Abstract: An arc fault detector, as a stand alone device or in combination with a circuit interrupting device such as a ground fault interrupter (GFCI), protects from potentially dangerous arc fault conditions. The device utilizes a line side or load side series connected inductance having an air or magnetic core to generate the derivative di/dt signal of the arc current in the conductor. The derivative signal is fed to an arc fault detector where it is analyzed for the presence of arcing. The device can have two series connected inductors inductively coupled to each other such that the signal from one inductor is inductively coupled into the other inductor for coupling to the arc fault detector.

Abstract: An architectural preset rotary and preset slide control device comprising an N-mode latch mechanically coupled to a switch having a pole and a plurality of receiving terminals. The device further comprises a variable control component that is electrically coupled to the switch such that when the latch is activated into one of the N modes, the switch pole is caused to be electrically coupled to one of the receiving terminals allowing electrical energy at the pole to be routed through the switch to one of the receiving terminals. The variable control component controls the amount of electrical energy that is routed through the switch. The device has a modular design in that the switch, latch, variable control component and other parts of the device are single piece parts that facilitate the assembly of the device during its manufacture.

Abstract: Located within a GFCI device having receptacle openings in its face is a movable contact bearing arm held in either a closed or open position by a latching member connected to a spring loaded reset button. The reset button assumes a first depressed position when the GFCI is in a conducting state, and a second extended position when the GFCI is in a non conducting state. A blocking member located within the body of the GFCI is adapted to be moved to a first position to blocks at least one opening of each receptacle, or to a second position to allow the prongs of a plug to enter the receptacle openings. When the GFCI is in the conducting state, the reset button is in its first position and holds the blocking member in its first position to permit the prongs of a plug to be inserted into the receptacle openings. When the GFCI is in a non-conducting state or is defective, the reset button and the blocking member are in their second positions and the prongs of a plug are prevented from entering the receptacle.

Abstract: An enclosure which supports a standard receptacle for receiving a standard plug and a handle which can be positioned to a first position or a second position is provided. The handle, when in the first position, blocks the removal or insertion of the plug into the receptacle. In the fist position, the receptacle can be selectively connected by a user to a source of power. When the handle is in the second position, the plug can be removed or inserted into the receptacle and the receptacle is prevented from being connected to the source of power.

Abstract: Located within a GFCI is a movable contact bearing arm which cooperates with at least one fixed contact. When the movable arm is moved up to allow the at least one contact on the arm to close with at least one fixed contact, the GFCI is in a conducting state and current flows from a source of electricity through the closed contacts to a load and to the contacts of a receptacle. When the movable arm is moved down to open the contacts, the GFCI is in a non-conducting state and current cannot flow from the source of electricity to either the load or the receptacle contacts. In this invention, the up and down movement of the movable contact bearing arm is harnessed to move a blocking member located within the housing of the GFCI to a first position to block at least one opening of the receptacle as the movable arm is moved down or to a second position to allow the prongs of a plug to enter the openings of the receptacle as the movable arm is moved up.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting a simultaneous, overlapping display of a coded message and its translation as a single, integrated graphic presentation in any visual medium, that provides quick and full comprehension. It may be used advantageously, for example, to provide an immediate translation of telephone numbers displayed as letters or words in advertising, wherein the letters correspond to numerals found on a telephone keypad or rotary dial.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include an independent trip mechanism and a reset lockout mechanism are provided. The trip mechanism operates independently of a circuit interrupting mechanism used to break the connection, and the reset lockout mechanism prevents the resetting of electrical connections between input and output conductors if the circuit interrupting mechanism is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.

Abstract: A resettable circuit interrupting device having a switch and timer circuit connected to the line side of the interrupting device to cause a leakage current to flow for a defined interval of time when power is applied. The timer and switch circuit comprises a timer powered by current from the phase leg of the device which is designed to operate for a defined interval of time. The timer starts operating when power is applied to the circuit interrupting device and normally continues to operate for the defined interval to time. Upon completion of the timed interval, the timer turns itself off and stays off until power is again applied to the device after an interruption. When power is first applied to the interrupting device, the timer is energized from the phase leg and causes the switch to close which connects the neutral leg on the line side of the interrupting device to a ground terminal.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as ALCI and IDCI devices, that include reset lockout portion are provided.

Abstract: A wiring device is provided with three different ways in which the bared end of an electrical conductor can be coupled to the contacts inside the body of a wiring device. A clamping plate is placed upon the threaded body of a terminal screw. In a first arrangement the bared end is formed about the terminal screw and trapped between the head of the terminal screw and a first surface of the clamping plate which forces the conductor into firm contact with the first surface of the clamping plate. In another arrangement the straight bared end of the conductor is trapped between a second surface of the clamping plate and a contact plate. The movement of the conductor and clamping plate is controlled by the terminal screw. Apertures are placed in the bottom of the device housing adjacement the contacts in the housing. A contact arm, formed as a one-way clutch grips the straight bared end of a conductor to make contact with the contacts of the device but prevents withdrawal of the conductor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a single unit triplex receptacle having three sockets that can be mounted in a single box, does not require separate interconnecting wiring and can be covered by a single wall plate. There is also disclosed a single unit sixplex receptacle having six sockets that can be mounted in a double box, does not require separate interconnecting wiring and can be covered by a single wall plate.

Abstract: A self heating thermal protector located in close proximity to a remotely located incandescent light fixture for controlling the flow of current to the lighting fixture by measuring the rate of heat flow from a dedicated heat source. Current is permitted to flow to the lighting fixture when the temperature of the self heating thermal detector is sufficient to avoid deterioration of electrical components such as plastic parts and wire insulation in the associated fixture. The thermal detector interrupts the flow of current to the associated fixture when the temperature of the self heating thermal protector increases to a temperature that is not safe.

Abstract: There is disclosed a porcelain lamp socket for use in a humid environment where the socket has a body, a screw shell, a center contact and two terminals; one for the line and the other for the neutral wire connection. The screw shell and the line and neutral terminals are attached to the porcelain body by means of fasteners such as eyelets, rivets, screws, etc. All electrical conductors in the bottom of the socket, including the fasteners are covered with a spacer which forms a watertight seal with the bottom surface of the body. The spacer, which can be made of high dielectric plastic material, can be mechanically held in place by projections which fit snuggly within the eyelets or rivets. RTV, either by itself or in combination with soft fillers such as washers can also be used to obtain a water tight seal. The device disclosed finds utility in applications where superior dielectric strength is desired between the live parts on or in the socket and the sheet metal (ground) to which the socket is mounted.

Abstract: A four function electrical rocker switch has two single pole, single throw on/off sections having their movable contact arms coupled to a single electrical line and their screw terminal fixed contacts connected to individual circuits. The two switch sections are independently operated. A third rocker switch is a single pole, double throw switch with a center-off position. The third switch can be operated to either of two positions to operate either one of two independent circuits or can be left in the center-off position not engaging either circuit. A five function electrical rocker switch can be made up of one section having a single pole, single throw on/off switch and two sections with single pole, double throw switches which each have a center-off position.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly receives exposed ends of an electrical wire, and includes a foldable body with complementary first and second body portions and components for securely mounting a third body portion in the assembly using a single fastening screw, and for mounting the exposed ends to electrical contacts of an electrical connector device attached to the third body portion and securely mounted in the folded and assembled body portions. The components on the body portions include posts, ribs, and bridges for relieving strain on the electrical wire in the assembly, and other ribs and interlocking components prevent the electrical connector assembly from allowing the wires, the electrical connector device, and/or the third body portion from being removed from the folded and assembled electrical connector assembly.

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 suppression and protection circuit is used in conjunction with a circuit interrupter. In one configuration, a voltage clamping device such as a metal oxide varistor is utilized in a ground fault circuit interrupter product for handling transient surges and overvoltage conditions and is placed in series with a solenoid coil. The suppression and protection circuit includes a crowbar device across the line such as a header spark gap to prevent overvoltages, and a low pass filter such as an LC filter for suppressing transient surges.