GB2370429A

GB2370429A - Mains Power Isolator

Info

Publication number: GB2370429A
Application number: GB0031877A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Veronica Chapman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-21
Filing date: 2000-12-21
Publication date: 2002-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-21
Also published as: GB2370429B; GB0031877D0

Abstract

A mains power isolator takes the form of an adaptor, which incorporates a mains power receptacle 1 for the plug of an appliance, and also mains power pins 4 that fit a standard power socket. In between the two there is an isolating switch 2. A neon indicator 3 may show whether or not power is available to the appliance. A safety fuse, accessible through a panel 5, may also be incorporated into the appliance side of the internal electrical connection.

Description

Mains Power Isolator DESCRIPTION The increasing trend is to produce appliances (particularly as computer peripherals) that do not posses an integral mains power isolation switch. Even where an appliance has an integral mains power (on/off) switch, the electrical lead to the wall socket remains nonisolated. In the past many non-isolating mains sockets have been installed as wall fitments. There are also many multi-way mains power extenders that do not provide an individual switching facility for the sockets. Even a multi-way extender comprising an overall switch generally does not offer the facility to isolate individual sockets. A multiway extender that comprises individually isolating sockets generally does not offer the facility of overall isolation.

Furthermore appliances are often attached to a moulded-type mains plug that also incorporates a low-voltage power supply constantly connected to the mains power.

Generally these units comprise a mains transformer permanently connected across the mains, if the socket itself is non-switched. If such transformers were 100% efficient, then no power would be consumed until the appliance itself were operated. In practice they are never this efficient, and constantly consume a small amount of power. This is evidenced by the fact that the moulded plug unit becomes warm.

The objective of this invention is to provide a convenient means of isolating the mains power feed from any appliance, including its power lead. This provides a safety measure that is often unavailable to the public. Frequently the only alternative is the inconvenient method of physically removing the mains plug from the socket, leaving the power lead and plug on the floor.

Accordingly, this invention comprises an adaptor that plugs into a standard non-switched mains socket, and offers a single switched receptacle for any standard mains plug that terminates any power lead to an appliance. The adaptor includes a mains power-rated switch, a corresponding fuse, and a neon indicator to show the state of the power feed into the power lead of the appliance.

Preferably the adaptor is made of white Bakelite material to correspond with normal mains power fitments.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows a top view of the adaptor FIGURE 2 shows the underneath view of the adaptor As shown in FIGURE 1, the width W of the adaptor is less than the distance between two adjacent sockets in a mains extender unit. This enables adaptors to be inserted into adjacent sockets of a mains extender unit, and ensures that they would not overhang any standard mains power fitment FIGURE 1 also shows the height H. This must be less than that of a mains extender, so that the adaptor does not overhang the unit itself The shuttered mains power receptacle 1, shown in FIGURE 1, is of known design, as is the means of constructing the internal isolating switch 2, and of connecting the neon indicator 3 internally to the'appliance-side'of the isolating switch 2.

Underneath the fuse panel 5, shown in FIGURE 2, is a receptacle to hold a standard mains fuse. Being of known design, no details are shown. The mains power pins 4 and Fuse Panel 5 are also of known design.

The adaptor would be manufactured to meet all relevant electrical standards.

Claims

Mains Power Isolator CLAIMS 1. A single-outlet, switch-isolated, mains power adaptor of a suitable construction to meet all relevant electrical standards.
2. An adaptor as claimed in Claim 1 with a visual indication of the state of the power feed to the receptacle.
3. A ganged unit comprising two or more adaptors as claimed in the preceding claims, manufactured as a single item in suitable multiples, and spaced to fit a mains extender in such a way as to provide individual isolation for more than one extender receptacle.
4. A ganged unit as in Claim 3, that also incorporates an overall isolating switch.
5. An adaptor as claimed in the preceding claims, which is made from any suitable metals for electrical conductivity, and plastics materials for suitable electrical insulation and appearance.
6. An adaptor substantially as claimed herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.