Importance

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Abstract

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) interrupts the flow of current through a pair of lines extending between a source of power and a load. The GFCI includes a circuit breaker having a switch located in one of the pair of lines. The switch has a first position in which the source of power in its associated line is not connected to the load and a second position in which the source of power in its associated line is connected to the load. A relay circuit is coupled to the switch selectively positioning the switch in either the first or second position. The relay circuit includes a solenoid which operates in either an energized or a de-energized state. The GFCI also includes a booster circuit for selectively supplying a first voltage through the switch and to the solenoid which is sufficient to cause the solenoid to switch from its de-energized state to its energized state. A power supply circuit supplies a second voltage to the solenoid which is less than the first voltage. The second voltage is sufficient to maintain the solenoid in its energized state after being initially energized by the first voltage. A latch circuit operable in first and second bi-stable states allows the solenoid to switch from its de-energized state to its energized state. A fault detecting circuit detects the presence of a fault condition in at least one of the lines and causes the latch circuit to latch in its second bi-stable state upon detection of the fault condition.

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First Claim