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.

Various implementations and configurations of a user configurable electric power distribution apparatus are possible and may comprise: an electrical input unit comprising an electrical plug, wherein the input unit may be pluggable into an existing electrical outlet and may conceal the electrical outlet; an electrical output unit comprising one or more electrical receptacles, wherein the output unit and the input unit are not conjoined, the output unit can be located on a surface when the input unit is plugged into an electrical outlet, and the output unit can be separated by a distance from the input unit; an electrical interconnect, which may be modular, attached to both the input unit and the output unit, wherein electrical power received by the electrical plug may be available at an electrical receptacle comprised by the output unit; an optional ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI); and an optional one or more USB power ports.

Various implementations and configurations of a user configurable electric power distribution apparatus are possible and may comprise: an electrical input unit comprising an electrical plug, wherein the input unit may be pluggable into an existing electrical outlet and may conceal the electrical outlet; an electrical output unit comprising one or more electrical receptacles, wherein the output unit and the input unit are not conjoined, the output unit can be located on a surface when the input unit is plugged into an electrical outlet, and the output unit can be separated by a distance from the input unit; an electrical interconnect, which may be modular, attached to both the input unit and the output unit, wherein electrical power received by the electrical plug may be available at an electrical receptacle comprised by the output unit; an optional ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI); and an optional one or more USB power ports.

A power supply cord for use with a leakage current detection and interruption device, including at least two power supply lines, at least two insulating layers respectively covering the at least two power supply lines, at least two shield lines respectively covering the at least two insulating layers, and at least one insulating structure covering at least one of the at least two shield lines to electrically insulate the at least two shield lines from each other. By providing the insulating structure outside of at least one of the shield lines, the shield lines of different power supply lines are independent of each other, so that the shield lines can better detect leakage currents in the power supply lines.

A power supply cord for use with a leakage current detection and interruption device, including at least two power supply lines, at least two insulating layers respectively covering the at least two power supply lines, at least two shield lines respectively covering the at least two insulating layers, and at least one insulating structure covering at least one of the at least two shield lines to electrically insulate the at least two shield lines from each other. By providing the insulating structure outside of at least one of the shield lines, the shield lines of different power supply lines are independent of each other, so that the shield lines can better detect leakage currents in the power supply lines.

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.

A method of ensuring power delivery in a universal serial bus (USB) interface between a device and a counterpart device, the device including a port controller and a USB receptacle. The method includes the port controller attempting to detect an abnormal state in which a leakage current occurs in the USB receptacle using at least one pin of the USB receptacle; and when the abnormal state is detected, the port controller turning OFF a switch connected between a power pin of the USB receptacle and an internal circuit of the device, and determining to enter an unattached state of being separated from the counterpart device.

An electrical outlet device and system for providing light and power during the night or during a power failure. The device and system includes rechargeable energy storage devices that can be utilized to provide power to the outlet(s) and the light sources. The device and system can have two sections, a main and a removable section both having their own energy storage devices and light sources. The light sources can be controlled by a control circuit that can utilize one or more switches or sensors to control the activation or deactivation of the light sources and also the transfer of energy from the energy storage devices to the light sources or outlets of the main section. The main section can also have USB and electrical outlets or plugs to allow the device and system to be plugged into an AC or DC power source, and can transfer that energy to the USB and electrical outlets or plugs.

An electrical outlet device and system for providing light and power during the night or during a power failure. The device and system includes rechargeable energy storage devices that can be utilized to provide power to the outlet(s) and the light sources. The device and system can have two sections, a main and a removable section both having their own energy storage devices and light sources. The light sources can be controlled by a control circuit that can utilize one or more switches or sensors to control the activation or deactivation of the light sources and also the transfer of energy from the energy storage devices to the light sources or outlets of the main section. The main section can also have USB and electrical outlets or plugs to allow the device and system to be plugged into an AC or DC power source, and can transfer that energy to the USB and electrical outlets or plugs.

Disclosed is a plug power cord, which includes a plug including a main body, a live wire contact and a neutral wire contact, and a load wire. The load wire is connected with the live wire contact, and a protector is arranged between the load wire and the live wire contact, or, the load wire is connected with the neutral wire contact, and a protector is arranged between the load wire and the neutral wire contact.