Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an intelligent switchable device for selectively conducting electricity based on the condition of a branch circuit. The device contains at least one sensor for producing a signal indicative of a condition. The device is capable of transmitting data and communications as well as receiving data, including remote instructions and rules. The device is capable of storing rules for determining whether to render the switch conductive or non-conductive. An optical prong detector is provided to determine whether 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. 13/726,608, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE” filed Dec. 25, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,172,233, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/493,522, entitled “Surveillance Device Detection With Countermeasures” which was filed on Jun. 29, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,340,252 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/322,733, entitled “Safety Socket” which was filed on Feb. 6, 2009, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/063,951, which was filed on Feb. 6, 2008; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
     A device for selectively conducting electrical power, and more particularly, an improved switchable electrical socket having the ability to learn. 
     BACKGROUND 
     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 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 a device 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 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. Any 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 an intelligent switchable device that can produce a signal indicative of the condition of a branch circuit, 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 
     An intelligent switchahle device for selectively conducting electricity comprises a switch for connecting a power line to a load, where the switch has a control input. The intelligent switchable device has at least one sensor for producing a sensor signal indicative of a condition and a transceiver for transmitting data, including communications and receiving data, including remote instructions and rules. Non-volatile memory is adapted for storing (i) a program having instructions and (ii) rules for determining whether to render said switch conductive or non-conductive. 
     A control circuit is in communication with the transceiver, the sensor and the switch, where the control circuit produces a command signal in response to a sensor signal as determined by the rules. The control circuit has a first mode of operation when the control circuit issues a command signal to render said switch in a conductive state and a second mode of operation when the control circuit issues a command signal to render said switch in a non-conductive state and a third mode of operation where the rules command the switch to be non-conductive. 
     The intelligent switchable device further comprises a control circuit that comprises a fourth mode of operation where the control circuit issues a command signal to render said switch in a non-conductive state based on a remote command. The device may determine the condition of a power line, such as a branch circuit or the condition of a load. 
     The transceiver is able to transmit communications indicative of a condition to a remote device, such as a monitor or a server. 
     A vector network analyzer circuit operatively coupled to said control circuit, wherein said control circuit commands said vector network analyzer circuit to issue a test signal to a branch network. 
     Further objects, features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments 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; 
         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, 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; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of exemplary power measurement module for sensing power and current for each of a hot and neutral line; 
         FIG. 8A  is a sectional view of the reporting device of  FIG. 3B , revealing an embodiment of a prong detector; 
         FIG. 8B  is a diagram of one embodiment of a prong detector; 
         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; 
         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 an embodiment of a line monitoring circuit for determining whether the line is in use; 
         FIG. 14  is a test generation circuit producing a test signal to be injected into a line and issuing test commands; 
         FIG. 15  is a test switch circuit for directing a test and a response signal to a desired line; and 
         FIG. 16  is a line interface circuit for breaking a line connection. 
     
    
    
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the embodiments, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the embodiments is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described, embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the embodiments as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the embodiment relates. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary illustrations of the intelligent switchable device are shown in the attached drawings. A switch for connecting an electrical line to a load is commanded by a control circuit. In one mode rules command the switch to be non-conductive. 
     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 embodiments 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  2 , 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  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 embodiment may be 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 embodiment 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 embodiment 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  2 . 1 , 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. 3B , 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  26  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. 5 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 5 , a schematic illustration of an exemplary protection circuit  30  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 reset 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. Defection signal from detection circuit  35  is fed to an OR gate  31  and then to IC 12  to trigger the relays  32 . A GFCI test circuit  40  is provided consisting of a resistor network  41  and SCR TI and diode D 1 . 
     In operation the switch  33  is commanded by control input  34  to render the switch  33  conductive or non-conductive. Assuming the switch  33  is initially in a conductive state, either TRIP_MAIN_ 2  generated by the control circuit  90  or GFCI_DET_ 2  from the detection circuit  35  will trigger the protection circuit  30  to cause the relay  32 , which in the preferred embodiment are of latching relays K 1  and K 2 , to command the switch  33  to change the state from conductive to nonconductive. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 6 , a schematic illustration of exemplary temperature measurement module  50  for detecting temperature of each of a protected hot bus bar  23  and protected neutral bus bar  24  is shown. Sensor  51  measures the temperature of the protected hot bus bar  23  while sensor  52  measures the temperature of the protected neutral bus bar  24 . Temperature sensor  51  comprises the resistor network thermistors R 26 , resistor R 28  and resistor R 33  and op amp IC 7 A. Temperature sensor  52  comprises the resistor network thermistors R 41 , resistor r 43  and resistor R 48  and op amp IC 7 D. Although the particular embodiment of temperature sensors  51  and  52  has been provided for exemplary purposes, those skilled in the art will immediately recognize that any suitable temperature sensor known in the art may be substituted for temperature sensors  51  and  52 . Thermistors R 26 , R 41  are coupled to the protected hot bus bar  23  and protected neutral bus bar  24  respectively. Thermistors R 26 , R 41  are NTC type thermistors and in the event of a temperature increase to the bus bars  23 ,  24  as a result of high current or otherwise, the temperature of the thermistors R 26 , R 41  will increase, thereby lowering the resistance of thermistors R 26 , R 41 . Capacitors C 59  and C 60  provides a DC bias, blocking DC current to the sensors  51 ,  52 . IC 7 A and IC 7 D are non-inverting AC coupled amplifiers coupled to rectifying diodes D 2  and D 9  respectively. D 11  and D 20  are Zener diodes providing over voltage protection. Resistors R 28  and R 43  take the voltage down to a safe level for the op amps IC 7 A and IC 7 D. D 21  and D 23  are bi-directional transient voltage diodes and provide over voltage protection. The change in resistance to thermistors R 26 , R 41  causes the voltage divider networks (R 26 , R 28 , R 33 ) and (R 41 , R 43 , R 48 ) to change the voltage provided to the op amps IC 7 A and IC 7 D which is amplified and provided to the control circuit  90  as signal H_TEMP_ 3  and N_TEMP_ 3 . The sensors  51 ,  52  respond to the temperature of the bus bars  23 ,  24  by sending a sensor signal indicative of a temperature to the control circuit  90 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 7 , a schematic illustration of an exemplary power measurement module  60  for sensing power and current for each of a protected hot bus bar  23  and protected neutral bus bar  24  is shown. Sensor  61  measures the power of the protected hot bus bar  23  while sensor  62  measures the power of the protected neutral bus bar  24 . The power sensors  61 ,  62 , each include a voltage measurement circuit  63 ,  64 , and a current measurement circuit  65 ,  66 , respectively. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 8A  a sectional view of the device  10  of  FIG. 4  is shown, revealing a prong detector  70 . Protected hot has 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 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 minimise 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 embodiment 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 embodiment 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. 8B , 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  12  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 embodiment. 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 embodiment. 
     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_TIN 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  TIN_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  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 embodiment. 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 non-volatile memory is able to store instructions and rules. In addition, the non-volatile memory is able to receive instructions and rules remotely through a transceiver  95 . 
     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 to indicate a condition of a branch circuit. 
     In addition, microcontroller  90  is programmed to command the device  10  to not conduct electricity if the rules determine that the switch  33  to be non-conductive. As used herein, rules refer to what operation to perform based on one or more conditions, measurements, or facts, or any combination thereof. An example of a fact is a particular model of a load connected to a branch circuit. An example of a measurement is measured current. An example of a condition is overheating based on a temperature measurement. As more knowledge is learned, the rules may be updated in the device  10 . 
     The microcontroller  90  has a first mode of operation when the microcontroller  90  issues a command signal to render the switch  33  to be in a conductive state and a second mode of operation when the microcontroller  90  issues a command signal to render the switch  33  to be in a non-conductive state. A third mode of operation exists where the rules command the switch  33  to be non-conductive. A fourth mode of operation where the microcontroller  90  issues a command signal to render said switch  33  in a non-conductive state based on a command received remotely. 
     The output of microcontroller SO 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 IC 9 . 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 from the microcontroller  90 , based on signals from detectors  22 ,  23 , govern the conductive state of the device  10 . Referring now also to  FIG. 5A , a schematic illustration of an interrupter circuit  50  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 embodiment 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 device  10  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 Vasqaez Kuttner Number (“VKN”). As used herein, “reflection” is understood to mean the response monitored on the same branch circuit through which the test signal was transmitted. 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 VKN. The device  10  uses a vector network analyzer scheme that measures a reflection from an injected signal comprising a range of amplitudes and phases. The VKN is a unique number that is measured from the reflection, and 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 . Typical network analyzers generate large amounts of data. The VKN is a succinct result that conveys the difference between a baseline reading and a possibly compromised circuit reading. The power conditioned apparatus measures the attenuation effects of branch circuits, then calculates the measured value. 
     The VKN is a unitless 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. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a schematic illustration of multiple monitors  100 - 190  is shown in communication with a server  200 . One or more monitors  100 - 190  are assigned to a single customer or location. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an exemplary data flow chart is shown. Information flows from the intelligent switchable device  10 , also known as a reporting device  10 , to a monitor  100 , and from the monitor  100  to a server  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a branch circuit monitoring circuit  220  for determining whether the branch circuit is in use is shown. The branch circuit monitoring circuit  220  includes a plurality of arrays  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  for testing a branch circuit condition are 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 an 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 if necessary. 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 be executed that does not interfere with the power usage and does not require the line to be dry (not in use) to execute the test. Finally, the server  200  may command the test to be executed during nonpeak hours. 
     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  includes 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 counter-measure based upon countermeasure settings. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 14 , 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 embodiment to provide a test signal having a frequency above 50 KHz. In one embodiment, the test signal, STIM_O, is a single frequency sine wave having a frequency above 50 KHz. 
     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 disconnect the branch circuit 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 signals. The test switch circuit  240  directs a test signal input and output to a desired branch circuit 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 branch circuit based on the test commands. 
     The STIM_O signal is directed out by switches  241 - 244 . Once STIM_O is injected into a branch circuit, 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  243  directs the response of the test signal found on the branch circuit and identifies the signal as STIM_I. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , a line interface circuit for breaking a line connection is shown. Latch chips  271  and  272  control the configuration of line interface chips  273 - 276 . The signals through the switches  241 - 244  from  FIG. 15  are routed through port pins on chips  273 - 276 . 
     The foregoing discussion discloses and describes the preferred structure and control system for the present embodiment. 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 embodiment.