SELF TESTING GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) WITH END OF LIFE (EOL) INDICATOR, SECONDARY POWER SUPPLY FOR EOL AND SELF TEST CIRCUITRY, AND DEVICE FOR OPENING LINE HOT WHEN EOL OCCURS

摘要

A self test (ST) ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) provides a half wave rectifier for powering circuitry for determining and annunciating end of life (EOL) of the GFCI regardless of a shorted diode bridge or opening of a printed circuit board (PCB) trace. A fuse resistor is provided to open before an open PCB trace can occur. A microprocessor-controlled heat-conducting circuit is provided adjacent to a thermal fuse to controllably open the thermal fuse and remove power from face receptacle contacts and load terminals when EOL occurs.