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.

Abstract: An over voltage protection device for a GFCI having a voltage divider network connected across the line terminals of the GFCI, and an over voltage detecting diode connected between the voltage divider network and a gate terminal of an SCR. The voltage divider and diode cause a signal to be fed to the gate terminal of the SCR to trip the GFCI when an over voltage condition exists at the line terminals. The voltage divider is adjustable, with the sensitivity of the over voltage protection varying in accordance with adjustment of the potential from the voltage divider. In an embodiment of the invention, the circuit includes an indicator, such as a photodiode, which indicates the occurrence of an over voltage condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of resettable circuit interrupting devices that eliminates the need to rewire a resettable circuit interrupting device after it is installed and powered up to correct for a reverse wiring conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of resettable circuit interrupting devices that avoid reverse wiring conditions by sensing which pair of two pairs of terminals on the circuit interrupting device is connected to a source of electricity and connecting the pair of terminals sensed as line terminals to the circuit interrupting device as the line terminals and the other pair of terminals as the load terminals.

Abstract: A method of adding a device to an existing or new electrical or electronic automation or multimedia network. The invention facilitates adding a device to the network that can communicate using various protocols such as LonWorks, CEBus, X-10, etc. over media such as AC power line, IR, RF, twisted pair, optical fiber, etc. The method is a mechanism for adding a device to a system that can be used by an ordinary user of network capable electrical devices. The method comprises the steps an installer would perform including the handshaking that needs to occur between devices to accomplish the binding process. A Functional Profile for LonWorks networks is given as an example. This includes a Home Device profile that employs an automated explicit type messaging for all devices intended for use in a home environment. The invention includes adding to the device an install button and a visual indicator for status such as an LED.

Abstract: Indicator means located in a plug or connector indicates when at least one phase of an AC multi-phase voltage is absent. The indicator means can be any one of a variety of light sources and/or an audible generator. The light source can be, for example, an LED, an illuminating ring visible from any angle around the body of the plug or connector, etc. An opaque barrier can be used to totally or partially block the light from the light source when light from the light indicator may be objectionable such as during a stage lighting application. The indicator means for detecting the absence of at least one phase can be on a printed circuit board connected to receive power from the conductors in the plug or connector.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to resettable circuit interrupting devices and apparatus capable of being tested and reset from remote locations, and in particular to portable circuit interrupting devices and apparatus capable of being tested and reset from remote locations.

Abstract: Indicator means located in a plug or connector indicates when at least one phase of an AC multi-phase voltage is absent. The indicator means can be any one of a variety of light sources and/or an audible generator. The light source can be, for example, an LED, an illuminating ring visible from any angle around the body of the plug or connector, etc. An opaque barrier can be used to totally or partially block the light from the light source when light from the light indicator may be objectionable such as during a stage lighting application. The indicator means for detecting the absence of at least one phase can be on a printed circuit board connected to receive power from the conductors in the plug or connector.

Abstract: A low cost communications device such as a modem reduces electrical interference or noise of signals received from a power line and transmitted to electrical devices. The modem forwards messages and commands between electrical devices and an external computer device. That is, the modem communicates over a power line without the use of a controller such as a microprocessor or microcomputer. The modem can reduce electrical interference of signals received from a power line through the use of an adjustable automatic gain (AGC) circuit.

Abstract: A method of adding a device to an existing or new electrical or electronic automation or multimedia network. The invention facilitates adding a device to the network that can communicate using various protocols such as LonWorks, CEBus, X-10, etc. over media such as AC power line, IR, RF, twisted pair, optical fiber, etc. The method is a mechanism for adding a device to a system that can be used by an ordinary user of network capable electrical devices. The method comprises the steps an installer would perform including the handshaking that needs to occur between devices to accomplish the binding process. A Functional Profile for LonWorks networks is given as an example. This includes a Home Device profile that employs an automated explicit type messaging for all devices intended for use in a home environment. The invention includes adding to the device an install button and a visual indicator for status such as an LED.

Abstract: A method of adding a device to an existing or new electrical or electronic automation or multimedia network. The invention facilitates adding a device to the network that can communicate using various protocols such as LonWorks, CEBus, X-10, etc. over media such as AC power line, IR, RF, twisted pair, optical fiber, etc. The method is a mechanism for adding a device to a system that can be used by an ordinary user of network capable electrical devices. The method comprises the steps an installer would perform including the handshaking that needs to occur between devices to accomplish the binding process. A Functional Profile for LonWorks networks is given as an example. This includes a Home Device profile that employs an automated explicit type messaging for all devices intended for use in a home environment. The invention includes adding to the device an install button and a visual indicator for status such as an LED.

Abstract: A multifunction sensor device which provides various transducer functions including means for performing temperature sensing, humidity sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, thermostat functions, switching functions, load switching and dimming functions, displaying actual and set temperature values, displaying time of day values and a means to put the device in an on, off or auto mode. The device has utility in environments such as that found in offices, schools, homes, industrial plants or any other type of automated facility in which sensors are utilized for energy monitoring and control, end user convenience or artificial or natural cooling, heating and HVAC control. The device can be used as a switch or dimmer, sensor or thermostat as well as to adjust and control all natural and artificial lighting, temperature and humidity devices.

Abstract: A multifunction sensor device (10) provides various transducer functions for performing temperature sensing, humidity sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, thermostat functions, switching functions, load switching and dimming functions, displaying actual and set temperature values, displaying time of day values apparatus for putting the device in an on/off or auto mode. Key elements include mounting the diverse sensors or transducers within the same housing (14) that can be mounted to a wall in a flush manner, eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel in the device (10), thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor. The device can transmit and receive real time data, relative data and actual discrete data in addition to switching and controlling loads locally or remotely.

Abstract: A multifunction sensor device acts as a heat detector and performs various transducer functions for temperature sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, switching functions, and a mechanism to put the device in an on, off or auto mode. The device operates in diverse environments in which sensors are utilized for energy monitoring and control, end user convenience or HVAC control. Key elements include overcoming the difficulty of mounting diverse sensors or transducers within the same device or housing; permitting these various sensors to exist in a single package mounted to a wall; and eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel, thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor as well as providing built in partial hysteresis. A temperature sensor is exposed neither to the flow of air in a room or area nor in an airflow channel where a chimney effect may occur.

Abstract: A multifunction sensor device acts as a heat detector and performs various transducer functions for temperature sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, switching functions, and a mechanism to put the device in an on, off or auto mode. The device operates in diverse environments in which sensors are utilized for energy monitoring and control, end user convenience or HVAC control. Key elements include overcoming the difficulty of mounting diverse sensors or transducers within the same device or housing; permitting these various sensors to exist in a single package mounted to a wall; and eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel, thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor as well as providing built in partial hysteresis. A temperature sensor is exposed neither to the flow of air in a room or area nor in an airflow channel where a chimney effect may occur.