Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective device configured to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load. A ground continuity monitor is coupled to the ground conductor, the ground continuity monitor being configured to detect a ground discontinuity condition in the ground conductor. A circuit interrupter mechanism is configured to interrupt electrical continuity in a tripped state and establish electrical continuity in a reset state. A self-test circuit is coupled to the ground continuity monitor and configured to perform a simulated ground continuity test that simulates the ground discontinuity condition. The self-test circuit provides a test failure signal when the ground continuity monitor fails to provide an output signal in response to the simulated ground continuity test. The test failure signal is configured to trip the circuit interrupter mechanism.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a shutter support structure having a return position, at least one blocking position and an open position. A first shutter element is configured to rotate about a first dimensional axis within a predetermined angular range while being translated in two-dimensions between the return position to the open position, each of the two dimensions being orthogonal to the first dimensional axis. A second shutter assembly includes a second shutter element coupled to the first shutter element, the first shutter element allowing the second shutter portion to move in a first direction parallel to the first dimensional axis when the first shutter element is in the open position, the first shutter element being configured to drive the second shutter element in a second direction parallel to the first dimensional axis when the first shutter element is being translated into the return position.

Abstract: An electrical wiring device including: a housing, a plurality of line terminals, feed-through load terminals and receptacle load terminals electrically connected to a pivotable contact structure or to a fixed contact structure comprising a conductive member having at least one contact positioned thereon, wherein in response to a make-force each pivotable contact structure is configured to perform a first pivotable movement to electrically connect each of the contacts on each pivotable contact structure to one of the contacts on a different one of the fixed contact structures in the reset state, thereby electrically connecting the terminals in the reset state; a circuit interrupting assembly including at least one breaking element being configured to perform a first linear movement in a first direction in response to a break-force in order to cause each pivotable contact structure to perform a second pivotable movement in a direction opposite the first pivotable movement to decouple each of the contacts on eac

Abstract: The present invention is directed to switch device that includes a switch actuator having a user-accessible surface, the user accessible surface including an indicator element and an interior channel optically coupled to the indicator element. The switch actuator is configured to actuate a mechanical linkage by moving between a first actuator position and a second actuator position in response to a user-stimulus, the mechanical linkage actuation driving the set of electrical contacts between a first contact state and a second contact state. A light emitting portion is disposed within the interior channel and optically coupled to the indicator element so that the interior channel moves relative to the light emitting portion when the switch actuator moves between the first actuator position and the second actuator position. The light emitting portion is optically coupled to the indicator element when the interior channel moves relative to the lighting portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly that includes a shutter having an interface portion coupled to a railed guidance structure so that the shutter rides the railed guidance structure from a return position to an open position in response to being engaged by the plurality of plug blades; the interface portion and the railed guidance structure allowing the shutter to rotationally align with the ends of the plug blades in response to an asymmetry in respective lengths of the plug blades. The open position permits electrical engagement of the plurality of plug blades with the plurality of receptacle contacts. The shutter is also directed from the return position to a blocking position in response to being engaged by a foreign object via one of the plurality of receptacle openings to prevent the foreign object from engaging the set of receptacle contacts.

Abstract: An electrical wiring device having a plurality of line and load terminals configured to be coupled to an AC electrical distribution system; an electro-optical assembly coupled to the line or load terminals, including at least one circuit coupled to an ambient light sensor, a light emitting assembly and a visual indicator element, the visual indicator element being configured to provide a visual indicator signal, the ambient light sensor being configured to provide a sensor signal corresponding to ambient light in the ambient environment, the at least one circuit being configured to read the sensor signal during a time period when the visual indicator signal are not being emitted, wherein at least one of the visual indicator element and the light emitting assembly is configured to provide a selectable color temperature signal based on user input; and a bidirectional light pipe including a first light pipe branch coupled to the visual indicator element, a second light pipe branch coupled to the ambient light se

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes an automatic test circuit configured to commence an automatic test at a predetermined time such that a test current propagates on a test conductor. The sensor assembly provides a sensor test output responsive to the test current only if both the differential transformer and the grounded neutral transformer are operative. A fault detector circuit is configured to generate a test detection signal in response to the sensor test output only if the fault detector circuit is operable and the at least one power supply is substantially charged. A device integrity evaluation circuit includes a timer that effects a tripped state when a time measurement exceeds a threshold, the test detection signal resetting the time measurement when properly wired before the time measurement exceeds the predetermined threshold but does not reset the time measurement when miswired.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a processing circuit is configured to determine the wiring state based on detecting a wiring state parameter at the plurality of line terminals during a predetermined period after the tripped state has been established. The processing circuit is configured to store a wiring state indicator in a wiring state register based on a wiring state determination. The wiring state register being preset to trip the circuit interrupter when the AC power source is applied by an installer to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals for the first time.

Abstract: A light pipe device having a first light pipe branch including a first light flux interface at a first-first end thereof and a second light flux interface disposed at a first-second end thereof; a second light pipe branch including a third light flux interface at a second-first end thereof and a fourth light flux interface disposed at a second-second end thereof a bidirectional lens disposed at one of the ends; and an interface region coupled between the first and second light pipe branch, the interface region being further coupled to the bidirectional lens, the interface region being configured to direct light propagating in the first light pipe branch out of the bidirectional lens and into an ambient environment, the bidirectional element being configured to direct ambient light from the ambient environment into the interface region, the interface region being configured to further direct the ambient light into the second light pipe branch.

Abstract: An electrical wiring device including: a housing, a plurality of line terminals, feed-through load terminals and receptacle load terminals electrically connected to a pivotable contact structure or to a fixed contact structure comprising a conductive member having at least one contact positioned thereon, wherein in response to a make-force each pivotable contact structure is configured to perform a first pivotable movement to electrically connect each of the contacts on each pivotable contact structure to one of the contacts on a different one of the fixed contact structures in the reset state, thereby electrically connecting the terminals in the reset state; a circuit interrupting assembly including at least one breaking element being configured to perform a first linear movement in a first direction in response to a break-force in order to cause each pivotable contact structure to perform a second pivotable movement in a direction opposite the first pivotable movement to decouple each of the contacts on eac

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes an automatic test circuit configured to commence an automatic test at a predetermined time such that a test current propagates on a test conductor. The sensor assembly provides a sensor test output responsive to the test current only if both the differential transformer and the grounded neutral transformer are operative. A fault detector circuit is configured to generate a test detection signal in response to the sensor test output only if the fault detector circuit is operable and the at least one power supply is substantially charged. A device integrity evaluation circuit includes a timer that effects a tripped state when a time measurement exceeds a threshold, the test detection signal resetting the time measurement when properly wired before the time measurement exceeds the predetermined threshold but does not reset the time measurement when miswired.

Abstract: A bidirectional light pipe includes a first light pipe branch coupled to a visual indicator element and a second light pipe branch coupled to an ambient light sensor. The bidirectional light pipe further includes an interface region coupled between the first light pipe branch the second light pipe branch, the interface region being further coupled to a bidirectional lens element configured to direct the ambient light into second light pipe branch and direct the visual indicator signal into the ambient environment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electronic switch device, the device including a housing assembly including a front cover assembly having a user accessible surface, a back body assembly, terminals configured to be coupled to an AC power source and the load; an antenna assembly including an antenna substrate disposed inside the housing assembly adjacent a portion of the front cover assembly, an antenna being disposed on the antenna substrate having a conductive grid structure; and a circuit assembly disposed inside the housing assembly coupled to the terminals, the circuit assembly comprising a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board including a ground plane, the circuit assembly being electrically connected to the antenna assembly via a conductor, the printed circuit board being separated from the antenna assembly by a predetermined distance, the circuit assembly including a relay switch having at least one solenoid winding connected to the circuit assembly and a set of contacts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a circuit interrupter assembly coupled to a solenoid actuator and configured to move along an assembly axis in a direction normal to a major surface of the electrical isolation member to provide electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals and the plurality of receptacle contact structures in a reset state and to interrupt the electrical continuity to effect a tripped state. The circuit interrupter assembly including at least one portion configured to pivot relative to the assembly axis to effect the reset state or the tripped state.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a shutter support structure having a return position, at least one blocking position and an open position. A first shutter element is configured to rotate about a first dimensional axis within a predetermined angular range while being translated in two-dimensions between the return position to the open position, each of the two dimensions being orthogonal to the first dimensional axis. A second shutter assembly includes a second shutter element coupled to the first shutter element, the first shutter element allowing the second shutter portion to move in a first direction parallel to the first dimensional axis when the first shutter element is in the open position, the first shutter element being configured to drive the second shutter element in a second direction parallel to the first dimensional axis when the first shutter element is being translated into the return position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring system having a frame assembly that includes a frame opening at a central portion thereof. The frame opening provides access to the interior of the device wall box. At least one electrical wiring device is configured to snap into the frame opening such that the interior of the device wall box is completely enclosed by the frame assembly and the at least one electrical wiring device such that access to wiring disposed within the device wall box is substantially prevented. The at least one electrical wiring device includes at least one user-interface. An aesthetic overlay may be coupled to the frame assembly. The aesthetic overlay includes an overlay opening configured to accommodate the at least one user-interface such that the at least one user-interface is accessible to a user.

Abstract: A wall plate is disclosed that includes a plate portion having a finish surface bounded by a perimeter. The finish surface has a latitudinal profile characterized by a latitudinal arc and a longitudinal profile characterized by a longitudinal arc. The latitudinal arc is defined as a section of a first circle having a first radius and a first chord substantially equal to a latitudinal dimension of the plate portion. The first radius is a function of the number of gangs covered by the wall plate. The longitudinal arc is defined as a portion of a second circle having a second radius and a second chord substantially equal to a longitudinal dimension of the plate portion. The wall plate also includes a wall member disposed around the perimeter to form an interior volume.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electronic switch device that includes a front cover assembly having a user interface, a back body assembly, and a plurality of terminals configured to be coupled to an AC power source and the load. A circuit assembly is coupled to the plurality of terminals. The circuit assembly includes a relay switch having a commutator and a set of contacts. The relay switch is characterized by a predetermined commutator period, the predetermined commutator period being substantially the commutator travel time between the set of contacts during a relay switch actuation. The circuit assembly further includes an actuation circuit configured to provide a constant current actuation signal that energizes the relay switch in response to an input stimulus via the user interface such that an end of the predetermined commutator period substantially coincides with a predetermined point in an AC power cycle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring assembly that includes a plurality of line terminals configured to be coupled to a source of AC power. A circuit assembly is coupled to the plurality of line terminals. The circuit assembly includes a control circuit coupled to at least one electro-magnetic coil, the control circuit being configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the at least one electro-magnetic coil in accordance with a predetermined wireless charging regimen. The at least one electro-magnetic coil is configured to propagate a magnetic field in accordance with the electrical drive signal. A wall plate assembly is configured to accommodate the circuit assembly therewithin, the wall plate assembly including a charging interface region configured to accommodate a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A protective electrical wiring device includes a protective assembly including a sensor portion, a fault detection portion and a switch portion. A control circuit is configured to automatically perform a test cycle from time to time, each test cycle including a series of tests that determine the operational state of the protective assembly. At least one successive test in the test cycle is configured to test at least a portion of the protective assembly tested by a predecessor test in the test cycle. The control circuit is configured to establish a test result for each test in the series of tests, with each test result being stored in a test result table. The control circuit is configured to effect or not effect an end-of-life state by evaluating at least a portion of the test results in the test result table in accordance with a predetermined voting scheme.