Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a device for monitoring the condition of a branch circuit. A device contains a switch that is normally open to prevent the occurrence of electric shock. An optical prong detector is provided to determine weather both the hot and neutral prongs of a plug have been inserted into the receptacle. The receptacle provides conductance upon determination of insertion of a plug into the receptacle. Additional features include GFI detection, current detection heat detection warning lights and an audible alarm. The receptacle includes communication abilities with remote devices to transmit data indicative of the state of the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/493,522, entitled “Surveillance Device Detection With Countermeasures” and filed Jun. 29, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,340,252 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/322,733, entitled “Safety Socket” and filed Feb. 6, 2009; the disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system for monitoring electrical power. More specifically, the invention relates to an electrical socket monitoring and reporting system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electrical receptacles, also known as outlets, wall plugs, etc., which in residential applications are commonly found mounted in an outlet box fixed within a wall and attached by terminals to an insulated powerline. By example, the typical powerline used for residential purposes has a line that has three wires, the first conducts the AC power wave, which is commonly known as the “hot”, the second this a return line, commonly referred to as “neutral” and a solid copper conductor commonly referred to as “ground”. 
     The typical receptacle has two parallel slots, and a third opening for the ground; behind each is a contact. Spades, also referred to as prongs, extending from a plug, conduct power by engaging the contacts. When the receptacle is connected to the line and the circuit is energized, the contacts are live. Safety, energy conservation and clean power (consistent power with low noise) are all concerns today with respect to electrical power. Monitoring power is the solution to all three concerns. 
     Measuring energy is routinely accomplished by use of power meters and has been enhanced to the benefit of the utility companies by the use of smart metering to measure total power consumption in real time. None of the concerns safety, energy conservation, or power Quality is addressed through smart metering. Energy monitoring systems in the current state-of-the-art make several troubling assumptions. First, the state-of-the-art assumes a site, whether it be residential, commercial or industrial, are wired correctly. Second, state-of-the-art metering systems assume the devices in the network are functioning correctly. And third, state-of-the-art metering systems fail to indicate how much energy is being consumed by a device or whether that device is functioning properly. 
     Electrical safety is a concern which is not addressed by state-of-the-art metering systems. A common safety concern is electrical shock resulting from insertion of an object into one of the receptacle slots. The art is replete with solutions to the threat of potential electrocution associated with a child inserting a conductive object in the receptacle. 
     There are multiple solutions in the art consisting of covers and inserts to prevent electrical shock. However these devices may become damaged and worn from the constant insertion and removal, which may also lead to neglecting their use altogether. In addition, small children may also pry off the covers to discover the mystery that lies beneath. 
     One such solution to this problem is the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,312,394, entitled “Protective device with tamper resistant shutters”. The &#39;394 patent discloses a receptacle cover assembly having a shutter. The shutter is movable to an open position by the insertion of at least one plug blade having a predetermined geometry Although the &#39;394 patent offers a measure of protection, it has no power shut off safety feature, which would prove critical if an object other than a plug blade were able to deceive the device. 
     To prevent electrical shock in bathrooms, building codes require the use of ground fault interrupt “GFI” receptacles. In principle, these devices operate by measuring the current difference between the hot and neutral lines. If a threshold difference is reached a switch is opened and conduction to the contacts within the receptacle is terminated. 
     One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,227,435 entitled “GFCI without bridge contacts and having means for automatically blocking a face opening of a protected receptacle when tripped”. The &#39;435 patent discloses an invention which prevents insertion of the prongs of a plug when the GFI circuit is tripped in the event of mis-wiring or a switch failure. When the device is tripped, an arm moves downward causing the contact to open and a blocking member is moved to a blocking position. However, a concern with this system is in the event of a failure, the contact will not open, nor will the blocking member be moved into the blocking position. 
     One solution to the failing GFI switch is found in the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,317,600 entitled “Circuit interrupting device with automatic end of life test”. The &#39;600 patent discloses a GFI circuit capable of simulating a ground fault to determine whether the device is working properly. An integrated circuit chip is connected to switch that interacts with the reset button. A user can determine whether the device has failed by engaging the reset button. However, the user still needs to manually test the device to verify that it is working. Furthermore, the device is normally closed, making the contacts “hot” and hazardous. 
     Another electrical safety concern is fire resulting from arc faults or appliances malfunctioning. None of the aforementioned solutions address the problem of fire detection or prevention. One source of fires is an arc fault. An arc fault may be a parallel fault, that is a discharge arcing between the hot line and neutral line, resulting from defects such as lack of insulation between the hot line and neutral line. A series fault is another type of discharge event resulting from defects such as a broken line, loose connection or other single wire failure. A ground arc results from loose grounding straps, shorts to ground and worn insulators of these types of arcs create sufficient heat to cause a fire. A fire can also be caused by a degrading device such as an electric motor overheating. Although many of these causes of fires could be prevented with proper maintenance the defects are either overlooked or not detected. The ability to measure temperature, detect an arc fault or detect a degrading or failing device would be beneficial. 
     Another concern today is energy conservation which relates to power consumption. Smart meters utilized by utility companies, although reporting in real time, only provide consumption information for an entire account, and not at the device level. A failing or overloaded device for example may consume more power than it should or more power than it historically has. An example of monitoring energy consumption at the device level is to monitor consumption at a receptacle. One advantage of this is the ability to measure the power being consumed by a failing device. It would be advantageous to provide a system for monitoring energy consumption at a receptacle. 
     Still another concern is the quality of power in the system. Poor power quality can be traced back to the electrical utility company or by interference from a device, in either case, these power disturbances resulting in poor power quality may cause device failure or damage to sensitive electrical devices. 
     Thus, it is desirable to provide a safety socket that can determine whether a plug has been engaged with the load side of the receptacle or if some other object had been placed into one of the slots, monitors and reports power consumption at the receptacle, detects arc faults and electrical problems as well as power disturbances. Additionally, it is also desirable to provide a receptacle that is normally open until a plug is engaged into the load side. Finally, it is also desirous to provide a receptacle that can communicate the device&#39;s state to external devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system for monitoring an electrical device comprises at least one reporting device. The reporting device comprises a switch for connecting a power line to a load, where the switch has a control input. The reporting device has at least one sensor for producing a sensor signal indicative of a condition. The reporting device also has a transceiver for transmitting communications and receiving instructions. The reporting device has a control circuit in communication with the transceiver, the sensor and the switch, whereby the control circuit responds to the sensor signal or instructions by producing a command signal to the control input. The control circuit has a first mode of operation when the sensor signal is below a threshold where the switch is maintained in a conductive state, a second mode of operation when the sensor signal is above a threshold where the switch is rendered non-conductive, and a third mode of operation where instructions command the switch to be non-conductive. The system further includes a remote monitor which receives communications from the reporting device and transmits instructions to the reporting device. 
     The reporting device receives instructions from the monitor to transmit a reporting device status of the reporting device and the control circuit responds by producing a reporting device status and transmits a communication comprising the reporting device status of at least one reporting device. 
     The remote monitor may communicate with at least one reporting device wirelessly. The control circuit further produces data in response to a sensor signal. The communications from the reporting device may include data and sensor signals. 
     The sensor may measure current and the reporting device may further comprise a voltage sensor, where the voltage sensor is in communication with the control circuit. 
     The remote monitor may be in communication with a network to send and receive communications, the system further comprising a server operating within the network capable of receiving communications from the remote monitor. The server further comprises a sub-system for comparing communications from the monitor to predetermined thresholds. 
     The server further comprises a sub-system for creating a response signal in response to communications from the monitor. The response signal may notify third-party of a condition detected at least one of the reporting devices. 
     In one embodiment the monitor is in communication with a network to send and receive communications comprising power consumption. A server may be in communication with the network where the server is capable of receiving communications from the monitor. The server may further comprise a subsystem for comparing communications from the monitor to previously receive communications. 
     In another embodiment the server comprises a subsystem for creating report from communications received from the monitor. The system may further comprise a subsystem for creating a response signal in response to communications from the monitor. The system may generate a response signal indicative of power consumption at one of the reporting devices and communicate that response signal to the user. 
     The system may provide device status information that includes an identifier of at least one reporting device. 
     Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from analysis of the following written description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a prior art environmental illustration of an electrical receptacle shown connected to a common electrical power line and breaker box with a detail of the wires that comprise a power line; 
         FIG. 2  is a is a prior art environmental illustration of an electrical receptacle shown connected to the wires of a common electrical power line of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a is an exemplary embodiment of a reporting device according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a partially exploded view of the reporting device of  FIG. 3A , revealing a circuit board; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the reporting device of  FIG. 3B , further revealing protected hot and neutral bus bars; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary protection circuit according to the principles of the present invention, comprising a switch having a control input to render a switch conductive or non-conductive; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of exemplary temperature measurement module for detecting temperature of each of a hot and neutral bus line according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of exemplary power measurement module for sensing power and current for each of a hot and neutral line according to the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. BA is a sectional view of the reporting device of  FIG. 3B , revealing an embodiment of a prong detector according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  is a diagram of one embodiment of a prong detector according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8C  is a schematic representation of a pair of prong detectors of  FIG. 8B , revealing the operative elements therein; 
         FIG. 8D  is a schematic representation of a pair of filters for filtering out ambient light from the detectors of  FIG. 8C ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of a microcontroller employed in one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of multiple reporting devices in communication with a monitoring device; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of multiple monitors in communication with a server; 
         FIG. 12  is an exemplary data flow chart. 
         FIG. 13  is a line monitoring circuit for determining whether the line is in use according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a test generation circuit producing a test signal to be injected into a line and issuing test commands according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a test switch circuit for directing a test and a response signal to a desired line according to the principles of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 16  is a line interface circuit for breaking a line connection according to the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In a building that receives electrical power, whether commercial, industrial or residential, the electrical power is distributed into multiple circuits, commonly known as branch circuits, by a master control panel. The master control panel, also known as a breaker box, comprises a case containing circuit breakers for disconnecting branch circuits, including the main which disconnects all service to the branch circuits. Each branch circuit is protected by a circuit breaker. Protection for a branch circuit is governed by the current limit by each circuit breaker. For example, for a branch circuit that is protected by a 20 amp breaker, when 20 amps is exceeded the breaker automatically disconnects, interrupting power to the corresponding branch. 
     A circuit breaker only monitors one condition-electrical current. There are several other conditions that indicate the health of a branch circuit beyond current. Conditions such as voltage, frequency and temperature may also provide insight into the health of a branch circuit. A circuit breaker has a predefined current limit and remains in a conductive state until the current limit is exceeded. However, there are many other concerns with electrical power that are not detected by a circuit breaker. The state of a branch circuit, such as arcing, incorrect voltage, excessive current draw below the breaker threshold, high temperature, high power consumption, low appliance efficiency and feedback are examples of states of a branch circuit. The present invention will now be described with reference to the illustrations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a prior art environmental illustration of a branch circuit including an electrical receptacle  1 , which is shown connected to a common electrical power line  5  and breaker box  3  with a detail of the wires that comprise a power line  5 , a hot wire  2 , a neutral wire  4  and a ground wire  6 . Electrical power line  5  conducts electricity through the branch circuit of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , a prior art environmental illustration of a residential 120 V electrical receptacle  1  is shown connected to a hot wire a neutral wire  4  and a ground wire  6 . The receptacle  1  comprises a neutral aperture  7 , a hot aperture  8  and a ground aperture  9 . The receptacle  1  typically receives prongs from a power cord of an electrical load (not shown). As used herein “load” shall refer to any electrical device connected to a branch circuit, including residential appliances such as a stove, refrigerator, clothing dryer or personal computer, commercial devices such as rooftop air-conditioning units and industrial devices such as conveyor systems, welding machines, or robots. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 3A , an exemplary embodiment of intelligent switchable device  10  according to the principles of the present invention is shown in an embodiment for a residential application. It should be noted that although the exemplary embodiment is adapted to a residential 120 V receptacle, this is by no means limiting. Quite the contrary, as an example, the present invention may be embodied in a housing within a power cord, such as the transformer box of a laptop power cord. Furthermore, the device  10  may be employed in branch circuits of any voltage or current. For example, the present invention may be employed in 120 V, 230 V, 240 V, 400 V and 480 V circuits in frequencies of 50 or 60 Hz and in single or three phase circuits. It should also be understood that the present invention may be employed with various connectors, including the various NEMA configurations. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 3A , the device  10  resembles a receptacle  1  and fits within a typical wall box. The device  10  has a load side  11  and a line side  12 . A typical powerline  5  connects at the line side  12  of the device  10 . The typical residential powerline  5  has a conductor carrying the AC power wave, or hot wire  2 , the return line, also known as the neutral wire  4 , and a solid copper conductor that is tied to ground, referred to as the ground wire  6 . The device  10  is secured to the hot wire  2  at terminal  27 , the neutral wire at terminal  28  and the grounding wire  6  is secured at ground terminal (not shown) on a ground strap, such as the strap  16 . 
     The device  10  comprises a housing  15  supported by a strap  16 . Referring now also to  FIG. 3E , a partially exploded view of the reporting device of  FIG. 3A  is shown revealing a circuit board.  20  within the housing  15 . On the Load side  11  of the reporting device  10  is a face  29  where sockets  14 A and  14 B are located, each of which having a neutral aperture  17 , hot aperture  18  and a ground aperture  19 . Sockets  14 A and  14 B are shown receiving plugs  13 A and  13 B, respectively. Plugs  13 A and  13 B have a plurality of prongs  25  extending therefrom. Prongs  26 , are also known as pins or spades, which couples the plugs  13 A and  13 B to sockets  14 A and  14 B. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , a sectional view of the reporting device  10  of  FIG. 3B , further revealing a circuit board  20  coupled to protected hot bus bar  23  and protected neutral bus bar  24 . Protected hot bus bar  23  and protected neutral bus bar  24  receive the hot and neutral prongs  26  of plugs  13 A and  13 B. Protected hot bus bar  23  and protected neutral bus bar  24  are “protected” by a protection circuit that will be further illustrated in FIG. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 5 , a schematic illustration of an exemplary protection circuit  30  according to the principles of the present invention is shown. Unprotected hot bus bar  21  and unprotected neutral bus bar  22  receive power from the power line  5 . A surge protector  25 , which in the present embodiment is a gas discharge tube, is coupled between unprotected hot bus bar  21  and unprotected neutral bus bar  22 . A switch  33 , which in the preferred embodiment is a double pole double throw switch, is disposed between unprotected bus bars  21  and  22  and protected bus bars  23  and  24 . The switch  33  is triggered by a relay  32  which is commanded by the protection circuit  30 . In the preferred embodiment, relay  32  is comprised of latching relays K 1  and K 2  to command the switch  33  to change poles, or flip the state from conductive to nonconductive or nonconductive to conductive, rather than to continually apply power to the relay  32 . 
     Protection circuit  30  comprises IC 12  which receives an input from OR gate  31 . The OR gate  31  receives signals GFCI_DET_ 2  and TRIP_MAIN_ 2  if either is true IC 12  will command relay  32  to open the switch  33 . A reset signal RST_MAIN_ 2  will command relay  32  to close the switch  33 . The signals TRIP_MAIN_ 2  and RST_MAIN_ 2  are generated by a control circuit  90 , described in more detail below. TRIP_MAIN_ 2  indicates a control circuit decision to open the switch  33  and RST_MAIN_ 2  indicates a control circuit decision to close the switch  33 . 
     A GFCI detection circuit  35  includes IC 5  and receives signals from a GFCI neutral sensor  38  and GFCI hot sensor  39  to determine if a ground fault has occurred. In the preferred embodiment sensors  38  and  39  are hall effect sensors. Power for IC 5  is provided by the power taken from the unprotected hot bus bar  21  which passes through the resistor network  36  and protective diode  37 . When a ground fault is detected a SCR_TRIG signal from IC 5  is fed to NPN transistor Q 1  which triggers the GFCI_DET_ 2  signal. Detection signal from detection circuit  3  is fed to an OR gate  31  and then to  1012  to trigger the relays  32 . A GFCI test circuit  40  is provided consisting of a resistor network  41  and SCR T 1  and diode D 1 . 
     In operation the switch  33  is commanded by control input  34  to render the switch  33  conductive or non conductive. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of exemplary temperature measurement module for detecting temperature of each of a hot and neutral bus bars according to the principles of the present invention is shown. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 7 , a schematic illustration of exemplary power measurement module for sensing power and current for each of a hot and neutral line according to the principles of the present invention is shown. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 8A  a sectional view of the device  10  of  FIG. 4  is shown, revealing a prong detector  70  according to the principles of the present invention. Protected hot bus bar  23  and protected neutral bus bar  24  are disposed within the device  10 . Each of the protected hot bus bar  23  and protected neutral bus bar  24  are disposed adjacent to each of the apertures  17 ,  18 . Specifically, the protected neutral bus bar  24  is disposed adjacent to the neutral aperture  17  and protected hot bus bar  23  is disposed adjacent to the hot aperture  18  to permit conduction with a user engageable contact, such as the prong  26  of a plug  13 A, when inserted into one of the apertures  17 ,  18 . For example, when the prongs  26  of plug  13 A are inserted into apertures  17 ,  18 ,  19  the conductive material of the prongs  26  permit conduction with the hot and neutral contacts  23 ,  24  (the ground contact is not shown). 
     The prong detector  70  is disposed in the device  10  and includes of an emitter  71  and detectors  72 ,  73 . Each of the detectors  72 ,  73  emit a first signal to indicate the absence an engageable contact in one of the apertures  17 ,  18  and a second signal, distinguishable from the first signal, to indicate the presence of an engageable contact in apertures  17 ,  18 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 8B , a diagram of one embodiment of a prong detector according to the principles of the present invention is shown, revealing the operative elements therein. In the preferred embodiment, the emitter  71  produces light and the detectors  72 ,  73  produces a signal indicative of the level of light detected. Partitions  24  are provided to minimize the interference of ambient light on the detectors  22 ,  23 . The partitions  74  each have an aperture  75  disposed therein to permit light from the emitter  71  to reach the detectors  72 ,  73 . Each of the prongs  26  when properly inserted will interfere with light from the emitter  71 , causing a “no light” or “low light” signal from the detectors  72 ,  73 . Therefore if both detector  72  and detector  73  indicate a low light signal, a plug is presumed to be coupled to device  10 . As such when the emitter  71 , detectors  72 ,  73  and partitions  74  with apertures  75  are positioned properly, the presence or absence of the user engageable contact such as prongs  26  may be detected. 
     Although residential applications have been referenced herein those skilled in the art will immediately recognize that the application of the presence invention may be employed beyond residential and specifically may also employed in commercial and/or industrial applications. Additionally, even though light emitting and detecting methods are specifically disclosed herein, it is intended to be within the scope of the present invention that other means of detecting the presence of plug blades be substituted for the light emitting and detecting methodologies disclosed herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8C , a schematic representation of a pair of prong detectors of FIG. BE, revealing the operative elements therein is shown. In the present embodiment, the emitter  71  is a light emitting diode, or “LED.” For example, it maybe of the type such as a GaAs infrared, emitter. The detector  72  is an infrared phototransistor, which, as more light strikes the phototransistor, the higher the current flowing through the collector emitter leads causing a “high light” signal from the detectors  72 ,  73 . The circuits in  FIG. 8C  act like a voltage divider. The variable current through the resistor causes a voltage drop. 
     As a precautionary measure, in the preferred embodiment, the LED is modulated at about 100 kHz to produce a target frequency and then provided to a filtering circuit.  80  as shown in  FIG. 8D . In the environment such as a wall box environment the optical signal detection reliability required of an electrical socket due to dust and debris that would impair detection, of light, from the emitter  71  and the device  10  is intended to function without maintenance. The device  10  is capable of discriminating between electro-optical emitters  71  and variable ambient lighting conditions. Ambient optical power leaking to the detector  72 ,  73  from various sources such as lamps and sunlight, and changes in emitter optical power due to aging are obviated by the frequency modulation detection scheme of the present sub-system of the present invention. Practical light sources change optical emissivity due to a number of causes over time. The frequency based approach found herein allows for compensation for the changes in optical emissivity and discrimination of sources. Only light at the modulated frequency would signal the interrupter circuit of the present invention. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 8D , a schematic representation of a pair of filters for filtering out ambient light from the detectors of  FIG. 8C  is shown. The signal that leaves the branch of  FIG. 8C  as  5 NS_TlN enters the bandpass filtering circuit  80 . The bandpass filter assists in eliminating erroneous signals that could be generated from ambient light by filtering the incoming voltage and therefore only signals energized by the LED which is modulated at about 100 kHz may pass. The output signal of the filtering circuit  80  TlN_D is then provided to a microcontroller  90  described in  FIG. 9  as IC 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a schematic illustration of a microcontroller  90  employed in one embodiment of the device  10  of the present invention is shown. The microcontroller  90  is a programmable logic device, and as such, any suitable programmable device may be substituted for the microcontroller  90  employed in the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, microcontroller  90  has a microprocessor, volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Microcontroller  90 , also identified as IC 3 , receives signals produced by the detectors  72 ,  73 . The microcontroller  90  has instructions to produce a third signal indicative of the presence of two or more engageable contacts  26  in the device  10  and a fourth signal, distinguishable from the third signal, to indicate the presence of less than two engageable contacts  26  in the device  10 . The microcontroller  90  transmits one of the third signal or fourth signal to interrupter circuit to cause a switch to open or close. Additionally, microcontroller  90  receives signals from a number of other sensors, including a thermal sensor, current sensor, and a voltage sensor. The output of microcontroller  90  is operatively coupled to number of communication devices located within the device  10 , including warning lights and audible alarms. 
     Microcontroller  90  also communicates through other communication conduits, for example, microcontroller  90  is shown coupled to a serial port, identified as  109 . Additionally microcontroller  90  may communicate through the powerline or wirelessly, for example the use of a transceiver  95 . The ability to communicate externally provides the device  10  with the ability to transfer data about the state of the circuit for storage on location or off-site. This enables the device  10  to report faults in real-time or to demonstrate gradual deterioration of a condition, such as high current or heat, over time. Such information could be crucial in determining the cause of a fire, for example. 
     Microcontroller  90  is programmed to command the device  10  to not conduct electricity unless the microcontroller  90  determines that a plug  8  is engaged with device  10  and not merely some other object inserted into one of the apertures  13 ,  14 . This is achieved by determining the presence of two of two blades  9  inserted into the apertures  13 ,  14  by the detectors  22 ,  23 . Accordingly, the normal state of reciprocal  10  is that no power is conducted to contacts  15 ,  16  unless a plug  13 A is determined to be connected to the device  10 . 
     The output signals PH_A and PH_B from the microcontroller  90 , based on signals from detectors  22 , govern the conductive state of the device  10 . Referring now also to  FIG. 5A , a schematic illustration of an interrupter circuit  50  according to the principles of the present invention is shown. The interrupter circuit  50  has a line side, a load side and a switch. The line side is operatively coupled to a source of electrical power, for example a 14-2 wire. The load side is operatively coupled to the conductor contracts  15 ,  16 . A switch is coupled between the line side and the load side to govern the flow of electrical power to the conductor contacts  15 ,  16  based on the signals from the detectors  22 ,  23 . 
     The interrupter circuit  50  governs the flow of electrical power to the conductor contacts  15 ,  16  based on the signals received from the detectors  22 ,  23 . The circuit  50  comprises a switch employing four silicon controlled rectifiers T 1 -T 4  to open or close the AC power wave. Each SCR is provided to conduct or not conduct a half wave coming into the device  10  through terminal  1  or  3 . Ideally only two SCRs should be necessary, however in the event of miss wiring the hot and neutral lines two SCRs are provided on the neutral line as a safety precaution. The signals from PH_A and PH_B are provided to the gate of the SCRs. When PH_A and PH_B provide voltage sufficient to conduct across the SCRs, the interrupter circuit  50  is conductive. Note that T 1  and T 2  are in parallel, but flipped. This is because the SCRs only work in one direction. A diode bridge B 2  is provided to rectify AC power to DC. Additionally, GFI protection is provided at TR 6  and TR 5 .  FIG. 5B  is an alternate embodiment of the interrupter circuit of  FIG. 5A , further comprising a power transformer TR 3  in front of the bridge diode of the power supply. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 10 , is a schematic illustration of multiple devices  96 - 99  use an RF Mesh topology to communicate with a monitor  100 . Devices  96 - 99  use a 2.4 GHz wireless mesh network, which in the preferred embodiment is the ZigBee standard for communicating among the devices  96 - 99  and the devices  96 - 99  and a monitor  100 . As set forth above, the device  10  may take several forms, for example, power strips  98 ,  99  and receptacles  96 ,  97 . 
     In operation, the device  10  of the present invention is able to monitor multiple conditions, such as current, temperature, power, and change in VKN and conduct multiple tests. Once installed, the device  10  will have a unique identifier and then will conduct a baseline reading of the branch circuit that the device  10  governs. As set forth more fully below, the invention extracts phase shift information about a circuit from the reflection signal, characterizing and reporting a unitless but repeatable and predictable value, referred to herein as the Vasquez Kuttner Number (“VKN”). This technique becomes a signature of the circuit under test and forwards the information to the server  200  through a monitor  100 . 
     The device  10  can be used for monitoring the branch circuit by automated repeated testing in order to detect changes indicative of faults, wiretaps, or the presence of unauthorized equipment. Additionally, the history of the condition of a branch circuit may be recorded. 
     The device  10  can create and store a generated document with a reference number hereinafter called the Vasquez Kuttner Number (VKN,) a unique number that, once stored in the database  200 , becomes categorized as a representative signature to the configuration of the branch circuit under test and assigned to the device  10 . 
     The same test conditions may result in different VKNs for different devices  10 . The power conditioned apparatus measures the attenuation effects of branch circuits that is vulnerable to the physical layer, electrical characteristics, and equipment with frequency pulses, then calculates the measured electrical protected value and converts the wiring and hardware design of the telecommunications network into an alert readiness and resolve technique. It will report the out-of-service or degrading network systems. 
     The device  10  will create and display a reference number hereinafter called the Vasquez Number (VKN,) a unit less number that, once generated, becomes a representative signature of the configuration of the circuit under test. Since frequency pulses are attenuated by junctions, impedance, capacitance and other electrical/electronic devices in the circuit, each unique circuit configuration will attenuate one or more frequencies in a unique way. If ultimately plotted on a graph, the individual values that make up the VKN can be used to create a “fingerprint” of the circuit. Because two identical circuits would have the same measured values for all frequency pulses, identical circuits will cause the apparatus to generate the same VKN as well as the same “fingerprint” for both circuits. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of multiple reporting devices in communication with a monitoring device. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of multiple monitors in communication with a server. 
       FIG. 12  is an exemplary data flow chart. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a branch circuit monitoring circuit  220  for determining whether the branch circuit is in use according to the principles of the present invention is shown. The branch circuit monitoring circuit  220  includes a plurality of arrays  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  for testing a branch circuit condition interconnected to the device  10 . Each of the arrays  221 - 224  are electrically isolated from the lines  5 , and each of the arrays  221 - 224  are preferably optoisolator array. 
     Once the branch circuit state is known, the device  10  can be commanded to execute one of several test types. The device  10  can determine if a branch circuit is energized and immediately abort a test in progress. Alternatively, if a test is scheduled, the test can be suspended until the branch circuit is available if the test type would interfere with usage. Furthermore, a test type can then be executed that does not interfere with the conversation and does not require the phone to be in a NOT-IN-USE state to execute the test. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , a test generation circuit  230  having a controller  231  is shown. The controller  231  has a CPU (not shown) and memory storage (not shown) adapted to receive signals and transmit instructions. The controller  231  receives the digital signal indicative of branch circuit state for each branch circuit from the A/D  225 , and, based on the state of each branch circuit, produces instructions to further evaluate the branch circuit, as discussed further below. The controller  231  produces a digital signal to command a digital to analog converter “DAC”  232  to produce an analog signal, identified as STIM_O, to be injected into the line  5 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the instructions executed by the controller  231  include instructions to transmit a test signal to at least one user selectable branch circuit, compare a test signal response measured from at least one user selectable branch circuit to a baseline response, report a change in branch circuit state when the difference between a test signal response and a baseline signal response exceeds a threshold, and issue a countermeasure based upon countermeasure settings. 
     In the preferred embodiment, a power amplifier (not shown) provides additional drive capability to the test signal as generated by the test generation circuit  230 . The controller  231  is capable of commanding any desired wave form, including a square wave, sinusoidal, triangular, or the like. The controller  231  is programmable to output a user specified test signal, however, it is the intent of the present invention to provide a test signal having a frequency above 50 KHz. In the preferred embodiment, the test signal, STIM_O, is a single frequency sine wave having a frequency above 50 KHz. 
     As used herein, “reflection” is understood to mean the response monitored on the same branch circuit through which the test signal was transmitted. 
     The test generation circuit  230  forms part of a stimulus response module which is user-configured. A user may select a test with an option to select a test compatible with an IN-USE state (Type 3) since a Type 1 or Type 2 test would not generally be available. However, the system may be configured to break a call under certain conditions, as set forth in more detail below. 
     Controller  231  is programmed to issue test commands to carry out desired tests. In the preferred embodiment, STIM_O is a sine wave having a frequency above 50 KHz. The commands will include a direction to disconnect the branch circuit and to test the branch circuit. If the line monitoring circuit  220  delivers a NOT-IN-USE state, the controller  231  will issue the test command. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the test command is transmitted to a test switch circuit  240 , having a plurality of switches  241 ,  242 ,  243 ,  244 , collectively referred to as a switch matrix, for sending and receiving test signal. The test switch circuit  240  directs a test signal input and output to a desired line based on the test commands received. A control bus and integrated circuit control the switches  241 - 244 . Each of the switches directs a test signal to and from the designated line based on the test commands. Switch  241  directs all signals for the tip wires leading to the CO  6  side (input side) of the line  5 . The STIM_O signal is directed out by switches  241 - 244 . Once STIM_O is injected into a line, the response signal STIM_I is monitored on the designated branch circuit by selection of one of the lines on one of the switches  241 - 244 . Accordingly, switches  241 - 244  direct the STIM_O signal out by, and select the line and wire to monitor, for either the reflection or transmission. 
     For example, a test on a branch circuit will direct the STIM_O signal. Switch  43  directs the response of the test signal found on the branch circuit and identifies the signal as STIM_I. 
       FIG. 16  is a line interface circuit for breaking a line connection according to the principles of the present invention. 
     The foregoing discussion discloses and describes the preferred structure and control system for the present invention. However, one skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.