The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 07, 1990
Filed:
Jun. 23, 1989
Edward L Nichols, III, Annapolis, MD (US);
Smart House Limited Partnership Limited, Upper Marlboro, MD (US);
Abstract
A remote control power disconnect circuit for providing a ground fault across an electrical outlet when an unsafe condition such as a lost neutral or shorting of the AC power switch is detected. The remote control power disconnect circuit is placed at each electrical outlet within a dwelling and applies AC power to the outlet only when an appliance (load) is plugged into the outlet and no fault condition is detected. However, when a fault condition is detected, the circuit also functions to apply a ground fault across the outlet and to shut-off the supply of AC power to the outlet. Then, once the fault condition has been remedied, the circuit may be remotely reset so that AC power may again be applied to the electrical outlet. this circuit functions to prevent electrical shock accidents and fire hazards due to electrical shorts in that AC power is not supplied to the electrical outlet when the outlet is not in use and in that the supply of AC power to the outlet is immediately stopped remotely upon the detection of a fault condition.