An electromagnetic connector is disclosed that is configured to form a first magnetic circuit portion comprising a first core member and a first coil disposed of the first core member. The electromagnetic connector is configured to mate with a second electromagnetic connector, where the second electromagnetic connector is configured to form a second magnetic circuit portion comprising a second core member and a second coil disposed of the second core member. The first core member and the second core member are configured to couple the first coil to the second coil with a magnetic circuit formed from the first magnetic circuit portion and the second magnetic circuit portion when the electromagnetic connector is mated with the second electromagnetic connector. The magnetic circuit is configured to induce a signal in the first coil when the second coil is energized.

An electromagnetic connector is disclosed that is configured to form a first magnetic circuit portion comprising a first core member and a first coil disposed of the first core member. The electromagnetic connector is configured to mate with a second electromagnetic connector, where the second electromagnetic connector is configured to form a second magnetic circuit portion comprising a second core member and a second coil disposed of the second core member. The first core member and the second core member are configured to couple the first coil to the second coil with a magnetic circuit formed from the first magnetic circuit portion and the second magnetic circuit portion when the electromagnetic connector is mated with the second electromagnetic connector. The magnetic circuit is configured to induce a signal in the first coil when the second coil is energized.

The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to power line communications (PLC) systems and apparatus. In some implementations, a method includes determining information regarding a potential data rate to be used with a powerline communications (PLC) channel, reducing a bias current or voltage of an analog front end of a PLC transceiver based on the determined information to reduce power consumption of the analog front end of the PLC transceiver, and transmitting or receiving data over the PLC channel with the reduced bias current or voltage of the analog front end of the PLC transceiver.

Smart Appliances are defined that assist in reducing energy consumption or cost. The Smart Appliances communicate with Smart Energy sources via the power lines and in particular by injecting communications signals between the live plus neutral power lines on the one hand and the ground line on the other hand, the communications protocol allowing a power source to identify the electrical circuit to which an appliance is connected and thereby to route a selected type of power to the appliance on the correct electrical circuit for that appliance. An addressable electrical outlet is also disclosed as one form of Smart Appliance.

The exemplified systems and methods provide an extension cord system having a cord that is configured to slidably guide a movable plug carriage having conventional plug receptacle. In some embodiments, the movable plug carriage is configured with pierce-able conductors that can be inserted and retracted from a sealed skin of the cord. In other embodiments, the sealed skin can be fastened and unfastened by the movable plug carriage as the movable plug carriage moves over the cord. In yet other embodiments, the movable plug carriage is attachable and detachable from the cord.

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.

Aspects of a welding-type cable and torch are provided. The welding-type cable includes a power conductor to conduct welding-type power and a weld torch interface on a distal end of the welding-type cable to attach a weld torch to the power conductor. The welding-type torch includes a power connector to transfer welding-type power between the welding-type torch and a power conductor of a welding-type cable that is detachably coupled to the power connector. An electrode to perform a welding-type operation using the welding-type power is also provided.

Methods and devices for wired charging and communication with a wearable device are described. In one embodiment, a symmetrical contact interface comprises a first contact pad and a second contact pad, and particular wired circuitry is coupled to the first and second contact pad to enable charging as well as receive and transmit communications via the contact pads as part of various device states.

Proposed is an electronic assembly block that includes a first circuit board provided with a first connector disposed thereon, the first connector including a cylindrical power data terminal and a cylindrical ground terminal disposed to be spaced apart from and at an outer side of the power data terminal, a second circuit board provided with a second connector disposed thereon, the second connector having a cylindrical protrusion and including a power data piece 71 provided on an inner surface of the protrusion and a ground piece provided on an outer surface of the protrusion, a connection part electrically connecting the first circuit board and the second circuit board, a housing having the first circuit board and the second circuit board disposed in a hollow thereof and providing an outer shell, and a sub-housing coupled with the housing and having a through-hole provided at a part corresponding to the second connector to allow the second connector to be exposed when coupled with the housing.

A power outlet for controlling power to an external device and transmitting data to the external device, the power outlet including: a housing containing at least one alternating-current power input connection; a power output connection; a data connector; a sensor module; a wireless communication module, including an antenna; a processing unit configured to receive data and control an electrically connected device through the power output connection and/or data connector based on the received data.