screw 334 is an input phase (or line) connection, and screw 336 is an output phase connection (or load circuit). It should be noted that two additional attachment screws 338 and 340 (seen in FIG. 44) are located on the opposite side of the receptacle 310. These additional attachment screws provide neutral load and line circuit connections, respectively. A more detailed description of a GFCI receptacle is provided in the U.S. Patent. 4,595,894, which is incorporated herein in its entirety for reference. It should also be noted that the connecting screws 334, 336, 338 and 340 are exemplary of the types of connection terminals that can be used to provide electrical connections. Examples of other types of connection terminals include fixed screws, clamps, pressure plates, push-type connections, arrival cables and quick-connect lugs. Referring to FIGS. 43-47, the conductive path between the line phase connection 334 and the load circuit phase connection 336 includes the contact arm 350 which is movable between unstressed and taut positions, the movable contact 352 mounted to the contact arm 350, contact arm 354 secured to or monolithically formed in the charging circuit phase connection 336 and fixed contact 356 mounted to the contact arm 354. The charging circuit phase connection accessible by the user for this mode includes terminal installation 358 having two connection terminals 360 which are capable of engaging a contact terminal of a male plug inserted between them. The conductive path between the line phase connection 334 and the accessible charge circuit phase connection includes, contact arm 350, movable contact 362 mounted to contact arm 350, contact arm 364 secured to or monolithically formed in terminal installation 358 and fixed contact 366 mounted to the contact arm 364. These conductive paths are collectively called the phase conductive path. Similarly, the conductive path between the neutral line connection 338 and the load circuit neutral connection 340 includes, contact arm 370 that is movable between tensioned and unstressed positions, movable contact 372 mounted to the contact arm 370, arm contact 374 secured to or monolithically formed in a load circuit neutral connection 340, and fixed contact 376 mounted to the contact arm 374. The load circuit neutral connection accessible by the user for this mode includes terminal installation 378 having two terminals 380 that are capable of clutching a contact terminal of a male plug inserted between them. The conductive path between the neutral line connection 338 and the user-accessible charge circuit neutral connection includes, contact arm 370, movable contact 382 mounted to the contact arm 370, contact arm 384 secured to or monolithically formed in terminal installation 378, and fixed contact 386 mounted to contact arm 384. These conductive paths are collectively called the neutral conductive path. Referring to FIG. 43, the circuit interruption portion has a circuit breaker and electronic circuitry capable of detecting faults, for example, current imbalances, in the neutral and / or hot conductors. In a preferred embodiment for the GFCI receptacle, the circuit breaker includes a coil installation 390, a latch 392 responsive to energizing and de-energizing the coil installation and a trigger 394 connected to the latch 392. The trigger 394 has a safe pair triggers 396 and 398 that interact with movable retaining members 1 100 used to position and reposition electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths. The coil installation 390 is activated in response to the detection of a fault by grounding by, for example, the detector circuitry shown in FIG. 53. FIG. 53 shows conventional circuitry for detecting faults by grounding that includes a differential transformer that detects current imbalances. The reset portion includes reset button 330, movable latch members 1100 connected to reset button 330, latch fingers 1102 and reset contacts 1 104 and 1 106 that temporarily activate the circuit interruption portion when the reset button it is pressed, when it is in the unhooked position. Preferably, the reset contacts 1 104 and 1106 are normally open momentary contacts. The retaining fingers 1 102 are used to engage the R side of each contact arm 350, 370 and move the arms 350, 370 back to the taut position where the contacts 352, 362 touch the contacts 356, 366, respectively, and wherein contacts 372, 382 touch contacts 376, 386, respectively. The movable retainer members 1 102 are, in this embodiment, common to each portion (i.e., the circuit interruption, reset and reset reset portions) and are used to facilitate the processing, interruption or blocking of electrical continuity of a or more conductive trajectories. However, circuit breaker devices according to the present application also contemplate modalities where the mechanism or member is not common between each portion or between certain portions. In addition, the present application also contemplates the use of circuit interrupting devices having circuit interruption, reset and reset blocking portions to facilitate the processing, interruption or blocking of the electrical continuity of one or both of the neutral or phase conductive paths. In the mode shown in fault FIGS. 43 and 44, the reset locking portion includes retaining fingers 1 102 that after the device disengages, engages the L side of the movable arms 330, 370 to lock the movable arms 350, 370 from moving. By blocking the movement of the movable arms 350, 370, the contacts 352 and 356, contacts 362 and 366, contacts 372 and 376 and contacts 382 and 386 are prevented from touching. Alternatively, only one of the movable arms 350 or 370 may be locked so that their respective contacts are prevented from touching each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the retention fingers 1 02 act as an active inhibitor which prevents the contacts from touching. Alternatively, the natural deviation of the movable arms 350 and 370 can be used as a passive inhibitor which prevents the contacts from touching. Referring now to FIGS. 43 and 48-52, the mechanical components of the reset and circuit interruption portions are shown in various stages of operation. For this part of the description, the operation will be described only for the phase conductive path, but the operation is similar for the neutral conductive path, if it is desired to open and close both conductive paths. In FIG. 43, the receptacle GFCI is shown in an established position where the movable contact arm 350 is in a taut condition so that the movable contact 52 is in electrical clutch with fixed contact 356 of contact arm 354. If the circuitry GFCI receptacle detector detects a ground fault, coil installation 390 is energized to pull trigger 392 to coil assembly 390 so that trigger 394 moves upward. As the trigger moves upward, the front trigger guard 398 hits the retention member 1 100 causing it to rotate in a counterclockwise direction C (seen in FIG. 48) around the created joint by the upper edge 1 1 12 and inner surface 1114 of finger 1 100. The movement of the retaining member 1 10 removes the retaining finger 1 102 from the clutch with the R side of the remote end 1 1 16 of the movable contact arm 350, and allows the contact arm 350 to return to its opening contacts in pre-tension condition 352 and 356, seen in FIG. 48. After disengagement, the coil installation 390 is de-energized so that the spring 393 returns the trigger 392 to its original extended position and the trigger 394 moves to its original position releasing the retaining member 1 100. In at that time, the retaining member 1 100 is in a blocking position wherein the retaining finger 1 102 inhibits the movable contact 352 from engaging the fixed contact 356, as seen in FIG. 51. As noted, one or both retention fingers 1 102 can act as an active inhibitor which prevents the contacts from touching. Alternatively, the natural deflection of movable arms 350 and 370 can be used as a passive inhibitor which prevents the contacts from touching.

To reposition the GFCI receptacle so that the contacts 352 and 356 close and continuity in the phase conductive path is restored, the reset button 330 is lowered sufficiently to overcome the deflection force of the return spring 1120 and move the member. of retention 1100 in the direction of arrow A, seen in FIG. 49. Although the reset button 330 is being lowered, the retaining finger 1 102 contacts the L side of the movable contact arm 350 and the continuous depression of the reset button 330 forces the retaining member to overcome the tension force exerted by the arm 350 causing the reset contact 1 104 in arm 350 to close in reset contact 1 106. Closing the reset contacts activates the operation of the circuit breaker to, for example, stimulate a fault, so that the latch 392 moves the trigger 394 upwards by striking the retaining member 1 100 rotating the retaining finger 1102, while the retaining member 1 100 continues to move in the direction of arrow A. As a result, the retaining finger 1 102 it rises on the L side of the remote end 1 1 16 of the movable contact arm 350 on the R side of the remote end of the movable contact arm, as seen in FIGS. 48 and 52. The contact arm 350 returns to its position without voltage, opening the contacts 352 and 356 and contacts 362 and 366, to terminate the activation of the circuit interruption portion, thus de-energizing the coil installation 390. After the operation of the circuit breaker is activated, the coil installation 390 is de-energized so that the latch 392 returns to its original extended position, and the trigger 394 releases the holding member 1100 so that the finger of Retention 1 02 is in a reposition position, seen in FIG. 50. Releasing the reset button causes the retention member 1100 and movable contact arm 350 to move in the arrow direction B (seen in FIG. 50) until the contact 352 electrically clutches the contact 356, as shown. in FIG 43. As noted above, if the opening and closing of electrical continuity in the neutral conductive path is desired, the above description for the phase conductive path is also applicable to the neutral conductive path. In an alternative embodiment, the circuit breaker device may also include a disengagement portion that operates independent of the circuit interruption portion so that in the vessel that the circuit interruption portion becomes non-operational, the device may still disengage Preferably, the disengagement portion is activated manually and utilizes mechanical components to interrupt one or more conductive paths. However, the disengagement portion may use electrical circuitry and / or electromechanical components to interrupt either the neutral or phase conductive path or both paths. For the purposes of the present application, the structure or mechanisms for this embodiment are also incorporated into a GFCI receptacle, seen in FIGS. 54-61, suitable for installation in a single-pass junction box in a house. However, the mechanisms according to the present application may be included in any of the various devices in the family of repositionable circuit breaker devices. Returning now to FIG. 54, the GFCI receptacle 1200 according to this embodiment is similar to the GFCI receptacle described in FIGS. 42-53. Similar to FIG. 52, the receptacle GFCI 200 has a housing 12 consisting of a relatively central body 314 to which a cover or front portion 316 and a rear portion, preferably, are removably secured. A disengage actuator 1202, preferably a button, which is part of the disengagement portion to be described in more detail below, extends through an opening 328 in the front portion 316 of the housing 312. The release actuator is used, in this exemplary embodiment, to mechanically disengage the receptacle GFCI, that is, to interrupt the electrical continuity in one or more of the conductive trajectories, independent of the operation of the circuit interruption portion. A reset actuator 330, preferably a button, which is part of the reset portion, extends through the opening 332 in the front portion 316 of the housing 312. The reset button is used to activate the reset operation, which re-establishes the electrical continuity in the open conductive paths, that is, repositions the device, if the interruption portion of the circuit is operational. As in the previous embodiment, the electrical wiring connections of the existing house are made through the union screws 334 and 336, where the screw 334 is an input phase (or line) connection, and the screw 336 it is an output phase connection (or charged circuit). It should be noted that two additional attachment screws 338 and 340 (seen in FIG. 44) are located on the opposite side of the receptacle 1200. These additional attachment screws provide neutral connections for load and line circuit respectively. A more detailed description of a GFCI receptacle is provided in U.S. Patent 4,595,894, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety for reference. Referring to FIGS. 45-47, 55 and 58, the conductive paths in this mode are substantially the same as those described above. The conductive path between line phase connection 334 and load circuit phase connection 336 includes, contact arm 350 which is movable between tensioned and unstressed positions, movable contact 352 mounted to contact arm 350, contact arm 354 secured to or monolithically formed in the load circuit phase connection 336 and fixed contact 356 mounted to the contact arm 354 (seen in FIGS 45, 46 and 58). The charging circuit phase connection accessible by the user for this mode includes terminal installation 358 having two junction terminals 360 that are capable of engaging a contact terminal of a male plug inserted therebetween. The conductive path between the line phase connection 334 and the charge circuit phase connection accessible by the user include, contact arm 350, movable contact 362 mounted to contact arm 350, contact arm 364 secured to or monolithically formed in terminal installation 358, and fixed contact 366 mounted to contact arm 364. These conductive paths are collectively called the phase conductive path. Similarly, the conductive path between the neutral line connection 338 and the load circuit neutral connection 340 includes, contact arm 370 that is movable between tensioned and untensioned positions, moveable contact 372 mounted to contact arm 370, arm contact 374 secured to or monolithically formed in load circuit neutral connection 340, and fixed contact 376 mounted to contact arm 374 (seen in FIGS 45, 47 and 58). The charging circuit neutral connection accessible by the user for this mode includes terminal facility 378 having two junction terminals 380 which are capable of engaging a contact terminal of a male plug inserted therebetween. The conductive path between the neutral line connection 338 and the accessible charging circuit neutral connection includes, contact arm 370, movable contact 382 mounted to contact arm 370, contact arm 384 secured to or monolithically formed in terminal facility 378, and fixed contact 386 mounted to contact arm 384. These conductive paths are collectively called neutral conductive path. They are also shown in FIG. 55, mechanical components used during the replacement and circuit interruption operations according to this modality of the present application. Although these components shown in the drawings are electromechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using semiconductor circuit replacement and interruption components, as well as other mechanisms capable of making and interrupting electrical continuity. The circuit breaker device according to this embodiment incorporates a separate disengagement portion in the FIGS circuit breaker device. 42-53. Therefore, a description of the circuit interruption, reset, and reset lock portions is omitted. Referring to FIGS. 55-57, an exemplary embodiment of the disengagement portion according to the present application includes a disengagement actuator 1202, preferably a button, which is movable between an established position, wherein the contacts 352 and 356 are allowed to close or make contact , as seen in FIG. 55, and a disengagement position where contacts 352 and 356 are caused to open, as seen in FIG. 56. Spring 1204 normally biases release actuator 1202 to the set position. The disengagement portion also includes a disengagement arm 1206 extending from the disengagement actuator 1202 so that a surface 1208 of the disengagement arm 1206 moves in contact with the movable retention member 1100, when the disengagement button is moved. to the unhooking position. When the release actuator 1202 is in the established position, the surface 1208 of the release arm 1202 may be in contact with or close to the movable retaining member 1 100, as seen in FIG. 55. Of course, the unlock button can be marked as a standard test button.

In operation, in the depression of the release actuator 1202, the release actuator rotates about the point T of the pivot arm 1210 (seen in FIG 56) extending from the band 324 so that the surface 1208 of the release arm 1206 can contact the movable retaining member 1 100. As the unlocking actuator 1202 moves toward the unlocking position, the unlocking arm 1206 also introduces the path of movement of the finger 1110 associated with the reset button 330 thus blocking the finger 1102 of additional movement in the direction of arrow A (seen in FIG 56). By blocking the movement of the finger 11 10, the release arm 1206 inhibits the activation of the reset operation and, in this way, inhibits the simultaneous activation of the reset and unhook operations. The additional depression of the release actuator 1202 causes the movable retainer member 1100 to rotate about the point T in the arrow direction C (seen in FIG. 56). The pivotal movement of the retaining member 1100 causes the retaining finger 1102 of the retaining arm 1100 to move out of contact with the movable contact arm 350 so that the arm 350 returns to its untensioned condition, and the conductive path It is interrupted. The replacement of the device is achieved as described above. An exemplary embodiment of the circuitry used to detect faults and reposition the conductive paths is shown in FIG. 59. As noted above, if the opening and closing of electrical continuity in the conductive path is desired, the above description for the phase conductive path is also applicable to the neutral conductive path. An alternative embodiment of the disengagement portion will be described with reference to FIGS. 60 and 61. In this embodiment, the disengagement portion includes a disengagement actuator 1202 that is movable between an established position, wherein the contacts 352 and 356 are allowed to approach or make contact, as seen in FIG. 60, and a disengagement position where the contacts 352 and 356 are caused to open, as seen in FIG. 61 The spring 1220 normally biases the release actuator 1202 to the set position. The disengagement portion also includes a disengagement arm 1224 extending from the disengagement actuator 1202 so that a distal end 1226 of the disengagement arm is in moveable contact with the movable retention member 1 100. As noted above, the movable retaining member 1 100 is, in this embodiment, common to the release, circuit interruption, reset and reset locking portions and is used to make, interrupt or block the electrical connections in the phase and / or conductive paths. neutral. In this embodiment, the movable retaining member 1 100 includes an inclined portion 100a that facilitates the opening and closing of electrical contacts 352 and 356 when the release actuator 1202 moves between the set and unlock positions, respectively. To illustrate, when the releasing actuator 1202 is in the established position, the distal end 1226 of the disengagement arm 1224 contacts the upper side of the inclined portion 1100a, seen in FIG. 60. When the release actuator 1202 is lowered, the distal end 1226 of the release arm 1224 moves along the ramp and rotates the retainer member 360 around the point P in the direction of arrow C causing the finger to retention 1102 of retaining member 1100 moves away from contact with movable contact arm 350 so that arm 350 returns to its unstressed condition, and the conductive path is interrupted. The replacement of the device is achieved as described above. The circuit breaker device according to the present application can be used in electrical systems, shown in the exemplary block diagram of FIG. 62. The system 1240 includes a power source 14242, such as ac power in a house, at least one circuit breaker device, for example, circuit breaker device 310 or 1200, electrically connected to the power source, and one or more load circuits 1224 connected to the circuit breaker device. As an example of such a system, the ac power supplied to the single pass junction box in a house can be connected to a GFCI receptacle having one of the characteristics of protection against connection failure, independent disengagement or reset lock, described above. , or any combination of these features can be combined in the circuit breaker device. The domestic appliances that are then connected in the receptacle become the circuit or charging circuits of the system. A circuit breaker device having a reset blocking device and a breakpoint of the load circuit of the separate user may be desirable. Referring to FIGS. 63a-b, a circuit breaker device of the prior art, GFCI 1300 is shown. The predetermined condition detector 310 will open the switching devices 1312, 1314 in order to isolate Phase 1302 and Neutral 1306 from the Load Circuit line, 1304 and 1308, respectively. As will be appreciated, when the device is inversely connected as shown in FIG. 63b, the user charging circuit, receptacle 1320 is not protected by the detector 1310. Referring to FIGS. 64a-b the portions of a circuit breaker device according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown (GFCI 1400). The device is properly connected in FIG. 64a and is inversely connected in FIG. 64b. The predetermined condition detector 1410 will open the switch devices 1412, 1414 in order to isolate Phase 1402 and Line Neutral 1406 from the Load, 1404 and 1408, respectively. As can be seen, when the device is inversely connected as shown in FIG. 64b, the user charging circuit, receptacle 1420 is protected by the detector 1410 when the switching devices are disengaged. As can be appreciated, if the device does not include a reset lock, it can be repositioned, even when it is connected inversely. As shown in FIG. Also, a two-contact switch 1414 can be used to separately interrupt the line connection 1402, 1406 on the load circuit side 1404, 1408 and a user load circuit 1420. Such a configuration can be considered to be a bridge circuit , as shown in FIG. 65a, the configuration may include conductors crossing over a bridge configuration. As shown in FIGS. 42-53 and the corresponding detailed description above, a mechanical reset locking device is provided. As can be seen, multiple failure modes are anticipated for circuit breakers and can also be designed to protect against multiple breakdowns. For example, GFCIs generally protect against imbalances of grounded current. They generally protect against ground-connected neutrals by using two detector transformers in order to disengage the device when a neutral fault connected to ground occurs. As can be seen, a GFCI can protect against open neutrals. Such protection can be provided in connected GFCIs because the wires are bent, while the GFCI receptacle is a fixed installation. According to the foregoing, as can be appreciated, an open neutral can be protected by using a solenoid switch of mandatory delay, constant energized through the phase and neutral of the line, for example, through 338 and 334 of FIG. 59. In such a case, if the energy goes out through the neutral opening, the constant bond coil would ignite and open the neutral and phase line conductors. GFCI of one embodiment of the present invention also protects against reverse connection. Referring to FIGS. 65a-b, portions of a circuit breaker device according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown (GFCI 1401). The device is properly connected in FIG. 65a and connect inversely in FIG. 65b. The device is properly connected in FIG. 65a and is inversely connected in FIG. 65b. The predetermined condition detector 1410 will open the switch devices 1412, 1414 in order to isolate Phase 1402 and Line Neutral 1406 from the Load, 1404 and 1408, respectively. As can be seen, when the device is inversely connected as shown in FIG. 65b, the user charging circuit, receptacle 1420 is protected by the detector 1410 when the switching devices are disengaged. As can be appreciated, if the device includes a reset lock, it can not be repositioned, even when it is connected inversely. The reset lock will test the device moving contact 1414 to 1442 along A-B so that a circuit across the current-limiting resistor 1424 is set and selected to be the detector 1410, preferably a toroidal coil. Because the two-contact switch 1414 is used to separately interrupt the line connection 1402, 1406 on the load circuit side 1404, 1408 and a user load circuit 1420, when connected inversely as in FIG. 65b, the reset blocking test through resistor 1424 will not work because line power is isolated by switch 1414. Referring to FIGS. 65a-b, the circuit breaker devices 1403, 1405 according to other embodiments of the invention can use a bridge circuit in varying configurations. For example, the device 1403 preferably utilizes two single-pole, single-pole mechanical switches 1430, 1432 to isolate the line. Other switch devices including semiconductor switches can be used. In addition, the device 1405 utilizes a single coupled, double-pole discharge switch with a joined end 1444. Referring to FIG. 67, a circuit breaker device 1407 according to another embodiment of the present invention preferably includes an indicator to provide an indication of a reverse connection condition. As can be appreciated, the device 1407 with a circuit bridge and reset lock can have a user load circuit 1420 protected and open from the power source. The user charging circuit may be a receptacle 1420. However, it may be desirable to provide an indication of a reverse connection condition even if the device is disengaged and is "secure". Such an indication can alleviate the frustration to get a problem right. According to the above, this mode uses switches 1452 and 1454 that operate to connect the indicator 1450 to the side of the circuit breaker that normally has the load circuit (1404 and 1408). Switches 1452 and 1454 are preferably mechanical switches coupled with switches 1412 and 1414, respectively. However, other switching devices such as semiconductor switches can be used. If the device 1407 is inversely connected as shown and the device is disengaged, the switches 1452 and 1454 will signal the indicator 1450 to activate. The switches preferably interrupt the energy to the indicator that preferably includes a neon lamp. However, other indicators such as audio, visual or communication indicators can be used. Similarly, the indicator 1450 can be energized from a source other than the power source to the circuit breaker device and can be energized by battery and can only receive an active signal from the switches 1452 and 1454. In embodiments of the present invention they use a mechanical locking mechanism, the device can be manufactured so that the circuit breaker is provided to a user in a reset lock state. Referring to FIG. 69a, a method for preparing a circuit breaker device is provided 1500. As shown, a circuit breaker device may be manufactured 1510 so that the circuit breaker device is manufactured in a reset lock state 1520. The manufacture of the device 1522 is completed. Optionally, the reset button is tested when the device is not energized to ensure that resetting is not possible 1524. Then, the device 1400 may be placed in the commerce stream 1526. Referring to FIG. 69b, a method for preparing a circuit breaker device 500 is provided. As shown, a circuit breaker device 510 can be manufactured so that the circuit breaker device is manufactured in a reset lock state 520. The manufacture of the device 522 is completed. Optionally, the reset button is tested when the device is not energized to ensure that resetting is not possible 524. Then, the device 400 may be placed in the commerce stream 526. Referring to FIGS. 68 and 69c, a method for preparing a circuit breaker device is provided. A fixed lock apparatus such as a test lock in order to achieve a lock state can be used before the switch circuit of the device is supplied in the trade stream. For example, a GFCI circuit breaker having a test mechanism, a reset blocking mechanism and a load circuit protection mechanism of the reverse jumper connection user as described above, can be manufactured and connected to a power source. Energy. The test mechanism can be started in order to set the reset locking mechanism to the blocking state. The GFCI circuit breaker is then supplied to the commercial current in the reset blocking state. As can be appreciated, the quality assurance steps can be performed and manufacturing in a disengaged state can be part of a quality assurance task. As shown, a circuit breaker device such as GFCI 1400 can be connected to a test power supply 1490 in order to prefix the device in a reset lock state before sending it to the users. A method for securing the device sent in the reset lock state is described 1540. During the manufacture 1541 of the device 1400, a test button 1542 is provided. After manufacture, a power source 1490 is connected to the device 1544. The release test is activated to disengage the device, thereby establishing a reset lockout state 1546. Thereafter, the device 1400 can be placed in the 1548 commerce stream. For example, a quality assurance task can be done with or around 544. Referring to FIGS. 42. and 70, a disengagement force device 1610 is provided. As shown, the device has a body 1638 capable of exerting force in a protrusion of disengagement force 1640 when the disengagement force device is inserted into a receptacle of a circuit breaker device 210. As can be seen, the contact terminals 1631, 1632, 1633 and 1634 can be inserted into a circuit breaker device 310 so that the protrusion 1640 will lower the test button 326. Accordingly, the device 310 will be set to disengage when it is installed. The device 310 can be adjusted with such a disengagement force device 1610 before being placed in the commercial flow. A modality that can be described with reference to FIG. 42 is a circuit breaker device having a cover or front portion 316 and a test button 326. A. Removable test force tab (not shown) can be attached or molded into the cover 316. When a user installed the circuit breaker device 310, the device would disengage and a reset blocking state would necessarily, therefore, be established. Then, the removable test force tab can be removed and the device will only reposition if the circuit breaker is operational, an open neutral condition does not exist and the device is not connected inversely.

As can be seen, if a reset blocking device uses electronic means such as non-volatile memory to store a state condition variable, such a device may be manufactured in the reset blocking state or be initiated to a state prior to delivery. As noted, although the components used during the reset operations of the device as circuit interruption are electromechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using electrical components, such as solid-state switches and supporting circuitry, as well as other types of components capable of making or interrupting electrical continuity in the conductive path. With reference to FIGS. 71, 72a and 72b, another embodiment of the present invention is described. The GFCI 2300 of this mode is similar to the FIGS device. 42-53 and only the differences are explained. With reference to FIG. 71, GFCI 2300 has a reset button 2330, reset check circuit 2300 and a lock arm 2305. A test switch 2306 that is not in the same location as the previously described device will connect R4 in the test circuit when the trigger 2396 rotates around the pivot point 2302. With reference to FIGS. 72a and 72b, the operation of the reset lock is described. When the GFCI 2301 is in the unlatched (off) state, the reset button 2330 is in its highest position. When a user begins to lower the reset button 2330, the reset check circuit 2300 will begin to lower and the lock arm will force the trigger 2396 down until the switch 2306 closes. If the test passes and the solenoid is turned on, the trigger will pass the lock arm 2305 and allow the device to reset. Otherwise, the locking arm 2305 will prevent repositioning of the device 2301. Referring to FIGS. 73, 74a, 74b, 75a, 75b, 76a and 76b another embodiment of a GFCI according to the present application is described. Referring to FIG. 73, GFCI 400 has a reset button 2430 with reset button columns 2405. Trigger 2496 has ridges 24978 and a reset lock wire 2430 having an end 2431 attached to trigger 2496. Referring to FIGS. 74a and b, a reset locking slot is created in bottom of the housing 2440. The flanges of the trigger 2497 execute a blocking function because the wire 2430 prevents the trigger 2496 from reacting all the way when the wire is in position B , the blocking position. In this way, the flanges prevent the reset button from lowering. The operation is as follows. When going to the release state, the trigger 2496 moves, and the wire 2430 causes the tip of the wire 2431 to pass in the slot 2442 in a path from point A to B and eventually to C where it returns to the state of blocking. In this position, the trigger 2496 is initially up and the flanges 2497 lock the reset button 2430 to reposition the device 2400. To unlock the device, an electrical test is performed, preferably by the user pressing the test button (not shown). ). The solenoid (not shown) is turned on and the housing portion 2445 causes the tip of the wire 2431 to move from the position C through the slot 2422 to the position D and eventually E, where the device can be repositioned because the Trim flanges 2497 do not interfere more with the columns of the reset button 2405. According to the foregoing, the 2400 device is repositioned and can supply power. According to the above, the wire 2430 is added to the trigger 2496. The housing mold can be configured with portions 2440, 2460, 2445, 2443 and 2450. As can be seen from FIG. 74a, the housing portion 2450 ensures that the tip of the wire 2431 first takes the path to the left. A ramp 2443 can provide a one-way lock in the slot 2442 so that the tip of the wire passes over the ramp 2443 near the position B and will not retract its trajectory, but goes to position C. A notch in housing portion 2445 can ensure that when the solenoid (not shown) is turned on, the tip of wire 2431 will move from position C to D and eventually E. According to the above , an action of "detention" or "capture and retention", similar to that of a pen with push button is used. Two flanges 2497 added to the end of trigger 2496 act as stoppers, preventing the reset button from being able to move to a downstream position, thus blocking the reset button as shown in FIGS. 75a-b. In order to reposition the device 2400, the solenoid would have to turn on, unlocking the trigger 2496 from its forward position. When trigger 2496 returns to its backward position, the reset button is free to move downward. As can be seen, in order to reposition the device 2400 of the present embodiment, the test button must be pressed first. If the device test is successful (solenoid turns on), the device will be able to reposition itself. As noted, although the components used during device reset and circuit interruption operations are electromechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using electrical components, such as solenoid state switches and support circuitry, as well as other types of components capable of making or interrupting electrical continuity in the conductive path. Another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 77-91 are described with reference to the devices of the commonly owned application Serial No. 09/379, 138, filed on August 20, 1999, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety for reference. Only changes to the devices incorporated above will be described. With reference to Figures 77-80, a first embodiment is described. When the coil is energized, the trigger moves so as not to release the contacts. When this occurs, the retention circuit is raised and captured in the retention hole, preventing the spring from assisting in the return of the latch / trigger. The pressure of the reset button lowers the holding circuit, releasing the retaining hook from the retention hole, allowing replenishment to occur under normal conditions. However, if SCR has shortened, causing overheating and ultimately coil burning and trigger size, resetting is not possible because the trigger is held by the holding circuit away from the contacts. For additional assurance that replenishment is not possible if the reel is dimensioned while retaining, the guide posts of the reset button, if lengthened, would be blocked from being pressed, by the trigger as explained below. To ensure that the coil is sized at overheating, the coil latch where the latch slides can be made of or adjusted with a heat-compressible material. With reference to FIGS. 81-82, a second embodiment is described. It is similar in theory to the first modality. However, instead of establishing the retainer / hook circuit, a spring on the underside of the GFCI housing can be placed in the trigger guide groove in such a manner to capture the trigger guide pin when the coil has been energized. The pressure of the reset button pushes the capture spring to allow the trigger-latch to return under normal conditions. The size of the coil will avoid replenishment as explained in the first mode. Referring to Figure 83, a third mode is described. If the coil trigger is dimensioned at the Mista position to reposition, as it often does, the reset button pressure can be blocked by modifying the retention circuits as shown in Figure 83. If the trigger is dimensioned, the reset pressure would be treated and the trigger moved to the left but could not cause the reset lock. As noted, although the components used during device reset and circuit interruption operations are electromechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using electrical components, such as solenoid state switches and support circuitry, as well as other types of components capable of making and interrupting electrical continuity in the conductive path. For the purpose of the following embodiment of the present invention, the structure or mechanism used in the circuit breaker devices, shown in the drawings (FIGS 84-91) and described herein below, are incorporated in an IDCI device suitable for its installation in a device or power cord of the device. However, the mechanisms according to the present application can be included in any of the various devices in the family of repositionable circuit breaker devices. A common IDCI uses a single switch configured as a single discharge, dual pole (DPST) switch. In this embodiment of the present invention, S1 comprises a double-pole, double-pole, central discharge switch (DPDT). A typical IDC may not have a test circuit. In this mode, R4 is used to create a test circuit. A typical IDC1 may have a solenoid latch that is not isolated from the latch circuit. In this embodiment, the holding circuit 2070 is isolated from the latch 2086 by the insulator 2074 and the latch 2086 can be shortened to make room for the insulator. A typical IDCI may not have a test characteristic, as described below, its mode uses additional contacts and arms to provide an energized line test of the device without power being applied to the charging circuit. Returning now to FIG. 84, a representative IDCI 1 is shown configured with an IDC1 attached to the end of a power cord of the apparatus 2002. A power source can be connected to line-side contact terminals 2030, 2035. The IDCI of this mode has two interfaces of user, a reset button 2020 and a separate release lever 2040. FIG. 85 is a schematic diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of an IDCI according to the present application. As can be appreciated, many typical configurations can be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. S1 is a dual dual pole dual discharge shutdown switch used for a reset with reset lock protection using an electrical test of the device. The switch S2 and R4 comprises a test circuit that will exert the coil and detector circuit. Coil L1 is a solenoid coil that will trigger a disengagement of the device. A detector wire is placed to detect the immersion and is connected to a detector circuit R1, R2, C1, D1 which will drive the SRC to ignite the coil L1 when a fault is detected. With reference to FIG. 85a, an exploded view of the IDCI of the present embodiment is shown. A 2005 top cover and bottom cover 2006 is provided with fasteners 2008. A 2002 power cord that has phase and neutral strands 2004, 2003 is provided. Protection against tugs 2007 is provided. A printed circuit board (PCB) 2050 is connected to the lower cover. A solenoid 2080 having coil 2082, latch 2086 and latch bypass spring 2084 is connected to the PCB 2050. A latching latch circuit 2070 is deflected by the latching spring 2072 and engages with latch 2060. The reset button 2020 it has a test contact 2022 and spring deflection 2068. Test contact 2022 is connected. to the test wire 2024 which is attached to the test resistor R4 (not shown). The intakes 2035, 2030 have contacts 2036, 2031 respectively joined. The movable arms 2066, 2062 are connected to the power cord. The arm 2064 is attached to the movable arm 2066 using fastener 2054, 2055, 2056. The collet 2052 is connected to the catch 2060. A disengagement arm 2040 is pivotally connected to the reset button 2020. With reference to FIG. 85b, the reset button 2020 is shown with the release arm 2040 and test contact 2022. With reference to FIG. 85c, a 2060 capture is shown. The holding circuit 2070 is slidably connected to the catch 2060 and the reset button 2010 can interact with the holding circuit 2070 within the catch 2060. With reference to FIG. 85d, the holding circuit 2070 is shown with the retaining spring 2072 and an insulator 2074 added to isolate the latch 2086 from the holding circuit 2070.

Referring to FIG. 86, a top view of the IDCI is shown. With reference to FIGS. 87, 87a, 87b, 87c and 87d, IDCI is shown in a disengaged state. As shown in FIG. 87, the movable arm 2066 and the connected arm 2064 are not in contact with the contact 2037 of the contact terminal 260 so that the line circuit is interrupted. As shown in FIG. 87b, the other movable arm 2062 is also open and does not connect to the contact 2063 of the contact terminal 2030. As can be seen in FIG. 87a, the reset button 2040 is in a raised state as it is deflected by the spring 2068. As shown in FIGS. 87c and 87d, the holding circuit 2070 has moved to the right, releasing the reset button 2020 as it moves from the capture of the reset button 2026. With reference to FIG. 88, 88a, 88b and 88c, the device is displayed in a reset lock state. As shown in FIG. 88, the reset button goes down. As shown in FIG. 89a, the test contact 2022 comes into contact with the holding circuit 2070. A test circuit is closed through the wire 2024 and resistor R4 (not shown). As can be seen, if the solenoid coil 2082 does not turn on, the reset button will not continue since it is blocked by the holding circuit 2070. As shown in FIG. 88c, lowering the reset button will move switch S1 B to connect the line neutral to the load circuit neutral conductors using connector 2031 and arm 2062. As shown in FIG. 88b, the arm 2064 and its extension 2064 'are connected to the phase contact terminal 2036 without energizing the movable arm 2066 which is isolated from the phase lead wire of the 2003 apparatus. In this way, the IDCI circuit can be energized without energizing the device. As can be seen, the line phase is connected to the test circuit, but it is not connected to the load circuit phase during the test, as shown in FIG. 85. As shown in FIGS. 89 and 89a, if the test circuit is successfully ignited by the solenoid 280, the latch 2086 will strike the holding circuit 2070 (on the insulator 2074) and move to the right and the reset button 2020 can continue downward so that the IDCI will enter the on state and the reset button will be retained in the catch 2060 by the holding circuit 2070 when it returns to the left under the deviation of the spring 2072. As shown in FIGS. 90, 90a, 90b and 90c, IDCI is in an on state. As shown in FIG. 90a, the reset button 2020 is lowered in an on state and retained by the retainer circuit 2070 in the slot of the button 2026. As shown in FIGS. 90 and 90b, the movable arm 2066 is connected to the arm 2064 which is connected to the contact terminal 2035. As can be seen, the circuit is now complete from the line phase contact terminal 2035 to the load circuit phase wire 2003. This differs from the situation above when only the IDCI circuit is connected to the line side phase. As shown in FIG. 90c, the neutral side is also closed to complete the neutral circuit from the line side to the load wire 2004 using the contact 2063 of the contact terminal 230 and movable arm 2062. As shown with reference to FIG. 91, an independent disengagement is described. In this mode, independent disengagement is a mechanical disengagement. The unlatching arm 2040 can be activated by the user by pressing it in the X direction. The unlatch arm 2040 is pivotally connected to the pivot 2029 of the reset button 2020. As shown, the bottom of the unlatch lever 49 will move in the Y direction , and will force the retainer circuit 2070 in the Y direction so that the reset button 2040 will be released under deflection of the spring 2068 and the device will be released independently without the ignition of the solenoid 2080. As notedAlthough the components used during device reset and circuit interruption operations are electromechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates the use of electrical components, such as solid-state switches and supporting circuitry, as well as other types of components capable of make and interrupt the electrical continuity in the conductive path. An ALCI and IDCI with independent reset and release lock are now dealt with. Referring now to FIGS. 92b and 92d, a conventional ALCI is shown. Referring to FIGS. 92a and 92c, an ALCI according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The Reset Lock prevents an ALCI from resetting if the device is not functional (or if the device does not have power). It uses the same electromechanical system to allow the replacement as it was designed to perform a disengagement if a fault is detected. A disengaged device is a positive indicator for a person that the device is defective when the device can not reposition itself, whereas if the device were to remain operational, it could be wrong to be safe. The mode differs from the conventional unit as follows. The holding circuit no longer has a "put on" cover, causing a lug that is similar to the retaining edge (This causes the holding circuit to operate in a similar manner in the reset mode as in the unlatch mode). The "test" switch moves from the external location to an internal point that will operate when a reset is attempted upon detecting the extension of the movable arm of the interrupted contacts. This arm moves as a result of the force applied to the movable contact installation by the lug created in the holding circuit. A mechanical release lever is added in place of the previous test switch. The mode operates as follows. The Mechanical Disengagement is operated to ensure that the test is exercised and that the device is put in an unlatched state so that if the device is not functional it will not operate. With the unit energized, the reset button is lowered. This pushes the movable contacts causing the test contact to close, invoking the test cycle. If the test worked properly, the ignition of the solenoid released the holding circuit from the locking position, in the same manner as it would have released the holding circuit from the reset position. If the test has failed, the holding circuit would not have been released from the locked position and the device would remain in the safe state. The holding circuit, under manual pressure, passes to the arm side of the movable contacts, also because the movable contacts are not forced farther away from the openings of the test switch that terminate the test cycle. The cycle is completed when the reset button is released by closing the movable contacts and energizing the device. Figures 93a-93f show a conventional IDCI and Figures 93g-93h show an IDCI according to an embodiment of the present invention incorporating a Reset Lock and a Mechanical Test method. Figure 93a is a view of a complete conventional IDCI for a hair dryer. Figure 93b is an exploded view of a retention mechanism. The latch collar is installed between the two arms of the movable circuit when the device is fully assembled. The movable holding circuit slides towards the Contact Carrier (it is completely in the left direction when in the on state and pushes momentarily to the right in the unlatching operation). The movable holding circuit secures the contact carrier to the reset button in the on state. The Centavo is shown as a size reference. Figure 93c is a side view of figure 93b. The red arrows show the configuration when the unit is in the On state (the Movable Retention Circuit is installed through the Contact Carrier and the outgoing end is retained in the Replenishment button just below the stage in the Reset Button in this view, the penny is shown as a size reference, Figure 93d is an exploded view of the button Replenishment (left) and Contact Carrier (right). The blue arrows show how the two are joined together in the On state by the Movable Retention Circuit. Figure 93e is an approximate image and drawing of the Contact Bearer. The red lines in the photo highlight the geometry of the Contact Bearer. Figure 93f is a conventional design of the IDCI Reset button and Figure 93g is an embodiment of the present invention (Mechanical Test Method not shown). In the modality, the step of the Reset Button will now capture the Movable Retention Circuit on its lower side in addition to capturing it on its upper side. If the device is in the Unlocked state, pushing the Reset button downward by hand will close the contacts of the Test Circuit and the latch will pull to the right. If the solenoid is operational, the latch will cause the Test contacts to open (preventing repeated ignition of the solenoid). The Reset button can then be further pressed down by hand until the stop captures the Movable Hold Circuit on the underside of the Movable Hold Circuit and pulls it up with the Contact Carrier and brings the device into line. The movable holding circuit is pushed to the left in this view by the action of a spring that allows it to be driven to the left once it has cleared the reset button stage in either the upper or lower part of this stage. The Contact Bearer can be modified slightly to accommodate new Test contacts. The Mechanical Test Method, illustrated in Figure 93h, requests the addition of a vertical lug in the Movable Retention Circuit. This additional lug is not shown here in the interest of simplicity. Figure 93h is an I DCI of one embodiment of the present invention. Pressing the Test button downward hits the movable holding circuit that has been modified by the addition of the vertical lug and moves the holding circuit to the right in the same manner as the latch. Figures 94a-94f illustrate the current design of conventional I DCI and Figures 94g-94h illustrate the IDCI according to the embodiment of the present invention incorporating the reset blocking feature and a mechanical testing method. Figure 94a is a complete IDCI view. Please note that the solenoid latch pulls out during the unlatching operation. Figure 94b is a front view of a conventional IDCI. Observe the Reset button and contact carrier. Figure 94c is an approximate view of the hold button (shown above). Figure 94d is a side view of the I DCI with the reset button removed. Figure 94f is a three-dimensional drawing of the contact carrier. Figure 94g proposes the modification to the contact carrier and reset button (this view in an oblique isometric view) Figure 94h is a drawing of the Reset Button and Mechanical Test Method. Method of Operation: If the device is in the unhooked state and the Reset button is lowered, the test contact on the underside of the stage on the modified Reset button will make electrical contact with the Test contact that was added to the horizontal surface in the Contact Carrier shown in FIG. 94g. When the two Test contacts close, the Solenoid will turn on, pushing the lower part of the Reset button to the left in this view causing the Reset button stage to disengage from the Contact Carrier and the Test contacts open avoiding the repeated ignition of the solenoid. This will allow the Reset button to be further lowered by hand until the top surface of the Reset button stage clutches below the horizontal surface of the Contact Carrier. When the Reset button is released by the end user, the Contact Carrier is pulled up (in this view) by the action of the Reset Spring and the contacts of the device are closed, and the device is pulled in line. If the solenoid does not turn on, pushing the Reset button will only push the movable contacts beyond the fixed contacts. When the Mechanical Test Button is lowered, the ramp on the button causes the Mechanical Test Arm to rotate counter-clockwise in this view and hit the bottom portion of the Reset button and double the reset button in the same way as the latch that then disengages the Contact Bearer Reset button and opens the device contacts. Referring to Figures 95a-95b, a conventional IDCI is shown and in Figure 95c, an IDCI according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Another mode (not shown) removes the "Auxiliary contact" and simplifies any modification of a conventional device since this contact will not require modification. The mode consists of a means to prevent a defective IDCI (GFCI) from resetting causing the power to be applied to a device in which the protection has failed. This device can perform the above objective by altering the Auxiliary contact (The contact removes the energy from the protection circuitry), so that the end passes the reset button when the device is in the unlatched state opens this contact. The design can allow power to be supplied to the protection circuitry when an attempt is made to reposition the device (The present design opens this contact with an arm in the main contact carrier). The mode can connect the spring retention circuit (The part that moves through the solenoid) to the Neutral Line terminal. (It will be used to activate the Test circuitry). The mode may have a reset button that differs from the conventional unit as follows: a) Remove the cap at the lower end; b) Add a contact on the bottom and top of the edge that is opposite the notch. (When it is lowered, this contact is to be connected to the spring retention circuit), c) Modify the resistor side of the test contact so that the spring of the reset button contacts the reset button and this contact. The mode can modify the function of the test button of an electrical device to a mechanical TRIP function. This can be done by extending a one-button probe through the circuit board to the lever that is operated by the solenoid. The modality operates as follows: 1. The Unhook Button is lowered. Because it is a mechanical function, the device disengages even if the Protection Circuitry is not functional. 2. Lowering the Reset Button provides power (if connected) to the protection circuit and is blocked by making contact with the spring retention circuit. 3. If the protection circuit is functional, the solenoid is activated, admitting the probe of the reset button to pass through the retention circuit, interrupting the previously established test contact. 4. The test circuit is deactivated (due to loss of contact) and the solenoid and return of the retaining spring. The Reset button is locked in the Reset position. 5. Releasing the Reset button causes the power contacts to clutch, completing the sequence. The mode of the reset button can be changed as shown in FIG. 95b to as shown in FIG. 95c. The main change is to remove the cover at 90 ° so that the sample will not engage the holding circuit without activation of the relay / solenoid. As noted, although the components used during device reset and circuit interruption operations are electromechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using electrical components, such as solid state switches and support circuitry, as well as other types of components capable of making and interrupting electrical continuity in the conductive path. The following embodiment of the present invention contemplates various types of circuit breaker devices that are capable of interrupting at least one conductive path on both a line side and a load circuit side of the device. In particular, a diaphragm that will allow the operation of an RCD is only allowed to move to the operative position if a test is passed. Returning now to FIG. 96, the relevant portions of RCD are depicted, showing the movement of the mechanism from an off state to an on state through an intermediate test state. The invention provides a mechanism without clutch (lock) for residual current devices (RCD switches).

The RCD 3100 unit starts in a disengaged state with the user's handle 31 10 in the off position 1. The oscillating segment or operated reset handle 31 10 can be moved in the A direction from an off state 1 to a test state 2 The handle 31 10 will move the compression arm 3120 so that the switch 3130 is closed by the contact 3132 which is connected to the contact 3134. then a test of the device will occur using the test circuit (not shown). If the test fails, the sineenoid 3150 will not move the magnet 3160 which is deflected by the spring 3152 and the oscillating segment 3140 will remain in place. According to the above, switch 3175 will close contacts 3170 and 3180 and the device will not current and remain in the off state. When the oscillating segment 3140 remains in place, the magnet 3160 will now allow the relay 3100 to operate. Relay 3195 is deflected normally closed, but the magnet will keep it open. Referring now to FIG. 97, the device is displayed in the state if the test is passed. As can be appreciated, if the test switch 3130 causes the solenoid 3150 to turn on, the magnet 3160 will pull against the spring 3152 and the oscillating segment 3140 will move downward in direction B so that the oscillating segment will lower between the magnet Soianthe 3160 and magnet 3190 so that the relay will not operate normally and the handle can progress to the on state. The normally closed relay 3195 will close. As noted, although the components used during device reset and circuit interruption operations are electromechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using electrical components, such as solid state switches and support circuitry, as well as other types of components capable of making and interrupting electrical continuity in the conductive path. The features of the following embodiment of the present invention can be incorporated into any repositionable circuit breaker device having neutral fault protection, but for simplicity the descriptions herein are directed to GFCI receptacles. In one embodiment, the GFCI receptacle has a circuit breaker portion, a reset portion, and a reset lock as shown in commonly owned property application no. TBD series, power 0267-1415CIP9 (41912.015600). In one embodiment using a mechanical, independent release test button, the present invention utilizes a neutral fault stimulation switch that allows the resistor 4 'to be removed. A new switch such as that shown in FIGS. 101 a and 101 b will replace a neutral lug so that in the depression of the reset button, when the test is required, it will be done using a neutral fault. Referring to FIG. 98, a GFCI is described having an electrical test and bridge circuit in accordance with the present application. As can be seen, a test disengagement is performed by pushing the button 4026 which closes the test circuit through the current limiting resistor R4 to create a simulated ground fault to disengage the device. Referring to FIG. 99 a schematic diagram of a GFCI having an independent disengagement such as a mechanical disengagement for a reset button and an electrical ground fault simulation test for reset blocking according to the present application is shown. As can be appreciated, the reset block test is performed by using a ground fault fault simulation through the current limiting resistor R4 '. Referring to FIG. 100 a schematic diagram of a GFCI having an independent disengagement such as a mechanical release for a test button and a mechanical switch (electrical test) for a neutral fault simulation test for reset blocking according to the present application is shown . As can be seen, the diagram shown has an independent mechanical release for a test, but could have a simulation test for electrical ground fault. Similarly, the test button can also turn on a neutral fault test simulation. As shown, the reset blocking test is performed by the SI switch by closing and completing a line neutral circuit 4038 to the load circuit neutral 4040. This circuit creates a feedback path that will trigger the device if it is operated appropriately and replenishment will be allowed. As can be appreciated, a neutral open fault can be protected by using a continuous duty solenoid K2 that will open the line side if the power drops tai as an open neutral. The simulated neutral fault condition is generally provided with a low impedance path through the two transformers of the GFCI. As can be appreciated, a switch similar to S1 can perform a fault stimulation by switching a circuit from line phase 4034 to the load circuit phase 4036. Certain circuit breakers do not allow convenient access to the line side. In such situations and others such as high current devices, a third detector line may be used. A third wire through the detector transformers to stimulate a fault. Referring to FIG. 101, a particular neutral fault simulation switch is shown, which can be used with the GFCI devices shown above. As noted, although the components used during device reset and circuit interruption operations are electromechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using electrical components, such as solid state switches and support circuitry, as well as other types of components capable of making and interrupting electrical continuity in the conductive path. In the following embodiment of the present invention which includes an independent disengagement portion, the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths can be interrupted independently of the operation of the circuit breaker portion. In this way, in the event that the circuit breaker portion is not operating properly, the device can still be disengaged. The features of the following embodiment can be incorporated into any repositionable circuit breaker device, but for simplicity, the descriptions herein are directed to GFCI receptacles. A circuit breaker device having any one or more of a reset lock mechanism, an independent release mechanism or a load circuit breakpoint of the separate user may be desirable. A portion of the mechanism of a prior art GFCI is shown in FIGS. 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b and 104. The relevant portion of the GFCI operation of the prior art is summarized as follows. When the reset button 5080 is pressed downward the latch cone forces the latch circuit 5060 to be pressed to the right in FIG. 103a. The holding circuit 5060 will enter a position where the hole in the holding circuit 5060 is aligned with the latch 5078, so that the tapered tip 5078b of the latch 5078a will pass through the hole. When the latch goes all the way through the hole, the sliding latch circuit deviates to go back to the left in FIG. 103b, so that the protrusion of the conical tip of the latch comes into contact with the latch circuit 5060. When the reset button is released, the latch 5078 is bent upward and the latch 5060 is pressed upward causing the device is repositioned and causes contact 5030 to connect to contact 5070 in FIG. 104. If the device disengages and the solenoid 5050 causes the latch 5054 to move the latching circuit 5060 to the right, the latch 5078 will pass upwardly through the latching circuit 5060 and allow the latching circuit, which bypasses below, interrupt the contacts. With reference to FIGS. 105-107, one embodiment of the present invention includes a reset latch 5078 'which includes a notched conical tip 5078b' which forces the latch circuit 5060 'to act proximate the switch S1 when the latch 5078' is lowered. When the switch S1 is lowered, a circuit is closed from the load circuit phase to the line neutral through the current limiting resistor R. With reference to FIG. 106, the embodiment of the present invention includes a reset latch 5078 'which includes a tapered tip of notches 5078b'. With reference to FIGS. 107a-107c, the reset locking mechanism of this mode is described. When the reset latch 5078 'starts down in direction A, the latch circuit 5060' is in its leftmost position. The notched taper tip 5078b 'will strike the upper part of the holding circuit 5060' and force it downwards so that the switch S1 closes to engage a test. As shown in FIG. 107b, in this embodiment, the test is accomplished by completing the circuit of the load circuit phase to the line neutral through a current limiting resistor R. If the circuit breaker device is operational and is spun properly as shown by the test, the solenoid forces the latch 5054 to slide the holding circuit 5060 'in direction B out under the notch at 5078b' allowing the reset latch 5078 'to complete its journey in the A direction such that the holding circuit 5060 'will move to the left and rest on the upper latch projection 5078c' as shown in FIG. 107c. Thereafter, the reset latch, when released, will push up the holding circuit 5060 'under its deflection to complete the resetting of the device. As can be seen, if the test fails, the holding circuit 5060 'will not move in direction B and the tapered tip 5078b' of the reset latch 5078 'will keep the latch going through the hole in the holding circuit 5060 'and the device will be blocked from the reset function. As can be seen, a bridge circuit may be implemented to provide reverse connection protection as described in the commonly-owned pending application referred to above. For example, with reference to FIG. 102a of the prior art, a single contact 5068, 5070 is used to close a circuit in a load circuit phase terminal 5064c and two user load circuit phase terminals 5064a and 5064b through the 5064 connector. As can be seen , the terminal 5064c could be isolated from the connector 5064 and the arm 5024 can use a second contact to independently provide a circuit at 5064c. In the same way, the modification could be made for both conductive trajectories of the device. In addition, an indicia such as a neon bulb can be used to indicate a reverse connection condition. As can also be appreciated, the device can be made or started in a released state and distributed in the unlatched state in such a way that a user might be required to reposition the device before using it. One part of the mechanism of another GFCI of the prior art is shown in FIGS. 108a, and 108b and is somewhat similar to the prior art unit previously described in certain details. The relevant part of the GFCI operation of the prior art is summarized as follows. When the reset button 5128 is pressed downwardly the lower cone-shaped end of the latch forces a sliding spring retainer circuit on the side until the latch can go through and the latching circuit will hunch back rest on the latch. protruding from the sliding spring retention circuit and then pushing the device into a reset position. With reference to FIGS. 109-1 1f, another embodiment of the present invention includes a GFCI 201 having a rest button 5210 and release button 5212. With reference to FIG. 10, the reset button 5210 has a bypass spring 5210a, a shaft 5210b, a conical tip with a step 5210d, and the conical tip has a projection 5210c. The unlocking button 5212 has a deflection spring 5212a, and a formed yarn shaft 5212b. A sliding plate 5214 and sliding spring 5216 are fitted into housing slots 5220 which engage solenoid 5218 and solenoid latch 5218a. The switch 5222 is installed in the housing under the sliding spring 5216. With reference to FIGS. 1 1 a-f, the operation of the relevant part of the device is described. FIG. 1 1 1 a shows the device as in normal operation with current allowed to pass through it. FIG. 11 1 b shows the operation when disengaged. The solenoid 5218 pushes the latch 5218a and pushes the sliding spring 5216 and the sliding plate 5214 to the right such that the sliding spring 5216 does not further hold down the latch protrusion 5210c and the deviation of spring 5210a forces the latch 5210b upwards and the circuit breaks (not shown). FIG. 1 1 1 c shows the reset locking mechanism in use. After the release state, when the reset button 5210 is lowered, the stage at the conical tip 5210d is pressed down on the slide spring 5216 and forces the switch 5222 to close. This view is before the solenoid actuation. FIG. 11 1 d shows the test successfully completed. The switch 5222 closes the test circuit which causes the solenoid 5218 to turn on and the latch forces the sliding spring 5216 and the sliding plate 5214 to the right, allowing the latch to continue traveling downward once the latch tip 5218d stage lightens the hole in the sliding spring 5216b. FIG. 11 1 e shows the device after the test is complete. Latch tip 5210d lightens hole 5216b and the sliding spring is released upwards and the test switch 5222 opens, ending the test cycle. Solenoid 5218 releases latch 5218 'and slide spring 5216 and slide plate 5214 back to the left. The sliding spring 216 thus rests on the upper part of the latch tip protrusion 210d and the spring 5210a pushes the spring upwards to reposition the device. FIG. 1 1 1f shows the independent release mechanism of the device 5201. The independent release will disengage the device without using the detection mechanism or the solenoid. It is preferably a mechanical device, but can be implemented with electro-mechanical or electronic components. As the release button 5212 is pressed downwardly, the formed yarn 5212b moves downwardly and the protrusion shape interacts with the hole 5214a of the slide plate 5214 to force the sliding plate and the sliding spring to the right of such so that the hole 5216b moves enough to allow the reset latch 5210b to be released upward and disengage the device. According to the above, the sliding plate 5214 is used to move the sliding spring 5216 in alignment. The sliding plate 5214 can be held in place in the middle and the coil housings. The formed yarn 5212b causes a camming action and moves the sliding plate 5214, causing the device to disengage. As can be appreciated, the mechanical disengagement described will work to disengage the device even if the solenoid or other parts are not in operation.

As can be seen from the foregoing discussion, a bridge circuit may be implemented to provide reverse connection protection as described in the commonly-owned pending application referred to above. In addition, an indicator such as a neon bulb can be used to indicate a reverse connection condition. Also as can be appreciated, the device can be made or started in a disengaged state and distributed in the unlatched state in such a way that a user might be required to reposition the device before using it. FIG. 12 shows a representative prior art CFCI without an independent reset or release locking mechanism. FIGS. 1 13 and 114a-114f show modifications to the representative GFCI parts to facilitate an independent mechanical reset and release lock according to another embodiment of the invention. The main purpose of the Mechanical Reset and Disengage Lock is to block the repositionable of the GFCI Type device unless the device is functional, as demonstrated by the construction under test, at the time of replacement. Mechanical Disengagement is a part of this test cycle by ensuring that the device is in the disengagement state even if the device is non-electrical or non-operational. The medium and the electronics by which this device is disengaged in ground fault conditions are not modified. This same medium and electronics are not used as a replacement condition. The test function is incorporated in the reset function, therefore, no separate test is required and the test button is used for a mechanical reset. As shown in FIGS. 114a-f, the reset latch 5328 was changed from a semi-cone (to be driven in the shuttle), to a reverse inclination. The diameter of the upper edge (the area that holds the closed contacts) remains unchanged in such a way that the maintenance energy and the release effort remains unaltered from the original design. The lower end has the inclination removed and the diameter increased such that it will not pass through the shuttle unless the shuttle is placed in the release position by activation of the solenoid. The shaft notch 5328a is isolated and the bottom 5328b is conductive. Additionally, the contact vehicle 5380 has an aggregate contact 5382 in such a way that when the latch is in the disengaged position, the latch is connected to the phase line, after the point at which it passes through the sense transformer. . Additionally, shuttle 5378 is spun to the circuit board at the point of the original test contact. In a further embodiment, another test switch may be used. Pushing the Test 5326 button mechanically disengages the latch by moving the shuttle in the same direction as the solenoid would. This is independent of the energy or functionality of the unit. While the large end of the latch is inside the contact vehicle, it is connected to the phase line. When the reset button is pressed, the latch is pushed against the shuttle, but does not pass through it. The shuttle is the other terminal of the test contact and contacting it with the live latch starts the test cycle. If the test is successful, the ignition of the solenoid (exactly the same as in the release cycle) opens the port for the latch to pass through the armed position. This causes the large end of the latch to pass completely through the contact vehicle, removing contact from the latch phase line, ending the test cycle. Upon release of the reset button, the return spring lifts the shuttle, raising the contact vehicle to set the exit exactly as before the modification. In order for the previous design to work, it must operate a momentary operation of the solenoid of the holding circuit. If this operation is activated by means of the test circuit its reset of the device also tests the device eliminating the need for the test button to perform an electrical disengagement. This leaves the test button available to become a mechanical disengagement mechanism. The reset mechanism could have electrical contacts added in such a way that the base of the latch (retention circuit) makes contact in the side wall of the guide hole located on the contact vehicle of the device. This side wall contact could be connected using a small measure of very flexible conductor to the existing test contact (molded in the solenoid housing or on the PC card). A second connection of the phase charge circuit conductor may be required after which it passes through the sensing coils to the retention mechanism (the part that is activated by the solenoid). The reset button is lowered. The latch on the lower end of the reset button is in the electrical contact with its pilot hole which in turn is spun to the electrical test circuit. When the lower end of the latch contacts the holding circuit (which is in the electrical contact with the phase line) if the device is energized and if the test circuit is functional, the solenoid moves the holding circuit to the open position and the latch passes through the opposite side. As the latch is no longer in electrical contact with the side wall of the guide, the solenoid releases the latch circuit to return it to its test position. Releasing the reset button pushes the holding circuit up as in the original design. A mechanical test mechanism can be adapted by removing and discharging the electrical test contact clip (switch) of FIG. 1 12. As shown in FIG. 1 4g, a lug with a hole can be added to the part of the holding circuit that is operated by the solenoid in the area of the spring end 5378a. The corresponding holes and the mechanism can be added to the test button in such a way that by lowering the test button a lever is pushed towards the hole in the retention circuit which could cause it to move in a similar way to the activation of the solenoid, originating that the latch circuit latch is released in a normal trip mode. The holding circuit (shuttle) is modified to have the size of "latch operating hole" reduced to prevent the latch from being forced through it when the latching circuit is not in the released position. Another embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 115-7. FIGS. 15a-c show a GFCI 5400 of the prior art in various stages of operation as described. Referring to FIG. 1 5th, when the reset button 5430 is pressed down in direction B, a raised edge 5440 on the reset arm 5438 slides downward in an oblique portion 5451 of an elevator 5450 as shown in FIG. 1 15c (but shown during a disengagement). As shown in FIG. 1 15b and c, the spring 5434 on the reset arm 5438 allows it to move in the direction D as it slides past the notch 5451 in the elevator 5450. When the raised edge 5440 of the reset arm 438 lightens the elevator 5450, the arm The return member moves back in the direction C to a vertical position under the deflection of the spring 5434. The raised edge protrusion 5450 thus becomes clutched with the lower part of the riser 5450 because the reset arm is under upward deflection of resetting spring 5436. The device is now repositioned as shown in FIG. 1 15b with the contact 5458 engaging the 5470 and contact 5456 by engaging the contact 5472. The lifter 5450 is deflected below the spring 5452 on the right side of the pivot 5454 and the reset mechanism is biased upwards by the spring 5436. According to the foregoing, as shown in FIG. 1 15c, when the solenoid 5462 is turned on due to a disengagement or test, the reset bar 5438 is moved in the direction D by the latch 5460 until the raised edge 5440 lightens the elevator notch 5451 and the diverting spring 5452 forces the open circuits by pushing the elevator 5450 down the right side of the pivot 5454. Another embodiment of a GFCI 5500 of the present invention is shown with reference to FIGS. 1 16-1 7b, and in relation to FIGS. 1 15a-c. As shown in FIG. 117a of prior art, there is an oblique portion of the elevator 451 that is removed as shown in FIG. 1 17b to create elevator rim 5551. According to the above, as shown in FIG. 1 16, solenoid 5562 should turn on and move the reset arm 5538 past elevator 5550 and edge 5551. If the solenoid does not turn on, the reset arm will not be able to pass the elevator as in the prior art device because the oblique elevator notch 5451 is removed. Another arm 5582 is attached to the reset button contacting the contact 5584 when the reset button 5530 is pressed downward in the direction B. The test circuit (not shown) is thus completed using the current limiting resistor R. This will turn on solenoid 5562 and move reset arm 5538 past elevator 5550 allowing the device to reposition itself. If the 5562 solenoid fails to light for any reason, the device will be blocked and a reset will not be possible. In another embodiment, an independent release mechanism is provided as a mechanical release feature on the test button 5510. When the test button 5510 is lowered in the direction B, the oblique test bar 5516 slides the oblique disengagement bar 5580 in the direction D. This will push the reset bar 5538 and release the reset button to disengage the device (not shown). As can be appreciated, FIG. 116 shows the device already unhooked. Because manual release is allowed to be useless, tapes (not shown) are placed to ensure that the test button can only be lowered when the reset button is down and the device energizes. According to the above, the 5500 device can be disengaged even if the 5561 solenoid is not able to turn on. As noted, although the components used during the interruption of the circuit and the reset operations of the device are electro-mechanical in nature, the present application also contemplates using electrical components, such as solid-state switches and supporting circuitry, as well as other types of components capable of making and breaking electrical continuity in the conductive path. The next mode is a circuit breaker device with improved surge suppression. Referring to FIG. 1 18, the suppression and the protection circuit 6010 is shown at the interface between the power inputs 6012 and a ground fault circuit interrupter circuit (GFCI) 6014 and / or related products connected to a load circuit 6016, with the suppression and protection circuit 10 providing improved suppression of transient overvoltages as well as the protection of overvoltage conditions. The circuit 6010 includes a filter circuit 6018 and an overvoltage prevention component 6020, which are described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 1 19. FIG. 119 illustrates an example embodiment of the circuit 6010 and the GFCI 6014. The GFCI 6014 includes a metal oxide varistor (MOV) 6022 positioned between the power input lines as the power inputs 6012, for example, a line connection alternating current (AC) having a phase line 6024 and a neutral line 6026. The lines 6024, 6026 are connected through the overvoltage prevention circuit 20, which in an exemplary embodiment is a discharging device in the material , and through a neutral transformer connected to the ground 6028 and a sensor or differential transformer 6030 to the charging circuit 6016, which may include a phase load connection 6032 and the neutral load connection 6034, as in FIG. A test line 6036 may also be provided in a manner known in the art including, for example, a test switch 6038 and a resistor R4 having a resistance 15Ω. Optionally, a 6040 relay and / or circuit breaker known in the art can be provided, as further described herein, by connecting the differential transformer 6030 to the load circuit lines 6032-6034. A processor 6042 of the GFCI 6014 is connected via a plurality of plugs or connectors to the transformers 6038, 6030 in a manner known in the art, for example, using capacitors C3 and C6-C9, a resistor R4, and a diode D2 . In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1 19, resistor R3 has a resistance 100O, and capacitors C3 and C6-C9 have capacities of .01 μ ?, 100 pF, .0033 μ ?, 10?, And 1 00 pF, respectively, each having a scale 50 V voltage, except for capacitor C8 which has a voltage scale of 6.3 V. Processor 6042 can be, for example, a ground fault interrupter model L 1 851 commercially available from "NATIONAL SEM ICON DUCTOR ", capable of providing ground fault protection for AC power outputs in industrial and consumer environments. The processor 6042 is also connected by means of its pins / connectors to the MOV 6022 in a manner known in the art, for example, using capacitors C2 and C4-C5 having capacities of 0.1 μ ?, 1 μ ?, and 0.18 μ ?, respectively, in 50 V; a C10 capacitor that has a capacity of 680 pF at 500 V; resistors R1 and R2 having resistors 2? O and 1.5 kQ, respectively; a diode D1; a rectifier Q1 such as a controlled silicon rectifier (SCR); and a group of diodes D3-D6 forming a bridge or configuration circuit, as shown in FIG. 19. The MOV 6022 as well as the filter circuit 6018 are connected to the group of diodes D3-D6. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter circuit 6018 includes an inductor 6044 and a capacitor 46, marked C 1 in FIG. 120 and having a capacity of, for example, .01 to 400 V. In this example, the filter circuit 6018 functions as a low-pass filter LC for the power input supplied to the MOV 6022. The inductor 6044 can be a Solenoid coil acting as a release coil, in such a way that the inductor 6044 also functions as an actuator for disengaging the relay mechanism 6040 on the load circuit side. The C16046 capacitor can normally be presented in the GFCI 6014 product as a bypass capacitor. In the described circuit 6010, the capacitor C1 6046 serves as a deflection capacitor as well as the capacity in the LC filter of the filter circuit 6018. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, MOV 6022 fixes the voltage exposed to capacitor C1 6046 to be within the voltage range of capacitor 6046, for example, 400 V. In one example, transient voltage surges of 3 kV or higher are thus set to down to 400 V or less. As in the prior art, the MOV 6022 by itself in a GFCI 6014 product is capable of handling transient overvoltages and overvoltage conditions of, for example, less than 3 kV to 3 kA such as a 100 A overvoltage. the low-pass filter LC 6018 in the described suppression and the protection circuit 6010, the transient voltages exceeding, for example, 3 kV to 3 kA and even 6 kV to 3 kA, are suppressed. According to the above, the MOV 6022 in the product GFCI 6014 is capable of handling voltages that exceed a square root mean voltage (RMS) scale of the MOV 6022, allowing the MOV 6022 to survive and provide protection from other transient overvoltages, and conditions of overvoltage, as described herein. The test transients are frequently configured with standard pulse-up transition curve and time-of-duration waveforms. In another embodiment for providing overvoltage protection, the overvoltage prevention circuit 6020 includes the arrester 6048 that generates arcs through its terminals to perform a break in transients that exceed a predetermined voltage, such as 3 kV, and also provides protection from overvoltage of multi-mode and transient suppression. When the break occurs, the resulting voltage for the transformer 6028 is approximately 200 V. In addition, the filter 6018 also functions to limit the current at which the MOV 22 is exposed during an overvoltage overvoltage condition. According to the above, when the current in the MOV 6022 is limited as such, the exposure of the MOV 6022 to the RMS voltages beyond the RMS voltage scale of the MOV 6022 does not damage the MOV 6022, and in addition, does not damage the rest of the GFCI 6014 circuit. In this manner, the existing components are combined with other components known to be used as a 6018 low pass filter and to cooperate and operate with a 6048 arrester device to significantly improve surge suppression and surge protection . Referring to FIGS. 120 and 121, the embodiments of the present invention are described. In FIG. 120, as in the previous embodiment, a low pass filter LC is used 44 '. MOV 6022 'is a variable resistance that can have an effect as well as voltage changes. Likewise, a device lever 6048 'is used.

In FIG. 121, as in the previous mode, an LC low pass filter is used 44. "MOV 6022" is a variable resistor that can have an effect as well as voltage changes. Similarly, a 6048"gas tube device lever is used.As shown, a high frequency transient can be attenuated by a series of low pass filter.Also, a transient can be deflected by absorbing it in a device capable of absorbing energy or diverting it away from a load-sensing circuit Voltage-setting devices include, without limitation, MOVs from selenium cells, Zener diodes, silicon carbide varistors and metal oxide varistors.A MOV has a response time Generally a rapid and commonly used for transient suppression, a MOV will maintain a line voltage down while a disproportionately high current flows through it.The source impedance may depend on the fixation There is uncertainty regarding the long-term effects on a MOV that it exposes to repeated transient overvoltages and if there are "aging" effects. may or may not degrade continuously as it is exposed to transient voltages, reducing the energy level to the MOV will increase the probability that a transient can be suppressed and the downstream devices protected. MOV devices can theoretically be used in parallel to absorb more energy. However, such devices may have to be matched exactly in such a way that they could each be switched on by a transient at almost the same time. Of course, if a MOV is turned on first, it could absorb the entire transient. In addition, the use of two devices may require more space and spacing. Such a configuration could also be more expensive. According to the foregoing, a GFCI according to one embodiment of the present invention will reduce the energy supplied to the MOV. Lever devices can be used as a transient suppressor to bypass transients and protect against overvoltage conditions. Such a device will typically shorten a transient upon return. The lever device may include, without limitation, arresters, gas tubes and carbon blocking shields. Generally, gas (air for a support discharger) must fall in avalanche before the lever effect starts. According to the foregoing, a 0.10"space support may have a very large opening to provide an avalanche drop in air at an acceptable voltage level to be used as a surge suppressor on an AC power line. Above, a narrower arrester can be selected For example, a transient of more than 3000 volts can break down through a discharger and the rest of the circuit will be exposed to a resulting voltage of approximately 200 V that a MOV can suppress safely. Similarly, in an overvoltage condition of 240V, a low-pass filter will limit the current that the MOV is exposed to allow the MOV to survive beyond its scale.Referring to FIGS 122a-122c, various configurations of the arrester are they show having different arrester lengths As can be seen, the effects of variant suppression can be taken with the different openings of the devices 6 0, 6111 and 61 12. On the pegs of support 61 14 and 6116 at sufficiently high voltages, the air or gas between the pegs of the support will become ionized and a plasma will develop that will dissipate the energy and lever the transient voltage to a lower value. As can be appreciated, the base 6 8 could withstand the spark energy. The arc or subsequent voltage drop during discharge is low such that it can carry current to a return path without a relatively large energy dissipation in the device. Referring to FIGs. 122d-112e, the configurations of a discharger that uses a device and relate the phenomena referred to as Jacob scale are described 6140, 6141. As can be seen, having one or two of the support pins 6144, 6146, 6147 at an angle produce a discharger variant that increases in the vertical direction that will have a variant suppression effect as the spark "up" above the opening. As can be appreciated, the base 148 should support the spark energy. As can be appreciated, moisture can affect the operation of a discharger. According to the above, measures to avoid humid air such as encapsulating the discharger can be used. Referring to FIGs. 123a-123b, various gas tube configurations are shown to have different discharger lengths and can be used as a 6048 device. "As can be seen, variant suppression effects can be had with the different openings of the 6150 and 6151 devices. support pins 6154 and 6156 at sufficiently high voltages, the air or gas between the support pins will become ionized and a plasma will develop that will dissipate the energy and leverage the transient voltage to a lower value As can be seen, base 6158 it should withstand the spark energy As can be appreciated, the gas 6152 can be contained by the tube 6153. The connectors 6155 and 6157 provide connections Other suitable materials 6152 can be used in the arrester Referring to FIGS 124a and 124b, a circuit Hybrid protection can protect the MOV. The MOV 6180 voltage fixing device can be found in parallel with a low pass filter or other voltage setting device such as a Zener diode 6182 and a resistor 6184 or inductor 6186. Additionally, it is known in the art to provide a visual indication that a device equipped with surge suppression is still operating with surge suppression capacity. In one embodiment of the present invention, a visual indicator is provided to indicate that the device is operating with adequate surge suppression capability. Similarly, an alarm such as an audio indicator may be provided to indicate that the device is no longer operating with adequate surge suppression capabilities.

Now going back to FIGs. 125 and 126, a complete GFCI 7030 constructed with status indication capability is shown. The GFCI 7030 is made of an upper cover 7032, middle housing 7034 and a lower housing 7036 maintained in installation by the deflectable lugs (not shown) on the lower housing 7036 by engaging the U-shaped members 7038 on the upper cover 7032. A Mounting band 7040 is installed between the upper cover 7032 and the middle housing 7034 and has two openings 7042 for installing the GFCI 7030 to the mounting ears of a standard through box (not shown). The top cover 7032 has a face 7044 that contains two sets of slots each to receive a three blade grounding (not shown). Each set of slots is made from a slot 7046, 7048 of a first length and a slot 7050, 7052 of a longer length and a U-shaped slot 7054, 7056 to receive the ground terminal of the socket. Because slots 7050, 7052 are longer than slots 7046, 7048, the socket naturally biases and conforms to NEMA standard 5-15R. In the depression 7058 in the top cover 7032 a reset button 7060, a test button 7062 and an indicator lamp means 7064 are placed. The indicator lamp medium 7064 is a dual color lamp which produces a first color when a first filament is activated, a second color when a second filament is activated and a third color when both filaments are activated. The lower housing 7036 has a series of four terminal screws (only two of which are shown in the figures). The terminal screw 7066 is connected to the neutral terminal of the charging circuit as will be appreciated later. A similar terminal screw 7068 is connected to the load circuit phase terminal. The terminal screw 7070 is connected to the line neutral terminal and a similar terminal screw 7072 is connected to the line phase terminal as will be appreciated later. Adjacent to each terminal screw 7066, 7068, 7070 and 7072 are two openings 7074 for receiving the bare ends of the electrical conductors (not shown). As will be appreciated later, the conductive ends extend between a terminal contact and a thread nut that engages the conductor and pushes it against the terminal contact as the terminal screw is advanced. On the rear wall of the middle housing 7034 is a grounding screw 7076 to which a grounded conductor (not shown inserted in the groove 7078) can be attached. Returning now to FIG. 172 which allows the GFCI 7030 with the upper cover 7032 and the lower housing 7036 removed and FIGS. 128 and 129 showing details of the mounting band 7040 and the neutral and phase terminals of the discharge circuit. The mounting band 7040 has two openings 7042 as described above and a centrally located circular opening 7080 for receiving the reset lever and a square opening 7082 for receiving the test lever. Two clips 7084, 7086 are installed to engage the grounding terminal of inserted sockets and are connected to the mounting band 7040 by rivets 7088. A downwardly bent lug 7090 has a threaded opening to receive the grounding screw 7076 A grounded nut 7092 is pushed against the lug 7090 as the grounded screw 7076 advances to keep the bare end of a conductor inserted in the groove 7078 and between the grounded lug 7090 and the grounded 7092. FIG. . 129 shows the neutral terminal of charging circuit 7094 and the load circuit phase terminal 96. Each terminal 7094, 7096 has a central body portion 7098, 7100, respectively, with male blade attaching fingers 7102, 7104 at each end. The male blades of the socket with adjustment between each pair of clamping fingers 7102, 7104 to make an electrical and mechanical contact with the male blades of the inserted socket. An inner lug 7106 on the neutral charging circuit terminal 7094 receives the main fixed neutral contact 7106 while the inner lug 71 10 receives the main fixed phase contact 7112. A dependent three-sided lug 71 14 has a slot 7116 for receiving through it the threaded portion of the terminal screw 7066. A similar dependent three-sided lug 71 18 has a slot 7120 for receiving through it the threaded end screw portion 7068. In FIG. 127, the mounting band 7040 of FIG. 129 and terminals 7094, 7096 of FIG. 130 are shown installed in medium housing 7034. Also installed in medium housing 7034 is the printed circuit board (hereinafter PCB) 7122 which contains the various circuits that determine the color of the indicator lamp medium, its speed of flashing and control of the bell. PCB 7122 also contains the various components of the fault, transformer and solenoid detectors as described below. The terminal screw 7070 is connected to a lug 7124 having a slot 7126 therein for receiving the threaded portion of terminal screw 7070. A similar structure is presented for the terminal screw 7072 not visible in the figure. Referring now to FIG. 130, the installation of PCB 122 and the replacement installation are shown with the medium housing 7034 removed. The replacement installation comprises a reset button 7060, a reset lever 7128 and a reset spring 7130 and a retainer pin to be described later with respect to FIGS. 140-144. A 7132 latch is placed in the passage of a solenoid coil. The latch 7132 is shown in its reset position extending partially out of the passage of the solenoid coil. When the solenoid coil is operated by the circuits of the PCB 7122, the latch 7132 is then pulled towards the solenoid coil. The latch 7132 controls the position of the retainer plate to be described with reference to FIG. 135. The retaining plate in cooperation with the retaining pin and the reset spring 7130 moves the filter 7136 up against the mobile contact arms 7138 to close the main moving contacts 7140 in the main fixed contacts 7108, 71 12 in the lower part of the internal lugs 7106, 71 10, respectively. The mobile contact arms 7138 are deflected away from their associated internal lugs 7106, 71 and when the retaining pin has been released they push the filter 7136 and the retaining plate down to move the movable contacts 7140 away from their associated fixed contacts 7108, 7112.

Also installed on the PCB 122 is a neutral transformer 7142 and a differential transformer 7144. Only the neutral transformer 7142 is shown in FIG. 130. Both transformers and the installation of transformer bracket 7146 are shown in FIG. 137. The neutral transformer 7142 is stacked in the differential transformer 7144 with a fiber washer 7148 between them. The bracket installation 7146 substantially surrounds the transformers 7142, 7144 except for a slot 7150 as shown in FIG. 136 and the slots in which the conductors are placed. The conductors for the windings of the transformers are presented to four transformer 7152 pins to which the load and line circuit conductors can be coupled. One of the transformers will detect the current going to the charging circuit of the source and the other will detect the current of the charging circuit back to the source. Any difference in current through these transformers is an indication that there is a fault in the circuit wiring. A device that can measure small differences in the current and supply a fault signal is an integrated circuit available from several sources, for example, type number LM1851 of National Semiconductor or type number MC3426 of Motorola. This IC is located on PCB 7122. The line neutral terminal 7154 and the line phase terminal 7156 have arms 7158, 7160 (see FIG 133) which extend through the slots in the upper part of the installation. transformer bracket 7146. As shown in FIG. 131, the terminal screw 7070 extends through a groove 7126 in the lug 7124 which is part of the line neutral terminal 7154 and in a threaded opening in the nut 7162 for connecting in this way the line neutral conductor (not shown ) to the two transformers. The arms 71 58, 7160 act as one-turn windings for the transformers 7142 and 7144. The line phase conductor (not shown) is connected by means of terminal screw 7072 to the lug 7164 extending through a slot 7166. on the lug 7164 in the threaded opening of a nut 7168. The lug 7162 is part of the line phase terminal 7156. An insulator 7168 extends between the arms 7158, 7160 to prevent shortening between them. The solenoid coil is connected to the two coil pins 7170 to allow connection to the PCB 7122. FIG. 131 is similar to FIG. 130 but omits the PCB 7122, the reset button 7060, the reset lever 7128 and the reset spring 7130. FIG. 7132 shows the coil installation 7172 having a solenoid coil connected to the coil pins 71 70 and containing the latch 7132 in its passage. A chamber 7174 receives the elevator 7136 and supports the elevator 7136 when it is in its low position. A cross member 176 supports the auxiliary fixed auxiliary contact arm 7178 auxiliary switch and movable auxiliary contact arm 7180. The auxiliary switch when the auxiliary fixed contact 7186 and the movable auxiliary contact 71 88 are engaged, provides power to various components on the PCB 7122. The auxiliary switch, when the fixed auxiliary contact 7186 and the movable auxiliary contact 7188 are not engaged, cuts power to the components on PCB 7122 and prevents possible damage to the PCB 7122 components. For example, if the signal to the solenoid coil was applied repetitively while the main contacts open there is a possibility of burning the solenoid coil. The movable auxiliary contact arm 180 is deflected to the fixed auxiliary contact arm 178 and will engage it unless forced to open the contacts. FIG. 133 shows the elevator 7136 in contact with the movable contact arms 7138 and is positioned by the retaining plate 7182 which in turn is controlled by the latch 7132 and the latch reset spring 7184. the positions of the elevator 7136 and the retaining plate 7182 are dependent on the position of reset lever 7128 as will be described later. Elevator 7136 also controls movable auxiliary contact arm 7180. When elevator 7136 is in its low position, movable auxiliary contact 7188 moves away from contact with auxiliary fixed contact 7188 (not shown). A return spring (not shown) of the retaining plate repositions the retaining plate once the latch 7132 is repositioned as will be established with respect to FIG. 7134. In FIG. 7134 shows the retaining plate 7182, the latch 7132 and the auxiliary fixed arm 7178 with the fixed auxiliary contact 7186 and the auxiliary moving arm 180 with the movable auxiliary contact 7188. The latch replacement spring 7184 is held at the trailing edge 7200 of the holding plate 7182 and the lug 7198 extending towards the rectangular opening 7196. When the latch 7132 moves to the right in FIG. 134 as a result of solenoid coil activation, latch reset spring 7184 is compressed and expanded to return latch 7132 to its initial position partially off of the solenoid coil as shown in FIG. 6 when the solenoid coil is deactivated. The return spring of the retainer plate 7190 is connected between the lifter 7136 and the lug 7198 and is compressed by the movement of the retainer plate 7182 to the right in FIG. 7134 due to the movement of latch 7132 to the right as well. When the latch 7132 is removed, the return spring of the latch plate 7190 expands to return the latch plate 7182 to the left in FIG. 134. The arms 7192 support the lift arms 7136. A central opening 7194 is oval in shape with its longitudinal axis extending along a central longitudinal axis of the retaining plate 182. At the center of the opening 7194, the opening 7194 is large enough so that a retaining pin (not shown) passes through the opening 7194 and moves without engaging the elevator 7136. At one of the smaller ends, the retaining pin is held by the retaining plate 7182 and causes the lifter 7136 to move with the retaining pin as will be described later. The auxiliary movable arm 7180 is deflected upwardly such that it brings the movable auxiliary contact 7188 into contact with the auxiliary fixed contact 7186 on the auxiliary fixed arm 7178. As will be described later, an arm of the elevator 7136 will engage the auxiliary movable arm. 7180 to push it down in FIG. 134 to separate the movable auxiliary contact 7188 from the auxiliary fixed contact 7186 and open the auxiliary circuit. Returning now to FIGS. 137, 138 and 139, the test button 7062 is shown and its operation is described. The test button 7062 has an upper member 7204 from which the members 7206 extend. Also extending from the upper member 7204 is a central lever 7208 which contains a cam 7210. The lever 7208 extends through a square opening 7082 in the mounting band 7040. The cam 7210, when the test button 7062 is pressed, engages a test arm 7212 and moves its free end 7214 in contact with the test pin 7216. The position of the test pin 7216 is shown in FIG. 130. The test plug 7216 is coupled to a small resistor and a conductor that extends through one of the transformers 7142, 7144 to produce an imbalance in the power lines and cause the integrated circuit LM1851 to produce a signal to operate the solenoid coil and in this way stimulate a fault. The test button return spring (not shown) returns the test button 7062 to its initial position. FIG. 138 shows the reset position of test button 7064 with cam 7210 by not lowering test arm 7212 and free end 7214 separated from test pin 7216. When test button 7062 is lowered as shown in FIG. 139, the cam 7210 forces the free end 7214 of the test arm 7212 downwardly in contact with the test pin 216 for cause a stimulated fault and operate the GFCI 7030 to determine that the GFCI 7030 is working properly. When the test button 7062 is released it returns to its reset position as shown in FIG. 138. The reset button 7060 is shown in FIG. 140. The reset button 7060 has an upper member 7218 on which the side members 7220 depend. Also extending from the upper member 7218 is a retainer lever 7222 terminating in a detent pin 7224. The retainer pin 7224 is generally found marked at its free end 7228. The retaining pin diameter 7224 is larger than the diameter of the retaining lever 7222 which is given as a result of a retaining projection 7226. A reset spring 230 surrounds the retaining lever 7222 as shown in FIG. 142. FIGS. 141 and 142 show the GFCI 7030 in its reset position. FIG. 141 is a rear view while FIG. 142 is a side elevational view. The surrounding structure is shown in light line to allow the GFCI 7030 switch components to remain outside. In FIG. 142, the latch 132 extends out of the solenoid coil and the retaining plate 7182 is pulled to the left of the figure such that a smaller end of the oval opening 7194 engages the retainer lever 7222. The retaining pin 7224 can not be removed through the oval opening 7194. The guide end 7232 of the retaining plate 7182 rests on the retaining projection 7226 and is also placed under the elevator 7136. The resetting spring 7230 drives the retaining lever 7222 upwards causing the 7136 elevator to also move up. This upward movement causes the movable contact arms 7138 to also move upwardly bringing the movable contacts 7140 in contact with the fixed contacts 7108, 7112 (see FIG.141). The extension 7234 of the elevator 7136 moves away from its contact with the auxiliary movable arm 7180 and the auxiliary movable arm upwards 7180 causes its movable auxiliary contact 7188 to clutch the auxiliary fixed contact 7186 on the auxiliary fixed arm 7178 and thus supply energy to the PCB. In response to an external or internal fault or in response to a test using a 7062 test button, the GFCI 7030, if working properly, will go to a disengagement state shown in FIGS. 143 and 144, where both the main circuits and the auxiliary circuit will open. The presence of the disengagement condition is indicated by the circuits of the PCB. A signal will be supplied to the solenoid coil which removes the additional latch 7132 in the solenoid 134. The latch 132 causes the latch plate 182 to move to the right in FIG. 144 and place the central part of the oval opening 7194 on the retaining pin 7224. In this position, the guide end 7232 of the retaining plate 7182 no longer engages the retaining projection 7226 and the retaining lever 7222 is free to move through the oval opening 7194. As a result, nothing exists to maintain the movable contacts 7140 on the movable contact arms 7138 in contact with the fixed contacts 7108, 71 12 and 7140. The extension 7234 is covered against the auxiliary movable arm 7180 and originates its downward movement by separating the movable auxiliary contact 7188 from the auxiliary fixed contact 7186 and opening the auxiliary circuit to supply power to the circuits on the PCB. The reset button 7060 jumps as a result of the action of the reset spring 7230 to indicate that the GFCI 7030 needs to be repositioned. In addition to the bounce of the reset button 7060, the GFCI has a dual color indicator lamp medium 7064 and a piezo resonator 7236 driven by an oscillator on the PCB (not shown) to produce an audible output. When selecting the frequency of the oscillator of 3.0KHZ + 20% and controlling the operating time of the oscillator, the audible signal will be activated for 0.10 seconds and deactivated for 2 seconds. FIG. 145 shows the various combinations of light color, light flicker speed and ring sound that can be produced to show the various states of the GFCI 7030. A supervisory signal indicating that the GFCI 7030 is working, is provided by the first 25 days of the GFCI 7030 cycle. It is recommended that the GFCI 7030 be tested and reset every 30 days to ensure that the GFCI 7030 is working properly. However, for the most part this instruction is not taken into account. To encourage the GFCI 7030 test various lights and timbre planning are employed. At the end of the 25 days, the slow-flashing green light that signaled that the device was working changes to a faster flicker. The slow flashing or supervisor is 0.10 seconds "on" and 15 seconds "off". The fastest flashing is 0.10 seconds on and 0.9 seconds off. This rapid flash extends for five days at which time both filaments of indicator lamp medium 7064 are energized to produce an amber light that flashes at the rapid flash speed. If the energy comes to reposition the amber light will also flash at the fast speed until the supervisory condition is reached. The time periods are established by a counter and a clock generator on the PCB. If an external fault is detected, the amber light is turned on and the audible signal is generated. The GFCI 7030 will need to be repositioned. If the fault is found in the GFCI 7030 by itself, for example the solenoid coil is burned, then the red filament of the indicator lamp means 7064 is activated and the audible signal is generated. The GFCI 7030 will have to be replaced if the fault is found in the GFCI 7030. While the fundamental new features of the invention have been shown and described and indicated as they apply to the preferred embodiment, as currently contemplated for carrying them out, It will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the illustrated device and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 1. A circuit breaker device comprising: a housing; a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path each located at least partially within said housing between a line side and a load circuit side, said phase conductive path terminating in a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one charging circuit and a third connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one charging circuit accessible by the user, and said neutral conductive path ending in a first connection capable of being connected electrically to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one charging circuit and a third connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one charging circuit accessible by the user; a circuit interruption portion positioned within said housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in said neutral and phase conductive paths between said line side and said load circuit side in the occurrence of a predetermined condition; and a reset portion positioned at least partially within said housing and configured to restore electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths and connected to a lever that is operated by the insertion of a user socket; and said circuit breaker device further comprising a reset blocking portion that prevents the reestablishment of electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths if said circuit interruption portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if a condition of reverse connection exists. 2. A circuit breaker device comprising: a housing: a phase conductive path positioned at least partially within said housing between a line side and a charge circuit side; said phase conductive path terminating in a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one charging circuit and a third connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one accessible charging circuit by the user; a circuit interruption portion positioned within said housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in said phase conductive path between said line side and said load circuit side in the occurrence of a predetermined condition; and a reset portion positioned at least partially within said housing and configured to restore electrical continuity in said phase conductive path. 3. A circuit breaker device comprising: a housing; a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path each located at least partially within said housing between a line side and a load circuit side, said phase conductive path terminating in a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one charging circuit and a third connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one charging circuit accessible by the user, and said neutral conductive path ending in a first connection capable of being connected electrically to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one charging circuit and a third connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one charging circuit accessible by the user; a circuit interruption portion positioned within said housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in said neutral and phase conductive paths between said line side and said load circuit side in the occurrence of a predetermined condition; and a reset portion positioned at least partially within said housing and configured to restore electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths; and said circuit breaker device further comprising a reset blocking portion that prevents the reestablishment of electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths if said circuit interruption portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if a condition of reverse connection exists. 4. A method for distributing a circuit breaker device having a reset lock and reverse connection protection comprising: manufacturing said circuit breaker device in a reset lock state; and place the circuit breaker device in the trade stream. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: testing the reset lock before placing the circuit breaker device in the trade stream. 6. A method for distributing a circuit breaker device having a reset lock, manual release and reverse connection protection comprising: manufacturing said circuit breaker device; activating said manual disengagement in order to establish the circuit breaker device in a reset lock state; and place the circuit breaker device in the trade stream. A circuit breaker device comprising: a housing at least partially housing a reset lock mechanism, a line driver and a load circuit driver; a reset locking mechanism having a blocking member and locking trajectory having a plurality of trajectories such that the blocking member passes in one path after a trip and in another path if a predetermined condition allows the device to reposition a connection between the line driver and the load circuit driver. 8. A GFCI device comprising: a housing at least partially housing the circuit interrupter detector, a circuit breaker, a line conductor and a load circuit conductor; a reset block mechanism that does not use the circuit breaker. A circuit breaker device comprising: a housing at least partially housing the circuit-breaker detector, a line conductor and a load-circuit conductor; a dual pole double pole discharge switch used to energize the line conductor circuit interrupter detector circuit without energizing the user's charging circuit. 10. An ALCI device comprising: a housing at least partially housing the circuit interrupter detector, a line conductor and a load circuit conductor; a reset switch having a mechanical release arm actuator. 1 1. A residual current device having a reset locking mechanism comprising: a housing; a user's handle connected to a compression arm; and a solenoid having a magnetized shaft and a relay connected to the housing; an oscillating segment connected to the compression arm slidably engaged to move from a position between the handle and relay path to a position not between the path of the handle and the relay. 12. A circuit breaker device comprising: a housing; a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path each located at least partially within said housing between a line side and a load circuit side, said phase conductive path terminating in a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one charging circuit and a third connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one charging circuit accessible by the user, and said neutral conductive path terminating in a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one charging circuit and a third connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one charging circuit accessible by the user; a circuit interruption portion positioned within said housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in said neutral and phase conductive paths between said line side and said load circuit side in the occurrence of a predetermined condition; and a reset portion positioned at least partially within said housing and configured to restore electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths; and said circuit breaker device further comprising a reset blocking portion that prevents the restoration of electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths if a neutral fault stimulation test is successful. A circuit breaker device comprising: a housing: a phase conductive path positioned at least partially within said housing between a line side and a charge circuit side; said phase conductive path terminating in a first connection capable of electrically connecting to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one charging circuit; a circuit interruption portion positioned within said housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in said phase conductive path between said line side and said load circuit side in the occurrence of a predetermined condition; a reset portion positioned at least partially within said housing and configured to restore electrical continuity in said phase conductive path; and wherein said reset portion further comprises a reset locking portion having a spring biased reset member with protrusion to interfere with a lever retainer circuit and a test switch portion to cause a test that clears the interference if successful in order to prevent the reestablishment of electrical continuity in said conductive phase and neutral paths if said circuit interrupter portion is non-operational, if a neutral condition exists or if a reverse connection condition exists. 14. A device to protect a circuit from the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) of harmful power conditions, GFCI including a surge protector component, the device comprising: a filter connected through the power inputs of the GFCI circuit to filter transient power surges to the overvoltage protection component. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the overvoltage protector component includes a metal oxide varistor (MOV). 16. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the filter is a low pass filter. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the filter includes an LC circuit having: a filter capacitor; and a filter inductor. 18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that the filter capacitor is a deviation capacitor of the GFCI circuit. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that the filter inductor is a solenoid of the GFCI circuit for driving a relay between a transformer and a charging circuit. The device according to claim 14, further comprising: an overvoltage prevention circuit, including a discharging device connected through the power inputs of the GFCI circuit. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that during the overvoltage condition, the overvoltage prevention circuit limits the applied voltage to the overvoltage protection component, and the filter limits the applied current to the overvoltage protection component. 22. A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Circuit (GFCI) circuit comprising: a surge protector component connected through a set of power inputs; a bypass capacitor connected to the overvoltage protection component; a bridge circuit connected to the overvoltage protection component and including a plurality of diodes; a GFCI processor connected to the bridge circuit; a transformer connected to ground, connected to the processor GFCI; a detection transformer connected to the GFCI processor; a solenoid; a relay mechanism operated by the solenoid, where the transformer connected to ground, the detection transformer, the relay mechanism connect the set of energy inputs to a charging circuit; and a protection and elimination circuit connected to the overvoltage protection component and which includes: a filter connected through the power inputs to filter transient power surges to the overvoltage protection component. 23. The GFCI circuit according to claim 22, characterized in that the overvoltage protection component includes a metal oxide varistor (MOV). 24. The GFCI circuit according to claim 22, characterized in that the filter is a low pass filter. 25. The GFCI circuit according to claim 22, characterized in that the filter includes an LC circuit having: a filter capacitor; and a filter inductor. 26. The GFCI circuit according to claim 25, characterized in that the filter capacitor is the deviating capacitor. 27. The GFCI circuit according to claim 25, characterized in that the filter inductor is the solenoid. 28. The GFCI circuit according to claim 25, further comprising: an overvoltage prevention circuit, including a discharging device connected through the power inputs. 29. The GFCI circuit according to claim 28, characterized in that during the overvoltage condition, the overvoltage prevention circuit limits the applied voltage to the overvoltage protection component, and the filter limits the applied current to the overvoltage protection component. 30. A method to protect a circuit breaker circuit for ground fault (GFCI) from dangerous power conditions, the GFCI including a surge protector component, the method comprising the step of: filtering the transient energy surges of the Power inputs to the overvoltage protection component using a low pass filter. 31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that the filtering step is performed by an LC circuit, which has a capacitor and an inductor, such as the low pass filter. 32. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of: reducing the voltages to the overvoltage protection component during the overvoltage conditions by using a discharging device connected through the power inputs. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that during the overvoltage condition, the discharging device limits the applied voltage to the overvoltage protection component, and the filter limits the applied current to the surge protection component. 34. A switching device for selectively interrupting electrical connections between two output conductors and two input conductors or the like, comprising: a housing having an outer cover; two first fixed contacts, one for each of said two output conductors within said housing; two first movable contacts, one for each of said two input conductors, within said housing, for selectively moving in contact with a first associated fixed contact; a lifting member for selectively moving both said first movable contacts in contact with a first associated fixed contact; a reset lever having a reset button at a first end and a retention pin at a second end: a retention spring about said lever for pushing said reset lever towards said outer cover of the housing; and a retaining plate for selectively engaging said retaining pin; said retaining plate being movable between a first position in contact with said retaining pin to retain said lifting member in contact with said first movable contacts, which, in turn, are in contact with said first fixed contacts and a second position wherein said retaining pin is free to move through said lifting member under the influence of said retaining spring and allows the separation of said first ones. movable and fixed contacts. 35. A switch device according to claim 34, characterized in that said first movable contacts displace said lifting member to open said first two movable contacts with respect to said first associated fixed contacts when said retaining plate is in said second position. 36. A switch device according to claim 34, comprising: a latch coupled to said retainer plate to control the position of said retainer plate; and a solenoid having two input terminals for selectively receiving a trip current to cause said solenoid to act as a magnet when the trip current is applied to said two input terminals and to extract said latch to said solenoid and cause said gate to The retainer is moved to said second position and when no releasing current is applied to said two input terminals allow said retaining plate to move to said first position. 37. A switch device according to claim 34, further comprising: a reset spring coupled to said retainer plate for moving said retainer plate from said second position to said first position. 38. A switch device according to claim 36, comprising: a reset spring coupled to said retainer plate and said latch to move said retainer plate from said second position to said first position in the absence of disengagement current to said two input terminals of said solenoid. 39. A switch device according to claim 38, characterized in that said reset spring are two reset springs, one connected between said latch plate and said latch and a second one connected between said elevator member and said latch plate. 40. A switch device according to claim 34, further comprising: a second fixed contact; a second movable contact; an extension in said lifting member for engaging said second movable contact to cause said movable contact to clutch said second fixed contact when said retaining plate is in said first position and to permit separation of said second movable contact of said second fixed contact when said Retaining plate is in said second position. 41 A switch device according to claim 36, comprising: a test switch coupled to said solenoid to impress the trip current therein to move said retainer plate from said first position to said second position. 42. A switch device according to claim 34, further comprising: indicator lamp means; and flicker means coupled to said indicator lamp means for flashing said indicator lamp means at regular intervals. 43. A switch device according to claim 36, further comprising: indicator lamp means; and flicker means coupled to said indicator lamp means for flashing said indicator lamp means at regular intervals. 44. A switch device according to claim 34, further comprising. indicator lamp medium; flicker means coupled to said indicator lamp means for flashing said indicator lamp means at regular intervals; and audible signal means for producing an audible signal by means of which the condition of said switch device can be determined by a state of said indicator lamp means and an audible signal. 45. A switch device according to claim 36, further comprising: indicator lamp means; flicker means coupled to said indicator lamp means for flashing said indicator lamp means at regular intervals; and audible signal means for producing an audible signal by means of which the condition of said switch device can be determined by a state of said indicator lamp means and an audible signal. 46. A switch device according to claim 45, characterized in that said indicator lamp is a dual color lamp that can produce three different colors. 47. A switch device according to claim 46, characterized in that said indicator lamp is a dual color lamp that can produce three different colors. 48. A switch device according to claim 47, characterized in that said flicker means can operate at two different speeds. 49. A switch device according to claim 48, characterized in that said flicker means can operate at two different speeds. 50. A switch device according to claim 47, characterized in that said blinking means can operate at two different speeds and the condition of the switch device can be determined from the color and blinking speed of said indicator lamp means and the presence or absence of a signal audible. 51. A switch device according to claim 48, characterized in that said blinking means can operate at two different speeds and the condition of the switch device can be determined from the color and blinking speed of said indicator lamp means and the presence or absence of a signal audible. 52. A switch device according to claim 51, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at a first speed in a first color and the absence of said audible signal shows that a successful test sequence of the switch device has been completed. 53. A switch device according to claim 52, characterized in that said indicator lamp means is flashed at a first speed in a first color and the absence of said audible signal shows that a successful test sequence of the switch device has been completed. 54. A switch device according to claim 51, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at a second speed faster than the first speed in said first color and the absence of said audible signal shows that the time to test the device again switch is coming. 55. A switch device according to claim 52, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at a second speed faster than the first speed in said first color and the absence of said audible signal shows that the time to test the device again switch is coming. 56. A switch device according to claim 51, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at said second speed in a second color and the absence of said audible signal shows that the time to test the half switch has arrived. 57. A switch device according to claim 52, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at said second speed in a second color and the absence of said audible signal shows that the time to test the switch means has arrived. 58. A switch device according to claim 51, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at said second speed in a second color and in the presence of an audible signal shows that the switch device has been disengaged due to an external fault. 59. A switch device according to claim 52, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at said second speed in a second color and in the presence of an audible signal shows that the switch device has been disengaged due to an external fault. 60. A switch device according to claim 51, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at said second speed in a third color and in the presence of an audible signal shows that the switch device has been disengaged due to an internal fault in the switch device. 61. A switch device according to claim 52, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at said second speed in a third color and in the presence of an audible signal shows that the switch device has been disengaged due to an internal fault in the switch device. 62. A switch device according to claim 51, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at said second speed in said second color and in the absence of an audible signal shows that the switch device is on at reset. 63. A switch device according to claim 52, characterized in that said indicator lamp means flashes at said second speed in said second color and in the absence of an audible signal shows that the switch device is on in the reset.