OREANDA-NEWS. July 13, 2015. Power management company Eaton announced the availability of wall receptacles and circuit breakers designed to automatically monitor ground-fault circuit interruption (GFCI) status. The new devices provide periodic automatic testing of the ability to detect and protect against ground faults in damp or wet locations. Engineered to enhance safety and electrical code compliance in residential, healthcare, institutional, commercial and industrial applications, the Eaton solutions meet recent Underwriters Laboratories (UL®) and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) revisions to the UL 943 GFCI standard.

“Connecting and protecting electrical loads is crucial to safe, reliable and efficient power management within a facility or at home,” said Grayling Love, senior product line manager at Eaton. “Eaton delivers the electrical connectivity and circuit breaker solutions designed to help commercial, industrial and residential customers efficiently access and use power throughout a facility, on the job and at home.”

The new Eaton receptacles and circuit breakers are designed to automatically run self-test diagnostics. A status indication light on the receptacle notifies users if a device is rendered inoperable and requires replacement, while a second indication light notifies users of a trip condition. For ease of use, the solutions have been designed with a horizontal test/reset button alignment to provide a larger unobstructed area.

The new Eaton devices designed to meet the latest UL 943 GFCI standard incorporate updated electronics within the same form and fit as previous generation devices to simplify installation. The devices will be incorporated into Eaton enclosures designed to meet UL 943. Further, an automatic grounding system eliminates the need for bonding jumper within a grounded metal enclosure. To help ensure personnel safety, Eaton strongly encourages customers to continue to perform routine manual tests of their devices to supplement the new auto-monitoring functionality.

For application flexibility, the self-test GFCI receptacles are available in hospital grade, tamper or non-tamper resistant versions, with weather resistance or feature a blank face, a switch or nightlight with the receptacle. A wide range of color and enclosure options is also available to meet specific design needs.

To learn more about the new Eaton receptacles and circuit breakers, visit www.eaton.com.

Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader with expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; backup power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services. Eaton is positioned through its global solutions to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges.

Eaton is a power management company with 2014 sales of \\$22.6 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 102,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.