An electrical connector provided with a varistor, and to a protection device for incorporation into an electrical connector and having a varistor comprising at least two pins including a first pin which is a live (502) or neutral (504) pin and a second pin which is an earth pin (506), the first and second pins (502, 504, 506) extending through respective apertures (512) in a varistor plate (514) which has first and second faces, wherein a first conductive layer on the first face of the varistor plate (514) connects electrically to the first pin (502, 504) and a second conductive region on the second face of the varistor plate connects electrically to the second pin (506), so that in response to an excessive voltage across the first (502, 504) and second (506) pins the varistor plate will conduct electricity between the first (502, 504) and second (506) pins. The arrangement can easily be adopted in connectors conforming to existing standards, such as existing mains electrical plugs (500).

A connector for use with a GFCI receptacle is provided. The connector includes a body, a latch configured to couple the body to the GFCI receptacle, a first blade supported by and extending from the body, a second blade supported by and extending from the body, wherein when the body is coupled to the GFCI receptacle, the first blade is received by a first mating terminal of the GFCI receptacle and the second blade is received by a second mating terminal of the GFCI receptacle to electrically couple the receptacle to a downstream device.

A power plug includes a shell, input insertion plates, output power lines, a push button on the shell, and a trip assembly inside the shell for controlling electrical coupling between the input insertion plates and output power lines. The trip assembly includes a light emitting element, electrical coupling terminals, and a drive member mechanically coupled to the push button and configured to, in response to a pressing of the push button, control electrical coupling of the electrical coupling terminals, which in turn controls the electrical coupling between the input insertion plates and output power lines. The drive member includes a reflective portion that reflects a part of the light from the light emitting element to the push button as an indicator light. The dual function drive member that accomplishes both mechanical coupling and light transmission reduces the number of components. A device with an electrical control circuit is also disclosed.

A power plug includes a shell, input insertion plates, output power lines, a push button on the shell, and a trip assembly inside the shell for controlling electrical coupling between the input insertion plates and output power lines. The trip assembly includes a light emitting element, electrical coupling terminals, and a drive member mechanically coupled to the push button and configured to, in response to a pressing of the push button, control electrical coupling of the electrical coupling terminals, which in turn controls the electrical coupling between the input insertion plates and output power lines. The drive member includes a reflective portion that reflects a part of the light from the light emitting element to the push button as an indicator light. The dual function drive member that accomplishes both mechanical coupling and light transmission reduces the number of components. A device with an electrical control circuit is also disclosed.

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device includes: a first resistor coupled between a first input terminal of the ESD protection device and a first node of the ESD protection device; a second resistor coupled between the first node and a first output terminal of the ESD protection device; and a first ESD protection component coupled between the first node and a reference voltage terminal of the ESD protection device, where the reference voltage terminal is configured to be coupled to a reference voltage.

Example embodiments relate to power cords for electrically connecting one or more devices to an electrical source. A power cord may include a first end configured to couple to an electrical source and a second end configured to electrically couple to a device. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) may be coupled to the power cord between the first end and the second end such that the GFCI is configured to control a flow of electricity through the power cord to the device when the second end of the power cord is electrically coupled to the device. The GFCI may include a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a first LED configured to illuminate when the GFCI is preventing the flow of electricity, and wherein a second LED is configured to illuminate when an output side of the GFCI is outputting electricity.

An electrical receptacle contains a plug outlet that has a pair of contacts for electrical connection to respective hot and neutral power lines. A controlled switch, such as a TRIAC, is connected in series relationship between the outlet contact and the hot power line. Sensors in the receptacle outputs signals to a processor having an output coupled to the control terminal of the controlled switch. The processor outputs an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the controlled switch in response to received sensor signals that are indicative of conditions relative to the first and second contacts.

An electrical meter quick connect device has a housing with open faces. A first face is configured with connectors to mate to a electrical service panel in a meter connection manner, and a second face is configured with connectors to mate to a meter in an electrical service panel connection manner. First and second set of lines are within the housing, connected from the first face to the second face. A breaker switch is on the housing and coupled to at least one of the first and second set of lines. A third set of lines is connected to the breaker switch and exits a side of the housing, the third set including a ground line. An electrical vehicle charging line is coupled to the third set of lines. The device can be inserted between a meter and electrical service panel to provide an electric vehicle power connection.

In one embodiment, and apparatus includes an electrical socket for connection with an electrical plug, a sensor for identifying a secure connection between the electrical socket and the electrical plug, and an electronic controller electrically coupled to the electrical socket and comprising a power input for receiving power. The electronic controller is operable to transmit power to the electrical socket upon receiving a signal from the sensor identifying the secure connection between the electrical socket and the electrical plug and shut off or turn on power to the electrical socket upon receiving an external input to the electronic controller. A method is also disclosed herein. The apparatus and method provide an electronic controlled power switch or circuit breaker safety device.

In one embodiment, and apparatus includes an electrical socket for connection with an electrical plug, a sensor for identifying a secure connection between the electrical socket and the electrical plug, and an electronic controller electrically coupled to the electrical socket and comprising a power input for receiving power. The electronic controller is operable to transmit power to the electrical socket upon receiving a signal from the sensor identifying the secure connection between the electrical socket and the electrical plug and shut off or turn on power to the electrical socket upon receiving an external input to the electronic controller. A method is also disclosed herein. The apparatus and method provide an electronic controlled power switch or circuit breaker safety device.