A plug and socket assembly (100) includes a socket (110) with a receptacle portion (113) configured to receive an electrical plug (105) and an interlock mechanism (130) configured to retain the electrical plug (105) in the receptacle portion (113) when the receptacle portion (113) is rotated about a first axis to a first position. The assembly (100) includes an electrical switch (140) including an actuator (145) operable to energize and de-energize the socket (110). The assembly (100) includes a transfer mechanism (150) having a first mechanical component (310, 410) operable to transfer the rotation of the receptacle portion (113) into motion relative to the first axis that operates the actuator (145). Methods of operating a plug and socket assembly (100) are also provided.

A system and method for remotely monitoring, measuring and controlling power to an electrically powered device is disclosed herein. The system preferably comprises an apparatus, an electrically-powered device and a controller. The apparatus preferably comprises a cord, an alternating current outlet socket, an alternating current input plug, an electro-mechanical relay, a processor and a transceiver. The system preferably uses a WiFi communication signal to transmit commands from the remote controller to the apparatus.

Various embodiments are described that relate an electrical current connector. The electrical current connector can be configured to provide electrical current when pressure is applied to a prong set. This pressure can cause a contact to engage with a connector. This can complete a circuit that allows the electrical current to flow. The connector can be coupled to a cable that can be configured to transfer data along with the electrical current. The cable can have an inner portion that transfers the data while an outer portion that surrounds the inner portion transfers the current.

An interface for a battery pack and an electrical combination. The interface may include a battery-receiving portion configured to receive a battery pack and including a cavity. The cavity is defined by a pair of sidewalls with rails defining a groove between the rails and a lower surface of the cavity. The rails are stepped or angled along a battery insertion axis and are configured to guide the sliding engagement of a battery pack within the battery-receiving portion.

A sliding power contact and method includes a mobile load device connector and a socket. The mobile load device connector includes a non-current power pin having a first length, a current power pin having a second length less than the first length, a neutral pin, and a ground pin. The socket includes a non-current power contact configured to electrically couple with the non-current power pin, a current power contact configured to electrically couple with the current power pin, a neutral contact configured to electrically couple with the neutral pin, and a ground pin configured to electrically couple with the ground pin. An arc suppressor is directly coupled to at least one of the non-current power pin and the non-current power contact, wherein the arc suppressor, the non-current power pin and the non-current power contact form a current path between the current power pin and the current power contact.

An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical contact device and a second electrical contact device. The first electrical contact device includes at least one first electrical contact and an actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The second electrical contact device includes at least one second electrical contact device and an interlock feature to engage the actuator when the actuator is in the first position. The actuator is in the first position when the first electrical contact is in electrical communication with a power source, and the actuator is in the second position when the electrical communication between the first electrical contact and the power source is disconnected. When the actuator is in the first position and the second electrical contact engage the first electrical contact, the interlock feature engages the actuator, thereby securing the first electrical contact device and the second electrical contact device against disconnection.

An electrical receptacle is selectively coupled to a power plug, and the power plug includes a plurality of prongs insertable into the electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle includes a contact configured to be engageable with one of the plurality of prongs, a power relay in electrical communication with the power source and the contact, and a switch electrically coupled to the power relay. The switch is moveable between a first position and a second position. The switch is biased toward the first position. The power relay is configured to disable electrical communication between the power source and the contact when the switch is positioned in the first position. The power relay is also configured to enable electrical communication between the power source and the contact in response to the one of the plurality of prongs slidably engaging the switch to move the switch into the second position.

A plug-in contact device for preventing or extinguishing an arc when a DC connection is disconnected or closed by using an extension of a line compound includes: at least two connectors at ends of an extension of a line compound, each having a main contact (HA) and an auxiliary contact (HI), the HA of each of the at least two connectors having a first contact half (HA1) and a second contact half (HA2), which are detachably intermateable, the HA: connecting the HA1 and the HA2 in an electrically conductive manner in a mated state of the respective connector, galvanically isolating the HA1 and the HA2 in an unmated state of the respective connector, connecting the HA1 and the HA2 in an electrically conductive manner in a first intermediate state of the respective connector between the mated state and the unmated state, and galvanically isolating the HA1 and the HA2.

A plug-in contact device for preventing or extinguishing an arc when separating or closing a direct current connection includes: at least one plug-in connector each having a main contact, HA, and an auxiliary contact, HI, the HA including a first contact half, HA1, and a second contact half, HA2, which are releasably plugged together. The HA: electrically conductively connects the HA1 and the HA2 in a plugged-together state of the respective plug-in connector, galvanically separates the HA1 and the HA2 in a released state of the respective plug-in connector, electrically conductively connects the HA1 and the HA2 in a first intermediate state of the respective plug-in connector between the plugged-together state and the released state, and galvanically separates the HA1 and the HA2 in a second intermediate state of the respective plug-in connector between the first intermediate state and the released state.

Various embodiments are described that relate an electrical current connector. The electrical current connector can be configured to provide electrical current when pressure is applied to a prong set. This pressure can cause a contact to engage with a connector. This can complete a circuit that allows the electrical current to flow. The connector can be coupled to a cable that can be configured to transfer data along with the electrical current. The cable can have an inner portion that transfers the data while an outer portion that surrounds the inner portion transfers the current.