Method to provide a more robust GFCI circuit breaker

摘要

A system and method include a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) supplying electricity to an appliance. The GFCI supplies direct current (DC) to an appliance upon connection to the GFCI, and the appliance automatically communicates data to the GFCI prior to startup of the appliance in response to receiving the DC, wherein the data describes maximum out of phase conditions expected during appliance startup, and the GFCI acknowledges receipt of the data. The appliance sends a status message to the GFCI indicating the appliance is ready for alternating current (AC) in response to the startup of the appliance, and the GFCI switches from supplying the low voltage direct current to supplying AC to the appliance in response to the GFCI receiving the status message. The method further comprises preventing the GFCI from tripping in response to out of phase conditions less than the maximum out of phase conditions.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a ground fault circuit interrupter supplying electrical power from an electrical power source to a receptacle, wherein the ground fault circuit interrupter includes a first multiplexer coupled to the receptacle, a first inter-integrated circuit device, and the electrical power source for selectively connecting the receptacle to the first inter-integrated circuit device or connecting the receptacle to the electrical power source, and wherein the ground fault circuit interrupter provides direct current to the receptacle when the first inter-integrated circuit device is connected to the receptacle and provides alternating current to the receptacle when the electrical power source is connected to the receptacle; and an appliance including a connector for selectively coupling to the receptacle, wherein the appliance includes a second inter-integrated circuit device, a load, and a second multiplexer coupled to the connector, the second inter-integrated circuit device, and the load for selectively connecting the connector to the second inter-integrated circuit device or connecting the connector to the load, wherein the connector couples two conductors from the appliance to two conductors in the receptacle.