General Electric Company

Jason Creighton

Deeder M Aurongzeb

Laszlo Sandor Ilyes

Tony Aboumrad

David Christopher Shilling

Provided is a system for soft switching of an electromechanical relay in a lighting control system using a sensor to detect a specified non-zero position in the electrical input waveform. Following this non-zero position, an adaptive time delay is applied before activation of the relay coil. An error detection circuit measures a time error between relay operation and the zero electrical input condition. This error signal is used to update the adaptive time delay for future relay operations. Using such a procedure has been shown to limit electrical stress on the relay, and therefore lengthen its life.

Method and system for soft switching of a relay

An electrical receptacle comprises a body comprising an opening and main terminal channels that are spaced apart from each other and from the opening. Electrically conductive main connectors are disposed in the body and spaced apart from each other. The main connectors are disposed in or in alignment with the main terminal channels. A connector is disposed in the body and includes an arcuate shape in or near the opening.

Receptacle connector between controller and lighting fixture

An electrical receptacle includes an exterior component and an interior component received inside the exterior component. Main electrical connectors have exterior end portions aligned with main connector openings of the interior component and have interior end portions disposed in alignment with main terminal channels of the exterior component. First and/or second central connectors each having substantially circular portions extend from an end plate of the exterior component and have exterior portions extending to a central connector opening of the interior component. Also featured is a method for electrically connecting the electrical receptacle to a controller device.

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Twinsburg, OH, United States of America

Jason Creighton