GB2336724A - An electric plug socket strip showing the power drawn - Google Patents
An electric plug socket strip showing the power drawn Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2336724A GB2336724A GB9828522A GB9828522A GB2336724A GB 2336724 A GB2336724 A GB 2336724A GB 9828522 A GB9828522 A GB 9828522A GB 9828522 A GB9828522 A GB 9828522A GB 2336724 A GB2336724 A GB 2336724A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- electric
- plug socket
- electric plug
- socket according
- led
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
- H01R25/003—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
- H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
- H01R13/6666—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit with built-in overvoltage protection
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
- H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
- H01R13/6691—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit with built-in signalling means
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
- H01R31/06—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter
- H01R31/065—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with built-in electric apparatus
Landscapes
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
- Measurement Of Current Or Voltage (AREA)
Abstract
An electric plug socket strip comprising a series of sockets (10) arranged side-by-side in a common casing (11) to which an electrical power supply lead (12) is attached. An array (13) of LED's form a wattage meter to indicate progressively increasing electrical power consumption enabling a user to recognise an approaching overload condition. Alternatively, an analogue meter can be used.
Description
1 2336724 1 1 - 1 AN ELECTRIC PLUG SOCKET THIS INVENTION relates to
electric plug sockets and particularly, though not exclusively, socket strips in which several sockets are provided in a single casing for the simultaneous connection of two or more electric plugs.
According to the present invention an electric plug socket includes an integral device adapted to provide an indication of the level of electric power consumed.
Preferably, the socket is part of a socket strip having means for simultaneous connection thereto of two or more electric plugs.
Further, the power consumption indicating means is provided in the form of an array of LEDs representing, in combination, a level of wattage consumption.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a front view of an electric socket strip having an LED wattage indicator in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is a diagram of the circuit components of same.
2 Referring now to the drawings, a typical 4-way electric socket strip may contain a row of four individual electric sockets 10 arranged in a common casing 11 and having a power supply lead 12 connected thereto. Up to four electric plugs may be connected to strip for the simultaneous supply of electric power to a like number of appliances.
In accordance with the present invention such a strip includes, at one end, an array of LEDs 13, which, when the strip is in use, become illuminated progressively as the power consumption from the strip increases. For example, from the bottom of the array of LEDs the first three may be coloured green, the fourth amber, and the fifth red. In normal operation, between one and three of the green coloured LEDs are illuminated until the power consumption increases to a level approaching an overload condition whereupon the amber LED would become illuminated followed by the red LED if an overload condition occurs.
Thus, the row of LEDs provide, in effect, a stepwise or digital wattage meter indicating to the user a condition approaching overload for the rating of the strip and its power lead.
Referring now to Fig. 2, wherein the cover of the casing has been removed the earth terminals 14 are connected together by a common conductor strip 15; Similarly, the live terminals 16 are connected together by a conductor strip 17, and the neutral terminals 3 18 are connected together by a conductor strip 19. The conductor strips 15, 17 and 19 are themselves connected to earth, live and neutral terminals respectively within the casing 10, to which supply lead 12 is connected.
For convenience of illustration, the LED wattage meter and its components and electrical connectors to the live and neutral terminals are shown outside the casing 11. The principal component is a shunt 20 connected between the live conductor 17 and the live supply. Connected to one side of the shunt 20 is an amplifier 21 and a rectifier 22. Connected to the other side of the shunt 20 is a low voltage power supply unit 23 to which the LEDs are connected through operational amplifiers 24 and resistors 25, providing, together, a comparator ladder.
In operation, as the power consumption or load drawn from the socket strip, increases so also does the voltage drawn from the rectifier 22, which, progressively through the operational amplifiers 24, energises the LEDs 13 so that, in combination, they provide an indication of load consumption (or wattage).
Thus, a single or multiple socket with wattage meter as described enables the user to avoid an overload and thus hazardous condition whereby the socket or socket strip does not rely wholly upon a fuse.
If required, an analogue wattage meter may replace the LED ladder thus to provide an infinitely varying, rather than stepwise, indication.
It is not intended to limit the invention to the above details. For example, in the case of LEDs a lesser or greater number may be provided to give an indication of normal or excessive power consumption.
In the usual way the array of sockets in a socket strip may be arranged other than in a single row and in its simplest form the invention may comprise a single socket with wattage meter.
- 5 CLAW 1. An electric plug socket including an integral device adapted to provide an. indication of the level of electric power consumed from the socket.
Claims (1)
- 2. An electric plug socket according to Claim 1, being a socket striphaving means for simultaneous connection thereto of two or more electric plugs.3. An electric plug socket according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the power consumption indicating means is provided in the form of an array of LED's representing, in combination, a level of wattage consumption.4. An electric plug socket according to Claim 3, comprising a row of individual electric sockets connected in parallel to a supply of electric power the sockets being contained within a common casing at one end of which is said array of LED's adapted to become illuminated progressively as the power consumption from the sockets increases, the array comprising at least two colours thus to provide a stepwise wattage meter capable of indicating a condition approaching overload for the rating of the socket and its power lead.5. An electric plug socket according to any preceding claim, including a shunt connected in series with the or each live terminal of the socket, one end of the shunt having connected thereto an 6 - amplifier, a rectifier and a series of operational amplifiers each serving a single LED, in the form of a comparator ladder.6. An electric plug socket according to Claim 5, including a low voltage power supply unit to which the LED's are connected through individual operational amplifiers and resistors.7. An electric plug socket according to Claim 1, wherein said integral device comprises an analogue wattage meter thus to provide an infinitely varying indication of the level of electric power consumed.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9800154.8A GB9800154D0 (en) | 1998-01-07 | 1998-01-07 | An electric plug socket |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB9828522D0 GB9828522D0 (en) | 1999-02-17 |
GB2336724A true GB2336724A (en) | 1999-10-27 |
GB2336724B GB2336724B (en) | 2002-06-19 |
Family
ID=10824847
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9800154.8A Ceased GB9800154D0 (en) | 1998-01-07 | 1998-01-07 | An electric plug socket |
GB9828522A Expired - Fee Related GB2336724B (en) | 1998-01-07 | 1998-12-23 | An electric plug socket |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9800154.8A Ceased GB9800154D0 (en) | 1998-01-07 | 1998-01-07 | An electric plug socket |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0929130A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB9800154D0 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2447465A (en) * | 2007-03-13 | 2008-09-17 | Richard Pledger | Electrical power consumption monitor |
GB2468529A (en) * | 2009-03-12 | 2010-09-15 | Andrew Bagshaw | Interconnecting modular powered devices |
GB2487597A (en) * | 2011-01-31 | 2012-08-01 | Stuart Pritchard | Electrical device |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2003217750A (en) * | 2002-01-22 | 2003-07-31 | Kawasaki Densen Kk | Power source connecting device |
CN109921226A (en) * | 2019-02-27 | 2019-06-21 | 广东欧曼科技股份有限公司 | A kind of integrated lamp belt lacing |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH04179079A (en) * | 1990-11-11 | 1992-06-25 | Noboru Suzuki | Socket box with power monitor |
US5315236A (en) * | 1991-03-05 | 1994-05-24 | Lee Graham S | Power consumption meter for displaying electric power consumed by appliance and the time period of consumption |
JPH07235346A (en) * | 1994-02-23 | 1995-09-05 | Asahi Giken Kogyo Kk | Double functional electric amount indicating device |
US5699051A (en) * | 1996-07-29 | 1997-12-16 | Billig; Richard R. | Load monitoring electrical outlet system |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB376717A (en) * | 1930-01-30 | 1932-07-14 | Philips Nv | Improvements in or relating to electric measuring instruments |
US4875152A (en) * | 1988-03-16 | 1989-10-17 | Foster William H | Electrical tap switch |
US4965548A (en) * | 1989-02-09 | 1990-10-23 | Banner Engineering Corp. | Level indicator with alarm |
DE9310675U1 (en) * | 1993-07-14 | 1993-09-02 | Lai, Wen-Chung, Taipeh/T'ai-pei | Electrical circuit breaker |
US5650771A (en) * | 1995-04-25 | 1997-07-22 | Lee; Chung-Cheng | Electrical socket with monitoring unit for monitoring operating conditions |
-
1998
- 1998-01-07 GB GBGB9800154.8A patent/GB9800154D0/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-12-23 GB GB9828522A patent/GB2336724B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1999
- 1999-01-06 EP EP99300096A patent/EP0929130A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH04179079A (en) * | 1990-11-11 | 1992-06-25 | Noboru Suzuki | Socket box with power monitor |
US5315236A (en) * | 1991-03-05 | 1994-05-24 | Lee Graham S | Power consumption meter for displaying electric power consumed by appliance and the time period of consumption |
JPH07235346A (en) * | 1994-02-23 | 1995-09-05 | Asahi Giken Kogyo Kk | Double functional electric amount indicating device |
US5699051A (en) * | 1996-07-29 | 1997-12-16 | Billig; Richard R. | Load monitoring electrical outlet system |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2447465A (en) * | 2007-03-13 | 2008-09-17 | Richard Pledger | Electrical power consumption monitor |
GB2468529A (en) * | 2009-03-12 | 2010-09-15 | Andrew Bagshaw | Interconnecting modular powered devices |
GB2487597A (en) * | 2011-01-31 | 2012-08-01 | Stuart Pritchard | Electrical device |
GB2487597B (en) * | 2011-01-31 | 2013-01-16 | Stuart Pritchard | Electrical device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2336724B (en) | 2002-06-19 |
GB9800154D0 (en) | 1998-03-04 |
GB9828522D0 (en) | 1999-02-17 |
EP0929130A1 (en) | 1999-07-14 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20090917 AND 20090923 |
|
732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20100415 AND 20100421 |
|
732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20111117 AND 20111123 |
|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20151223 |