Abstract: A self testing fault detector having a line side and a load side and a conductive path there between, said apparatus is provided. The self testing fault detector includes a controller, adapted to perform periodic status tests on a protection circuit of the self testing fault detector without interrupting power to the load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a protection device for indicating when ground fault protection is not being provided by the protection device. The protection device includes source and load terminals between a conductive path and face terminals. The protection device further includes a latching mechanism, adapted to be operable between a first state in which the latching mechanism permits electrical contact between the source terminals and the load terminals and a second state in which the contact is broken; an alarm indicator, adapted to provide an indication that the protection device is not providing ground fault protection; and a fuse, adapted to blow when the latching mechanism fails to open during a manual test of the protection device.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle, which includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled to the first housing portion. An electrical device is positioned between the first and second housing portions. The terminal has a base and a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending transverse to the base. The first and second protrusions are on opposite sides of the terminal. A clamp is located adjacent to the terminal and positioned between the first and second protrusions and is adapted to couple an electrical wire to the terminal. A fastening device extends through the clamp and is adapted to rotate relative to the terminal. When rotated, the clamp engages at least one of the first and second protrusions on the terminal to limit rotation of the clamp relative to the terminal, thereby preventing separation of the housing.

Abstract: A fault interrupter apparatus having a line side and a load side and a conductive path there between. The apparatus includes a solenoid that is adapted to move a plurality of contacts disposed in the conductive path from a first position to a second position, an alarm indicator that is adapted to provide status information on the operation of the fault interrupter apparatus, and a processor that is adapted to detect four condition states of the fault interrupter and indicate the four condition states of the fault interrupter using the alarm indicator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a protection device for indicating when ground fault protection is not being provided by the protection device. The protection device includes source and load terminals between a conductive path and face terminals. The protection device further includes a latching mechanism, adapted to be operable between a first state in which the latching mechanism permits electrical contact between the source terminals and the load terminals and a second state in which the contact is broken; an alarm indicator, adapted to provide an indication that the protection device is not providing ground fault protection; and a fuse, adapted to blow when the latching mechanism fails to open during a manual test of the protection device.

Abstract: A screw terminal assembly for a wiring device includes a terminal base with a bore having an internal thread. A screw having a shank with an internal thread and a head at one end is threadedly engaged in the bore. A portion of the external thread is deformed adjacent the end remote from the head to limit removal of the screw from the bore.

Abstract: A GFCI is provided that has secondary test switch contacts. In case closing of the primary test switch contacts fails to trip the GFCI, subsequent closing of the secondary test switch contacts results in a short circuit between the AC input terminals of the GFCI. The short circuit blows a fuse disposed on the line side of the GFCI. The blowing of the fuse disables the GFCI and/or provides an indication to the user that the GFCI is defective.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing the misfiring of a protection device. The protection device includes line terminals and load terminals. The protection device further includes a latching mechanism, adapted to move between a closed state which establishes electrical contact between said line and load terminals, and an open state which prevents electrical contact between said line and load terminals; and an initial reset prevention mechanism, adapted to prevent said latching mechanism from being set in said closed state until power is applied to said line terminals.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle, which includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled to the first housing portion. An electrical device is positioned between the first and second housing portions. The terminal has a base and a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending transverse to the base. The first and second protrusions are on opposite sides of the terminal. A clamp is located adjacent to the terminal and positioned between the first and second protrusions and is adapted to couple an electrical wire to the terminal. A fastening device extends through the clamp and is adapted to rotate relative to the terminal. When rotated, the clamp engages at least one of the first and second protrusions on the terminal to limit rotation of the clamp relative to the terminal, thereby preventing separation of the housing.

Abstract: A poke through fitting extending through an aperture in a floor, comprising a housing having a top surface, a portion of the housing received within the aperture in the floor. At least three electrical outlets are received within the housing, each of the outlets being accessible through at least one access opening in the top surface of the housing. Additionally, at least five telecommunication jacks are coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting for use within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle with electrical conductors or wires traveling the length of the fitting. The conductors have thermally activated conductor links. Upon exposure to excessive heat, the links stop the transfer of heat through the conductors. The links can take various forms, including being formed from low melt material or with a spring loading that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/datajacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source. The bus bars of the receptacle can have various configurations, including non-overlapping orientations.

Abstract: A fire rated poke-through floor fitting for extending through an aperture in a floor having a conduit with a first surface and a second surface and at least one passageway extending from the first surface to the second surface. Electrical wire passes from a side door of the floor, through a conduit, to a second side of the floor. Intumescent material is located adjacent the at least passageway an expands inwardly through the at least one passageway when it is exposed to a predetermined amount of heat, resisting transfer of heat, smoke, and flame from the second side of the floor of the first side of the floor.

Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting preferably for use in a three inch diameter bore within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/data jacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source. The bus bars of the receptacle can have various configurations, including non-overlapping orientations.

Abstract: A GFCI is provided that has secondary test switch contacts. In case closing of the primary test switch contacts fails to trip the GFCI, subsequent closing of the secondary test switch contacts results in a short circuit between the AC input terminals of the GFCI. The short circuit blows a fuse disposed on the line side of the GFCI. The blowing of the fuse disables the GFCI and/or provides an indication to the user that the GFCI is defective.

Abstract: A poke through fitting extending through an aperture in a floor, comprising a housing having a top surface, a portion of the housing received within the aperture in the floor. At least three electrical outlets are received within the housing, each of the outlets being accessible through at least one access opening in the top surface of the housing. Additionally, at least five telecommunication jacks are coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A ground fault receptacle housing for an electrical device having a backing portion with a base and a wall extending from the base. The wall has a hoop portion that forms an exterior channel extending therethrough. A cover portion is adapted to couple to the backing portion and has a front face with apertures therein for access to the electrical device. A wall extends from the front face and has a substantially inflexible post extending from the wall. The post has a body portion and a tapered protrusion thereon, the protrusion having a largest perimeter that is greater than at least a perimeter in portion of the exterior channel. When the protrusion passes through the channel, at least a portion of the hoop portion stretches, while the wall extending from the base of the backing portion remains substantially stationary.

Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting preferably for use in a three inch diameter bore within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/data jacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source.

Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting preferably for use in a three inch diameter bore within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/data jacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source. The bus bars of the receptacle can have various configurations, including non-overlapping orientations.

Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting preferably for use in a three inch diameter bore within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/data jacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source.

Abstract: An enhanced terminal screw for use in an electrical receptacle includes a shank, a head and a plurality of impeller wire gripping elements. The shank has opposite ends. The head is mounted to one of the opposite ends of the shank. The head has an underside surface defining a plurality of spaced apart grooves. The impeller wire gripping elements are defined by a plurality of lands formed between the spaced apart grooves on the underside surface of the head which grip a wire partially surrounding the shank and wrap the wire radially inwardly toward the shank as the screw is tightened relative to the wire. Each land has opposite edges providing a gripping surface.