Importance

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Abstract

A reverse wiring indicator for a GFCI receptacle alerts the installer in the event that the AC source has been improperly wired to the load or feedthrough terminals of the receptacle rather than to the source or input terminals. The reverse wiring indicator operates by open-circuiting one of the load or feedthrough terminals of the receptacle, and may take the form of a removable barrier which inhibits conduction through one of the power contact sets of the GFCI circuit breaker until the receptacle has been installed and successfully tested. The contact set through which conduction is inhibited is the one other than that to which the TEST switch is connected, and the other contact set is allowed to conduct in the normal manner. The removable barrier prevents a current path from being established through the load or feedthrough terminals of the receptacle in the event that the receptacle has been miswired, thereby preventing the TEST switch from falsely tripping the circuit breaker in that situation, but does not prevent the TEST switch from operating normally to trip the circuit breaker if the receptacle has been properly wired. The removable barrier may be provided in the form of a thin strip of electrically insulating material (such as Mylar tape) which is held between one set of closed power contacts and protrudes through the front of the receptacle housing so that it is conspicuous and easily removable.

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First Claim