Abstract: The present invention is a protection device that is coupled to a power source In an electric power distribution system. The protection device is configured to protect a portion of the power distribution system from at least one fault condition. The device includes line terminals configured to be coupled to the power source when a proper wiring condition is effected. A receptacle member includes receptacle openings configured to accommodate plug contact blades. Receptacle contacts are disposed in the receptacle member and coupled to the line terminals. An electrical connection is established between the receptacle contacts and the line terminals. At least one protective shutter is movable between a closed position and an open position. The at least one protective shutter is disposed between the receptacle openings and the receptacle contacts in the closed position to prevent the plug blades from making contact with the receptacle contacts. A mis-wiring sensor is coupled to the line terminals.

Abstract: A slide switch includes a glider constrained by a housing which is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). Dual contact springs on the bottom of the glider interact with two rows of contacts on the PCB, with each contact spring making contact between adjacent contacts in the same row as the contact spring. In the preferred embodiment, the switch is a dual pole five-throw position switch which in conjunction with the circuit on the PCB, provides speed control for a fan with four speed settings and an OFF setting. If n number of contact springs and k number of contacts are in each row, an n-pole k-l throw linear switch is possible.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a plurality of line terminals configured to be connected to an electrical distribution system, and a plurality of load terminals configured to be connected to a load. The device includes a fault detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect at least one fault in the electrical distribution system. A power interruption circuit couples the plurality of line terminals to the plurality of load terminals to thereby provide power to the load under normal operating conditions. The power interruption circuit also is coupled to the fault detection circuit, and configured to decouple the plurality of line terminals from the plurality of load terminals in response to the fault detection circuit detecting the at least one fault. A test circuit is coupled to the fault detection circuit and the power interruption circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a plurality of line terminals configured to be connected to an electrical distribution system, and a plurality of load terminals configured to be connected to at least one load. The device includes a fault detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect at least one fault condition. A power interruption circuit coupled to the fault detection circuit, the power interruption circuit including a set of movable contacts configured to decouple the plurality of line terminals from the plurality of load terminals in response to the fault detection circuit detecting the at least one fault condition. A reset mechanism is coupled to the power interruption circuit and configured to actuate the movable contacts to re-couple the plurality of line terminals to the plurality of load terminals. A lock-out mechanism is coupled to the reset mechanism.

Abstract: An AC power line protection device which includes miswiring protection has an indicator lamp which lights when the device is in the tripped condition and turns off when the device is reset. The protection device also includes a protective circuit which protects the AC power line from downstream faults. The indicator lamp and/or the protective circuit are powered via the hot line bus bar by connecting a breaker spring to the hot line bus bar. A contact post is then connected between the breaker spring and an underside of a printed circuit board where power is provided to the indicator lamp and/or the protective circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device. The GFCI device includes a GFCI device housing. A GFCI circuit is enclosed within GFCI device housing. The GFCI circuit is configured to detect a ground fault condition. A second detection circuit is coupled to the GFCI circuit and disposed within the GFCI device housing. The second detection circuit includes a switch element configured to be in an open position during at least one post-manufacture test procedure and configured to be in a closed position during usage. A protection switch is disposed on the exterior of the GFCI device housing and operatively coupled to the switch element. The protection switch is configured to allow a user to throw the switch element into the closed position without accessing the interior of the GFCI device housing.

Abstract: A protective device includes a test button for enabling a test signal for testing an operating condition of at least one of the device components, such as the sensor, detector, switch, solenoid and trip mechanism. The test button also enables a current through a resistor body which is affixed to a stationary part of the device. The resistor body keeps a lockout spring under tension. Failure of the test signal to operate the trip mechanism within a predetermined time interval causes the resistor body conducting said current to reach a predetermined temperature, wherein the resistor body ceases to hold a lockout spring, thereby permitting the lockout spring to move to a position which causes the set of interrupting contacts to remain permanently in a disconnected position.

Abstract: A weather-resistant outlet box is hinged at one corner and includes a cover which latches to a back body at an opposite corner. A flexible latch member, which contains a hook member, is molded as an integral part of the cover. A catch piece on the back body interlocks with the hook member when the cover is closed. The flexible latch member includes a trigger member extending from the hook member. A thumb rest on the cover permits one-handed operation. The cover is opened by placing a user's thumb on the thumb rest while simultaneously pulling the trigger member with the user's finger, thus unlocking the hook member from the catch piece and permitting the cover to open.

Abstract: A one piece grommet for accommodating a variety of wire sizes in an operable environment to substantially preclude travel of environmental parameters along a length of the wire passing the grommet is disclosed. The grommet has an outer annulus and a radially inwardly spaced inner annulus, connected by a neck, wherein the outer annulus has a sufficient rigidity to substantially preclude inversion of the grommet upon translation of the wire in an axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention presents an electrical control box which provides a common platform for either a sliding switch or a toggling switch. The present invention uses the same PC board for both types of operation. A common wrap around heat sink provides a large surface area for dissipating heat. The present invention allows a triac to be mounted in close proximity on the circuit board of the electrical control box rather than toward the front surface of the electrical control box so as to simplify assembly. Screws for attaching to external wiring are mounted on the back body.

Abstract: A wiring device, and more particularly a heat generating wiring device such as a dimmer, includes a heat sink in thermal contact with a heat-generating electrical component and the ground terminal to dissipate heat therefrom. The ground terminal is recessed in the housing to prevent a ground screw from contacting external insulation but without impeding connection of the ground wire to the ground terminal.