Abstract: A motor leakage current detector and/or a heat compensating circuit, devices using same and related methods are disclosed herein. Included are a uniquely wired current transformer to allow for polarity agnostic leakage current detection, a leakage current detector using same and having a notifier to alert a user. In other forms, an accessory power cord and power strip are disclosed capable of detecting early motor failure conditions. In still other forms, other machinery failure early warning systems are disclosed as are numerous motor operated devices using same including without limitation pumps.

Abstract: Methods, devices and monitoring systems are described that include a hub in communication with sensors that aggregate activities in an enclosure, such as a building. The hub identifies when those activities are occurring more or less often than expected and classifies the activity to piece together and learn the user's or individual's daily activity. Additional satellite devices may be added that increase the range and capacity of the sensors for collecting more information and activity within the building. In this manner, the monitoring systems use a redundant array of sensors to consistently monitor activities occurring in or around a building to create a trail and heatmap of events and activities that the monitoring system's hub classifies, verifies with other sensors, learns, and then correctly processes.

Abstract: A device for providing a connection to electrical energy, the device includes an electrical outlet with at least one receptacle, a control circuit and functionality to generate one or more electrical pulses to indicate whether there is an insertion, or a lack of an insertion, into the at least one electrical receptacle. The device can be an in-wall electrical outlet and/or a power-cord based electrical outlet. The device includes a capacitive touch array comprising a plurality of capacitive touch buttons. The capacitive touch buttons control a plurality of function of the at least one receptacle, based on at least a user interaction with the plurality of capacitive touch buttons. The device may also monitor, display and/or transmit a plurality of electrical usage data related to a device powered by the electrical outlet. The functionality of the outlet may also be provided as part of a power cord coupled to a device and inserted into an electrical outlet.

Abstract: A motor leakage current detector and/or a heat compensating circuit, devices using same and related methods are disclosed herein. Included are a uniquely wired current transformer to allow for polarity agnostic leakage current detection, a leakage current detector using same and having a notifier to alert a user. In other forms, an accessory power cord and power strip are disclosed capable of detecting early motor failure conditions. In still other forms, other machinery failure early warning systems are disclosed as are numerous motor operated devices using same including without limitation pumps.

Abstract: A motor leakage current detector and/or a heat compensating circuit, devices using same and related methods are disclosed herein. Included are a uniquely wired current transformer to allow for polarity agnostic leakage current detection, a leakage current detector using same and having a notifier to alert a user. In other forms, an accessory power cord and power strip are disclosed capable of detecting early motor failure conditions. In still other forms, other machinery failure early warning systems are disclosed as are numerous motor operated devices using same including without limitation pumps.

Abstract: An electrical outlet is disclosed. The outlet includes a power receptacle configured to receive a plug blade and a switch. The switch has a first state when the plug blade is not present within the power receptacle, and a second state when the plug blade is present. The plug blade provides an electrically conductive path between terminals of the switch in the second state. A pulse generator circuit is configured to generate a pulsed signal having a frequency higher than a frequency of alternating current voltage power. A feedback circuit receives the pulsed signal from the pulse generator circuit and provides an output signal to a pulse detection circuit. The output signal includes a pulsed signal corresponding to the pulsed signal received from the pulse generator circuit when the switch is in the first state and a generally continuous state signal when the switch is in the second state.

Abstract: A smart plug system is disclosed. The smart plug system includes a power plug configured to receive an alternating current power signal from shore power, a power receptacle configured to receive a plug having a plug blade, and a plug detection switch configured to detect receipt of the plug blade in the power receptacle. A rectifier circuit is included to rectify the alternating current power signal received at the power plug when the plug detection switch is actuated by receipt of the plug blade. The plug detection switch is further configured to prevent rectification of the alternating current power signal by the rectifier circuit when the plug blade is removed from the power receptacle. A logic level converter is included to receive the rectified power signal to convert the rectified power signal to a logic level signal.

Abstract: A smart plug system is disclosed. The smart plug system includes a power plug configured to receive an alternating current power signal from shore power, a power receptacle configured to receive a plug having a plug blade, and a plug detection switch configured to detect receipt of the plug blade in the power receptacle. A rectifier circuit is included to rectify the alternating current power signal received at the power plug when the plug detection switch is actuated by receipt of the plug blade. The plug detection switch is further configured to prevent rectification of the alternating current power signal by the rectifier circuit when the plug blade is removed from the power receptacle. A logic level converter is included to receive the rectified power signal to convert the rectified power signal to a logic level signal.