Systems and methods using electrical receptacles for integrated power control, communication and monitoring

Abstract

An electrical receptacle contains contacts, at least one contact for electrical connection to a hot power line and at least one contact for a neutral power line. A controlled switch, such as a TRIAC, is connected in series relationship between the contact and the hot power line. One or more sensors are provided which detect signals of the hot power line and/or the neutral power line. The processor provides activation or deactivation control to the controlled switch in response to the detected signals that are indicative of conditions relative to the first and second contacts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A communication device, comprising:
 a first contact configured for electrical connection to a neutral power line, and a second contact configured for electrical connection to ground;   a processor; and   a communication subsystem configured for wired communications over the neutral power line to the ground.   
     
     
         2 . A communication device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the wired communications comprise inserting a DC signal over the neutral line and modulating the DC signal. 
     
     
         3 . A communication device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the wired communications comprise sending a RF signal over the neutral line. 
     
     
         4 . A communication device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the wired communications continue when a circuit breaker of a breaker panel opens a hot power line. 
     
     
         5 . A communication device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the wired communications bypass a circuit breaker panel. 
     
     
         6 . A communication device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a device comprising a plug for plugging into a plug outlet. 
     
     
         7 . A communication device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is an electrical receptacle having a plug outlet. 
     
     
         8 . A communication device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a circuit breaker panel. 
     
     
         9 . A communication device, comprising:
 a first contact configured for electrical connection to a first hot power line having a first power line phase, and a second contact configured for electrical connection to a second hot power line having a second power line phase different from the first power line phase; and   a processor configured to bridge wired communications between the first power line phase and the second power line phase.   
     
     
         10 . A communication device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the communications of the first power line phase are between the first power line phase to a neutral phase and wherein the communications of the second power line phase are between the second power line phase to the neutral phase. 
     
     
         11 . A communication device as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a separate power supply from the power lines, wherein the processor is configured to continue the wired communications using the separate power supply when a circuit breaker of a circuit breaker panel opens one or more of the hot power lines. 
     
     
         12 . A communication device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the communication device is a circuit breaker panel. 
     
     
         13 . A communication device as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a first communication subsystem configured for wired communications over the first hot power line; and a second communication subsystem configured for wired communications over the second hot power line. 
     
     
         14 . A communication device, comprising:
 a neutral contact for connection to a neutral power line;   a ground contact for connection to ground; and   a communication subsystem for communicating over the neutral power line to the ground.   
     
     
         15 . A circuit breaker for connection at least one power line, comprising:
 a breaker for connection to a hot power line of the at least on power line;   a processor for controlling the breaker; and   a communication subsystem for wired communication over at least one of the power lines.   
     
     
         16 . A circuit breaker as recited in  claim 15  further comprising at least one sensor to detect signals indicative of the at least one hot power line; wherein the processor is further configured to send a communication in response to determining that no power is detected.