Power entry unit electrical power distribution method

• US 8,330,056 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Group Dekko Incorporated (Graham Holdings Company)
• Original Assignee: Group Dekko Incorporated (Graham Holdings Company)
• Inventors: Ty, Try, Kmiecik, Mark, Starkey, Aaron P. R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Timothy
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILAKOVICH, NATHAN J
• Application Number:
  US12/582,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20110088941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 174/505, 307/29
• US Class Current: 174/505
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/386 in walls
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks

Abstract

An electrical power system including a first power entry unit, at least one receptacle, and a second power entry unit. The at least one receptacle is electrically connected to the first power entry unit. The second power entry unit is electrically connectable to the at least one receptacle. The first power entry unit and the second power entry unit include at least one detection device. Either the first power entry unit or the second power entry unit is a selected power entry unit and the remaining one is another power entry unit. The detection device is configured to preclude an electrical power connection of both the selected power entry unit and the other power entry unit to the at least one receptacle.

Claims

1. An electrical power distribution method, comprising the steps of:

connecting a first power entry unit to at least one electrical receptacle;

connecting a second power entry unit to at least one electrical receptacle; and

precluding an application of electrical power to said at least one electrical receptacle when electrical power is supplied to both said first power entry unit and said second power entry unit.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of engaging electrical power to said at least one electrical receptacle when electrical power is supplied to only one of said first power entry unit and said second power entry unit.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of altering an illumination of an indicator dependent upon electrical power being supplied to both of said first power entry unit and said second power entry unit.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a time and at said time altering a detection signal sent from said first power entry unit thereby enabling said first power entry unit to sense a detection signal being sent from said second power entry unit to thereby detect the attempted electrical power connection of said first power entry unit to said at least one electrical receptacle.