Current sensing load demand apparatus and methods

Abstract

An apparatus supplies AC power to a load. The apparatus includes a set output terminals, a primary circuit, and a load sensing circuit. The primary circuit is electrically coupled to a source of AC power and to the output terminals for selectively providing power at a low voltage at the output terminals or electronically coupling the source of AC power directly to the output terminals. The load sensing circuit coupled to the primary circuit and the source of AC power for determining a resistance associated with the load at initial application of the load and controlling the primary circuit to electronically couple the source of AC power directly to the output terminals if a proper load is detected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A circuit for use with a power circuit for selectively providing power, comprising:
 a switching circuit coupled to the power circuit;   a sensing device coupled to the switching circuit for sensing a parameter associated with the power circuit, the switching circuit for comparing the parameter with a predetermined condition associated with the parameter and responsively generating an alert if the parameter meets the predetermined condition; and,   a communications device coupled to the sensing device for generating a signal in response to generation of the alert.   
     
     
         2 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the communications device is one of a wired or wireless device. 
     
     
         3 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the communications device is implemented using a data bus. 
     
     
         4 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the data bus is Wireless, Power Line Carrier, Category 5 Network, USB, Firewire, Serial or Parallel. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for supplying power to a load, comprising:
 a pair of output terminals;   a primary circuit electrically coupled to a source of power and to the output terminals for selectively providing power to the output terminals;   a sensing circuit coupled to the primary circuit and the source of power for controllably coupling the source of power directly to the output terminals, the sensing circuit including a sensor coupled to the load sensing circuit for sensing a parameter associated with the primary circuit, the load sensing circuit for comparing the parameter with a predetermined acceptable range and responsively cutting off power to the output terminals if the parameter is outside of the predetermined acceptable range; and,   a communications device coupled to the sensing device for generating a signal in response to the sensing circuit cutting off power to the output terminals.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the sensor is a thermometer. 
     
     
         8 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the communications device is one of a wired or wireless device. 
     
     
         9 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the communications device is implemented using a data bus. 
     
     
         10 . A circuit, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the data bus is Wireless, Power Line Carrier, Category 5 Network, USB, Firewire, Serial or Parallel.