Embodiments of an electrical outlet of the present invention generally include one or more sockets which include, in addition to positive, negative, and optionally, grounding electrical connections, at least one coupling/communication component, wherein AC electrical current flows through the outlet only when a plug comprising a complementary coupling/communication component is engaged with the socket, whereby the proximity of the coupling/communication component and the complementary coupling/communication component actuates the outlet to provide electrical current therethrough. In one embodiment, in lieu of a complementary coupling/communication component, a wireless transmission device is used to send a signal to the coupling/communication component to actuate the outlet. In other embodiments, an electrical outlet of the present invention includes a mechanism for maintaining engagement between the outlet and a receptacle/plug that provides for safe disengagement when they are inadvertently separated. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of apparatuses of the present invention are also provided.

A mobile device electrical outlet, including a main body, a plurality of sockets removably disposed within at least a portion of an interior of the main body to provide electrical power in response to connecting an electrical plug thereto, and a plurality of charging cords disposed within at least a portion of the interior of the main body to provide electrical power in response to connecting a mobile device thereto.

A mobile device electrical outlet, including a main body, a plurality of sockets removably disposed within at least a portion of an interior of the main body to provide electrical power in response to connecting an electrical plug thereto, and a plurality of charging cords disposed within at least a portion of the interior of the main body to provide electrical power in response to connecting a mobile device thereto.

An electrical receptacle includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a power control unit coupled to the PCB, AC electrical conductors, and an electrical receptacle coupled to the PCB. The electrical contacts are in electrical communication with respective ones of the electrical conductors. A first portion of each electrical conductor is coupled to a power source and a second portion of each electrical conductor is coupled to respective ones of the electrical contacts. The power control unit includes a controller and a switch, the switch operable to selectively establish continuity between the first and second portions of at least one of the electrical conductors. The controller is configured to selectively place the switch into either a closed position or an open position in response to a signal received from an environmental or occupancy sensor.

An electrical receptacle includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a power control unit coupled to the PCB, AC electrical conductors, and an electrical receptacle coupled to the PCB. The electrical contacts are in electrical communication with respective ones of the electrical conductors. A first portion of each electrical conductor is coupled to a power source and a second portion of each electrical conductor is coupled to respective ones of the electrical contacts. The power control unit includes a controller and a switch, the switch operable to selectively establish continuity between the first and second portions of at least one of the electrical conductors. The controller is configured to selectively place the switch into either a closed position or an open position in response to a signal received from an environmental or occupancy sensor.

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 releasable power assembly prevents damage to plugs and receptacles connected to refrigerated shipping containers (reefers). Reefers are temporarily stored in shipping port reefer scaffolds and then loaded onto or unloaded off of ground transportation or freighters. However, errors in port command and control systems may result in the failure to unplug reefers prior to loading or unloading. Conventional reefer power plugs and receptacles are twist-locked together and damaged or destroyed if not manually disconnected prior to reefer movement. An advantageous releasable power assembly automatically unlatches before reaching a breaking point for failure to disconnect plug and receptacle.

An leakage current detection and protection device includes a leakage current detection module for detecting a leakage current on the power supply lines and generating a detection feedback signal in response thereto, a self-test module for testing whether the leakage current detection module is faulty, and a trip module for disconnecting the power supply lines in response to the self-test fault signal. The self-test module includes a simulated leakage current trigger circuit for generating a simulated leakage current trigger signal, a simulated leakage current generating circuit for generating a simulated leakage current signal in response to the simulated leakage current trigger signal, a trigger signal turn-off module for turning off the simulated leakage current trigger signal in response to the detection feedback signal, and a fault signal generating module for detecting a fault in the leakage current detection module and generating a self-test fault signal in response thereto.

A replaceable socket device includes adapters and a base. Each of the adapters include a jack and contacts disposed on a bottom of the adapters. The base includes sockets, an adapting interface disposed on the socket, and a coupling interface coupled to the adapting interface and an external power source. Each socket includes a bottom surface and a sidewall perpendicularly connected to the bottom surface. One of the adapters inserts in the socket via an opening formed by the bottom surface and the sidewall. The adapting interface is utilized to connect the socket and one of the adapters. The coupling interface is configured to conduct electrical signal from the external power source to the adapting interface. The structure of the adapting interface is used for allowing one of adapters to couple to the socket via the adapting interface. The adapting interface is lower than the bottom surface of the socket.