Remote display ammeter for power plug or power strip

• US 7,324,006 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2004
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wiremold Co (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Wiremold Co (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Godard, Jean Luc
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu; Julie Bichngoc
• Application Number:
  US10/960,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20050101193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/664
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/04 Housings; Supporting members; Arrangements of terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/0092 measuring current only all subgroups of G01R19/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/20 for testing or measuring purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/00 Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/88

Abstract

A power strip is providing including a housing coupled to a first end portion of a power supply cord, the housing having an electrical receptacle mounted thereto and connected to the power supply cord, the power supply cord having a second end connectable to a power source. A current sensor is coupled to the power supply cord between the electrical receptacle and the second end for detecting electrical current flow through the power supply cord and providing an output signal that varies in proportion to the current flow through the power supply cord. A processing circuit coupled to the output of the current sensor includes a display device for displaying at least one of the current, voltage, power, and phase associated with the power supply cord at the current sensor. The display device can be remotely coupled to the power strip for positioning the display in a convenient location.

Claims

1. A power strip comprising:

a housing coupled to a first end portion of a power supply cord, the housing having at least one electrical receptacle mounted thereto and electrically connected to the first end portion of the power supply cord, the power supply cord having a second end connectable to a power source;

a current sensor coupled to the first end portion of the power supply cord between the at least one electrical receptacle and the second end, the current sensor for detecting electrical current flow through the power supply cord and providing an output signal that varies in proportion to the current flow through the power supply cord;

a processing circuit coupled to the output of the current sensor and including means for processing the output signal of the current sensor for displaying characteristics of the electrical current flow detected in the power supply cord, the processing circuit coupled to a display device, the display device for displaying at least one of the current, voltage, power, and phase associated with the power supply cord at the current sensor; and

a remote cable coupled between the output of the current sensor and an input of the processing circuit such that the processing circuit and the display device are positionable remote from the housing.

2. The power strip according to claim 1 further comprising a sensor circuit including the current sensor and a power supply electrically connected to the current sensor and the first end portion of the power supply cord, the power supply for providing electrical power to the current sensor.

3. The power strip according to claim 1 wherein the sensor circuit and the processing circuit include terminals for removably coupling the remote cable therebetween.

4. The power strip according to claim 3 wherein the terminals include RJ45 connectors.

5. The power strip according to claim 1 wherein the current sensor includes a Hall effect current sensor.

6. The power strip according to claim 1 wherein the output signal of the current sensor includes an output voltage and the processing circuit includes means for converting the output voltage to a DC voltage proportional to the electrical current flow detected in the power supply cord.

8. The power strip according to claim 1 further comprising an ammeter housing wherein the processing circuit and the display device are housed in the ammeter housing.

9. The power strip according to claim 1 wherein the output voltage of the current sensor includes a quiescent portion and a variable portion, the variable portion corresponding to the current flow detected in the power supply cord.

10. The power strip according to claim 1 further comprising a male plug coupled to the second end of the power supply cord for connecting the power supply cord to a power source.

11. The power strip according to claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a T-slot defined in a surface thereof for mounting the housing to a surface.

7. The power strip according to daim 6 wherein the means for converting the output voltage of the current sensor to a DC voltage includes an RMS to DC converter.

12. A power strip comprising:

a housing coupled to a first end portion of a power supply cord, the housing having at least one electrical receptacle mounted thereto and electrically connected to the first end portion of the power supply cord, the power supply cord having a second end connectable to a power source;

a current sensor coupled to the first end portion of the power supply cord between the at least one electrical receptacle and the second end, the current sensor for detecting electrical current flow through the power supply cord and providing an output signal that varies in proportion to the current flow through the power supply cord;

a processing circuit coupled to the output of the current sensor and including means for processing the output signal of the current sensor for displaying characteristics of the electrical current flow detected in the power supply cord, the processing circuit coupled to a display device, the display device for displaying at least one of the current, voltage, power, and phase associated with the power supply cord at the current sensor; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to the output of the current sensor for wireless transfer of the output signal of the current sensor to the processing circuit wherein processing circuit and the display device are positionable remote from the housing.

13. The power strip according to claim 12 further comprising an ammeter housing wherein the processing circuit and the display device are housed in the ammeter housing.

14. A power cord comprising:

a multiple wire cable including a first end having a male plug connector attached thereto and a second end having a female plug connector attached thereto;

one of the male and female plug connectors including a housing having a current sensor mounted therein, the current sensor coupled to a wire of the cable between the male and female plug connectors, the current sensor for detecting electrical current flow through the cable and providing an output signal that varies in proportion to the current flow;

a processing circuit coupled to the output of the current sensor and including means for processing the output signal of the current sensor for displaying characteristics of the electrical current flow detected in the cable, the processing circuit coupled to a display device, the display device for displaying at least one of the current, voltage, power, and phase associated with the power cord at the current sensor;

a remote cable connected between an output of the current sensor and the processing circuit such that the display device can be positioned at a location remote from the power cord.

15. The power cord according to claim 14 further comprising an ammeter housing wherein the processing circuit and the display device are disposed in the ammeter housing.

16. The power cord according to claim 14 wherein the remote cable is removably connectable between the housing of the one of the male and female plug connectors and the ammeter housing.

17. The power cord according to claim 14 wherein the current sensor includes a Hall effect current sensor.

18. The power cord according to claim 14 wherein the output signal of the current sensor includes an output voltage and the processing circuit includes means for converting the output voltage to a DC voltage proportional to the electrical current flow detected in the power supply cord.

19. The power cord according to claim 18 wherein the means for converting the output voltage of the current sensor to a DC voltage includes an RMS to DC converter.

20. The power cord according to claim 14 further comprising means for wireless transfer of the output signal of the current sensor to the processing circuit such that the display device is positionable remote from the power cord.

21. A power cord adapter comprising:

a housing having first and second ends;

a male plug connector extending from the first end of the housing;

a female plug connector mounted to the second end of the housing;

a plurality of wires electrically connecting the male and female plug connectors one to the other and disposed in the housing;

a current sensor mounted in the housing and coupled to one of the wires between the male and female plug connectors, the current sensor for detecting electrical current flow through the one of the wires and having an output terminal providing an output signal that varies in proportion to the current flow;

a first electrical coupler mounted to the housing and connected to the output terminal of the current sensor;

a processing circuit having an input connected to a second electrical coupler and including means for converting the output voltage of the current sensor to a DC voltage proportional to the electrical current flow detected in the cable coupled to a display device, the display device for displaying at least one of the currents, voltage, power, and phase associated with the cable at the current sensor;

a remote cable removably connectable between the first and second electrical couplers for transferring the output of the current sensor to the processing circuit such that the display device can be positioned at a location remote from the cable.

22. The power cord according to claim 21 wherein the first and second electrical couplers include RJ45 connectors.

23. The power cord according to claim 21 further comprising an ammeter housing wherein the processing circuit and the display device are disposed in the ammeter housing.

24. A power cord adapter comprising:

a housing having first and second ends;

a male plug connector extending from the first end of the housing;

a female plug connector defined by the second end of the housing;

a plurality of wires electrically connecting the male and female plug connectors one to the other and disposed in the housing;

a current sensor mounted in the housing and coupled to one of the wires between the male and female plug connectors, the current sensor for detecting electrical current flow through the one of the wires and having an output terminal providing a voltage that varies in proportion to the current flow therethrough;

a processing circuit coupled to the output of the current sensor and including means for converting the output voltage of the current sensor to a DC voltage proportional to the electrical current flow detected in the one of the wires coupled to a display device, the display device for displaying at least one of the current, voltage, power, and phase associated with the one of the wires at the current sensor;

the display device mounted in the housing.

25. The power cord adapter according to claim 24 wherein the housing further comprises a connector coupled to an output of the processing circuit for coupling a remote display device thereto.

26. A cabinet for housing electrical equipment comprising:

a first side defining at least one opening for mounting electrical equipment therein;

a second side having a power strip removably mounted thereto for providing power to the electrical equipment;

the power strip including a housing coupled to a first end portion of a power supply cord, the housing having at least one electrical receptacle mounted thereto and electrically connected to the first end portion of the power supply cord, the power supply cord having a second end extendable outwardly from the second side of the cabinet and connectable to a power source;

a current sensor mounted in the housing and coupled to the first end portion of the power supply cord between the at least one electrical receptacle and the second end, the current sensor for detecting electrical current flow through the power supply cord and having an output providing a voltage that varies in proportion to the current flow through the power supply cord;

a processing circuit coupled to the output of the current sensor and including means for converting the output voltage of the current sensor to a DC voltage proportional to the electrical current flow detected in the power supply cord coupled to a display device, the display device for displaying at least one of the current, voltage, power, and phase associated with the power supply cord at the current sensor; and

wherein

the display device is mounted to the first side of the cabinet.

27. The cabinet according to claim 26 further comprising a remote cable coupled between the output terminal of the current sensor and the processing circuit wherein both of the processing circuit and the display device are positionable at a location remote from the power strip.

28. The cabinet according to claim 27 further comprising an ammeter housing wherein the processing circuit and the display device are disposed in the ammeter housing, the ammeter housing being mounted to the cabinet such that the display device is viewable from the first side of the cabinet.

29. The cabinet according to claim 26 wherein the housing includes a surface defining a T-slot for removably mounting the power strip to a surface of the cabinet.