An example embodiment is a voice appliance including: a plurality of user interface devices comprising at least a microphone and a speaker; a plug for receiving power to the appliance or load; and a communication subsystem configured for wired communication with an electrical receptacle through the plug when plugged into the electrical receptacle. An electrical receptacle for connection to power lines comprises: at least one plug outlet configured to provide DC output, wherein the at least one plug outlet is configured to provide access to a wired communication network defined by at least one of the power lines. The plug outlet can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug outlet to connect to a mobile device or a removable USB memory device. An intelligent junction box at the circuit breaker panel is configured to perform dynamic power allocation and power line communication.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An electrical connector includes a male electrical plug, a female socket, a housing, and a control system. The male electrical plug, which is supplied with power, is electrically connected to the female socket. The housing contains the male electrical plug, the female socket, and a control system. The control system includes a temperature sensor and a transceiver with the temperature sensor sensing a temperature at a location within the housing and the transceiver transmitting a signal representative of the temperature to an alarm device remotely located from the electrical connector. The electrical connector can include one or more switches that are remotely controllable by the alarm device to interrupt the electrical connection between the male plug and the female socket.

A wireless-controlled smart plug device and methods of use and operation, using a solid state switch to provide electrical power from an outlet to a load, and provide protection against overload, short circuit, ground, arc, or voltage surge faults. The switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch with two back-to-back connected transistors, such as silicon power MOSFETs, silicon insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), silicon carbide (SiC) transistors, or gallium nitride (GaN) transistors, each configured to control the current flow from the electrical receptacle to the external electrical load.

An overhead arm assembly for a patient support apparatus includes a user interface device. The user interface device has a support structure for supporting a personal digital assistant and a charging port for personal digital assistant.

A power distribution box having a plurality of power outlet receptacles and a plurality of amperage meter readers or amperage devices where a separate amperage meter reader or amperage device is associated with each of the power outlet receptacles. The power distribution box may also include a plurality of circuit breakers where a separate circuit breaker is associated with each of the power outlet receptacles.

An electrical connector includes a male electrical plug, a female socket, a housing, and a control system. The male electrical plug, which is supplied with power, is electrically connected to the female socket. The housing contains the male electrical plug, the female socket, and a control system. The control system includes a temperature sensor and a transceiver with the temperature sensor sensing a temperature at a location within the housing and the transceiver transmitting a signal representative of the temperature to an alarm device remotely located from the electrical connector. The electrical connector can include one or more switches that are remotely controllable by the alarm device to interrupt the electrical connection between the male plug and the female socket.