Abstract: An occupancy sensor may include a plurality of user-selectable mounting features that enable the sensor to be mounted to building structure in a variety of ways. The sensor may include: a nipple for engaging a connector associated with the building structure; one or more key hole slots for engaging fasteners associated with the building structure; and one or more flat side surfaces for engaging corresponding flat surfaces of a mounting plate associated with the building structure. A spring on the flat side surface may lock the sensor to the mounting plate. The nipple may be removable to allow the sensor to be flush mounted to the building structure. The sensor may also include a user-adjustable lens that enables a user to make discrete adjustments of the field of view of the sensor according to present levels. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: There is a fault circuit interrupter comprising at least one grounded neutral sensor and at least one test circuit configured to test the grounded neutral sensor. A further embodiment can also include at least one fault circuit which is configured to detect a current sent from the grounded neutral sensor. The device can also include a line side phase line, a line side neutral line, and a test line coupled to the line side neutral line and extending from a first region on the line side neutral line to a second region on the line side neutral line, with the grounded neutral sensor being positioned between the first region and the second region on the line side neutral line. This test circuit can comprise a switch, such as a manually operatable switch or it can comprise any one of solid state circuitry, a transistor, and/or a silicon controlled rectifier.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor may include a plurality of user-selectable mounting features that enable the sensor to be mounted to building structure in a variety of ways. The sensor may include: a nipple for engaging a connector associated with the building structure; one or more key hole slots for engaging fasteners associated with the building structure; and one or more flat side surfaces for engaging corresponding flat surfaces of a mounting plate associated with the building structure. A spring on the flat side surface may lock the sensor to the mounting plate. The nipple may be removable to allow the sensor to be flush mounted to the building structure. The sensor may also include a user-adjustable lens that enables a user to make discrete adjustments of the field of view of the sensor according to present levels. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using gas detection techniques to determine if a room is vacant or occupied, and to activate, dim or deactivate lighting based on a detected occupancy status. The system and method may monitor a concentration of a first gas using a gas sensor such as a CO2 sensor. The space may also be monitored using second and third sensors, and a vacancy status of the space may be based on the concentration of the first gas and information from the second and third sensors. The second and third sensors can be passive infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, gas sensors, microwave sensors, audio sensors, or video sensors. An electrical load associated with the space may be controlled based on the determined occupancy/vacancy status. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Timer-based switching circuit synchronization in an electrical dimmer is provided. The energizing of a switching circuit in a dimmer is synchronized with an AC wave to facilitate providing by the dimmer electrical power to a load. The synchronizing includes starting a timer having a predetermined timeout, responsive to receipt of a zero-crossing signal. Responsive to receipt of a subsequent zero-crossing signal prior to reaching the timeout, the timer is restarted, and responsive to expiration of the timeout, a switching circuit is energized at a predetermined firing angle with respect to the zero-crossing signal to supply electrical power to the load.

Abstract: Threshold-based zero-crossing detection is provided. A power phase threshold detector detects when absolute value of a voltage level of the electrical power rises above a non-zero voltage threshold and outputs a zero-crossing signal to a controller to indicate occurrence of the zero-crossing. Delaying the zero-crossing signal to the point when the absolute value of the voltage level of the electrical power rises above the non-zero voltage threshold ensures completion of the zero-crossing of the power phase prior to signaling the controller. The controller provides signals to a switching circuit for controlling switching of electrical power to a load based on the zero-crossing indications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for discovering, identifying, and cataloguing devices on a network, particularly, devices included in a home automation or building control network. In embodiments, a node information table is populated with generic entries representing potentially-discoverable devices on the network. The table is traversed iteratively and potential devices are queried in turn to determine the type and capabilities of each potential device in the network. Device responses stored in the node information table, replacing generic entries with updated entries representative of actual network devices. Additionally, device responses may be used as a basis for subsequent queries to network devices. After device queries are completed, any remaining generic node information table entries are removed from the table, thereby only entries corresponding to positively-identified network devices remain in the table.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, there is an electrical device comprising a functional module comprising a housing having a front face and a back face, and at least three arcuate blades extending out from the housing. At least one of the arcuate blades has a locking section. The functional module can be used in a wiring system comprising at least one wiring module. The wiring module can include a housing having a front face and a back face and at least one opening for receiving at least one of the at least three arcuate blades. The disclosure can also include a wiring module which can be used separately from the functional module wherein the wiring module includes a housing having at least one movable arm. Inside the wiring module is a plurality of contacts disposed in the housing, wherein these contacts are configured to couple to electrical wiring.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an electrical device having illumination comprising a housing and at least one light pipe extending along a longitudinal axis, inside the housing. There is at least one light disposed in the housing and being positioned adjacent to the light pipe. The light has a radiation pattern having a corresponding peak radiation pattern direction which extends along the longitudinal axis of the light pipe.

Abstract: A faceplate lighting system and method for illuminating a faceplate that provides substantial illumination of the faceplate to provide a guidelight or nightlight effect for environments without providing electrical power to or through the faceplate itself. The faceplate comprises an assembly including: a clear or translucent or transparent outer faceplate, and, a lightpipe membrane disposed beneath the clear or translucent or transparent outer faceplate. A wall-mounted electrical device is configured to include a light source(s) integrated within the device itself, to provide light under certain operating conditions. The light source is disposed in a manner such that when the faceplate assembly is overlayed onto a surface-mounted electrical device, the clear lightpipe membrane is aligned to directly receive light from the electrical device light source(s). The lightpipe membrane incorporates light pipe features that distribute received light across the surface of the faceplate.

Abstract: Modular light fixtures and methods for constructing modular light fixtures are provided. A modular light fixture in one embodiment comprises a first end section having a first housing and a first lamp holder, a second end section having a second lamp holder, and a ballast located in an interior of the first housing. The modular light fixture also includes at least one environmental sensor configured to sense at least one environmental condition and an electronic control circuit configured to receive a signal indicative of the at least one environmental condition sensed by the at least one environmental sensor. The first lamp holder is configured to support a first end of a lamp and the second lamp holder is configured to support a second end of the lamp.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, there is an electrical device comprising a functional module comprising a housing having a front face and a back face, and at least three arcuate blades extending out from the housing. At least one of the at least three arcuate blades has a locking section. The functional module can be used in a wiring system comprising at least one wiring module. The wiring module can include a housing having a front face and a back face and at least one opening for receiving at least one of the at least three arcuate blades. The disclosure can also include a wiring module which can be used separately from the functional module wherein the wiring module includes a housing having at least one movable arm. Inside the wiring module is a plurality of contacts disposed in the housing, wherein these contacts are configured to couple to electrical wiring.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, there is an electrical device comprising a functional module comprising a housing having a front face and a back face, and at least three arcuate blades extending out from the housing. At least one of the at least three arcuate blades has a locking section. The functional module can be used in a wiring system comprising at least one wiring module. The wiring module can include a housing having a front face and a back face and at least one opening for receiving at least one of the at least three arcuate blades. The disclosure can also include a wiring module which can be used separately from the functional module wherein the wiring module includes a housing having at least one movable arm. Inside the wiring module is a plurality of contacts disposed in the housing, wherein these contacts are configured to couple to electrical wiring.

Abstract: Light emitting diode (LED) light fixtures and methods of manufacturing LED light fixtures are provided. In one embodiment, an LED light fixture comprises a housing having a back surface, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The LED light fixture further comprises a support strip attached to the back surface of the housing adjacent to the first end portion. The support strip has at least one lamp holder configured to physically support a first end of an LED lamp. Also, the LED light fixture includes a power supply strip attached to the back surface of the housing adjacent to the second end portion. The power supply strip has at least one receptacle configured to physically support a second end of the LED lamp. The at least one receptacle is further configured to provide electrical power to the LED lamp.

Abstract: An installation of a wiring device configured to receive a cover plate which snaps on to a wiring device such as a switch or receptacle. With this invention, openings for threaded fasteners in the face of the cover plate are eliminated. In an embodiment, the cover plate has an opening sized to accommodate a wiring device and supports, on opposing side walls of the opening, at least one protrusion. The protrusions on the cover plate are located to detachably engage corresponding protrusions on the wiring device as the cover plate is pressed onto the wiring device.

Abstract: An electrical control device comprising a housing configured to be at least partially mountable within a single-gang electrical box; and including at least first and second switches disposed at least partially within the housing, each the at least first and second switches configured as providing a respective first and second input to the electrical control device and, the electrical control device being configured to be wired to a respective first and a second electrical load. A communications device disposed at least partially within the housing is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal to control at least one additional electrical load.

Abstract: Electrical load controls are provided which include an electrical switch assembly and a fault protection device within a common housing. The switch assembly includes an actuator, and is responsive to actuation of the actuator to switch ON or OFF electricity to the load. The protection device automatically responds to a fault condition by overriding the switch assembly by automatically blocking electrical connection between phase input and output terminals and neutral input and output terminals of the load control. The actuator includes a single external interface element. In one embodiment, actuation of the actuator switches ON or OFF electricity via control of the fault protection device, and in another embodiment, movement of the interface away from the housing exposes within the housing an internal user interface for the fault protection device.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a fault circuit interrupter comprising at least one grounded neutral sensor and at least one test circuit configured to test the grounded neutral sensor. A further embodiment can also include at least one fault circuit which is configured to detect a current sent from the grounded neutral sensor. The device can also include a line side phase line, a line side neutral line, and a test line coupled to the line side neutral line and extending from a first region on the line side neutral line to a second region on the line side neutral line, with the grounded neutral sensor being positioned between the first region and the second region on the line side neutral line. This test circuit can comprise a switch, such as a manually operatable switch or it can comprise any one of solid state circuitry, a transistor, and/or a silicon controlled rectifier. The device can also include a differential sensor and at least one second test circuit configured to directly test differential sensor.

Abstract: A socket assembly includes a rotor, a housing, and first and second conductors. The rotor includes a channel formed therein and defines an axis of rotation. The channel has a length about perpendicular to the axis of rotation and defines first and second ends. The housing receives the rotor such that the rotor is rotatable about its axis of rotation between first and second positions when secured therein. The housing includes a notch. The channel of the rotor aligns with the notch of the housing when in the first position such that first and second lamp pins can be received through the notch of the housing arid into the channel of the rotor. The first conductor has first and second ends each disposed on opposite sides of the rotor. The first end of the conductor contacts the first lamp pin when the rotor is in the second position and the second end of the conductor contacts the second lamp pin when the rotor is in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illuminated receptacle. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the receptacle preferably includes a body, a cover for coupling to said body, said cover having one or more sockets for receiving a plug, a tamper resistant (TR) platform associated with each of the one or more sockets, each of the TR platforms being disposed between the body and the cover, each of the TR platforms including a cavity and an aperture extending thru said platform in said cavity, a slider disposed within each of the cavities of the platform and aligned with the openings of a respective socket, and a light source disposed within each of the apertures formed in the platforms, the light sources operatively coupled to electrical power for generating light to illuminate said slider, the light sources being positioned to directly transmit light to the sliders.