A method and apparatus for securing an electrical connection formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and receptacles of a female assembly are provided. In certain embodiments, the electrical connection can be secured by frictional engagement between the plug and receptacle housings. This can be accomplished by forcing a wedge into an interface between the housings or expanding a locking element, such as an elastomeric ring, into the interface. Such locking and releasing of the secure connection can be actuated using a locking nut.

Disclosed are an input/output terminal for connecting an electronic device to an external device and an electronic device comprising the input/output terminal, the input/output terminal comprising: a signal pin allowing signals to be transmitted/received between the electronic device and the external device; a ground pin connected to a ground part of the electronic device; and a resistant material disposed at the end part of the signal pin or the ground pin. Other various embodiments are possible.

Disclosed are an input/output terminal for connecting an electronic device to an external device and an electronic device comprising the input/output terminal, the input/output terminal comprising: a signal pin allowing signals to be transmitted/received between the electronic device and the external device; a ground pin connected to a ground part of the electronic device; and a resistant material disposed at the end part of the signal pin or the ground pin. Other various embodiments are possible.

A power control device is contained within a housing and has an electric current sensor configured to measure current passing through an electric outlet during a time period, a proximity sensor configured to detect a distance of an object relative to the electric outlet during the time period, a relay switch that can open or close to stop or conduct current through a circuit in the electric outlet in response to a command, and a wireless network interface in communication with the electric current sensor and the proximity sensor, the wireless network interface configured to transmit and receive data from the current sensor and the proximity sensor, to transmit commands to the relay switch, transmit the data to a computing device, and receive commands from the computing device.

A power control device is contained within a housing and has an electric current sensor configured to measure current passing through an electric outlet during a time period, a proximity sensor configured to detect a distance of an object relative to the electric outlet during the time period, a relay switch that can open or close to stop or conduct current through a circuit in the electric outlet in response to a command, and a wireless network interface in communication with the electric current sensor and the proximity sensor, the wireless network interface configured to transmit and receive data from the current sensor and the proximity sensor, to transmit commands to the relay switch, transmit the data to a computing device, and receive commands from the computing device.

A heavy-duty plug-in connector has a ground terminal that can be conveniently assembled and can comprise the greatest possible number of electrical crimp plug-in contacts (4,5). For this purpose, ground plug-in contacts (4′, 5′), likewise of a crimping configuration, are fitted in formations (13, 13′, 23, 23′) of the contact carriers (1, 2) for electrical contacting with metallic protective earthing elements (3, 3′, 3″, 3″). For said contacting, the formations (13, 13′, 23, 23′) have a respective opening (130, 130′) or passage (230, 230′). In the formations (13, 13′, 23, 23′), not only ground plug-in contacts (4′, 5′) but also further plug-in contacts (4, 5) are arranged, so that the number of plug-in contacts (4, 5) of the plug-in connector is increased considerably.

A heavy-duty plug-in connector has a ground terminal that can be conveniently assembled and can comprise the greatest possible number of electrical crimp plug-in contacts (4,5). For this purpose, ground plug-in contacts (4′, 5′), likewise of a crimping configuration, are fitted in formations (13, 13′, 23, 23′) of the contact carriers (1, 2) for electrical contacting with metallic protective earthing elements (3, 3′, 3″, 3″). For said contacting, the formations (13, 13′, 23, 23′) have a respective opening (130, 130′) or passage (230, 230′). In the formations (13, 13′, 23, 23′), not only ground plug-in contacts (4′, 5′) but also further plug-in contacts (4, 5) are arranged, so that the number of plug-in contacts (4, 5) of the plug-in connector is increased considerably.

An electrical wiring system providing selectable referencing to earth ground, comprising: a housing comprising a first terminal for attachment to HOT, a second terminal for attachment to LOAD, and a flexible terminal comprising a first leg mounted to the electrical wiring device and a second leg connected to the first leg via a flexible joint, wherein the relative distance between the first leg and the second leg is adjustable between an extended position and a retracted position by flexing the flexible joint, the flexible joint being biased in the extended position, wherein the first leg defines a first aperture and the second leg defines a second aperture, a load control circuit disposed within the housing and receiving a line input from the first terminal and a reference input, the reference input being referenced to the electric potential of the flexible terminal; a screw having a screw head, the screw being inserted through the first aperture and the second aperture; and a pressure plate having a threaded aperture, the threaded aperture being engaged with the threads of the screw, the pressure plate and the screw head being disposed on opposite sides of the flexible terminal such that advancing the pressure plate along the threads of the screw toward the head of the screw draws the flexible terminal from the extended position toward the retracted position.

An electrical wiring system providing selectable referencing to earth ground, comprising: a housing comprising a first terminal for attachment to HOT, a second terminal for attachment to LOAD, and a flexible terminal comprising a first leg mounted to the electrical wiring device and a second leg connected to the first leg via a flexible joint, wherein the relative distance between the first leg and the second leg is adjustable between an extended position and a retracted position by flexing the flexible joint, the flexible joint being biased in the extended position, wherein the first leg defines a first aperture and the second leg defines a second aperture, a load control circuit disposed within the housing and receiving a line input from the first terminal and a reference input, the reference input being referenced to the electric potential of the flexible terminal; a screw having a screw head, the screw being inserted through the first aperture and the second aperture; and a pressure plate having a threaded aperture, the threaded aperture being engaged with the threads of the screw, the pressure plate and the screw head being disposed on opposite sides of the flexible terminal such that advancing the pressure plate along the threads of the screw toward the head of the screw draws the flexible terminal from the extended position toward the retracted position.

An electrical connector includes: an insulating housing having a front housing having a front top wall and a pair of front side walls and a rear housing cooperating with the front housing; and plural terminal modules accommodated in the insulating housing, each of the terminal modules including an insulating body and plural conductive terminals held in the insulating body, wherein the rear housing includes a rear top wall and a pair of rear side walls extending downward from the rear top wall, and the rear top wall and the pair of rear side walls surround the terminal module in three directions.