Abstract: A control system and method suppress noise in a power-line-based system which has a device repeater connected to an electrical device, and which may be capable of remote control by signals transmitted through the power-line-based system. The control system includes a control device and a communications bus. The communications bus connects the control device to the device repeater. The control device, using a control repeater, controls a phase signal of the device repeater to suppress noise during operation of the electrical device associated with the device repeater.

Abstract: A mounting strap device can be configured to mount a number of different types of wallplates of decreasing length. A central body portion has removable tabs which engage a wallplate of a first length and a first type. The removable tabs can be removed to expose pairs of removable members at the strap device ends which contain flexible latch pawls to mount a second, shorter type wallplate. The removable members can be removed to allow the mounting strap device to be fixed to a shorter length, third type wallplate by means of threaded fasteners.

Abstract: To separate the chamber of a standard device box into two compartments, one for high voltage power conductors and the other for low power signal conductors a deflectable isolation barrier is employed. In a first form the barrier, its supporting means and attaching means are formed as an integral unit and fastened to the inside surface of a wall plate. The barrier takes a position in the box based upon the depth of the box. In a second form the deflectable isolation barrier is formed as an extension of the side wall of a box insert to be placed in the device box.

Abstract: A snap-in assembly of a wallplate to a heat sink is achieved by placing notches in the ends of the heat-dissipating fins of the heat sink which receive in locking engagement the free ends of tabs placed along the inside of the peripheral wall, at the top and bottom ends, of the rear surface of the wallplate. The wallplate can be removed from the heat sink and reinstalled as desired.

Abstract: A mounting system using a mounting frame permits the support of up to three printed circuit boards in a stacked fashion. Various cut-outs provide ridge segments to support printed circuit boards at a top, bottom and intermediate plane. Locking devices adjacent selected ridge segments engage the printed circuit boards and hold them in assembly with the mounting frame. The individual printed circuit boards can be coupled to each other employing straight pin headers or employing flexible, flat ribbon cable connected to the printed circuit board traces by suitable connectors.

Abstract: A cover plate for ceiling or wall mounted electrical devices which follows the contour of the surface of the ceiling or wall about such devices. A mounting plate which can be mounted to a suitable box in the ceiling or wall has two sets of tongues to engage locking members on the cover plate. The locking members are flexible tabs which establish notches therebetween to receive the tongues of the cover plate and thus fix the cover plate to the mounting plate. The two detent posts with their associated tongues are independently applied so that the cover plate can more nearly match the contour of the ceiling or wall.

Abstract: One or two runner wires are added to a sliding-type switch to facilitate movement of the slider with respect to the glide plate and frame. A first set of runner wires is placed in slots in the side walls of the glide plate and are engaged by the slider to provide smooth movement of the slider along the runner wires. A further runner wire engages slots the top of the slider and the inner wall of a frame member about the glide plate and provides additional low friction rails for the slider to move along.

Abstract: A cover plate for ceiling or wall mounted electrical devices which follows the contour of the surface of the ceiling or wall about such devices. A mounting plate which can be mounted to a suitable box in the ceiling or wall has two sets of tongues to engage locking members on the cover plate. The locking members are flexible tabs which establish notches therebetween to receive the tongues of the cover plate and thus fix the cover plate to the mounting plate. The two detent posts with their associated tongues are independently applied so that the cover plate can more nearly match the contour of the ceiling or wall.

Abstract: A key touch dimmer includes a switching device through which AC line current is passed to brighten a lamp in response to a control signal generated by a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives an input indicative of the zero crossing points of the AC line current and synchronizes this input with its own internal clock circuitry to generate a firing signal for the switching device at the correct phase angle in the next half cycle of the AC line current. The dimmer has memory capability whereby the lamp, when turned back on, will brighten to a preset level. This brightening is accomplished in a gradual manner. Likewise, a turned off lamp will fade to zero brightness, with the dimmer retaining the preset brightness level. The microprocessor shuts down quickly in the event of a power outage to preserve memory. An optional display includes a plurality of LEDs for indicating light level. Other options include providing the dimmer with several keys, each of which can be adjusted to a respective preset level.

Abstract: A key touch dimmer includes a switching device through which AC line current is passed to brighten a lamp in response to a control signal generated by a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives an input indicative of the zero crossing points of the AC line current and synchronizes this input with its own internal clock circuitry to generate a firing signal for the switching device at the correct phase angle in the next half cycle of the AC line current. The dimmer has memory capability whereby the lamp, when turned back on, will brighten to a preset level. This brightening is accomplished in a gradual manner. Likewise, a turned off lamp will fade to zero brightness, with the dimmer retaining the preset brightness level. The microprocessor shuts down quickly in the event of a power outage to preserve memory. An optional display includes a plurality of LEDs for indicating light level. Other options include providing the dimmer with several keys, each of which can be adjusted to a respective preset level.

Abstract: A key touch dimmer includes a switching device through which AC line current is passed to brighten a lamp in response to a control signal generated by a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives an input indicative of the zero crossing points of the AC line current and synchronizes this input with its own internal clock circuitry to generate a firing signal for the switching device at the correct phase angle in the next half cycle of the AC line current. The dimmer has memory capability whereby the lamp, when turned back on, will brighten to a preset level. This brightening is accomplished in a gradual manner. Likewise, a turned off lamp will fade to zero brightness, with the dimmer retaining the preset brightness level. The microprocessor shuts down quickly in the event of a power outage to preserve memory. An optional display includes a plurality of LEDs for indicating light level. Other options include providing the dimmer with several keys, each of which can be adjusted to a respective preset level.