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 electric signal adapting device includes at least one first adapting interface and at least one first adaptor. The at least one first adapting interface comprises a magnetic component and a magnetic sensing component. The first adaptor is placed in correspondence with the first adapting interface. The first adaptor is electrically connected to each of the corresponding at least one first adapting interface for transferring the DC electric signal and connecting the DC electric signal to an external device. The magnetic component is configured to attract the at least one first adaptor. The magnetic sensing component is configured to determine whether the at least one first adaptor is correctly placed. When the magnetic sensing component determines that the at least one first adaptor is correctly placed, the at least one first adapting interface transfers the DC electric signal to the at least one first adaptor.

An electric signal adapting device includes at least one first adapting interface and at least one first adaptor. The at least one first adapting interface comprises a magnetic component and a magnetic sensing component. The first adaptor is placed in correspondence with the first adapting interface. The first adaptor is electrically connected to each of the corresponding at least one first adapting interface for transferring the DC electric signal and connecting the DC electric signal to an external device. The magnetic component is configured to attract the at least one first adaptor. The magnetic sensing component is configured to determine whether the at least one first adaptor is correctly placed. When the magnetic sensing component determines that the at least one first adaptor is correctly placed, the at least one first adapting interface transfers the DC electric signal to the at least one first adaptor.

A power plug with leakage current detection and protection interrupter and arc protection includes: a shell, a trip assembly disposed within the shell, a cable connector electrically coupled to the trip assembly, and an arc protection shield disposed between the trip assembly and the shell. The trip assembly includes a switch having input and output contact terminals. The arc protection shield is configured to isolate the input and output contact terminals of the switch from the shell. The arc protection shield includes one or more arc blocking baffles, each disposed near corresponding input and output contact terminals, so as to isolate the contact terminals from the shell. By providing the arc protection shield between the input and output contact terminals and the shell, the shell is protected from arcs formed at the input and output contact terminals due to connection and disconnection operations. This prevents damage to the shell and improves user experience and safety.

A power plug with leakage current detection and protection interrupter and arc protection includes: a shell, a trip assembly disposed within the shell, a cable connector electrically coupled to the trip assembly, and an arc protection shield disposed between the trip assembly and the shell. The trip assembly includes a switch having input and output contact terminals. The arc protection shield is configured to isolate the input and output contact terminals of the switch from the shell. The arc protection shield includes one or more arc blocking baffles, each disposed near corresponding input and output contact terminals, so as to isolate the contact terminals from the shell. By providing the arc protection shield between the input and output contact terminals and the shell, the shell is protected from arcs formed at the input and output contact terminals due to connection and disconnection operations. This prevents damage to the shell and improves user experience and safety.

A medical electrical equipment power tap has multiple sockets and a power cord with a maximum current rating. The power tap includes a display to indicate information related to an instantaneous current draw of the power tap. The power tap also includes an electrical circuit which determines whether the instantaneous current draw exceeds a predetermined maximum allowed current which is less than the maximum current rating. The display provides a visual indication when the power tap's current draw exceeds the maximum allowed value, signifying that at least one item of medical electrical equipment should be unplugged from the power tap. The electrical circuit includes a current loop which passes through a structural portion of the power tap's housing for independently gauging the instantaneous current draw using a clamp probe.

A medical electrical equipment power tap has multiple sockets and a power cord with a maximum current rating. The power tap includes a display to indicate information related to an instantaneous current draw of the power tap. The power tap also includes an electrical circuit which determines whether the instantaneous current draw exceeds a predetermined maximum allowed current which is less than the maximum current rating. The display provides a visual indication when the power tap's current draw exceeds the maximum allowed value, signifying that at least one item of medical electrical equipment should be unplugged from the power tap. The electrical circuit includes a current loop which passes through a structural portion of the power tap's housing for independently gauging the instantaneous current draw using a clamp probe.

An electrical connector includes: a housing including a mechanical interface, the mechanical interface configured to mechanically connect the electrical connector to a bushing; a current path in the housing, the current path including: an electrical conductor; and a switching apparatus electrically connected to the electrical conductor, the switching apparatus associated with operating states, the operating states including at least a first state that closes the current path and a second state that opens the current path; a switch control apparatus in the housing, the switch control apparatus configured to control the operating state of the switching apparatus; and a power apparatus in the housing, the power apparatus configured to obtain electrical energy from the current path and provide electrical energy to the switch control apparatus.

An electrical connector includes: a housing including a mechanical interface, the mechanical interface configured to mechanically connect the electrical connector to a bushing; a current path in the housing, the current path including: an electrical conductor; and a switching apparatus electrically connected to the electrical conductor, the switching apparatus associated with operating states, the operating states including at least a first state that closes the current path and a second state that opens the current path; a switch control apparatus in the housing, the switch control apparatus configured to control the operating state of the switching apparatus; and a power apparatus in the housing, the power apparatus configured to obtain electrical energy from the current path and provide electrical energy to the switch control apparatus.

A vehicular electrical plug or connector is provided. In another aspect, an electrical connector includes a wire cable having a first end that is permanently connected to a wheeled recreational vehicle, a second end with an outlet-engageable plug thereon, and a switch allowing for a high potential or dielectric withstand test by the vehicle manufacturer in one switch condition, and then the switch allowing for normal use while detecting and/or alerting a user of an electrical ground and/or polarity problem in another switch condition. A further aspect of an electrical connector employs multiple lights on a plug, one of which alerts a user of an electrical ground and/or polarity problem, and another of which is illuminated when electricity is flowing through the plug. Another aspect of a vehicular electrical plug and method of manufacturing same, includes liquid polyurethane fed into a hole in a plug housing which then fills the otherwise open area therein to create a water-resistant seal for the plug.