Abstract: A circuit element includes a foam pad having a plurality of electrically conductive granules some of which are in electrical contact with each other and some of which are spaced apart from each other and an electrical path defined through the pad by the granules. The pad has a very high resistance which is a function of the geometry of the pad as well as the electrical path. The pad can be used to dissipate ESD as well as a resistor element. The pad is very versatile and can be used in a large number of situations and in conjunction with other circuit elements.

Abstract: A plug includes an element that is electrically connected to a ground element in a receptacle in a set up configuration and an electrical connection that is attached to an element to be grounded whereby an element, person, or device, or the like, can be securely grounded using the ground circuit in a receptacle. Grounding is via a suitable signal circuit in one form of the invention.

Abstract: A plug includes an element that is electrically connected to a ground element in a receptacle in a set up configuration and an electrical connection that is attached to an element to be grounded whereby an element, person, or device, or the like, can be securely grounded using the ground circuit in a receptacle. Grounding is via a suitable signal circuit in one form of the invention.

Abstract: Uncomfortable, disturbing or harmful electrostatic discharge is prevented or reduced by a system which reduces static charges on a person on a periodic basis as the charge is built up. Points of contact are provided which correspond to points the user will contact either by touch or by time-extended contact or continuously in the normal course of operation. The system can be used in mouse pads, the mouse itself, a keyboard, or headphones or earpieces or the like.

Abstract: Grounding elements are used to properly ground floor coverings and other elements whereby a floor covering, such as a carpet, need not be removed and reinstalled to correct a grounding problem. Properly grounded floor coverings and other devices reduces the effects of electrostatic discharge (ESD) and eliminates disruptive leak paths. One form of the invention has an element that is touched by a user layered on top of an ESD grounded work surface.

Abstract: A power surge and transient voltage protection circuit includes a plurality of MOVs connected across power conductors leading to a load. The MOVs are in parallel with each other and in parallel with a selenium suppressor and with a capacitor. The selenium suppressor element has a minimum turn-on clamping voltage associated therewith that is below a voltage level that may cause damage to the load if such voltage were applied to the load. Each of MOVs has a minimum turn-on clamping voltage that is above that of the selenium suppressor, yet is still below that voltage level that could damage the load. The plurality of MOVs shunt a portion of a current across the supply conductors around the selenium suppressor as a rising voltage exceeds the selenium suppressor turn-on voltage.

Abstract: The operation and functioning of various elements in a circuit breaker panel assembly are monitored and tested using a permanently installed or a portable test module that can be plugged into a plug-in jack on the housing of the circuit breaker panel assembly. The test module includes readout elements, data recording elements as well as telemetry networks for relaying data to a central station where such data can be reduced, recorded and analyzed by experts. The circuit breaker panel can include a voltage surge and transient protection network. A method of monitoring and testing is also disclosed.

Abstract: The protector network disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,772 is improved by omitting a specific inductor element from the filter means disclosed in that patent. The improved protector network is also used in a building having a main breaker panel or service entrance and subpanels.

Abstract: A panel, such as used to connect a building wiring system to a source of utility power, includes a voltage surge and transient protector network mounted directly thereon to be unitary therewith. The panel can be used as a stand alone panel, or in combination with other subpanels in an overall system. Each of the subpanels can include its own protector network, or can include further elements of the protector network partially included on the main panel whereby all of the panels in an overall system co-operate to form the voltage surge and transient protection network. The protection networks disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,675,772 and 4,835,650 are integrated into panels to form protection networks. Enhancements for high neutral currents and isolated ground buses are included with the panel and protective elements in various forms of the invention.

Abstract: A data communications transceiver or configuration prevents undesired coupling between data stations by eliminating any connection between the ground path circuits of those data stations and line conductors connecting such stations together. The line conductors can be metallic and are coupled to the data stations by optical couplers. The optical couplers are powered from power sources that are totally separate and independent from any power sources associated with the data stations.

Abstract: A multiple element current sharing surge voltage protector is connected in parallel between a voltage source and the input of an electrical load. The protective network includes a low pass shunt capacitor filter, a first suppressor having a selenium varistor clamping device connected in parallel shunt relation with the low pass capacitor filter, and a second suppressor having a plurality of MOV varistor clamping devices connected in parallel shunt relation with the low pass capacitor filter and the selenium suppressor. The parallel connected MOV varistors remain substantially in a non-conducting, open circuit condition until the surge voltage exceeds the turn-on clamping voltage of the MOV suppressors. After turn-on of the MOV varistors, the total surge current flow is divided through the selenium varistor and the multiple MOV varistors, and the shunt capacitor.

Abstract: A power cutoff circuit is added to the protector network disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,772 so that when an interruption in power occurs, at least one suppressor remains connected to a load even though a source is disconnected from the load. In one embodiment, the power circuit includes a control circuit connected to the supply lines between an "upstream" suppressor and a filter portion of the network.

Abstract: A surge protection circuit is adapted to have a minimum let-through voltage when a power surge is applied thereto. The circuit includes line conductors connecting a power source to an electrical load being protected and clamping elements connected to those line conductors and across the electrical load. The clamping elements each have terminals at each end thereof and these clamping element terminals are connected directly to the line conductors whereby an essentially impedance-free path is established between the line conductors and the clamping element. When the clamping element is activated, the let-through voltage is essentially equal to the clamping voltage of the clamping element and is not increased by a voltage drop generated by an impedance associated with any leads connecting the clamping element to the line conductors. A method is also disclosed, and the power source and the load can be single or multi-phase.

Abstract: A cable termination assembly includes a heavy duty mounting bracket which is adapted to safely suspend a single or a plurality of heavy cables therefrom or easily and safely terminate a single or a plurality of conduits or pipes to an enclosure. The mounting bracket includes at least one opening that is connected to a free edge of the bracket by a slot. A cable termination device includes a body having a threaded end and a collar thereon. A retaining ring is threadably mounted on the body threaded end and cooperates with the collar to capture the bracket therebetween. A retainer is mounted adjacent to the mounting bracket to engage the cable termination device collar to prevent that collar from rotating as the termination device retaining ring is threadably moved against the mounting bracket. The slot is sized so wires associated with the cable termination device can be moved therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combination surge voltage protector and filter network for protection of single and polyphase loads, the network including a pair of surge voltage suppresors respectively disposed on opposite sides of, and across, an L-C filter. Additional voltage suppressors and capacitive filters connected between phases and/or between neutral and ground provide additional load protection.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (10) includes a backup power supply (50) mounted on a circuit board type base (30) and connected to a universal buss (40) which is also mounted on the base to be in parallel with a main power supply which is also connected to the universal buss. A plurality of voltage controllers (60) are also mounted on the circuit board and each connects the universal buss to an output terminal (64) whereby a plurality of different elements can be connected to the uninterruptible power supply and each element can have a voltage requirement which is different from the voltage requirements of the other elements. A signal control (96) is also included to visually, audibly and/or digitally indicate impending run-out of battery power.

Abstract: A telephone set which is being used as a pushbutton-type telephone is protected from unauthorized use by a frequency signal altering circuit restricting the output from a built-in TOUCH-TONE (R) signalling pad or other TOUCH-TONE (R) generator. The circuit includes at least one notch filter which, when electrically inserted between the telephone set and a call receiving station, alters at least one of those frequencies generated at the telephone set by pushbutton circuits to dial a number to a form which is not proper for actuating equipment at the call receiving station. The frequency signal altering circuit is located internal to or closely adjacent the telephone set to be protected. Circuits which restrict the output from a telephone are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is combination surge voltage protective and test apparatus for an AC supply system, the apparatus including a plurality of surge voltage protectors switchably connected with the supply lines and an interconnected test network operable to test the status of the supply voltages when the switch is closed and to test the status of the surge voltage protectors when the switch is open. The apparatus is disposed with an enclosure having a door which, when closed, closes the switch and prevents application of power to the test network, while otherwise allowing access to operation of the test network.

Abstract: The specification discloses a system for automatically controlling the connection of telephone calls between a plurality of input telephone trunk lines at a user's dedicated telephone switching facility and a preset number of output telephone trunk lines. Circuitry is provided to receive user authorization code numbers from the user's facility and for comparing the user authorization code numbers with stored code numbers or with a specified algorithymic equation. A dial tone allowing further operation of the system is provided only if the user authorization code numbers match ones of the stored code numbers or is determined valid by the equation. The system receives dialing signals from an input telephone trunk line and in response thereto selects an available one of the output telephone trunk lines according to predetermined efficiency criteria. For example, calls are completed on all flat rate trunk lines (WATS, FX, tie lines and the like) prior to completing calls on variable rate lines (DDD or the like).