Abstract: A raceway assembly according to the present invention is used in conjunction with a conventional equipment rack to route cables between and otherwise to or from equipment stored in the rack. Guide members project from a trough portion of the raceway and position cables routed through spaces between the guide members. Versions of the guide members have elastic edging providing soft surfaces to reduce cable wear and otherwise protect cables from potential damage and lessening of life span. Some of the edging is formed as a substantial portion of the thickness of the guide member to provide enhanced cushioning of the cables. Versions of the guide members can include a core portion of a rigid or pliable material. Those guide members with a pliable core can be readily bent to provide enhanced support and positioning of cables being held by the guide members.

Abstract: An MOV element is physically and electrically connected to a heat sensitive material which changes from a low impedance path to a high impedance path, such as a spark gap, when the temperature of the MOV element rises to a temperature below that at which the MOV will enter into its thermal runaway state. More specifically, the heat sensitive material is located on a surface of the MOV and is electrically connected in series with the MOV. In operation, as the MOV gets hot, it heats the heat sensitive material. As the heat sensitive material gets hot, it starts to separate from the surface of the MOV to form a spark gap which is electrically connected in series with the MOV element to help dissipate excessive voltage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a circuit interrupting device having a trip button for disconnecting a load from a source of electrical power and a reset button for resetting the device after it has tripped. When the device is operating in its reset state, a source of electrical power is connected to a load through a set of contacts located within the device. The contacts are held closed by the spring loaded reset button which holds captive and urges a latch plate to move up to close normally open contacts. In the preferred mechanical trip mechanism, depressing the trip button causes the latch plate to move forward and be released from the reset button. The latch plate, upon being released from the reset button moves down to allow the contacts, which are biased to be normally open, to assume their normally open position. At this time, pressing the reset button initiates an electrical cycle which causes the normally open contacts to close only if the device is operating properly and there is no fault on the line.

Abstract: There is here disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an AC power line. The signal detected is split and directed along four separate paths to generate four signals having separate characteristics which represent the current in the line. A first path is for a signal representative of the current flowing in the line. A second path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a positive step change in current that is significant and has a di/dt value above a predetermined value. A third path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a negative step change in current that is significant and has a di/dt value above a predetermined value. A fourth path is for a signal having a voltage level representative of the broadband noise signal on the line. Using at least one of five different methods in combination with one of three input signals, a reference signal designated as “SINE” is generated.

Abstract: A termination block having spaced apart rear and front faces with rear and front apertures, respectively, and a plurality of mounting surfaces on the rear face. A screw receiving portion receiving a screw is positioned at each mounting surface. An interior recess is between the rear and front faces, accessible from the rear and front faces through the rear and front apertures. A terminal connection pad is positioned at the rear face at each mounting surface, and a plurality of tines extend through the rear aperture and are positioned within the interior recess for access through the front aperture. Each tine has a flat contact end portion. A plurality of trace members positioned at the rear face, each electrically coupling together one of the terminal connection pads and one of the tines. The terminal connection pads, tines and trace members are formed as part of a stamped, thin, flat lead frame.

Abstract: As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,558; there is disclosed resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include a reset lockout portion that prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational. There is here disclosed a circuit interrupting portion which prevents the armature of a solenoid from moving if the circuit interrupting portion is not operational.

Abstract: There is disclosed a paddle switch operated by pushing on the lower portion of a rocker paddle to turn the switch “on” or “off”. The lower edge of the paddle pivots in and out about its upper edge. The switch includes articulated driver means coupled to be driven by the rocker paddle when it is depressed and to urge the rocker paddle back to its out position. When the rocker paddle is pushed in, it urges the articulated driver means to rotate a cam means in a first, clock wise direction, or a second, counter clockwise direction. Alternate rotation of the cam drives a slider member having a cam follower back and forth along a linear axis. A shaped leaf spring cooperates with the cam follower to assist in the movement of the slider and to determine its rest positions. An indicator such as an LED is used to indicate the state of conduction of the switch. When the rocker paddle is released, it is biased by the articulated drive means to pivot back to its initial position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a paddle switch operated by pushing on the lower portion of a rocker paddle to turn the switch “on” or “off”. The lower edge of the paddle pivots in and out about its upper edge. The switch includes flexible driver means coupled to be driven by the rocker paddle. When the rocker paddle is pushed in, it urges the flexible driver means to rotate a cam means in a first, clock wise direction, or a second, counter clock wise direction. Alternate rotation of the cam drives a slider member having a cam follower back and forth along a linear axis. A shaped leaf spring cooperates with the cam follower to assist in the movement of the slider and determines its rest positions. An indicator such as an LED is used to indicate the state of conduction of the switch. When the rocker paddle is released, it is biased by a spring to pivot back to its initial position.

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

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as an IDCI, are provided having a reset lockout and independent trip.

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: To assist with patent searching the following description includes a control fixture system used for a controlled device that was originally designed to be controlled by a handheld remote. The control fixture system includes a control module with controls to allow input from a user to operate a controlled device located elsewhere. As mounted, the control module does not share the degree of vulnerability associated with handheld remotes of being misplaced, stolen, or permanently lost. Input modules can be located in the room to couple to audio and/or video sources. The input modules are communicatively coupled to the emitter module, which in turn is communicatively coupled to the controlled device to send audio and/or video signals from the sources to the controlled device.

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: A insulation displacement connector (IDC) patch panel includes a circuit (PC) board with interdigitated capacitance for balancing out inherent capacitance found within IDCs of the panel and conventional plug connectors coupled to the panel. Unwanted cross-talk signals are reduced as a consequence.

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.