Abstract:
One aspect provides of this disclosure provides a flush wall mounting system for an electronic controller. This embodiment comprises a housing for receiving electrical components therein and having a front panel and a back panel coupled to the front panel. The back panel has a raised portion extending therefrom. This aspect further includes a mounting plate removably couplable to the back panel of the housing and has front and back sides. The front side includes a flange around a perimeter thereof and has a recess formed therein configured to receive the raised portion of the back panel therein. The recess forms a raised portion extending from the back side and configured to be receivable within an opening in a wall. A method for manufacturing the mounting system is also provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/167,135, filed by Grohman, et al., on Apr. 6, 2009, entitled “Comprehensive HVAC Control System”, and is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 12/258,659, filed by Grohman on Oct. 27, 2008, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Controlling an Environmental Conditioning Unit,” both of which are commonly assigned with this application and incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to the following U.S. patent applications, which are filed on even date herewith, commonly assigned with this application and incorporated herein by reference: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Serial No. 
                 Inventors 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 12/603,464 
                 Grohman, 
                 “Alarm and Diagnostics System and Method 
               
               
                   
                 et al. 
                 for a Distributed-Architecture Heating, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ventilation and Air Conditioning 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Network” 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. 
                 Thorson, 
                 “System and Method of Use for a User 
               
               
                 No.  
                 et al. 
                 Interface Dashboard of a Heating, 
               
               
                 8,615,326 
                   
                 Ventilation and Air Conditioning 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Network” 
               
               
                 12/603,382 
                 Grohman 
                 “Device Abstraction System and Method 
               
               
                   
                   
                 for a Distributed-Architecture Heating, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ventilation and Air Conditioning 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Network” 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat.  
                 Grohman, 
                 “Communication Protocol System and 
               
               
                 No.  
                 et al. 
                 Method for a Distributed-Architecture 
               
               
                 8,352,080 
                   
                 Heating, Ventilation and Air 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Conditioning Network” 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. 
                 Hadzidedic 
                 “Memory Recovery Scheme and Data 
               
               
                 No. 
                   
                 Structure in a Heating, Ventilation and 
               
               
                 8,295,981 
                   
                 Air Conditioning Network” 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. 
                 Grohman 
                 “System Recovery in a Heating, 
               
               
                 No. 
                 et al. 
                 Ventilation and Air Conditioning 
               
               
                 8,255,086 
                   
                 Network” 
               
               
                 12/603,473 
                 Grohman, 
                 “System and Method for Zoning a 
               
               
                   
                 et al. 
                 Distributed-Architecture Heating, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ventilation and Air Conditioning 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Network” 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. 
                 Grohman, 
                 “Method of Controlling Equipment in a 
               
               
                 No. 
                 et al. 
                 Heating, Ventilation and Air 
               
               
                 8,600,559 
                   
                 Conditioning Network” 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. 
                 Grohman, 
                 “Programming and Configuration in a 
               
               
                 No. 
                 et al. 
                 Heating, Ventilation and Air 
               
               
                 8,762,666 
                   
                 Conditioning Network” 
               
               
                 12/603,431 
                 Mirza, 
                 “General Control Techniques in a 
               
               
                   
                 et al. 
                 Heating, Ventilation and Air 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Conditioning Network” 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application is directed, in general, to HVAC systems and, more specifically, to a flush wall amount thermostat and mounting plate for a distributed-architecture heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Climate control systems, also referred to as HVAC systems (the two terms will be used herein interchangeably), are employed to regulate the temperature of premises, such as a residence, office, store, warehouse, vehicle, trailer, or commercial or entertainment venue. The most basic climate control systems either move air (typically by means of an air handler or, or more colloquially, a fan or blower), heat air (typically by means of a furnace or heat pump) or cool air (typically by means of a compressor-driven refrigerant loop). A wall mounted thermostat is typically included in the climate control systems to provide some level of automatic temperature control. In its simplest form, a thermostat turns the climate control system on or off as a function of a detected temperature. In a more complex form, a thermostat may take other factors, such as humidity or time, into consideration. Still, however, the operation of a thermostat remains turning the climate control system on or off in an attempt to maintain the temperature of the premises as close as possible to a desired setpoint temperature. 
     Climate control systems as described above have been in wide use since the middle of the twentieth century and have, to date, generally provided adequate temperature management are typically controlled by an electronic controller, such as a thermostat that is mounted on the outside surface of the wall. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of this disclosure provides a flush wall mounting system for an electronic controller. This embodiment comprises a housing for receiving electrical components therein and having a front panel and a back panel coupled to the front panel. The back panel has a raised portion extending from it. This embodiment further includes a mounting plate that is removably couplable to the back panel of the housing and has front and back sides. The front side includes a flange around a perimeter thereof and has a recess formed therein configured to receive the raised portion of the back panel therein. The recess forms a raised portion extending from the back side and configured to be receivable within an opening in a wall. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a method of fabricating a flush wall mounting system for an electronic controller. In this embodiment, the method comprises forming a front panel of a housing for receiving electrical components therein, forming a back panel of the housing wherein the back panel has a raised portion extending from it, and forming a mounting plate that is removably couplable to the back panel. The mounting plate has front and back sides, and the front side includes a flange around a perimeter thereof and has a recess formed therein configured to receive the raised portion of the back panel therein. The recess results in a raised portion extending from the back side and is configured to be receivable within an opening in a wall. 
     Another embodiment is directed to a flush wall mounting plate for an electronic control system. This embodiment comprises a mounting frame including a front side having a recess formed therein configured to receive an electronic control system housing therein and a back side having a raised portion configured to be inserted into an opening in a wall. The front side includes a flange located about the front side. Movable tabs are located on an inside edge or back side of the recess and are movably coupled to the frame. The movable tabs are configured to secure the wall mounting plate within the opening when in an engaged position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a high-level block diagram of an HVAC system within which a device abstraction system and method may be contained or carried out and in which the thermostat as provided herein may be employed; 
         FIG. 2  is a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of an HVAC data processing and communication network  200  in which the thermostat as provided herein my be employed; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of a electronic controller and mounting plate that can be used with the HVAC system; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a back view of the housing of the electronic controller; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a front view of a mounting plate for the housing of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a front view of the housing coupled to the mounting plate; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a back view of the housing coupled to the mounting plate; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a back view of the housing showing a portion of the electronic components located within the housing; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a back view of the housing coupled to the mounting plate; 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate one embodiment of a securing system for the mounting plate; 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate another embodiment of a securing system for the mounting plate; 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate another embodiment of a securing system for the mounting plate; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate another embodiment of a securing system for the mounting plate; 
         FIGS. 12A-12C  illustrate another embodiment of a securing system for the mounting plate; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As stated above, conventional climate control systems have been in wide use since the middle of the twentieth century and have, to date, generally provided adequate temperature management. However, it has been realized that more sophisticated control and data acquisition and processing techniques may be developed and employed to improve the installation, operation and maintenance of climate control systems. 
     Described herein are various embodiments of an improved climate control, or HVAC, system in which at least multiple components thereof communicate with one another via a data bus. The communication allows identity, capability, status and operational data to be shared among the components. In some embodiments, the communication also allows commands to be given. As a result, the climate control system may be more flexible in terms of the number of different premises in which it may be installed, may be easier for an installer to install and configure, may be easier for a user to operate, may provide superior temperature and/or humidity control, may be more energy efficient, may be easier to diagnose and perhaps able to repair itself, may require fewer, simpler repairs and may have a longer service life. 
       FIG. 1  is a high-level block diagram of an HVAC system, generally designated  100 , which may include indoor air quality devices, such as for example, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, UV lights, filters, ventilators, and the like. In one embodiment, the system  100  is configured to provide ventilation and therefore includes one or more air handlers  110 . In an alternative embodiment, the system  100  is configured to provide heating and therefore includes one or more furnaces  120 , typically associated with the one or more air handlers  110 . In an alternative embodiment, the system  100  is configured to provide cooling and therefore includes one or more refrigerant evaporator coils  130 , typically associated with the one or more air handlers  110 . Such embodiment of the system  100  also includes one or more condenser coils  140 , which are typically associated with one or more compressors in one or more so-called “outdoor units.” In an alternative embodiment, the system  100  is configured to provide ventilation, heating and cooling, in which case the one or more air handlers, furnaces and evaporator coils are contained in common “indoor,” e.g., attic units (not shown). 
     One or more thermostats  150  control one or more of the one or more air handlers  110 , the one or more furnaces  120  and/or the one or more compressors  140  to regulate the temperature of the premises, at least approximately. In various embodiments to be described, the one or more thermostats provide additional functions such as operational, diagnostic and status message display and an attractive, visual interface that allows an installer, user or repairman to perform actions with respect to the system  100  more intuitively. 
     Although the one or more thermostats  150  typically contain temperature sensors (not shown) themselves, one or more separate, remote (indoor or outdoor) temperature sensors  160  may provide additional temperature data. Although not shown, one or more humidity sensors may be included in the system  100 . Also, although the one or more thermostats  150  typically contain a display, such as a liquid crystal display (not shown), one or more separate, remote displays  170  may be included in the system  100 . 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the HVAC system  100  may include one or more heat pumps in lieu of or in addition to the one or more furnaces  120 , one or more evaporator coils  130  and one or more condenser coils and compressors  140 . One or more humidifiers or dehumidifiers may be employed to increase or decrease humidity. One or more dampers may be used to modulate air flow through ducts (not shown). Air cleaners and lights may be used to reduce air pollution. Air quality sensors may be used to determine overall air quality. 
     Finally, a data bus  180 , which in the illustrated embodiment is a serial bus but may include other embodiments, such as a parallel bus or wireless application, couples the one or more air handlers  110 , the one or more furnaces  120 , the one or more evaporator coils  130 , the one or more condenser coils and compressors  140 , the one or more thermostats  150 , the one or more remote sensors  160  and the one or more remote displays  170  together such that data may be communicated therebetween or thereamong. The remote sensor  160  may be for temperature, humidity, particulate count, C02 count, volatile organic compound count, occupancy, motion, etc. As will be understood, the data bus  180  may be advantageously employed to convey one or more alarm messages or one or more diagnostic messages. 
       FIG. 2  is a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of an HVAC data processing and communication network  200  that may be employed in the HVAC system  100  of  FIG. 1 . One or more air handler controllers (AHCs)  210  may be associated with the one or more air handlers  110  of  FIG. 1 . One or more integrated furnace controllers (IFCs)  220  may be associated with the one or more furnaces  120 , one or more evaporator coils  130  and one or more condenser coils and compressors  140  of  FIG. 1 . Subnet controllers (SCs)  230  may be employed to divide the network  200  into subnetworks, simplifying network configuration, communication and control. If more than one SC  230  is used in a particular network  200 , one of the SCs  230  is designated as an active SC (aSC) at a time, while each of the remaining ones of the SCs  230  are designated as an inactive SC (iSC). A user interface (UI)  240  provides a means by which a person may communicate with the remainder of the network  200 . In an alternative embodiment, a user interface/gateway (UI/G)  250  provides a means by which a person or other equipment may communicate with the remainder of the network  200 . The serial bus  180 , which is hereinafter referred to as a residential serial bus, or RSBus, provides communication between or among the aforementioned elements of the network  200 . It should be understood that the use of the term “residential” is nonlimiting; the network  200  may be employed in any premises whatsoever. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of an exploded view of an electronic controller  300  that can be used to control the above-described system or other similar electronic systems that might be found in a business or residence. In the illustrated embodiments set forth herein, the controller  300  is embodied as a thermostat for an HAVC system, however, it should be understood that the controller  300  could also be another type of controller, such as those for controlling entertainment systems, humidifying systems, or alarm or security systems. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the controller  300  includes a housing  301  that includes a front panel  302  that has a controller interface  303  that allows a user to set various control parameters for the system being controlled and read output indicia.  FIG. 3  illustrates a touch screen configuration, but it should be understood that the front panel  302  may also include physical buttons for setting various operating parameters for the controller  300 . The housing  301  further includes a back panel  305  that may be removably coupled to the front panel  302 . Typically screws, bolts, or cooperative molded snap latches can serve to hold the front panel  302  and back panel  305  together. The housing  301  contains electronic components (not shown) that are configured to interface with and control the subject system. 
     The controller  300  also includes a mounting plate  307  that is configured (as used in this application and claims this term means that it has a design, including electrical or physical aspects, or a geometric shape) to be removably coupled to the back panel  305  of the housing  301 . Thus, it can be easily removed from the housing  301 . As explained below in more detail, the mounting plate  307  has a unique configuration that, when attached to the back panel  305 , allows the housing  301  to be positioned more flush with a wall  309  than previous designs. This configuration not only keeps the sensor, as close to the monitored space as possible, it also keeps the housing  301  from extending too far into the monitored space, which reduces the risk of a person inadvertently bumping into the housing  301  and injuring themselves or damaging the housing  301 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the mounting plate  307  may be configured to be attached to an existing conventional electrical wiring box  310  contained within an opening  311  in the wall  309 . However, as explained below, other embodiments allow the mounting plate  307  to be mounted to the wall  309  without the need of the electrical wiring box  310 . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a back view of the housing  301 , which illustrates advantageous features of this embodiment, and  FIG. 4B  shows a front view of the mounting plate  307 . As seen in  FIG. 4A , back panel  305  is coupled to front panel  302  of the housing  301 . Back panel  305  includes a raised portion  410 . The raised portion  410  has an overall length and width dimensions that are less than those of the back panel  305 . Thus, the dimensional footprint of the raised portion  410  is smaller than the dimensional footprint of the back panel  305 . The raised portion  410  is configured to be received into a recess  411  of the mounting plate  307  ( FIG. 4B ). The recess  411  has a dimensional footprint that is just large enough to receive the raised portion  410  therein. The recess  411  also results in a raised portion  412  on the back side of the mounting plate  307  that has substantially the same dimensional footprint as the recess  411 . The raised portion  412  is configured to extend into the opening  311  of the wall  309  or into the electrical wiring box  310  (see  FIG. 3 ). Both the housing  301  and the mounting plate  307  may be made of any type of moldable material, such as stamped metal or molded, including both form molded or injected molded materials, such as plastic or other composite materials. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the raised portion  410  of the back panel  305  also includes one or more latch openings  413  that are configured to receive a corresponding latch  414  that is located within the recess  411  of the mounting plate  307 . The latch or latches  414  may be a resilient snap latch of a design know to those skilled in the art. However, as mentioned below, the latch  414  may be configured as a wiring block coupled to the mounting plate  307  or housing  301  that secures the housing  301  to the mounting plate  307  when connector pins extending from the housing  301  or mounting plate  307  are received within the wiring block. In other embodiments, the number and configuration of both the latch openings  414  and latches  415  may vary and have a different configuration than that shown. 
     An opening  415  located in the raised portion  410  of the back panel  305  is also present in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 4A . Located within the opening  415  is a connector pin block  416  that includes one or more connector pins  416   a . The connector pins  416   a  are designed and positioned such that they are correspondingly received within a wiring connector block  417  located within the recess  411  of the mounting plate  307 . It should be understood that in other embodiments, the components may be reversed. For example, the connector pin block  416  may be located in the recess  411  of the mounting plate  307 , while the wiring connector block  417  may be located within the opening  415  in the housing  301 . As explained below, electrical wires connecting the wiring connection block  417  to the controlled system and the electrical source are connected on the back side of the wiring connector block  417 . Unlike conventional designs, this configuration allows for quick and easy electrical connection to the housing  301  by way of the mounting plate  307  when the housing  301  and mounting plate  307  are coupled together. Additionally, as mentioned above, it should be understood that though the wiring connector block  417  is configured to provided electrical connection, in some embodiments, the electrical wiring block  417  may also serve as the latch that secures the housing  301  to the mounting plate  307 . The frictional force of connectors pins  416   a  coupled to the housing  301  when received within the wiring connector block  417  may be sufficient to securely hold the housing  301  to the mounting plate  307 . 
     The mounting plate  307  also includes a flange  418  that forms an outer perimeter of the mounting plate  307 . The flange  418  abuts the surface of the wall  309  when in a mounted position and covers the opening  311  (See  FIG. 3 ). In this embodiment, the flange  418  may also include attachment openings  419  along upper and lower portions of the flange  418 . These openings  419  are positioned to correspond to attachment openings in the standard electrical wiring box  310  located within the wall  309 . (See  FIG. 3 ). By way of example, a screw can be inserted through each of the openings  419  and used to attach the mounting plate  307  to an electrical wiring box, such as the one shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate front and back views of the advantageous slimmer profile that is present when the housing  301  is coupled to the mounting plate  307 . Since a portion of the back panel  305  resides within the recess  411  of the mounting plate  307  and extends into the wall  309  ( FIG. 3 ), the housing  301  may have a thinner profile than conventional designs. Moreover, a particular advantage of the embodiment described herein is that when the housing  301  is coupled to the mounting plate  307 , vents  502  that are located about the edges of both the front and back panels  302 ,  305  of the housing  301  and are substantially unobstructed by the mounting plate  307 . That is, the vents  502  located on the edges of at least the back panel  302  are not covered by the mounting plate  307 . Thus, this configuration not only allows for improved cooling of the electrical components within the housing  301  when compared to conventional designs, it also provides a thinner profile when compared to those same conventional designs. Further, the sensor components, such as a temperature sensor, within the housing  301  remain closer to the monitored space even though the raised portion  410  ( FIG. 4A ) of the back panel  305  is contained within the wall. 
       FIG. 5B  also illustrates electrical wire terminals  503  located on the back side of the wiring connector block  417  for inserting electrical wires therein and providing electrical connection to the electrical components within the housing  301 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the back panel  305  of housing  301 . The components previously mentioned are designated as before, however, this view also shows the printed wiring board  602  on which the previously mentioned electrical components  603  can be seen. The printed wiring board  602  and the electrical components  603  may be of conventional design and configured to provided control of the applicable system. In addition, certain embodiments of the housing  301  may further include one or more test probe openings  604  through which a test probe may be inserted to make contact with electrical contacts  605  located on the board  602 . The purpose of these openings  604  are for easy testing of the electrical circuits once the housing  301  is assembled. 
       FIG. 7  shows a back view of the housing  301  coupled to the mounting plate  307 . As seen in this view, portions of the electronic components  603  are visible through openings within the back panel  305  of the housing  301  and the mounting plate  307 . The mounting plate  307  also includes one or more openings  702  that align with the openings  604  in the back panel  305  as shown in  FIG. 6  when the mounting plate  307  is coupled to the housing  301 . As used in this disclosure and in the claims, the holes  604 ,  702  are considered to be aligned as long as a test probe can be inserted through the respective opening  604  and  702  to make contact with the electrical contact  605 . It should be understood that though  11  holes are shown, the disclosure is not limited to any specific number and will depend on the design being tested. 
       FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate another embodiment of a mounting plate  800  that can be coupled to the housing  301  of  FIG. 3 . This embodiment can be alternatively employed in those instances where an electrical wiring box is not present in the wall  801 . This embodiment includes a flange  802 , a electrical wiring block  803  and one or more latches  804 , one or more test probe openings  805 , one or more optional attachment openings  806  and a recess  807 , similar to the previously described embodiment. In addition, however, this embodiment includes two or more oppositely disposed tabs  808  that are movably coupled to the mounting plate  800  at an inside edge  809  of the recess  807 ; that is, they are configured to move with respect to the mounting plate  800 . Though the illustrated embodiment shows two tabs  808 , it should be understood that other embodiments have include more or less than the illustrated number.  FIG. 8B  illustrates the mounting plate  800  positioned in an opening located in the wall  801  prior to the engagement of tabs  808 , and  FIG. 8C  illustrates the mounting plate  800  after engagement of the tabs  808  against an inside face of the wall  801 . In this particular embodiment, the tabs  808  may be made of a malleable material, such as thin sheet metal, that can easily be bent relative to the mounting plate  800  and against the inside face of the wall  801 . The tabs  808  may either be integrally formed with the mounting plate  800 , or they may be mechanically coupled to the mounting plate  800 , which may be the case when the mounting plate  800  is comprised of a plastic or other composite material. 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate another embodiment of a mounting plate  900  that can be coupled to the housing  301  for of  FIG. 3 . This embodiment can be alternatively employed in those instances where an electrical wiring box is not present in the wall  901 . This embodiment includes a flange  902 , a electrical wiring block  903  and one or more latches  904 , one or more test probe openings  905 , one or more optional attachment openings  906  and a recess  907 , similar to the previously described embodiment. In addition, however, this embodiment includes two or more oppositely disposed tabs  908  that are movably coupled to the mounting plate  900  at an inside edge  909  of the recess  907 ; that is, in this embodiment, they are configured to rotate with respect to the mounting plate  900 . Though the illustrated embodiment shows four tabs  908 , it should be understood that other embodiments have include more or less than the illustrated number. The tabs  908  may be hinged to the mounting plate  900  in a manner that allow the tabs to rotate through elongated tab slots  908   a  and into the edges of the opening in the wall  901 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates a sectional view of the mounting plate  900  positioned in an opening located in the wall  901  prior to the engagement of tabs  908  taken along the line  9 B- 9 B, and  FIG. 9C  illustrates a sectional view of the mounting plate  900  after engagement of the tabs  908 . As seen the tabs  908  have cut into the wall material, thereby anchoring the mounting plate  900  onto the wall  901 . In this particular embodiment, the tabs  908  may be made of a sturdy material, such as metal, that has a sharp edge that will allow it to rotate and cut into the material of which the wall  901  is comprised. The tabs  908  may be mechanically coupled to the mounting plate  900  with a pin and block  910  that allows the tabs  908  to rotate with respect to the mounting plate  900 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate another embodiment of a mounting plate  1000  that can be coupled to the housing  301  of  FIG. 3 . This embodiment can be alternatively employed in those instances where an electrical wiring box is not present in the wall  1001 . This embodiment includes a flange  1002 , a electrical wiring block  1003  and one or more latches (not shown), one or more test probe openings  1005 , one or more optional attachment openings  1006  and a recess that causes a raised back portion  1007 , similar to the previously described embodiments. In addition, however, this embodiment includes two or more oppositely disposed tabs  1008  that are movably coupled to the mounting plate  1000  on the face of the raised back portion  1007 ; that is, in this embodiment, they are configured to rotate with respect to the mounting plate  1000 . Though the illustrated embodiment shows two tabs  1008 , it should be understood that other embodiments have include more or less than the illustrated number. The tabs  1008  may be hinged to the mounting plate  1000  in a manner that allow the tabs  1008  to rotate outwardly from the mounting plate  1000  and frictionally engage the inside face of the wall  1001  to hold the mounting plate  1000  securely against the wall  1001 .  FIG. 10B  illustrates a sectional view of the mounting plate  1000  positioned in an opening located in the wall  1001  prior to the engagement of tabs  1008  taken along the line  10 B- 10 B, and  FIG. 10C  illustrates a sectional view of the mounting plate  1000  after engagement of the tabs  1008 . As seen the tabs  1008  have been rotated such that they engage the inside face of the wall  1001 , thereby anchoring the mounting plate  1000  onto the wall  1001 . In this particular embodiment, the tabs  1008  may be made of a sturdy material, such as metal or hard plastic. The tabs  1008  may be mechanically coupled to the mounting plate  1000  with a pin and block  1010  that allows them to rotate with respect to the mounting plate  1000 . 
       FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate another embodiment of a mounting plate  1100  that can be coupled to the housing  301  of  FIG. 3 . This embodiment can be alternatively employed in those instances where an electrical wiring box is not present in the wall  1101 . This embodiment includes a flange  1102 , a electrical wiring block  1103  and one or more latches  1104 , one or more test probe openings  1105 , one or more optional attachment openings  1106  and a recess  1107  that forms a raised portion  1107   a  on the back side of the mounting plate  1100 , similar to the previously described embodiment. In addition, however, this embodiment includes two or more oppositely disposed tabs  1108  that are movably coupled to the mounting plate  1100  on the back side of the mounting plate  1100 ; that is, in this embodiment, they are configured to slidably move within a track  1108   a  that is coupled to the mounting plate  1100  and relative to the mounting plate  1100 . Though the illustrated embodiment shows four tabs  1108 , other embodiments may include more or less than this number.  FIG. 11B  illustrates the mounting plate  1100  positioned in an opening located in the wall  1101  prior to the engagement of tabs  1108 , and  FIG. 11C  illustrates the mounting plate  1100  after engagement of the tabs  1108  against an inside face of the wall  1101 . As seen, the tabs  1008  have been slid within the tracks  1008   a  such that they engage the inside face of the wall  1101 , thereby anchoring the mounting plate  1100  onto the wall  1101 . In this particular embodiment, the tabs  1108  may be made of a sturdy material, such as metal or hard plastic. The tracks  1108   a  may either be integrally formed with the mounting plate  1100 , or they may be mechanically coupled to the mounting plate  110 , which may be the case when the mounting plate  1100  is comprised of a plastic or other composite material. The tabs  1108  are slidably captured within the tracks  1108   a.    
       FIGS. 12A-12C  illustrate another embodiment of a mounting plate  1200  that can be coupled to the housing  301  of  FIG. 3 . This embodiment can be alternatively employed in those instances where an electrical wiring box is not present in the wall  1201 . This embodiment includes a flange  1202 , a electrical wiring block  1203  and one or more latches (not shown), one or more test probe openings  1205 , one or more optional attachment openings  1206  and a recess that results in a raised back portion  1207 , similar to the previously described embodiments. In addition, however, this embodiment includes two or more oppositely disposed tabs  1208  that are movably coupled to the mounting plate  1200  at the raised back portion  1207 ; that is, in this embodiment, they are configured to receive a screw  1209  therethrough that when the screw  1209  is turned in the appropriate direction, the tabs  1208  are pulled against an abutting wall  1201 . Though the illustrated embodiment shows two tabs  1208 , it should be understood that other embodiments may include more or less than the illustrated number. The tabs  1208  can be positioned such that they extend in a lateral direction and behind the wall  1201 , as shown, such that they can be pulled or tightened against the inside of the wall  1201  when the screw  1209  is turned in the appropriate direction and engage the inside face of the wall  1201  to hold the mounting plate  1200  securely against the wall  1201 .  FIG. 12B  illustrates a sectional view of the mounting plate  1200  positioned in an opening located in the wall  1201  prior to the engagement of tabs  1208 , and  FIG. 12C  illustrates a sectional view of the mounting plate  1200  after engagement of the tabs  1208 . As seen the screws  1209  have been rotated to secure the tabs  1208  against the inside face of the wall  1201 , thereby anchoring the mounting plate  1200  to the wall  1201 . In this particular embodiment, the tabs  1208  may be made of a sturdy material, such as metal or hard plastic. The tabs  1208  may be mechanically coupled to the mounting plate  1200  by way of the screw  1209 . 
     Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments.