Abstract: An electrical outlet is disclosed. The outlet includes a power receptacle configured to receive a plug blade and a switch. The switch has a first state when the plug blade is not present within the power receptacle, and a second state when the plug blade is present. The plug blade provides an electrically conductive path between terminals of the switch in the second state. A pulse generator circuit is configured to generate a pulsed signal having a frequency higher than a frequency of alternating current voltage power. A feedback circuit receives the pulsed signal from the pulse generator circuit and provides an output signal to a pulse detection circuit. The output signal includes a pulsed signal corresponding to the pulsed signal received from the pulse generator circuit when the switch is in the first state and a generally continuous state signal when the switch is in the second state.

Abstract: A smart plug system is disclosed. The smart plug system includes a power plug configured to receive an alternating current power signal from shore power, a power receptacle configured to receive a plug having a plug blade, and a plug detection switch configured to detect receipt of the plug blade in the power receptacle. A rectifier circuit is included to rectify the alternating current power signal received at the power plug when the plug detection switch is actuated by receipt of the plug blade. The plug detection switch is further configured to prevent rectification of the alternating current power signal by the rectifier circuit when the plug blade is removed from the power receptacle. A logic level converter is included to receive the rectified power signal to convert the rectified power signal to a logic level signal.

Abstract: A smart plug system is disclosed. The smart plug system includes a power plug configured to receive an alternating current power signal from shore power, a power receptacle configured to receive a plug having a plug blade, and a plug detection switch configured to detect receipt of the plug blade in the power receptacle. A rectifier circuit is included to rectify the alternating current power signal received at the power plug when the plug detection switch is actuated by receipt of the plug blade. The plug detection switch is further configured to prevent rectification of the alternating current power signal by the rectifier circuit when the plug blade is removed from the power receptacle. A logic level converter is included to receive the rectified power signal to convert the rectified power signal to a logic level signal.