Shock Fault Circuit Interrupter (SFCI)

Every year, thousands of children go to the emergency room from electrical outlet shocks. Very young children see their parents inserting keys in slots and emulate them with the slots located at their eye level in electrical outlet receptacles. Some of these children die from electrocution.

Shock Fault Circuit Interrupters (SFCI) functions like an electronic Tamper Resistant mechanism to prevent shocks and burns. SFCI keeps electricity turned off at each line receptacle until a RightPlug® encoded electrical plug is fully inserted. Then SFCI powers the socket and device. Unused receptacle sockets have no electricity and do not present a shock hazard.

SFCI is superior to a mechanical-shutter type Tamper Resistant mechanism in that it does not increase plug insertion force and is not susceptible to mechanical damage or dirt.

Diagram of SFCI Open Circuit (Power OFF At Receptacle)

An SFCI detects the insertion of a plug by detecting its RightPlug tag only when it is located within 1 cm proximity of the outlet face. The close proximity reduces the possibility of shock from partially inserted and energized plug blades. The non-contacting RightPlug electronic proximity detection method is robust, reliable and difficult to defeat.

Diagram of SFCI Closed Circuit (Power ON At Receptacle)

SFCI uses a high-current programmable switch or relay in series with each receptacle. Power to each receptacle is controlled independently.

Rightplug® is a registered trademark of the RightPlug Alliance.