Abstract: A fault detection device for an electrical distribution system employs a single arcing fault detection device which can be shared among a plurality of branch circuits. A scanning device is connected to the arcing fault detection device. A line conductor from each of the branch circuits is provided to the arcing fault detection device. A current transformer is provided for each branch circuit to monitor its line conductor and to provide an output signal to the scanning device. The scanning device polls each current transformer for an output signal for a selected number of cycles and provides the output signal to the arcing fault detection device. The arcing fault detection device analyzes the output signals and, upon detection of an arcing fault condition in a branch circuit, shunts the line conductor of that branch circuit to ground via a resistance to induce ground fault condition in the ground fault interrupting device for that branch circuit.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly having a body and a hinged cover is provided to accept a plug with a threaded ring connector. The body has an open end, an exterior surface and a ridge formed on the exterior surface adjacent to the open end adapted to receive the threaded ring of the plug. The ridge of the body has at least one interruption and defines threads for engagement with the threaded ring on the plug. The hinged cover has an interior periphery and at least one protrusion formed on the interior periphery and alignable with the one interruption of the ridge and movable through the interruption and into an underlying position relative to the ridge such that the cover is securely fitted over the open end of and onto the body when the assembly is not in use by moving the cover toward the body followed by rotating the cover relative to the body.

Abstract: A dual trip level ground fault interrupter (GFI) which is designed to trip or operate at a first relatively low personnel protection level of ground leakage current, and also at a second relatively high equipment protection level of grounded leakage current. The dual trip level ground fault interrupter is provided for a power line, having line conductors and a ground conductor, supplying electrical power to a load. The dual trip level GFI comprises first and second differential current transformers, each having a primary winding and a secondary winding. All of the line conductors for the load pass through the primary winding of the first differential current transformer. All of the line conductors and the ground conductor pass through the primary winding of the second differential transformer. The ground conductor does not pass through the primary winding of the first differential current transformer.

Abstract: An electrical cord clamp is disclosed for securing an end of an electrical cord to an electrical device or connector. The electrical cord clamp provides strain relief between the ends of the electrical conductors of the electrical cord and the terminals of the electrical device or connector. The cord clamp has a pair of clamping members slidably coupled to a pair of housing halves of the electrical device for slidably engaging the electrical cord upon installation thereon to pull the electrical cord towards the terminals of the electrical device or connector. The clamping members can have one or more spring elements or arms integrally formed therewith for normally biasing the clamping members to their original position prior to assembly within the electrical device or connector.

Abstract: A switched outlet having a dead front includes a housing, an electrical receptacle mounted in the housing for receiving an electrical plug, a switch mounted in the housing, a handle coupled to the housing and movable between on and off positions, and a switch actuating mechanism. The switch actuating mechanism is coupled to the switch for activating and deactivating the switch. A clutch engages or disengages the handle and the switch activating mechanism. The clutch engages the handle and the switch actuating mechanism when an electrical plug is fully inserted in the electrical receptacle. The clutch disengages the handle from the switch actuating mechanism when no electrical plug is fully received in the electrical receptacle.

Abstract: A floor box wiring fitting incorporating a novel carpet flange possessing a self-closing flap cover assembly, whereby the fitting is adapted to be cast into a concrete floor of a building for the conductance of electrical power or telecommunication signals between the work spaces of buildings. The self-closing action of the flap covers which are hingedly connected to the flap cover plate structure, the latter of which consists of a carpet flange, is essentially implemented through an angular operative contacting relationship between the wall surfaces of the openings receiving the hinging portion of the flap covers and the contiguous or adjacent wall surface of the flap cover which, in effect, will inhibit the flap covers from being opened or swing upwardly from a closed horizontal position to an acute opening angle greater than about 85.degree..

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a main body having an axial passage therethrough for receiving an electrical cable and a fixed clamping jaw extending from an upper face of the main body. A movable jaw is interconnected with the clamping jaw by a plurality of screws for applying clamping forces between the fixed jaw and the movable jaw. A pivoting clamping jaw is provided which is movable from a first position extending into the axial passage in which the connector can clamp a standard size cable to a second position in which the connector can clamp an electrical cable having a smaller diameter than standard. The pivoting clamping jaw comprises a shaft and a pair of jaws extending tangentially therefrom and perpendicular to one another, one of the jaws being longer than the other.

Abstract: A male electrical plug assembly includes an elongated body, a mounting flange, a terminal holder and a terminal retainer, all being made of an insulating material. The elongated body has a plurality of locating elements defined on an exterior surface on one end portion thereof and an annular shoulder defined thereon adjacent to the external locating elements. The mounting flange is adapted to fit over the elongated body and abut against the annular shoulder and has an internal annular wall with a plurality of recesses defined therein being alignable with the external locating elements of the elongated body. The terminal holder is adapted to fit over the elongated body in abutting relation against the mounting flange and has a plurality of cavities and a plurality of slots aligned with the cavities. The cavities and slots are alignable with the internal recesses of the mounting flange and the external locating elements of the elongated body.

Abstract: A surge suppression module for providing existing wiring devices with a surge suppressing element for protection against transient surges of voltage in a power circuit. The surge module includes a universal support member that accommodates variously voltage-rated surge suppressing elements and various covers that accommodate different female wiring devicese to be mounted therein. The surge module also includes an alarm for detecting an electrical malfunction in the surge suppressing element and an indicator light for indicating proper electrical functioning of the surge suppressing element.

Abstract: An overhead wiring system for use in the suspended ceiling of a clean room includes a generally rectangular housing with closed top, side and end walls and a substantially open bottom. A plurality of movable panels are provided in the bottom to close the bottom wall, one or more of the panels having openings through which a power cord can pass. A barrier within the housing divides its interior into a wiring chamber and a power cord chamber, the wiring chamber having a terminal strip connectable with wires from an external conduit. A power cord is connected to the terminal strip, through the barrier and through one of the panels with a stress-relieving cord grip in each of the pass-through locations. The housing is supporting so as to be substantially coplanar with a suspended ceiling and without exerting stress on the ceiling.

Abstract: An electrical connector has an electrically non-conductive outer housing and connector members recessed in one end of the housing. Electromagnetic interference shielding is provided by members surrounding the components within the housing including an electrically conductive grommet circularly contacting conductive braid on the cable to which the connector is attached and a sleeve which surrounds the wires within the housing and extends axially to the connector end. One of the connector prongs is designated as the ground prong and is electrically attached to the sleeve. Embodiments accommodating three and four wires are disclosed.

Abstract: A flat cable system includes a flat cable of a first type which has equally spaced flat conductors in a body of insulating material. A cable of a second type has three conductors, the centers of two of which are separated by the same spacing as in the cable of the first type but the third conductor is separated from the second by twice the spacing. A cable of a third type has three conductors which are uniformly spaced by the same center-to-center spacing as in the first type. When the cables are used together, the proper conductors are easily aligned for interconnection by using a reference edge adjacent the first conductor in each cable. The conductors are also color-coded.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an electrical outlet includes a mounting member which can be attached to an electrical device and a cover plate. The mounting member has extensions projecting from its front surface adjacent its periphery, which extensions are unitary portions of the mounting member. The cover plate has projections extending from its rear surface adjacent its periphery. The extensions and projections mate to releasably couple the mounting member to the cover plate. Tabs and notches can be provided on the sides of the mounting member to facilitate alignment of a plurality of ganged electrical devices covered by a single cover plate.

Abstract: A moisture-proof electrical outlet box includes a backwall with a generally continuous sidewall member upstanding therefrom to define a generally open face at the front edges thereof with a drip rail formed on the sidewall member and surrounding the box. The drip rail is preferably located in front of the front edges of the cable-access ports formed in the sidewall member. Advantageously, a frame-like flange member is formed at the front edges of the sidewall member and adapted to provide a moisture-proof seal with the coverplate. As preferably embodied, the drip rail and the flange member are formed integrally with the sidewall member.

Abstract: At least one sidewall of the electrical outlet box is formed with boss members defining slots for receiving and retaining the attaching portion of a generally L-shaped mounting bracket which also includes a mounting portion adapted to be secured to a suitable support structure. As preferably embodied, the outlet box is made of a moldable plastic material and includes wedge-like restraining means on the sidewall for ratcheting into an aperture formed in the attaching portion of the bracket when the bracket is fully seated in the slots in order to prevent removal of the bracket from the outlet box.