Abstract: A three stage surge protection circuit for a three conductor power supply system. Each of the surge suppression stages include a varistor coupled across the line conductor and the neutral conductor, a varistor coupled across the neutral conductor and the ground conductor, and a varistor coupled across the line conductor and the ground conductor. The first and third surge suppression stages also include a Zener diode coupled across the line conductor and the neutral conductor. The invention also relates to a circuit for protecting electrical devices coupled to shielded cable. In this embodiment, a first surge suppression device, such as a varistor or a gas tube, is coupled across the signal conductor of a coaxial cable and ground, and second surge suppression device, again either a gas tube or a varistor, is coupled between the ground shield conductor of the shielded cable and ground.

Abstract: A three-stage surge protection circuit. The surge protection circuit includes input terminals for connection to an electrical power supply system and output terminals for connection to equipment to be protected. The three stages comprise: a surge dissipation stage coupled to the input terminals for storing and dissipating transient surge energy across the input terminals; a current limiting stage comprising a pair of inductors, each of which is coupled in series to a respective conductor from said input terminals, for limiting current surges; and a voltage clamping stage comprising an avalanche diode for accurately clamping the voltage to be supplied to the protected electrical equipment to a predetermined level. The surge protection circuit of the present invention can also be provided in a configuration for protecting electrical equipment powered by a three conductor and/or three-phase power system.

Abstract: An adapter for converting a single electrical outlet into a multiple electrical outlet. The adapter includes a housing having a front and a back, and two opposed sides extending between the front and back. Each of the sides of the adapter includes a pod having at least one electrical socket. Electrically conductive live and neutral buses are mounted within in the housing. The live and neutral buses each include respective prongs capable of being inserted into an electrical outlet. The live and neutral buses also each include a pair of electrically conductive strips, each supported by a respective one of the pods, such that a live and neutral strip extends along each of the two opposed sides of the adapter, adjacent the sockets, to electrically conductively engage the live and neutral prongs of electrical devices inserted into the sockets.

Abstract: A receptacle wall plate having built-in circuitry for protecting electrical devices. The wall plate has a face plate for receiving at least one plug of an electrical device, and an inner surface and rounded edges which extend toward the wall to form a hollow body. When a plug is inserted through the face plate, an electrical circuit mounted in the hollow body automatically connects to the plug and protects the electrical devices from surges or other dangerous electrical conditions. In addition, electricity is automatically supplied to the electrical circuit when the plug is inserted through the face plate.