Abstract: The threaded wallplate mounting lobes of a mounting strap are eliminated and replaced by a retainer made of thin, hard brass sheet metal. The retainer has a body portion fixed to the mounting strap at each of its two ends and an apertured lobe which takes the place of the lobes of the mounting strap. By contouring the shape of the apertures in the retainers, mounting fasteners may be forced through such apertures to assemble a wallplate to a mounting strap without the usual mating of fastener and threaded mounting lobes.

Abstract: An extension cord having a male plug at one end and a receptacle at the other has a mechanism for opening the phase and neutral conductors in the event the receptacle is subjected to a conductive media. A recess in the face of the receptacle receives a first immersion detection electrode and a spaced, parallel, second immersion detection electrode. A conducting media bridging the two immersion detection electrodes sends a signal to an operating device which causes the opening of the phase and neutral conductors until the conducting media is removed.

Abstract: A method for determining the extent of a transient's ability to cause MOV over heating and subsequent explosion by microprocessor analysis of an AC voltage input waveform with respect to a stored perfect sine wave. The microprocessor also calculates the RMS value of the applied voltage waveform and compares it to stored limits to determine if it could cause over heating of the MOV. In either case, the microprocessor will generate an out-of-range signal to a disconnect device to take the MOV, and also the load, if desired, off line until normal line voltage is restored.

Abstract: A demonstration display for light controls supports a number of lamps mounted behind translucent light transmitting panels each with a lighting control coupled thereto whereby the amount of light produced by the associated lamp is controlled by the setting of the controls. By operating the control, the user can vary the amount of light produced and appreciate the manner in which the control operates. The user can, by comparing various controls, select the one which meets his needs for installation.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of inhibiting and overriding the normal operating mode of one or more input devices connected to a communications network. The present invention functions within an electrical network made up of a plurality of input devices wherein a group of input devices is capable of commanding an electrical control device to apply and remove electrical power from an electrical load connected thereto. The input devices or nodes communicate with the electrical control device over a communications network. When one of the input devices is turned off, the normal operating mode of all the other input sensors is inhibited. The electrical control device remains inhibited until all the input devices are no longer in the off position. Thus, electrical power to the load controlled by the electrical control device remains disconnected until all input devices are in the on position. Local and remote signaling, control and indication diagnostic and monitoring functions are also provided.

Abstract: A quick wired lamp socket assembly which employs a pivoting actuator lever to cause the engagement between an electric cord inserted therein and assembly contacts and provides strain relief to such cord. The actuator lever has a partial top member, an edge of which defines an exposed edge with two conductor recesses and a tooth thereon. The recesses receive the conductors of the cord and the tooth engages the web between the two conductors. The cord is retained against the exposed edge by the circuitous path the cord follows through the lamp socket assembly.

Abstract: An arc fault detector comprised as a stand alone unit and in combination with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) functions to provide protection from potentially dangerous arc fault conditions. When combined with a GFCI, the combination arc fault/ground fault circuit interrupter (AFCI/GFCI) provides protection from both arc fault and ground fault conditions. A single transformer is used to detect faults between neutral and ground and arc faults. An impedance splits the current flow into two portions so as to generate differential current proportional to the current flowing through the conductors. An early arcing detector periodically tests the AC line for high impedance between the device and a main breaker panel. The AFCI/GFCI device detects both AC line frequencies and high frequencies associated with arcing. Both average and instantaneous values of both AC line frequency and high frequency arcing signals are processed to generate an arc fault signal.

Abstract: A cover plate for ceiling or wall mounted electrical devices which follows the contour of the surface of the ceiling or wall about such devices. A mounting plate which can be mounted to a suitable box in the ceiling or wall has two sets of tongues to engage locking members on the cover plate. The locking members are flexible tabs which establish notches therebetween to receive the tongues of the cover plate and thus fix the cover plate to the mounting plate. The two detent posts with their associated tongues are independently applied so that the cover plate can more nearly match the contour of the ceiling or wall.

Abstract: A multifunction sensor device which provides various transducer functions including means for performing temperature sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, switching functions 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 HVAC control. Key elements of the invention 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 that can be mounted to a wall in a substantially flush manner; and eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel in the device, thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor as well as providing built in partial hysteresis.

Abstract: An intelligent circuit interrupt system is electrically connected between an AC source and a load for interrupting a flow of AC from the source to the load upon detection of an interrupt condition. A circuit interrupter electrically connected to phase and neutral terminals of the AC source defines the interrupt condition. A relay switch with a relay coil and phase and neutral contacts is included such that line and load ends of the phase contact are electrically connected, respectively, between the interrupt means load side phase port and a phase terminal of the load. Line and load ends of the neutral contact are electrically connected, respectively, between the interrupt neutral port and a neutral terminal of the load. The relay coil is electrically coupled between load sides of said phase and neutral contacts for controlling the contacts in response to the interrupt signal.

Abstract: A system for controlling the response of a ground fault circuit interrupter in the presence of random leakage currents due to the presence of a conductive media such as water or ice. The signal from a magnetic core differential transformer is applied to two filters in parallel. The first filter passes the fundamental frequency of the source and the second filter passes a broad band of frequencies starting at twice the fundamental frequency. The output of the filters are applied to a microprocessor which manipulates the filter outputs and compares certain of the filter outputs to a stored pattern of expected current leakage. The microprocessor operates a relay to disconnect the load from the source when a fault condition exists.

Abstract: An illuminated electrical receptacle which employs a lamp containing electroluminescent materials which are made to produce visible light upon the application of AC current to such materials. The lamp is flat with apertures which permit the blades of two electrical plugs to pass through from a face plate to a base containing electrical contacts. The face plate is formed of materials which permit the light produced to pass through all or selected parts of the face plate or outline the face plate or its apertures.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device functions to provide protection from potentially dangerous arc faults. The arc fault detector can be used stand alone or in combination with circuit interrupting devices such as IDCIs and ALCIs. The AFCI device detects both AC line frequencies and high frequencies associated with arcing. Both average and instantaneous values of both AC line frequency and high frequency arcing signals are processed to generate an arc fault signal. The trip mechanism of the device trips on the occurrence of either an arc fault or a ground fault. The device allows the arc detector to differentiate between destructive high level arcing and low level arcing such as generated by typical household appliances and equipment. This serves to decrease the occurrence of false tripping.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical connector for attachment to the end of an electrical cable. The connector includes a split body having contacts supported thereon for attachment to conductors of the cable. The split body accommodates cables of different diameters and is provided with a cable clamping member which can be placed in either of the split body portions. This cable clamping member cooperates with a clamping jaw on the other body member to clamp the cable between the cable clamping member and clamping jaw to provide strain-relief when the two body parts are joined. The cable clamping member is fitted with various ribs, tabs, etc. to properly position the cable clamping member in the body portions.

Abstract: An intelligent ground fault circuit interrupter device that incorporates a test and miswiring control circuit in addition to an independent GFCI circuit. Since the test and miswiring circuit is separate and independent of the GFCI circuit portion, it can be used with any circuit interrupting means that can be reset and which incorporates a test circuit. The test and miswiring circuit functions to indicate to a user when the device must be manually tested. The test time events occur upon first installation and on a monthly basis thereafter. The device also indicates that testing is required after occasions of power outage of sufficient time duration and after the device has been tripped by the occurrence of a ground fault. At the times when manual testing of the device is required, a visual and/or audible alarm is triggered and continues until a successful test and reset sequence is completed. The ability to detect when the device is incorrectly wired in an electrical wiring system is also provided.

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: A lamp housing to support and power a compact dual or quad-tube fluorescent lamp. A body portion with a central cavity receives the lamp base and selectively retains same using a trapped metal clip; contacts mounted in separated cavities receive the lamp leads at a first end and at the second end the bared end of an electrical conductor inserted into a one way type clutch contact lever to apply AC power to the lampleads. The contact lever can be bifurcated to independently engage more than a single conductor. The lamphousing can be mounted to a panel using fasteners extending through apertures in mounting pads of the base, or by using flexible mounting tabs to grip the underside of a mounting panel or a combination of the flexible mounting tabs and flexible arms to permit the lampholder to be mounted on panels of different thicknesses.

Abstract: One or two runner wires are added to a sliding-type switch to facilitate movement of the slider with respect to the glide plate and frame. A first set of runner wires is placed in slots in the side walls of the glide plate and are engaged by the slider to provide smooth movement of the slider along the runner wires. A further runner wire engages slots the top of the slider and the inner wall of a frame member about the glide plate and provides additional low friction rails for the slider to move along.