Abstract: A circuit breaker and panel system includes a panel including a base pan having a plurality of base pan electrical connections. A circuit breaker including a housing having a plurality of circuit breaker electrical connections arranged to contact the base pan electrical connections when the circuit breaker is coupled to the base pan. The circuit breaker is rotatably coupleable with the base pan via a pivot joint for engaging the plurality of base pan electrical connections with the plurality of circuit breaker electrical connections per a predetermined electrical connection coupling sequence. One of the housing and the base pan includes a protrusion and the other of the housing and the base pan includes a corresponding recess which, when engaged with each other, retain the housing to the base pan to prevent reverse rotational movement of the breaker with respect to the base pan.

Abstract: A process for self testing a fault circuit includes disabling an actuator, performing a self test by creating a simulated fault signal across at least a portion of a half cycle of a first polarity and across at least a portion of a half cycle of a second polarity, and determining whether the self test was successful.

Abstract: A wiring device includes a housing that encloses a line voltage port and/or a low voltage port for providing power to at least one removable load. The housing has an intake opening and an exhaust opening for drawing cooling air into the housing and for exhausting heated air. A fan is disposed within the housing and operates to move the air through the housing. A thermal load such as a heat sink or a transformer is positioned within the housing and receives cooling air to reduce the temperature of the load. The fan is energized when a sensed temperature in the housing exceeds a first predetermined threshold. Power to the line and/or low voltage port is reduced or shut off if the sensed temperature in the housing exceeds a predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An electrical load controller includes an electrical switching device and an actuator assembly having at least one user actuator for use in turning power on and off to the load and for use in adjustably controlling the level of power to the load. A frame attached to the actuator includes an integrally formed backlightable indicator region having an outer continuous solid surface. Light from an illumination assembly related to the level of power to the load is directable onto a portion of an inner surface of the backlightable indicator region, transmittable through the backlightable region from the inner surface to the outer surface, emittable from a portion of the outer surface, and observable by the user.

Abstract: A process for self testing a fault circuit includes disabling an actuator, performing a self test by creating a simulated fault signal across at least a portion of a half cycle of a first polarity and across at least a portion of a hall cycle of a second polarity, and determining whether the self test was successful.

Abstract: A wiring device includes a housing that encloses a line voltage port and a low-voltage port for providing power to at least one removable load. The removable load can couple to a connector PCB. The connector PCB may include a tongue portion with retention surface features and a body portion with supporting circuitry. The tongue portion may be disposed within a low-voltage port of the wiring device. A plurality of conductive traces may extend from the body to the tongue of the connector PCB. The low voltage port may include sidewalls disposed around the tongue portion to guide the plug of a removable load into engagement with the conductive traces of the tongue portion so that one or more of the plurality of conductive traces electrically contact the removable load to deliver power to the removable load.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter is disclosed. This arc fault circuit interrupter can include any one or more of three different sensors such as a high frequency sensor, and any one of lower frequency sensors such as a current sensor or a differential sensor. The arc fault circuit interrupter can be configured as an in line arc fault circuit interrupter installed in a wall box. In addition, the arc fault circuit interrupter can include a processor configured to determine any one of a series arc fault, or a parallel arc fault.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter is disclosed. This arc fault circuit interrupter can include any one or more of three different sensors such as a high frequency sensor, and any one of lower frequency sensors such as a current sensor or a differential sensor. The arc fault circuit interrupter can be configured as an in line arc fault circuit interrupter installed in a wall box. In addition, the arc fault circuit interrupter can include a processor configured to determine any one of a series arc fault, or a parallel arc fault.

Abstract: A wiring device terminal may include a contact having an aperture formed therethrough for receiving a fastener. One or more conductors may be engaged in the terminal directly between the fastener and the contact without requiring a pressure plate. When the fastener is tightened, the one or more conductors may be securingly held between the contact and the fastener.

Abstract: An electrical load controller includes an electrical switching device and an actuator assembly having at least one user actuator for use in turning power on and off to the load and for use in adjustably controlling the level of power to the load. A frame attached to the actuator includes an integrally formed backlightable indicator region having an outer continuous solid surface. Light from an illumination assembly related to the level of power to the load is directable onto a portion of an inner surface of the backlightable indicator region, transmittable through the backlightable region from the inner surface to the outer surface, emittable from a portion of the outer surface, and observable by the user.

Abstract: A dimmer switch includes an air-gap switch for coupling to a power source, a power semiconductor switch electronically controlling power to a load connected in series with the air-gap switch, a dimmer module connected to the power semiconductor switch for coupling to the load to deliver an adjustable level of power to the load, and a dimmer actuator. The dimmer actuator is movable between an operational position and a disconnected position wherein the dimmer actuator is configured to act as a single control mechanism for selectively engaging either the dimmer module to adjust the level of power delivered to the load when in the operational position or the air-gap switch when in the disconnected position.

Abstract: An electrical load controller includes an electrical switching device and an actuator assembly having at least one user actuator for use in turning power on and off to the load and for use in adjustably controlling the level of power to the load. A frame attached to the actuator includes an integrally formed backlightable indicator region having an outer continuous solid surface. Light from an illumination assembly related to the level of power to the load is directable onto a portion of an inner surface of the backlightable indicator region, transmittable through the backlightable region from the inner surface to the outer surface, emittable from a portion of the outer surface, and observable by the user.

Abstract: An electrical load controller includes an electrical switching device and an actuator assembly having at least one user actuator for use in turning power on and off to the load and for use in adjustably controlling the level of power to the load. A frame attached to the actuator includes an integrally formed backlightable indicator region having an outer continuous solid surface. Light from an illumination assembly related to the level of power to the load is directable onto a portion of an inner surface of the backlightable indicator region, transmittable through the backlightable region from the inner surface to the outer surface, emittable from a portion of the outer surface, and observable by the user.

Abstract: A dimmer switch includes an air-gap switch for coupling to a power source, a power semiconductor switch electronically controlling power to a load connected in series with the air-gap switch, a dimmer module connected to the power semiconductor switch for coupling to the load to deliver an adjustable level of power to the load, and a dimmer actuator. The dimmer actuator is movable between an operational position and a disconnected position wherein the dimmer actuator is configured to act as a single control mechanism for selectively engaging either the dimmer module to adjust the level of power delivered to the load when in the operational position or the air-gap switch when in the disconnected position.

Abstract: A wiring device terminal may include a contact having an aperture formed therethrough for receiving a fastener. One or more conductors may be engaged in the terminal directly between the fastener and the contact without requiring a pressure plate. When the fastener is tightened, the one or more conductors may be securingly held between the contact and the fastener.

Abstract: A wire clamp is presented including a body having a face surface and an opposing back surface; a front end, a back end, and side ends; at least one tab positioned on an edge of the back end and an opening disposed substantially centrally on the body, the opening extending from the face surface to the back surface. The wire clamp also includes a plurality of gripping members positioned on edges of the side ends and a raised ridge extending a width of the clamp, the raised ridge adapted to grip a wire.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter is disclosed. This arc fault circuit interrupter can include any one or more of three different sensors such as a high frequency sensor, and any one of lower frequency sensors such as a current sensor or a differential sensor. The arc fault circuit interrupter can be configured as an in line arc fault circuit interrupter installed in a wall box. In addition, the arc fault circuit interrupter can include a processor configured to determine any one of a series arc fault, or a parallel arc fault.

Abstract: A process for self testing a fault circuit includes disabling an actuator, performing a self test by creating a simulated fault signal across at least a portion of a half cycle of a first polarity and across at least a portion of a hall cycle of a second polarity, and determining whether the self test was successful.

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: An arc fault circuit interrupter is disclosed. This arc fault circuit interrupter can include any one or more of three different sensors such as a high frequency sensor, and any one of lower frequency sensors such as a current sensor or a differential sensor. The arc fault circuit interrupter can be configured as an in line arc fault circuit interrupter installed in a wall box. In addition, the arc fault circuit interrupter can include a processor configured to determine any one of a series arc fault, or a parallel arc fault.