System and method for monitoring an electrical device
AssigneeEarly Rescue Solutions, LLC
InventorsHector M. Vasquez, Martin Kuttner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a device for monitoring the condition of a branch circuit. A device contains a switch that is normally open to prevent the occurrence of electric shock. An optical prong detector is provided to determine weather both the hot and neutral prongs of a plug have been inserted into the receptacle. The receptacle provides conductance upon determination of insertion of a plug into the receptacle. Additional features include GFI detection, current detection heat detection warning lights and an audible alarm. The receptacle includes communication abilities with remote devices to transmit data indicative of the state of the device.
Claims19
An intelligent switchable device for selectively conducting electricity, said device comprising:
- a switch for connecting a power line to a load, said switch having a control input;
- at least one sensor for producing a sensor signal indicative of a magnitude of;
- a transceiver for (i) transmitting data, including communications and (ii) receiving data, including instructions;
- non-volatile memory adapted for storing a program;
- a control circuit in communication with said transceiver, said sensor and said switch, said control circuit producing a command signal in response to (i) a sensor signal or (ii) instructions, said control circuit having a first mode of operation when the command signal is maintained in a conductive state, a second mode of operation when the sensor signal is above a threshold where said switch is rendered non-conductive, and a third mode of operation where the instructions command said switch to be non-conductive.
A system for monitoring an electrical device, said system comprising:
- at least one reporting device, said device comprising (a) a switch for connecting a power line to a Load, said switch having a control input, (b) at least one sensor for producing a sensor signal indicative of a condition, (c) a transceiver for (i) transmitting communications and (ii) receiving instructions, (d) a control circuit in communication with said transceiver, said sensor and said switch, said control circuit responding to the sensor signal or instructions by producing a command signal to said control input, said control circuit having a first mode of operation when the sensor signal is below a threshold where said switch is maintained in a conductive state, a second mode of operation when the sensor signal is above a threshold where said switch is rendered non-conductive, and a third mode of operation where the instructions command said switch to be non-conductive;
- and
- a monitor for receiving communications from said at least one reporting device and transmitting instructions to at least one reporting device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.