Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes an automatic self-test assembly coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals, the detection circuit, the fault detection circuit and the circuit interrupter assembly. The automatic self-test assembly is configured to cause the detection circuit to generate a simulated sensor fault signal during a predetermined half-cycle of an AC line cycle in accordance with a predetermined periodic testing schedule, monitor the fault detection signal corresponding to the simulated sensor fault signal, and generate a test result signal based on monitoring the fault detection signal. The automatic self-test assembly also includes a noise immunized decision circuit configured to evaluate a plurality of test results to thereby provide a noise immunized end-of-life signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a plurality of line terminals, a plurality of load terminals, and a plurality of receptacle load terminals. A circuit interrupter is coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals and the plurality of receptacle load terminals. The circuit interrupter includes a latch mechanism configured to electrically couple the plurality of line terminals to the plurality of load terminals and the plurality of receptacle load terminals in a reset state and decouple at least one of the plurality of line terminals from at least one of the plurality of load terminals and at least one of the plurality of receptacle load terminals from each other in a tripped state. A reset assembly is coupled to the latch mechanism. The reset assembly includes a substantially non-metallic reset button assembly configured to engage the latch mechanism to thereby drive the circuit interrupter from the tripped state into the reset state.

Abstract: An electrical wiring device includes a housing, and a circuit protection component and a light source operably mounted within the housing. In various aspects, the circuit protection component is a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). The light source can function to provide increased illumination in an environment surrounding the electrical wiring device (e.g., a darkened bathroom or a darkened kitchen), or to indicate the status of the circuit protection component (e.g., tripped or normal). The light source may be one or more LEDs, neon sources, incandescent sources, etc. Embodiments of the invention include, in addition, a sensor for controlling the on/off state of the light source and/or a trip indicator separate from the light Source for indicating a status condition of the circuit protection component. The device is illustratively represented by a grounded plug receptacle, but may be embodied in a switch, a dimmer, or other application device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a decorative wall plate assembly configured to cover at least one electrical device disposed in a wall box. The assembly includes a base plate member comprising a center portion including at least one aperture configured to accommodate the at least one electrical device, a first end portion of the base plate member including at least one first plate connection device, and a second end portion of the base plate member including at least one second plate connection device. The center portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. A first cover cap includes at least one first cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one first plate connection device. The first cover cap is configured to cover the first end portion. A second cover cap includes at least one second cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one second plate connection device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modular wall plate system accommodating N-wiring devices within a wall box. N is an integer greater than or equal to one (1). The system includes a left-end cap configured to be mounted to an exterior portion of a left most wiring device of the N-wiring devices disposed in the wall box, the left-end cap including a left-end cap finish surface. A right-end cap is configured to be mounted to an exterior portion of a right most wiring device of the N-wiring devices disposed in the wall box, the right-end cap including a right-end cap finish surface. N-1 alignment couplers are disposed between each of the N-wiring devices. The N-1 alignment couplers are configured to align adjacent ones of the N-wiring devices at least in two-dimensions. Each of the N-1 alignment couplers includes a coupler finish surface. N-wall plates are configured to cover each of the N-wiring devices. Each of the N-wall plates includes a wall plate finish surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring protection device for use in an electric circuit. The device includes a plurality of line terminals configured to be coupled to the electric circuit, and a plurality of load terminals configured to be coupled to an electric load. A housing assembly includes a front cover, a separator, and a body member arranged to form an interior isolation volume within the housing assembly. The plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals are accessible from an exterior portion of the housing assembly. A protection circuit is disposed in the housing assembly and coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. The protection circuit is configured to respond to a predetermined condition in the electric circuit or the electrical wiring protection device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring system for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including at least one first AC power conductor disposed between an upstream AC power element and a device box and at least one second AC power conductor disposed between the device box and a downstream AC power element. The at least one first AC power conductor and the at least one second AC power conductor are routed into an interior portion of the device box and accessible via a front open face of the device box. The system includes a connector device including a connector housing having a plurality of connector contacts disposed therein. The plurality of connector contacts are coupled to termination structures configured to couple the at least one first AC power conductor and the at least one second AC power conductor to corresponding contacts of the plurality of connector contacts. An electrical wiring device includes a device housing having a front portion and a rear portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shock-proof electrical wiring system for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires disposed between an AC power distribution point and a device box, a portion of the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires being routed into an interior portion of the device box. The system includes a connector device having a connector housing. A plurality of connector contacts are disposed substantially inaccessible to a user within the connector housing. The plurality of connector electrical contacts are connected to a termination arrangement. The termination arrangement is configured to be connected to the portion of the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wiring device that includes a front cover assembly. The front cover assembly includes a front cover having at least one plug receptacle opening disposed therein. A ground strap is coupled to the cover assembly. A device assembly includes a plurality of line terminals configured to be connected to an AC power source, a plurality of load terminals configured to be connected to a downstream load, and at least one set of receptacle load terminals in communication with the at least one receptacle opening. The device assembly also includes a fault response circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals. A back cover is coupled to the front cover assembly to accommodate the device assembly therein. The ground strap element is disposed between the front cover assembly and the back cover. The back cover extending beyond the ground strap a distance substantially less than or equal to one inch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device for use in an ambient environment. The device includes a cover assembly characterized by a perimeter defining a user-accessible front face portion of the wiring device. The cover assembly includes at least one user-accessible control feature disposed therein. A body member is connected to the cover assembly. A circuit arrangement is disposed in the body member, at least a portion of the circuit arrangement being in operative communication with the at least one user-accessible control feature. A gasket structure is integrated into the cover assembly and disposed under the front face portion to substantially seal the circuit arrangement from the ambient environment. The gasket structure includes at least one gasket feature coupling the at least one user-accessible control feature and the at least a portion of the circuit arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a plurality of line terminals, a plurality of load terminals, and a fault detection assembly coupled to the plurality of line terminals. The fault detection circuit is configured to provide a fault detection output in response to detecting a fault condition. A circuit interrupter is coupled between the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The circuit interrupter includes a first set of contacts, the first set of contacts being configured to close to establish at least one electrically continuous path between the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals in a reset state. The first set of contacts are also configured to open to disconnect the at least one electrically continuous path in response to the fault detection output to enter a tripped state. An auxiliary switch is coupled to the fault detection assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring box assembly that includes an inner wall box including a peripheral inner wall bounded and enclosed by a rear wall and open at a front end of the inner wall box to form an inner volume. The inner wall box also includes an inner wall flange extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from an exterior surface of the peripheral inner wall at predetermined distance from the front inner wall box end. The inner wall flange includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. The inner wall box further includes a plurality of device mounting bosses extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from an interior surface of the rear wall. An intermediate box includes a peripheral intermediate wall portion configured to fit within the inner volume.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a body member including a hot line terminal interface element and a neutral line terminal interface element accessible from an exterior portion of the body member. The body member also includes a hot load contact structure electrically coupled to the hot line terminal interface element and a neutral load contact structure electrically coupled to the neutral line terminal interface element, both the hot load contact structure and the neutral load contact structure being disposed in an interior portion of the body member. A cover member is coupled to the body member and including at least one receptacle face structure. The at least one receptacle face structure includes a set of receptacle outlet openings formed in a substantially planar portion thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring box that includes a wiring device interface portion having a substantially planar member configured to accommodate a structural member on a first side and a rim portion extending from a perimeter of the planar member from a second side thereof to form an enclosed volume. The rim portion has a rim width approximately equal to a width of a sheet of drywall. The wiring device interface portion also includes a plurality of fastener apertures. A fastener storage structure includes a plurality of fastener storage holders extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side of the planar member. The fastener storage holders and the planar member are configured to accommodate the structural member therebetween. Each fastener storage holder includes a fastener holder opening accessible from the second side.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical testing device for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires coupled between an AC power distribution point and a device box. The device includes a plurality of electrical probes configured for insertion into an outlet receptacle. A plug test connection arrangement is configured to receive a plug connector when inserted therein. The plug connector includes a plurality of plug contacts and a termination arrangement configured to terminate the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires such that electrical continuity is established between the AC power distribution point and the plurality of plug contacts. The plug test connection arrangement includes a plurality of test contacts configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the plug test connection arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring system for use in an electrical distribution system including at least one electric circuit. The at least one electric circuit includes a plurality of electric power transmitting wires disposed between an electric power source interface and at least one electrical device location. The system includes an electrical wiring device disposed at the at least one electrical device location. The electrical wiring device includes a predefined coupling area having a plurality of electrical wiring device contacts disposed therein. A connector assembly includes a plurality of electrical connector contacts disposed therein. The connector assembly is configured to be directly connected to the plurality of electrical power transmitting wires such that electrical continuity is established between the plurality of electrical power transmitting wires and the plurality of electrical connector contacts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a electrical wiring system that includes a plug connector having a plurality of plug contacts configured to terminate a plurality of wires. The system also includes an electrical wiring device having a cover member, a body member, a ground strap assembly disposed between the cover member and the body member, and a receptacle formed in a rear portion of the body member, the receptacle being configured to accept the plug connector. The ground strap assembly is configured to conform to at least one body member feature such that a distance from the ground strap assembly to a major rear surface of the body member is less than a predetermined distance. The receptacle includes a plurality of receptacle contacts configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for adjustably providing power to at least one electrical load. The device includes a rear body member and a plurality of terminals configured to be coupled to a source of the power and at least one load. A power control circuit is disposed in the body member and coupled between the plurality of terminals and the at least one electrical load. The power control circuit includes at least one variable control mechanism coupled to at least one series pass element. The at least one series pass element is configured to provide power to the at least one electrical load in accordance with the at least one variable control mechanism setting. A frameless front cover assembly is connected to the body member. The frameless front cover assembly includes at least one switch mechanism coupled to the at least one variable control mechanism. The frameless front cover assembly has a raised rectangular form factor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective shutter assembly for use within a cover assembly of an electrical wiring device. The assembly includes a frameless shutter sub-assembly movable between a closed position and an open position. The frameless shutter sub-assembly is configured to move from the closed position to the open position in response to engaging at least one plug blade having a predetermined plug blade geometry. A spring member is disposed within the frameless shutter sub-assembly. The spring member is configured to bias the frameless shutter sub-assembly in the closed position. At least one retainer element is disposed in the frameless shutter sub-assembly. The at least one retainer element being configured to retain the spring member within the frameless shutter sub-assembly.