Abstract: A bi-directional fault circuit interrupter comprising a first connection interface, a second connection interface, at least one fault circuit, and at least one switch which is movable from at least one first position to at least one second position to selectively electrically connect the fault circuit to either the first connection interface or the second connection interface. There are also a plurality of conductors configured to electrically connect the first connection interface to the switch and the second connection interface to the switch.

Abstract: There is disclosed a combination electrical device comprising a housing wherein there can be at least one light and at least one sensor disposed in the housing. The light serves as a guide light wherein the sensor is for determining the presence or absence of light. Inside the housing can be face terminals which extend up to a user accessible interface in the form of apertures for receiving prongs of a plug. The housing can include an additional housing for receiving a circuit board coupled to the light and the sensor. In addition, there can be a translucent cover for covering the light and the sensor. In at least one embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along at least one fourth of a length of a front face of the housing. In another embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along at least one third of a length of a front face of the housing. In still another embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along one half of a length of the housing.

Abstract: A combination grounding/mounting connector and method for mounting an electrical receptacle adapted to receive an electrical current carrying cable connector to a panel. The combination grounding/mounting connector device includes a first portion passing through an aperture formed in the receptacle and the panel for engaging a device for securing the electrical receptacle to the panel, the first portion accommodating connection to an electrical ground; and, a second portion providing an electrical ground connector when the first portion is connected to an electrical ground.

Abstract: An electrical control device comprising a housing configured to be at least partially mountable within a single-gang electrical box; and including at least first and second switches disposed at least partially within the housing, each the at least first and second switches configured as providing a respective first and second input to the electrical control device and, the electrical control device being configured to be wired to a respective first and a second electrical load. A communications device disposed at least partially within the housing is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal to control at least one additional electrical load.

Abstract: There is disclosed a self-testing circuit interrupting device which provides uninterrupted power to a load during a complete electronic and electromechanical components self test to allow autonomous periodic automated self testing without damaging or resetting connected load equipment.

Abstract: A self testing fault circuit interrupter device comprising a fault circuit comprising at least one line monitoring circuit, at least one line interrupting circuit and at least one fault detector circuit which is configured to selectively operate said at least one line interrupting circuit when a fault is detected. This fault circuit also includes at least one test circuit configured to initiate a self test on the fault circuit and at least one timing circuit for controlling the time period for a self test being performed on said at least one self test circuit. The timing circuitry can be in the form of external circuitry which comprises a transistor which controls the discharge rate of a timing capacitor. The timing capacitor is present to prevent any false triggering of a fault circuit. A fault circuit test condition does not stop until the capacitor is fully discharged.

Abstract: An LCDI device comprising a first switching element coupled to a second switching element. A shield conductor coupled to the first switching element form a system that monitors output conductors of the device for faults. The second switching element is coupled to a relay that electrically connects input conductors of the device to output conductors of the device when the relay is energized by the second switching element. When a fault occurs, the first switching element generates a signal to the second switching element which de-energizes the relay causing said relay to electrically disconnect the input conductors from the output conductors.

Abstract: A dimming system and method of operating the same are provided. The dimming system includes a first terminal configured to operatively connect to a first conductive line, a second terminal configured to operatively connect to a second conductive line, and a third terminal configured to operatively connect to a third conductive line. The first conductive line is configured to connect to a load, the second conductive line is configured to supply an alternating current, and the third conductive line is configured to connect to a current path. The dimming system further includes a controller operatively connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals for controlling operation of the dimming system. The first and second terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a primary power supply and the first and third terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a secondary power supply.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices having self-test and non-resettable or limited resettable power interrupting systems are provided. The permanent power interrupting system activates when a circuit interrupting device is no longer capable of operating in accordance with applicable standards governing such devices or the device is no longer capable of operating in accordance with its design characteristics.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device configured to cause electrical discontinuity along a conductive path upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition is disclosed. The device includes a fault sensing circuit detecting the predetermined condition and generating a circuit interrupting actuation signal, and a coil and plunger assembly actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal so that, upon detecting the predetermined condition, the plunger will move in a fault direction from a non-actuated to an actuated configuration a distance sufficient to cause disengagement of at least one set of contacts from each other to cause electrical discontinuity along the conductive path; and a test assembly causing the plunger to move in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, a distance insufficient to disengage the at least one set of contacts from each other. Analogous methods of testing the circuit interrupting device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for testing a light fixture power circuit are therefore provided. The light fixture power circuit may energize a fluorescent lamp by providing power at first and second power terminals. The lamp holder may include a lamp pin guide for guiding the tube's contact pins toward the first and second power terminals. The apparatus may have probes that simulate the tube's contact pins. The probes may be robotically inserted into the lamp holder in a manner that is similar to the manner in which the contact pins would be inserted. This may eliminate the requirement to use fluorescent tubes to test the light fixture power circuit. The apparatus may include circuitry for testing the impedance of the light fixture power circuit at the first and second power contacts.

Abstract: There is a commercial wiring system and method for wiring, which is designed to increase the speed of installation of wiring devices. In one embodiment of the invention there is a bracket which is designed to receive an adapted wiring box. This bracket has tabs for fixing to a wiring box to form an electrical box. The bracket can be coupled to another bracket that is adjustable in length and includes at least two legs, with a first leg being slidable in position in relation to a second track. A first set of tracks in the first assembly is designed to receive the second set of tracks in the second assembly in a telescoping or nested manner. The adjustable electrical box assembly can include a box section, a mounting plate and a mud ring or plaster ring.

Abstract: A remote control electrical device which can communicate with a remote control device. The electrical control device is adapted to fit into a housing which fits into a wall mounting. The remote control electrical device can comprise a control circuit disposed in the housing, a transmitter disposed in the housing, a receiver disposed in the housing wherein said transmitter and said receiver are in communication with the control circuit. There is also a support plate having an inside face facing into the housing and an outside face facing away from the housing body. The support plate is coupled to the housing, wherein there is also an antenna disposed on the outside face of the support plate. This antenna does not receive any power-line AC frequencies or DC, instead it is capacitively coupled to the rest of the electrical components and disposed on the outside face of the support plate.

Abstract: A continuous plating system with mask registration is disclosed herein that uses drums and rollers with protruding pins which engage with guide holes in a masking belt and a lead frame. Through engagement with the pins the masking belt is keyed to the lead frame as the lead frame passes through a plating solution tank.

Abstract: The instant invention overcomes the difficulties encountered with respect to mounting electrical wiring devices to a common box and then positioning the devices relative to each other prior to attaching a wall plate. Some of the difficulties encountered are positioning the wiring devices to be in alignment with each other, locating the wiring devices to be parallel to each other, adjusting the spacing between the different devices to be equal and uniform and fixing all of the devices to be flat against the wall. The alignment pins, when engaged by the close clearance locating openings, accurately positions the wiring devices to allow a wall plate to be placed around the wiring devices without requiring any initial or subsequent adjustment. Each set of alignment pins on the alignment plate can be located on a vertical axis which accurately defines the center for the wiring device. The opening in the wiring device receives and holds captive a set of alignment pins.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if the device is reverse wired. Methods for ensuring a reset lockout state before shipment are provided.

Abstract: A wiring system includes a wiring module and a functional module. The wiring module in at least one embodiment includes elongated holes or openings which are configured to engage or lock with prongs on a functional module to create a lockable connection. The wiring module and the functional module form both a physical and an electrical connection. In another embodiment, there is an adapter which is configured to connect the wiring module and the functional module or unit together.

Abstract: A ground detector circuit in the form of a live ground detector circuit. This live ground detector circuit can be combined with a circuit interrupting device. The circuit interrupting device can have a grounding conductive path, and a set of contacts which are configured to break an electrical connection between input and output terminals on the circuit interrupting device when operated. The ground detector when combined with a circuit interrupter, triggers the circuit interrupter into a fault condition when the detector circuit detects the presence of a signal or a fault.