Electrical wiring system

• US 8,058,552 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2010
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Bryant, Russell L., Kruse, Russell E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada; Angel R
• Application Number:
  US12/790,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20100240249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 174/53, 174/480, 174/481, 174/50, 174/57, 174/58, 174/59, 174/61, 220 32- 39, 220/4.02, 220/241, 220/242, 220/3.94, 439/535, 439/949, 439/928
• US Class Current: 174/53
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/73 Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/18 providing line outlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/22 Installations of cables or lines through walls, floors or ceilings, e.g. into buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

An electrical wiring system for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires having termination ends disposed within a device box. The system includes a plug connector device configured to terminate the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires. The system additionally includes an electrical wiring device including at least one AC electric circuit element and at least one electrical interface operatively coupled to the at least one circuit element. The electrical wiring device also includes a receptacle, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the plug connector device such that electrical continuity is established between the AC electric circuit element and the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires when the plug connector device is inserted into the receptacle.

Claims

1. An electrical wiring system for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires configured to be disposed between an AC power distribution point and a device box, the device box including a wiring ingress aperture and an open front face for accessing an interior of the device box, the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires being routed through the wiring ingress aperture and extending into the interior of the device box, the system comprising:

a plug connector device coupled to a first end of a plurality of leads, the plurality of leads having a second end for directly connecting to the plurality of AC electrical power transmitting wires extending into the interior of the device box, the second ends of the plurality of leads including a first stripped portion, the plurality of AC electrical power transmitting wires including a second stripped portion for engaging one of the first stripped portions; and

an electrical wiring device configured to be mountable to the open front face of the device box and including at least one AC electric circuit element disposed in a device housing having a front cover joined to a rear body member, the electrical wiring device further including at least one electrical interface operatively coupled to the at least one AC electric circuit element and configured to direct AC electric power to an electrical load, the electrical wiring device also including a receptacle disposed in the rear body member, the receptacle being configured to receive the plug connector device such that electrical continuity is established between the at least one AC electric circuit element and the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires when the plug connector device is inserted into the receptacle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plug connector device comprises a female connector device and the receptacle comprises a male connector device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plug connector device comprises a male connector device and the receptacle comprises a female connector device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires are disposed in either a cable or conduit that includes a ground wire.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical interface includes an electrical receptacle configured to accept a power plug coupled to an electrical load.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical interface includes an electrical switch.

7. An electrical wiring system comprising:

an electrical wiring device including at least one AC electric circuit element disposed within a device housing, the electrical wiring device further including at least one electrical interface operatively coupled to the at least one AC electric circuit element and configured to direct AC electric power to an electrical load, the electrical wiring device also having a predefined area in which a first plurality of electrical contacts are positioned; and

a connector device configured to be positioned in contacting relation with the electrical wiring device, the connector device including;

a plurality of leads, the plurality of leads having first and second ends, the second ends directly connecting to a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires extending through a wiring ingress aperture of a device box and accessible via an open front face of the device box; and

a second plurality of electrical contacts disposed in said connector device and electrically coupled to said first ends of the plurality of leads, the second plurality of electrical contacts being configured to be placed in electrical contact with said first plurality of electrical contacts when said connector device is coupled in contacting relation with said electrical wiring device;

wherein the second end of the plurality of leads is directly connected to the plurality of AC electrical power transmitting wires without requiring the incorporation of a strain relief.

8. The electrical wiring system according to claim 7, wherein said first plurality of electrical contacts comprises male prong electrical contacts.

9. The electrical wiring system according to claim 7, wherein said second plurality of electrical contacts comprise female prong receptacles.

10. The electrical wiring system according to claim 7, wherein said first plurality of electrical contacts comprise female prong receptacles.

11. The electrical wiring system according to claim 7, wherein said second plurality of electrical contacts comprises male prong electrical contacts.

12. An electrical wiring system comprising:

a plug connector coupled to a first end of a plurality of leads, the plurality of leads having a second end for directly connecting to a plurality of AC electrical power transmitting wires, wherein each of the second ends of the plurality of leads includes a first stripped portion and each of the plurality of AC electrical power transmitting wires includes a second stripped portion for engaging one of the first stripped portions; and

an electrical wiring device sized and configured for connecting to an open front face of a device box, the electrical wiring device including a plurality of electrical receptor structures disposed therein and at least one electrical interface operatively coupled to the electrical receptor structures and configured to direct AC electric power to an electrical load, the electrical wiring device further includes a receptacle disposed in a rear surface thereof, the receptacle being sized and configured to receive the plug connector such that electrical continuity is established between the at least one electrical interface and the AC electric power transmitting wires when the plug connector device is inserted into the receptacle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one electrical interface includes an outlet for receiving a power plug.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one electrical interface includes an electrical switch.

15. An electrical wiring system comprising:

a plug connector coupled to a first end of a plurality of leads, the plurality of leads having a second end for directly connecting to a plurality of AC electrical power transmitting wires; and

an electrical wiring device sized and configured for connecting to an open front face of a device box, the electrical wiring device including a plurality of electrical receptor structures disposed therein and at least one electrical interface operatively coupled to the electrical receptor structures and configured to direct AC electric power to an electrical load, the electrical wiring device further includes a receptacle disposed in a rear surface thereof, the receptacle being sized and configured to receive the plug connector such that electrical continuity is established between the at least one electrical interface and the AC electric power transmitting wires when the plug connector device is inserted into the receptacle;

wherein the second end of the plurality of leads is directly connected to the plurality of AC electrical power transmitting wires without the incorporation of a strain relief.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one electrical interface includes an outlet for receiving a power plug.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one electrical interface includes an electrical switch.