Abstract: A circuit breaker with at least one disconnect mechanism and a smart monitoring system implements nuanced fault logic in order to minimize disruption to operation of the circuit breaker under a fault condition, and enables the circuit breaker to address nuisance or low severity faults separately from load switching. Under low severity or nuisance fault conditions, the smart monitoring system temporarily disconnects affected loads from the power supply rather than tripping the entire circuit breaker so that the loads can be reconnected to the power supply if the fault condition resolves within a short amount of time. In addition, the disconnect mechanism(s) that are used to temporarily disconnect the load(s) are configured to be re-closed after opening without requiring manual intervention. In high severity fault conditions, the smart monitoring system actuates tripping of the entire breaker, requiring manual re-closing of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter movable among ON, OFF, and TRIP positions includes a housing, a latch situated on the housing, a number of mechanisms situated on the housing, each mechanism of the number of mechanisms including a contact arm that is movable with respect to the housing, a set of separable contacts including a stationary contact and further including a movable contact situated on the contact arm, a handle, a pin, a first spring that extends between the contact arm and the handle in at least one of the OFF position and the ON position, a second spring that extends between the handle and the pin, and the pin being movable among a position engaged with the latch in at least one of the ON position and the OFF position and another position engaged with the handle in the TRIP position.

Abstract: A remote load switching circuit breaker includes a primary contact; a secondary contact in series with the primary contact and coupled to a secondary contact driving circuit, where the secondary contact is switched on and off remotely by a user using a user device communicatively coupled to the remote load switching circuit breaker via wireless communications technologies; a shunt element structured to measure a shunt voltage drop and to tap power from a line side of the primary contact; a control circuit comprising a controller and a communication module, the controller including a firmware; and a power supply and sensing circuit structured to supply power to the control circuit and to sense various voltages, where the secondary contact is fully powered by the power supply and sensing circuit.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter movable among ON, OFF, and TRIP positions includes a housing, a latch situated on the housing, a number of mechanisms situated on the housing, each mechanism of the number of mechanisms including a contact arm that is movable with respect to the housing, a set of separable contacts including a stationary contact and further including a movable contact situated on the contact arm, a handle, a pin, a first spring that extends between the contact arm and the handle in at least one of the OFF position and the ON position, a second spring that extends between the handle and the pin, and the pin being movable among a position engaged with the latch in at least one of the ON position and the OFF position and another position engaged with the handle in the TRIP position.

Abstract: A shunt trip assembly is structured to be operatively coupled to a number of circuit breakers. The shunt trip assembly includes a housing assembly and an actuating assembly. The actuating assembly includes a limited number of components. In another embodiment, the shunt trip assembly housing assembly is a substantially sealed housing assembly. In another embodiment, the shunt trip assembly housing assembly includes a single mounting panel.

Abstract: A remote load switching circuit breaker includes a primary contact; a secondary contact in series with the primary contact and coupled to a secondary contact driving circuit, where the secondary contact is switched on and off remotely by a user using a user device communicatively coupled to the remote load switching circuit breaker via wireless communications technologies; a shunt element structured to measure a shunt voltage drop and to tap power from a line side of the primary contact; a control circuit comprising a controller and a communication module, the controller including a firmware; and a power supply and sensing circuit structured to supply power to the control circuit and to sense various voltages, where the secondary contact is fully powered by the power supply and sensing circuit.

Abstract: A shutter assembly for a tamper-resistant electrical receptacle includes a shutter, a base clip, and a spring. The shutter is coupled at one end by the spring to the rear side of an individual outlet cover of the electrical receptacle, and two multi-sloped blocking mechanisms of the shutter block access to the live electrical terminals from the hot and neutral slots of the outlet cover when a plug is not inserted into the outlet. The shutter comprises a fulcrum that rests on the base clip, which allows one end of the shutter to interlock with divots formed in the rear side of the outlet cover and the other end of the shutter to interlock with the base clip in order to prevent access to the live electrical terminals when an object is inserted into only one of the hot or neutral slots of the individual outlet cover, or when an object is inserted into the outlet cover at a tilted angle.

Abstract: A shutter assembly for a tamper-resistant electrical receptacle includes a shutter, a base clip, and a spring. The shutter is coupled at one end by the spring to the rear side of an individual outlet cover of the electrical receptacle, and two multi-sloped blocking mechanisms of the shutter block access to the live electrical terminals from the hot and neutral slots of the outlet cover when a plug is not inserted into the outlet. The shutter comprises a fulcrum that rests on the base clip, which allows one end of the shutter to interlock with divots formed in the rear side of the outlet cover and the other end of the shutter to interlock with the base clip in order to prevent access to the live electrical terminals when an object is inserted into only one of the hot or neutral slots of the individual outlet cover, or when an object is inserted into the outlet cover at a tilted angle.

Abstract: A shunt trip assembly structured to be operatively coupled to a number of circuit breakers uses a lever to actuate an operating mechanism of the circuit breakers and uses a selectively powered solenoid to power the lever. The shunt trip assembly is composed from a standardized shunt assembly designed for use with a plurality of different solenoid coils, such that a given standardized shunt assembly will be operative regardless of which of the solenoid coils are added to the standardized shunt assembly. The shunt trip assembly requires less than 10 amps of current to operate; can be powered by any of a 12 volt AC/DC, 24 volt AC/DC, or 48 volt AC/DC power source; and is functional in temperatures ranging from ?40° C. to +60° C.

Abstract: A shunt trip assembly is structured to be operatively coupled to a number of circuit breakers. The shunt trip assembly includes a housing assembly and an actuating assembly. The actuating assembly includes a limited number of components. In another embodiment, the shunt trip assembly housing assembly is a substantially sealed housing assembly. In another embodiment, the shunt trip assembly housing assembly includes a single mounting panel.

Abstract: An electrical outlet includes a base and further includes a power module that is movably situated on the base. The power module is movable among a plurality of different orientations on the electrical outlet. The power module includes different electronic devices on each of a plurality of surface portions of the power module. As the power module is moved with respect to the electrical outlet among the different orientations, a different exposed surface portion faces away from the electrical outlet, and a different electrical device that is situated on or adjacent the exposed surface portion is operable to output electrical power or to perform some other function. The various electrical devices can be selected to provide a balance of electrical services, such as multiple types of USB ports, wireless recharging, a nightlight, and the like, without limitation.

Abstract: An electrical connection element is for a power connector. The power connector includes an electrical component having a number of first electrical mating members. The electrical connection element comprises: a housing including a number of second electrical mating members structured to be electrically connected to the number of first electrical mating members; a contact assembly enclosed by the housing and being electrically connected to the number of second electrical mating members; and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contact assembly. The contact assembly is structured to electrically connect and disconnect power while the number of first electrical mating members remain mechanically coupled to the number of second electrical mating members.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle provides a plurality of outlets that are in different orientations. The electrical receptacle has a housing having a plurality of openings formed therein which are also referred to as contact openings, with each outlet having three contact openings. Each such outlet has a contact opening that is common with another outlet, meaning that a contact opening of one outlet and a contact opening of another outlet are actually an individual contact opening that is common to the two outlets and is thus shared therebetween. The electrical receptacle additionally includes a thermally protected metal oxide varistor (TMOV) that employs a thermal fuse and a metal oxide varistor (MOV) in order to protect electrical devices that are connected with the electrical receptacle from damage due to extended surges and spikes.

Abstract: An electrical connection element is for a power connector. The power connector includes an electrical component having a number of first electrical mating members. The electrical connection element comprises: a housing including a number of second electrical mating members structured to be electrically connected to the number of first electrical mating members; a contact assembly enclosed by the housing and being electrically connected to the number of second electrical mating members; and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contact assembly. The contact assembly is structured to electrically connect and disconnect power while the number of first electrical mating members remain mechanically coupled to the number of second electrical mating members.

Abstract: A power connector receptacle includes a housing assembly and a clockable contact assembly. The housing assembly includes a first housing including a hollow, elongated body. The first housing body is structured to be coupled to the number of first electrical couplings disposed in a variable standard pattern. The clockable contact assembly is structured to be disposed substantially within the housing assembly first housing body and coupled thereto in one of a plurality of possible orientations.

Abstract: An electrical connection element is for a power connector. The power connector includes an electrical component having a number of first electrical mating members. The electrical connection element comprises: a housing including a number of second electrical mating members structured to be electrically connected to the number of first electrical mating members; a contact assembly enclosed by the housing and being electrically connected to the number of second electrical mating members; and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contact assembly. The contact assembly is structured to electrically connect and disconnect power while the number of first electrical mating members remain mechanically coupled to the number of second electrical mating members.

Abstract: An electrical connection element is for a power connector. The power connector includes an electrical component having a number of first electrical mating members. The electrical connection element comprises: a housing including a number of second electrical mating members structured to be electrically connected to the number of first electrical mating members; a contact assembly enclosed by the housing and being electrically connected to the number of second electrical mating members; and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contact assembly. The contact assembly is structured to electrically connect and disconnect power while the number of first electrical mating members remain mechanically coupled to the number of second electrical mating members.