A laser pen includes a laser diode and a plug. The plug is received in an earphone jack of a portable electronic device. The laser pen obtains power from the portable electronic device to turn on the laser diode.

Modules, systems, and methods for monitoring environmental conditions, such as physical, electromagnetic, thermal, and/or chemical parameters within an environment, over extended periods of time with the use of one or more electromechanical sensing devices that include a sensing device and electronic circuitry for processing an output of the sensing device and generating a output of the module. The sensing device includes a microstructure, for example, a cantilevered beam, and at least one set of contacts configured for contact-mode operation with the microstructure in response to the microstructure deflecting toward or away from the contacts when exposed to the parameter of interest. The microstructure has a stack of layers of dissimilar materials, at least one of which has at least one property that changes as a result of curing of or absorption by the first material when exposed to the parameter.

Modules, systems, and methods for monitoring environmental conditions, such as physical, electromagnetic, thermal, and/or chemical parameters within an environment, over extended periods of time with the use of one or more electromechanical sensing devices that include a sensing device and electronic circuitry for processing an output of the sensing device and generating a output of the module. The sensing device includes a microstructure, for example, a cantilevered beam, and at least one set of contacts configured for contact-mode operation with the microstructure in response to the microstructure deflecting toward or away from the contacts when exposed to the parameter of interest. The microstructure has a stack of layers of dissimilar materials, at least one of which has at least one property that changes as a result of curing of or absorption by the first material when exposed to the parameter.

The invention relates to a door contact switch, especially for a switchgear cabinet, having a switching piece, a baseplate and a switch housing accommodating the switching piece, the switch housing being movably mounted relative to the baseplate. At least one edge of the baseplate has at least one baseplate snap-in device and the switch housing has at least one switch housing snap-in device such that the baseplate can be locked with the switch housing in at least two different positions.

An apparatus for sterilizing articles comprises a body extending between first and second ends having a bottom surface and defining an interior cavity into the bottom surface thereof and an ultraviolet light source located in the interior cavity. The apparatus further includes a power source operably connected to the ultraviolet light source and at least one proximity sensor disposed along the bottom surface adapted to sense proximity of the bottom surface to an object, wherein the at least one proximity sensor is adapted to permit ultraviolet light source to be illuminated only when the bottom surface is proximate to the object.

An apparatus for sterilizing articles comprises a body extending between first and second ends having a bottom surface and defining an interior cavity into the bottom surface thereof and an ultraviolet light source located in the interior cavity. The apparatus further includes a power source operably connected to the ultraviolet light source and at least one proximity sensor disposed along the bottom surface adapted to sense proximity of the bottom surface to an object, wherein the at least one proximity sensor is adapted to permit ultraviolet light source to be illuminated only when the bottom surface is proximate to the object.

The present disclosure provides a method of safely activating and deactivating hot-swap circuitry powered off of a bus bar. One aspect of the present technology provides a method that includes receiving a bus bar connector. The bus bar connector includes a housing having first and second electrical contacts. The first and second electrical contacts are configured to connect with a bus bar. The bus bar connector also includes a short pin detector attached to the housing. The short pin detector is configured to transmit one or more signals. The method includes engaging the first and second electrical contacts with the bus bar. In response to engaging of the first and second electrical contacts, a first signal can be transmitted indicating that the housing is connected to the bus bar and a hot-swap payload associated with the bus bar connector is activated.

The present disclosure provides a method of safely activating and deactivating hot-swap circuitry powered off of a bus bar. One aspect of the present technology provides a method that includes receiving a bus bar connector. The bus bar connector includes a housing having first and second electrical contacts. The first and second electrical contacts are configured to connect with a bus bar. The bus bar connector also includes a short pin detector attached to the housing. The short pin detector is configured to transmit one or more signals. The method includes engaging the first and second electrical contacts with the bus bar. In response to engaging of the first and second electrical contacts, a first signal can be transmitted indicating that the housing is connected to the bus bar and a hot-swap payload associated with the bus bar connector is activated.

A fluid level detection device comprising an elongated shaft having a plurality of sensors and associated switches on a distal end thereof. The distal end of the shaft extends into a liquid reservoir with the switches configured to detect multiple predetermined fluid levels. The first fluid level detected is a warning level indicating that the level of fluid in the reservoir is low and results in a warning indication. The second fluid level detected is for a shutoff threshold that results in shutdown of the device using the fluid in the reservoir and a shutdown indicator.

Electronic leakage reduction techniques are provided, whereby a device is configured to detect characteristics of an appliance and its power supply when the appliance is off or otherwise placed in a mode for reduced power use by said appliance, and whereby voltage and power provided to the appliance are then substantially reduced. In other aspects of the disclosed technology, user behavior may also manually control power delivered to the appliance, for example, with a switch. In still other aspects of the disclosed technology, a device is configured to detect characteristics of an appliance and its power supply when the appliance is on or otherwise placed in a mode for higher power use by said appliance, and increases power to the appliance.