Importance

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Abstract

An electrical receptacle is disclosed which deactivates the front of an electrical receptacle when an electrical plug is not present. The receptacle includes a semiconductor switch mounted between the hot contacts of the receptacle, and the hot conductor of an electrical power cable. The receptacle also includes a momentary contact switch located between the contacts of the ground receptacle portion, activated by the ground pin of an electrical plug upon engagement, and deactivated upon retraction of the electrical plug. The momentary contact switch, when activated, also activates the semiconductor switch which in turn, activates the receptacle front. A second embodiment of the invention further includes an optoelectronic switch in series between the momentary contact switch and the semiconductor switch which requires redundant activation of both switches for activation of the receptacle front, remotely activating the optoelectronic switch and local activation of the momentary contact switch by the electric plug.

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First Claim