Abstract: Electrical devices, such as electrical switch devices, include a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a communication circuit configured to communicate with a remote device and a processing circuit, a magnet, and a magnetic sensor configured to sense a magnetic field emanating from the magnet, where rotation of the handle between a first position and a second position causes rotational motion of at least one of the magnet and the magnetic sensor, the rotational motion repositioning the magnet and the magnetic sensor relative to each other, and where the magnetic sensor is configured to sense the repositioning and output a signal to the processing circuit indicative of a position of the handle.

Abstract: Electrical connectors with integral fault detection are provided. The connectors are adapted to be coupled to AC multi-phase electrical cables, and can include a plurality of phase contacts, a detector, and an indicator. The phase contacts include a first phase contact, a second phase contact, and a third phase contact to receive a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase, respectively, of the electrical cable. The detector is configured to monitor a first temperature associated with the first phase contact, a second temperature associated with the second phase contact, and a third temperature associated with the third phase contact to detect a temperature fault at any of the contacts. The indicator is operatively coupled to the detector and is configured to indicate presence of the temperature fault.

Abstract: An improved mechanical interlock including one or more features to facilitate a more robust design, easier assembly, and/or enhanced capabilities. For example, the mechanical interlock may include an interlock latch operatively associated with an external handle assembly and an internal connector. The interlock latch being directly coupled to a shaft coupled to the handle assembly, thus providing an improved and more robust latching mechanism. The mechanical interlock may also include one or more keys (e.g., a Poke-Yoke feature) to facilitate easier assembly and/or to prevent human errors caused by improper assembly. The mechanical interlock may also include an integrated magnetic switch and monitoring system to ensure that accurate location of the handle assembly is known.

Abstract: An improved mechanical interlock including one or more features to facilitate a more robust design, easier assembly, and/or enhanced capabilities. For example, the mechanical interlock may include an interlock latch operatively associated with an external handle assembly and an internal connector. The interlock latch being directly coupled to a shaft coupled to the handle assembly, thus providing an improved and more robust latching mechanism. The mechanical interlock may also include one or more keys (e.g., a Poke-Yoke feature) to facilitate easier assembly and/or to prevent human errors caused by improper assembly. The mechanical interlock may also include an integrated magnetic switch and monitoring system to ensure that accurate location of the handle assembly is known.

Abstract: An electrical device such as, for example, a mechanical interlock including one or more interconnected electrical components configured to detect or monitor an operational state or condition is hereby disclosed. In one embodiment, the electrical device may include a communications bus, one or more sensor modules coupled to the communications bus, and a sensor hub module coupled to the communications bus, wherein the sensor module(s) generate signal(s) including data indicating a sensed condition. A communications module coupled to the sensor hub module may transmit the data indicating the sensed condition to a remote device, a remote computer network, or a remote cloud service. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the device may include a water detection sensor including first and second curved conductive traces. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the device may include a voltage limiter circuit providing a DC output voltage from a high voltage AC input.

Abstract: A mechanical interlock including one or more features to facilitate easier assembly and/or manufacturing. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the mechanical interlock may include one ore more features to provided increased protection. The mechanical interlock may include a baseplate arranged and configured to receive one or more components thereon so that the components can be coupled and wired as a sub-assembly prior to inserting into the enclosure. The mechanical interlock may include an adapter positioned between a connector and a contact carrier bracket to enable variously sized connectors to be coupled to a common contract carrier bracket. The adapter may include one ore more keys to prevent improper coupling of the adapter. The contact carrier bracket may be arranged and configured to receive one or more PCBs to provide an increased level of protection for the PCB.

Abstract: An electrical device such as, for example, a mechanical interlock including one or more interconnected electrical components configured to detect or monitor an operational state or condition is hereby disclosed. In one embodiment, the electrical device may include a communications bus, one or more sensor modules coupled to the communications bus, and a sensor hub module coupled to the communications bus, wherein the sensor module(s) generate signal(s) including data indicating a sensed condition. A communications module coupled to the sensor hub module may transmit the data indicating the sensed condition to a remote device, a remote computer network, or a remote cloud service. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the device may include a water detection sensor including first and second curved conductive traces. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the device may include a voltage limiter circuit providing a DC output voltage from a high voltage AC input.

Abstract: An improved mechanical interlock is disclosed. The mechanical interlock includes one or more features to facilitate easier assembly and/or manufacturing. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the mechanical interlock may include one or more features provided increased protection. The mechanical interlock may include a baseplate arranged and configured to receive one or more components thereon so that the components can be coupled and wired as a sub-assembly prior to inserting into the enclosure. The mechanical interlock may include an adapter positioned between a connector and a contact carrier bracket to enable variously sized connectors to be coupled to a common contact carrier bracket. The adapter may include one or more keys to prevent improper coupling of the adapter. The contact carrier bracket may be arranged and configured to receive one or more PCBs to provide an increased level of protection for the PCB.

Abstract: An improved mechanical interlock is disclosed. The mechanical interlock includes one or more features to facilitate a more robust design, easier assembly, and/or enhanced capabilities. For example, the mechanical interlock may include an interlock latch operatively associated with an external handle assembly and an internal connector. The interlock latch being directly coupled to a shaft coupled to the handle assembly, thus providing an improved and more robust latching mechanism. The mechanical interlock may also include one or more keys (e.g., a Poke-Yoke feature) to facilitate easier assembly and/or to prevent human errors caused by improper assembly. The mechanical interlock may also include an integrated magnetic switch and monitoring system to ensure that accurate location of the handle assembly is known.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing an electrical load of a power strip. The systems include a power strip including an electrical connector connected to an AC power supply, outlet sockets electrically coupled to the electrical connector, a conductive path between the electrical connector and the electrical outlet sockets, an indicator, and a current monitoring circuit. The current monitoring circuit is electrically coupled to the conductive path and measures total current flowing in the conductive path, determines whether the total current is within a predetermined amount of current from a current rating of the power strip, and causes the indicator to indicate when the total current is within a predetermined amount of current from the current rating.

Abstract: A wiring device includes a strap having mounting holes to facilitate fastening of the wiring device to an electrical box, a housing having a face accessible once the wiring device is fastened to the electrical box, the face having an area divided into a first region and a second region, a first line voltage electrical outlet accessible through a first set of apertures on the first region of the face and a user-interchangeable module accessible on the second region of the face, the user-interchangeable module including a low voltage port configured to receive a male charging connector of a charging cable connected to an external device. The wiring device comprises charging circuitry within the housing, the charging circuitry being configured to provide charging current to the external device. The charging circuitry has an electrical operating parameter configurable automatically by a characteristic of the user-interchangeable module or the external device.

Abstract: A wiring device includes a strap having mounting holes to facilitate fastening of the wiring device to an electrical box, a housing having a face accessible once the wiring device is fastened to the electrical box, the face having an area divided into a first region and a second region, a first line voltage electrical outlet accessible through a first set of apertures on the first region of the face and a user-interchangeable module accessible on the second region of the face, the user-interchangeable module including a low voltage port configured to receive a male charging connector of a charging cable connected to an external device. The wiring device comprises charging circuitry within the housing, the charging circuitry being configured to provide charging current to the external device. The charging circuitry has an electrical operating parameter configurable automatically by a characteristic of the user-interchangeable module or the external device.

Abstract: A universal serial bus charging device for charging connected electronic devices is presented. The universal serial bus includes a microprocessor and a power supply configured to output a total charging current. The universal serial bus charging device further includes a plurality of low voltage ports in communication with the microprocessor and electrically coupled to the power supply. Each of the plurality of low voltage ports are capable of connecting with the electronic devices and providing the electronic devices a device charging current. The microprocessor is configured to enumerate the connected electronic devices and communicate to each of the enumerated electronic devices the device charging current available through its respective low voltage port connection. The available device charging current for each enumerated electronic device is determined by the microprocessor as a function of a total charging current and the enumerated electronic devices.

Abstract: A wiring device for fastening in an electrical box is presented including a strap having first and second mounting holes to facilitate fastening of the wiring device to the electrical box, the first and second mounting holes lying on an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis and a housing having a face, the face having an area which is divided into first and second regions by a lateral axis, the lateral axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The wiring device further includes a first low voltage port being accessible through a first low voltage port aperture, a second low voltage port being accessible through a second low voltage port aperture, a third low voltage port being accessible through a third low voltage port aperture, and a fourth low voltage port being accessible through a fourth low voltage port aperture.

Abstract: A wiring device for fastening in an electrical box is presented including a strap having first and second mounting holes to facilitate fastening of the wiring device to the electrical box, the first and second mounting holes lying on an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis and a housing having a face, the face having an area which is divided into first and second regions by a lateral axis, the lateral axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The wiring device further includes a first low voltage port being accessible through a first low voltage port aperture, a second low voltage port being accessible through a second low voltage port aperture, a third low voltage port being accessible through a third low voltage port aperture, and a fourth low voltage port being accessible through a fourth low voltage port aperture.

Abstract: A universal serial bus charging device for charging connected electronic devices is presented. The universal serial bus includes a microprocessor and a power supply configured to output a total charging current. The universal serial bus charging device further includes a plurality of low voltage ports in communication with the microprocessor and electrically coupled to the power supply. Each of the plurality of low voltage ports are capable of connecting with the electronic devices and providing the electronic devices a device charging current. The microprocessor is configured to enumerate the connected electronic devices and communicate to each of the enumerated electronic devices the device charging current available through its respective low voltage port connection. The available device charging current for each enumerated electronic device is determined by the microprocessor as a function of a total charging current and the enumerated electronic devices.

Abstract: A dimming system and method of operating the same are provided. The dimming system includes a first terminal configured to operatively connect to a first conductive line, a second terminal configured to operatively connect to a second conductive line, and a third terminal configured to operatively connect to a third conductive line. The first conductive line is configured to connect to a load, the second conductive line is configured to supply an alternating current, and the third conductive line is configured to connect to a current path. The dimming system further includes a controller operatively connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals for controlling operation of the dimming system. The first and second terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a primary power supply and the first and third terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a secondary power supply.

Abstract: A dimming system and method of operating the same are provided. The dimming system includes a first terminal configured to operatively connect to a first conductive line, a second terminal configured to operatively connect to a second conductive line, and a third terminal configured to operatively connect to a third conductive line. The first conductive line is configured to connect to a load, the second conductive line is configured to supply an alternating current, and the third conductive line is configured to connect to a current path. The dimming system further includes a controller operatively connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals for controlling operation of the dimming system. The first and second terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a primary power supply and the first and third terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a secondary power supply.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for a dimmer switching device includes a voltage doubler circuit, a filter circuit, a switching power supply, and a linear regulator circuit. In one embodiment, the voltage doubler circuit includes a first stage having a first capacitor and a first diode, and a second stage having a second capacitor and a second diode. The switching power supply may include a feedback circuit, and may be a non-isolated power supply. In an embodiment, the dimmer device is variable between an OFF position and a full ON position, and the circuit is effective to provide power for operation of the switching power supply while the dimmer device is in the full ON position.

Abstract: A dimming system and method of operating the same are provided. The dimming system includes a first terminal configured to operatively connect to a first conductive line, a second terminal configured to operatively connect to a second conductive line, and a third terminal configured to operatively connect to a third conductive line. The first conductive line is configured to connect to a load, the second conductive line is configured to supply an alternating current, and the third conductive line is configured to connect to a current path. The dimming system further includes a controller operatively connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals for controlling operation of the dimming system. The first and second terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a primary power supply and the first and third terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a secondary power supply.