Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring protection device that includes a housing assembly including a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals. A miswire detection circuit is coupled to at least one of the plurality of line terminals, the miswire detection circuit being configured to generate a miswire detection signal when AC power is coupled to the plurality of load terminals. The miswire detection circuit includes a circuit element configured to open circuit after a predetermined period of time elapses when AC power is coupled to the hot line terminal and neutral line terminal. A fault detection circuit is coupled to at least one of the plurality of line terminals and configured to generate a fault detection signal in response to detecting at least one fault condition and/or the miswire detection signal. An interrupting contact assembly is coupled between the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The interrupting contact assembly includes interrupting contacts that provide electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals in a reset condition. The interrupting contact assembly also is configured to open the interrupting contacts in a tripped condition, in response to the fault detection signal and/or the miswire detection signal. A surge protection circuit is coupled to the miswire detection circuit. The surge protection circuit is configured to prevent a current from traversing the open circuit.

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First Claim