Embodiments of the present invention provide a power supply module and a soft start method. The power supply module includes an input detection circuit configured to output a first notification signal to a trigger drive circuit when it is determined that the power supply module receives a power supply signal; the trigger drive circuit configured to, upon receipt of the first notification signal sent from the input detection circuit, wait for a predetermined duration without sending a drive signal to a current limiting circuit, and to send the driver signal to the current limiting circuit when the predetermined duration elapses; and the current limiting circuit configured to limit a current on a Direct Current (DC) bus of the power supply module when the drive signal is not received by the current limiting circuit, and not to limit the current on the DC bus upon receipt of the drive signal.

A plug unit for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The plug unit includes a low voltage plug connected to or disconnected from a low voltage circuit formed by a low voltage battery and a low voltage component, and allows a current to flow between the low voltage battery and the low voltage component when the low voltage plug is connected to the circuit. A high voltage plug connected to or disconnected from a high voltage circuit formed by a high voltage battery and a high voltage component, and allows a current to flow between the high voltage battery and the high voltage component when the high voltage plug is coupled to the circuit. Further, a main base having the high voltage plug mounted thereon, allows current flow in the circuits when the base is mounted and obstructs the current flowing in the high voltage circuit when the base is demounted.

A plug unit for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The plug unit includes a low voltage plug connected to or disconnected from a low voltage circuit formed by a low voltage battery and a low voltage component, and allows a current to flow between the low voltage battery and the low voltage component when the low voltage plug is connected to the circuit. A high voltage plug connected to or disconnected from a high voltage circuit formed by a high voltage battery and a high voltage component, and allows a current to flow between the high voltage battery and the high voltage component when the high voltage plug is coupled to the circuit. Further, a main base having the high voltage plug mounted thereon, allows current flow in the circuits when the base is mounted and obstructs the current flowing in the high voltage circuit when the base is demounted.

A voltage of a first pin that is one of several pins of an external connector of a system is measured, while the first pin is un-driven except for being pulled to ground through a first resistance, and a second pin of the external connector is being used as a power supply rail of the system. The measured voltage is compared to a short circuit threshold and in response to that threshold being exceeded, the power supply voltage on the second pin is reduced. In such an embodiment, no test stimulus needs to be applied to any of the pins of the external connector. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

A voltage of a first pin that is one of several pins of an external connector of a system is measured, while the first pin is un-driven except for being pulled to ground through a first resistance, and a second pin of the external connector is being used as a power supply rail of the system. The measured voltage is compared to a short circuit threshold and in response to that threshold being exceeded, the power supply voltage on the second pin is reduced. In such an embodiment, no test stimulus needs to be applied to any of the pins of the external connector. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

An electrical wiring device has a longitudinal axis extending between a top surface and a bottom surface. The electrical wiring device includes at least one line phase wiring terminal, at least one neutral wiring terminal, at least one line phase electrical conductor entry extending along the longitudinal axis of the electrical wiring device and extending between the line phase wiring terminal and the top surface or the bottom surface of the electrical wiring device and at least one neutral electrical conductor entry extending along the longitudinal axis of the electrical wiring device and extending between the neutral wiring terminal and the top surface or the bottom surface of the electrical wiring device.

A power distribution system includes a plurality of bus plugs. Each of a respective bus plug of the plurality of bus plugs includes an electrical switch configured to selectively control a corresponding energization of the respective bus plug and an actuator operable to control a corresponding electrical switch. The system includes a remote application having commands defining the energization of at least one of the plurality of bus plugs. The system further includes a communication module configured to communicate the commands from the remote application to the at least one of the plurality of bus plugs. The commands cause the corresponding actuator to control the corresponding electrical switch. Methods of controlling energization of a bus plug with a remote application and communication module configured to operate an actuator are also provided.

A safety socket module includes: a shell; an upper cover, configured to cover the shell, where jacks are provided on the upper cover; compartments, where the number of the compartments corresponds to the number of the jacks, each of the compartments is arranged in the shell and below a respective jack of the jacks, and an interior of each of the compartments is accessible from an exterior of the shell through the respective jack; waterproof electrical connection switches, arranged in the compartments and configured to asynchronously control connection and disconnection of a circuit between a power supply and a plug of an electric appliance; and lock control members, respectively arranged in the compartments and aligned with the jacks; where each of the waterproof electrical connection switches includes a waterproof capsule, and a movable contact piece and a static contact piece arranged opposite to each other in the waterproof capsule.

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.

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.