Abstract: A cassette mounting system allows fiber optic cassettes of different sizes to be mounted on the same fiber optic tray or other mounting surface. Cassettes configured for use in the system comprise rails on the left and right sides of the cassette, which are configured to engage with rail guides on the fiber optic tray to facilitate mounting the cassettes on the tray. Adjacent guide rails on the tray define cassette bays within which single-gang cassettes can be installed. Multi-gang cassettes are also configured with clearance areas between the gangs that allow guide rails to reside underneath the cassette when mounted on the tray, allowing both multi-gang cassettes and single-gang cassettes to be installed on the tray. The cassettes include integrated front-facing release mechanisms that can be easily accessed from the front of the tray to facilitate unlocking the cassettes and removing the cassettes from the tray.

Abstract: A communication outlet for use with a communication plug. The outlet includes a shutter door biased by at least one biasing member toward a closed position in which the shutter door substantially obstructs the opening. Insertion of the communication plug into the opening transitions the shutter door from the closed position to an open position. Optionally, the outlet includes a shutter lock member adjacent the shutter door. The shutter lock member prevents the shutter door from transitioning from the closed position to the open position when the shutter lock member is in a locked position. The shutter lock member is transitionable from the locked position to an unlocked position by the insertion of the communication plug into the opening. Optionally, the outlet includes a wire manager configured to position a plurality of wires to engage a plurality of wire contacts inside the outlet.

Abstract: A multi-port or multi-outlet cassette that may be configured as a low profile, high-density cassette. Selected embodiments include a bezel member having a projection positioned between each adjacent pair of outlets to help reduce crosstalk. A releasable latch mechanism may be included that is configured to selectively latch and unlatch the cassette to a patch panel. Embodiments configured for use with fiber optic cables may include a movable connector member. A cable connector may be mounted to the movable connector member to move therewith as a unit. Moving the movable connector member determines an angle of the cable connector relative to the panel. Angles may be selected to reduce stress on a cable connected to the cable connector. In particular, it may be desirable to position the cable connector such that it is orthogonal to the panel.

Abstract: A substrate operable to construct a male-type connector, a female-type connector, and/or a multi-outlet module. The substrate has a plurality of circuits and an edge card male connector including contacts for each circuit. For each circuit, the substrate has a ground plane connected to one or more of the contacts for the circuit. The ground planes may be implemented as localized, electrically floating, isolated ground planes. The substrate may include multiple layers upon which portions of the circuits and ground planes may be disposed. The ground plane corresponding to each of the plurality of circuits may be located in close proximity to conductive elements of the circuit so as to provide a localized common ground to which energy can be conveyed from the conductive elements to thereby limit an amount of energy radiated outwardly from the conductive elements to surrounding conductors.

Abstract: An equipment rack panel system using one or more rack extension panels with optional raceway to interconnect equipment cables to service cables through connectors within the rack extension panel. The rack extension panel is either fastened to or integral with one of the posts of the equipment rack or otherwise adjacent to the equipment rack and extends away from the equipment rack so as not to occupy space within the equipment rack normally reserved for equipment.

Abstract: An enhanced patch panel indicia system includes a cover to receive a backing as the primary indicia receiver and to receive labels as auxiliary indicia receivers. The indicia system further includes an enhanced patch panel with a front face. The cover can include clip members to allow the cover to be snap-fitted onto the front face of the patch panel with the cover in juxtaposition with the front face, and in some implementations, the backing positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A switching device includes a paddle actuator biased to a rest position and configured to pivot relative to a housing to a depressed position to engage an air-gap switch disposed within the housing. The air-gap switch is configured to change a first state of a load connected to the switching device upon engagement by the paddle actuator. The paddle actuator is defined by a pair of opposing long sides and a pair of opposing short sides and has at least one slot defined therein parallel to the pair of opposing short sides thereof and centrally disposed between the pair of opposing long sides thereof. A rocker actuator is disposed in the at least one slot defined in the paddle actuator and is configured to pivot relative thereto to engage at least one switch. The at least one switch is configured to change a second state of the load connected to the switching device upon engagement by the rocker actuator.

Abstract: A variably spaced cable management 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 conventional rack. Implementations of the variably spaced assembly include various elongated guide members projecting from a rear wall of the variably spaced assembly interspaced in juxtaposition with one another by a variable amount.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for a dimmer switching device includes a voltage doubler circuit, a filter circuit, a switching power supply, and a linear regulator circuit. In one embodiment, the voltage doubler circuit includes a first stage having a first capacitor and a first diode, and a second stage having a second capacitor and a second diode. The switching power supply may include a feedback circuit, and may be a non-isolated power supply. In an embodiment, the dimmer device is variable between an OFF position and a full ON position, and the circuit is effective to provide power for operation of the switching power supply while the dimmer device is in the full ON position.

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: 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 cord connector having a water-resistant seal that allows a cord to be connected to one or more connectors and then sealed in a water-resistant enclosure in a field installation or environment. The cord is received at a first opening of the enclosure which uses a sealing assembly comprising a nut, strain relief grommet and bushing to provide a water-resistant seal between the cord and the first opening of the enclosure. The connectors are received at a second opening of the enclosure and use a rubber seal to provide a water-resistant seal between the connectors and the second opening of the enclosure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a wall plate with a single opening for receiving one or a gang of wiring devices within the single opening. The wall plate has along its vertical axis, a surface of positive first differential and zero second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. The surface has zero second differential when the rate of height increase of individual splines is constant. The wall plate, when composed of non-conducting material, has a conductive coating on its front surface, on its back surface or on both its front and back surfaces. When the wiring device is a switch, the surface of the switch face follows that of the wall plate. When the wiring device is a receptacle, the surface along the receptacle face is flat in one plane to allow for proper seating of an inserted plug.

Abstract: A weatherproof cover for protecting electrical receptacles from the harsh elements of weather is disclosed herein. This novel weatherproof cover is operable while the electrical receptacle is in use and includes a weatherproof switch that controls power to the receptacle such that when the receptacle cover of the weatherproof cover is closed after the insertion of an electrical appliance plug, the weatherproof switch can be selected to the ON position to provide power to the receptacle. Power can be subsequently removed or disconnected from the receptacle by simply selecting the OFF position of the switch. Thus, the weatherproof cover protects the receptacle from damage “While-In-Use” and provides a disconnect switch to control power to the receptacle without having to open the receptacle cover.

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: 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.

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: 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.