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 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 ground overcurrent control system includes ground circuit with a first section and a second section. The first section is electrically connected to a ground member of an electrical connector and the second section is electrically connected to a ground reference. A switch element is positioned between the first section of the ground circuit and the second section of the ground circuit. A controller is configured to determine the current within the ground circuit while current is passing through the switch element and, upon the current exceeding a current threshold, the switch element is modified to an open condition. Upon determining that the voltage between the first section of the ground circuit and the ground reference is less than a voltage threshold, a command is generated to modify the switch element back to a closed condition.

A Leakage Current Detection and Interruption (LCDI) device, for use as a safety device for a load cable. The LCDI circuit card assembly incorporates a load input cavity having fire retardant materials surrounding the load input terminals, a separated containment cavity structure for a first Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV), and a contact actuator which encases the switch or contact arm at the source input section of the LCDI. The circuit design incorporates redundant safety features for containment of spurious ignitions.

The present disclosure provides a connector protection method in which the connector is used to connect a first device and a second device, and the method includes, a first detection unit of the first device detects a first parameter of the first device; a first controller of the first device obtains a second parameter from the second device through the communication line in the connector; and the first controller determines whether the connector is faulty based on the first parameter and the second parameter.

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 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 Leakage Current Detection and Interruption (LCDI) device, for use as a safety device for a load cable. The LCDI circuit card assembly incorporates a load input cavity having fire retardant materials surrounding the load input terminals, a separated containment cavity structure for a first Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV), and a contact actuator which encases the switch or contact arm at the source input section of the LCDI. The circuit design incorporates redundant safety features for containment of spurious ignitions.

A GFCI latching apparatus and circuit is provided. The latching apparatus includes a solenoid; a solenoid plunger, wherein the solenoid plunger comprises a groove; a conical spring disposed at one end of the solenoid plunger; a forked latch, wherein the forked latch engages the groove with its forks. The latch also includes a bevel surface. Also included is a contact carrier having a first position when the solenoid is energized and a second position when the solenoid is deenergized. The contact carrier includes a bevel surface for mating with the latch bevel surface when the solenoid is energized. Also included is a GFCI configured to deenergize the solenoid upon the occurrence of a fault to disengage the latch, the latch thereby disengaging from the contact carrier, causing the contact carrier to move from the first position to the second position. The GFCI circuit detects ground faults and deenergizes the solenoid when a ground fault is detected. The GFCI includes GFCI detection circuitry, wherein the GFCI detection circuitry includes an SCR switch for controlling energizing current for the solenoid; SCR Test Bias circuit for biasing the SCR switch; Self-Test Fault circuit for testing the operation of the GFCI detection circuitry; an Isolation circuit for isolating GFCI detection circuit while self-test is preformed; and power supply circuits for powering the GFCI circuit.

A power pedestal is described. The power pedestal includes a plurality of receptacles that are configured to connect to external devices. The plurality of receptacles includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. The first receptacle and the second receptacle are electrically interlocked with one another. The power pedestal includes a first circuit breaker connected to the first receptacle and a second circuit breaker connected to the second receptacle, and a shunt trip circuit that is configured to trip the first circuit breaker to disable power to the first receptacle of the power pedestal, responsive to the second circuit breaker associated with the second receptacle of the power pedestal being in an active state. Related devices and methods are also described.