Importance

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Abstract

A faceplate lighting system and method for illuminating a faceplate that provides substantial illumination of the faceplate to provide a guidelight or nightlight effect for environments without providing electrical power to or through the faceplate itself. The faceplate comprises an assembly including: a clear or translucent or transparent outer faceplate, and, a lightpipe membrane disposed beneath the clear or translucent or transparent outer faceplate. A wall-mounted electrical device is configured to include a light source(s) integrated within the device itself, to provide light under certain operating conditions. The light source is disposed in a manner such that when the faceplate assembly is overlayed onto a surface-mounted electrical device, the clear lightpipe membrane is aligned to directly receive light from the electrical device light source(s). The lightpipe membrane incorporates light pipe features that distribute received light across the surface of the faceplate. Alternately, the faceplate for a wall-mounted electrical device comprises a single plastic lightpipe having a first translucent or transparent surface that is exposed when overlayed onto the wall-mounted electrical device, and receiving light from the wall-mounted device for illuminating the exposed surface without transmitting electrical power to or through the faceplate itself.

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First Claim