Safety device for prevention of electrical shocks

Abstract

A safety device can provide electrical shock protection for an electrical appliance. Voltage sensors can monitor voltage levels among a power conductor, a neutral conductor, and a ground conductor. When sensed voltages indicate that these conductors are properly wired to an electrical power utility, inline switches can close to allow power to pass through the safety device to the appliance. When one or more of the sensed voltages indicates that the power level is too low to operate the appliance, one or more switches of the safety device can open to block power from passing through to the appliance. When one or more of the sensed voltages indicates that an electrical problem posing a shock hazard exists in the electrical appliance, one or more switches of the safety device can open to interrupt power from transmitting to the appliance.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 528,067, entitled “Safety Device to Protect Against Shock from Improper Electrical Connections in Electrical Outlets,” and filed Dec. 10, 2003. The subject matter of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 528,067 is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of electrical devices, and more specifically to safety devices that prevent electrical shock from improperly wired electrical outlets.BACKGROUND[0003]An electrical appliance or load receives electrical energy from one terminal of an electrical outlet or source (the so-called high voltage or hot side), electrical current flows to the load through an electrical conductor (a wire), this current passes through the load and is then returned to another terminal of the electrical outlet through another wire called the neutral wire. The...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]The present invention supports controlling electrical power on a supply line to an electrical appliance, such as a vending machine, tool, machine, equipment, motor, or other device or load that consumes electrical energy, to protect against electrically shocking people that may contact the appliance.

[0023]In another aspect of the present invention, the safety device can provide shock protection for vending machines that operate in public places. Upon occurrence of an event that poses a safety threat or issue, the safety device can isolate the vending machine from the electrical utility while keeping the connection to earth ground intact. Electrically isolating the vending machine can comprise opening the neutral conductor and the power conductor, which may also be referred to as a hot conductor or lead.

Problems solved by technology

When one or more of the sensed voltages indicates that an electrical condition in the electrical appliance poses a shock hazard or threat, one or more switches of the safety device can open to interrupt power from transmitting to the appliance.

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