Patent Publication Number: US-2023143997-A1

Title: Accessory for utilization with non-contact electrical detector

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure pertains to an accessory removably received by a measurement device such as a non-contact electrical detector. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Voltmeters are instruments used for measuring voltage in an electric circuit. Instruments which measure more than one electrical characteristic are referred to as multimeters or digital multimeters (DMMs), and operate to measure a number of parameters generally needed for service, troubleshooting, and maintenance applications. Such parameters typically include alternating current (AC) voltage and current, direct current (DC) voltage and current, and resistance or continuity. Other parameters, such as power characteristics, frequency, capacitance, and temperature, may also be measured to meet the requirements of the particular application. 
     With conventional voltmeters or multimeters which measure AC voltage, it is necessary to bring at least one measurement electrode or probe into galvanic contact with a conductor, which often requires cutting away part of the insulation of an insulated electrical wire, or providing a terminal for measurement in advance. Besides requiring an exposed wire or terminal for galvanic contact, the step of touching voltmeter probes to stripped wires or terminals can be relatively dangerous due to the risks of shock or electrocution. 
     A non-contact voltage (NCV) detector may be used to detect the presence of alternating current (AC) voltage, typically high voltage, without requiring galvanic contact with the circuit. When a voltage is detected, the user may be alerted by an indication, such as a light, buzzer, or vibrating motor. However, such NCV detectors are generally not capable of determining a voltage behind an electrical outlet. 
     Thus, there is a need for an accessory to be utilized with the NCV detector that enables the NCV detector to conveniently and accurately measure voltage at or behind an electrical outlet without requiring galvanic contact between a sensor within the NCV detector and an electrical line or circuit being tested at or behind the electrical outlet. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are accessories (e.g., adapters) that are removably received by a non-contact electrical detector for detecting (e.g., measuring) an electrical characteristic (e.g., voltage, current, or some other type of electrical characteristic) without galvanic contact between the accessory and a non-contact sensor in the non-contact electrical detector. For example, the non-contact electrical detector may be a non-contact voltage (NCV) detector, a non-contact multimeter, or another type of non-contact electrical detector. 
     In various embodiments of an accessory of the present disclosure, an external conductive prong of the accessory extends outward from a non-conductive body of the accessory. The external conductive prong is configured to be inserted into a receptacle (e.g., neutral, hot, ground, etc.) of an electrical outlet. An internal conductive prong within the non-conductive body of the accessory is electrically coupled, or selectively electrically coupleable, with the external conductive prong. When the accessory is removably received by the non-contact electrical detector, the internal conductive prong is positioned adjacent to the non-contact sensor such that at least a portion of the internal conductive prong is in a sensing area of the non-contact sensor without galvanically contacting the non-contact sensor. The internal conductive prong may be in electrical communication with an electrical line or circuit behind the electrical outlet via the receptacle of the electrical outlet. An electrical signal is transmitted successively from the electrical line or circuit through the external conductive prong to the internal conductive prong. The electrical signal is transmitted by the internal conductive prong so as to be present in the sensing area of the non-contact sensor without galvanically contacting the non-contact sensor such that the non-contact electrical detector may readily detect an electrical characteristic (e.g., voltage, current, or some other type of electrical characteristic) at or behind the electrical outlet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an accessory of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a top cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the accessory shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a top cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the accessory shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a top cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the accessory shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view illustrating a non-contact voltage (NCV) detector; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a top perspective view illustrating a system of the present disclosure in which the accessory shown in  FIG.  1    is removably received by the NCV detector shown in  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the system shown in  FIG.  6 A ; 
         FIG.  7    is a top cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the system shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  including the embodiment of the accessory shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a top cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the system shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  including the embodiment of the accessory shown in  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  8 B  is a top-cross-sectional schematic diagram including circuit elements of the NCV detector shown in  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a top cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the system shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  including the embodiment of the accessory shown in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a top perspective view illustrating a system of the present disclosure including an NCV detector and an embodiment of an accessory of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11 A  is a left side view illustrating the embodiment of the accessory shown in  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  11 B  is a right side view illustrating the embodiment of the accessory shown in  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a top cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the accessory of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  13    is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the accessory of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  14    is a flow diagram illustrating a method of utilizing the accessory of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally, non-contact electrical detectors have difficulty measuring or detecting an electrical characteristic of an electrical line or circuit located at or behind an electrical outlet. Users may attempt to place the non-contact electrical detector directly adjacent to the electrical outlet, or may attempt to insert a physical portion integral to the non-contact electrical detector into a receptacle of the electrical outlet, to measure or detect an electrical characteristic at or behind the electrical outlet. However, when inserting the physical portion integral to the non-contact electrical detector, the user may break off the physical portion damaging the non-contact electrical detector, which may result in the non-contact electrical detector having to undergo repairs or being broken beyond repair. Even if the user is able to measure or detect any electrical characteristic by inserting the physical portion of the non-contact electrical detector into the receptacle, the measurement or detection by the non-contact electrical detector may not be accurate or within preferred tolerances such that information, data, or measurements output by the non-contact electrical detector may not be reliable and accurate. 
     Disclosed herein are embodiments of accessories (e.g., adapters, plugs, etc.) for utilization with a non-contact electrical detector to assist in detecting any number of electrical characteristics behind or at an electrical outlet. For example, an embodiment of an accessory (e.g., plug) of the present disclosure is removably received by the non-contact electrical detector. The accessory includes at least one external conductive prong structured and configured to be inserted into a receptacle of an electrical outlet. The external conductive prong extends from a non-conductive body of the accessory and is electrically coupled, or selectively electrically coupleable, with an internal conductive prong within the non-conductive body. The external conductive prong conducts an electrical signal to the internal conductive prong, and, when the accessory is removably received by the non-contact electrical detector, the internal conductive prong is positioned within a sensing area (e.g., non-contact sensing area) of a non-contact sensor of the non-contact electrical detector. The non-contact sensor then detects an electrical characteristic of the electrical signal conducted by the internal conductive prong, which is an electrical characteristic of the electrical signal in an electrical line or circuit located at or behind the electrical outlet in which the external conductive prong is inserted. The accessory is separate and distinct from the non-contact electrical detector such that the accessory is not a physical portion of the non-contact electrical detector. If the external conductive prong of the accessory breaks off, the non-contact electrical detector is not damaged, and, the broken accessory may instead be removed from the non-contact electrical detector and replaced with a new accessory. 
     In some embodiments, the accessory has multiple external conductive prongs extending outward from the non-conductive body such that each external conductive prong may be inserted into a corresponding receptacle of an electrical outlet. For example, the electrical outlet may be a three receptacle (e.g., type B) tamper resistant electrical outlet that includes a mechanical feature that limits access to the receptacles of the outlet unless respective prongs are inserted into each receptacle at substantially the same time. Inserting respective prongs at the same time unlocks the mechanical feature and allows the prongs to enter the receptacles of the tamper resistant electrical outlet. In such a case, the accessory may be structured to have three prongs corresponding to the three receptacles of the tamper resistant electrical outlet. This allows the user to insert the accessory into the tamper resistant electrical outlet and measure or detect an electrical characteristic at or behind the outlet, which would be inaccessible if the user was only utilizing the non-contact electrical detector without the accessory. 
     In some embodiments, a method of utilizing a non-contact electrical detector with an accessory of the present disclosure includes removably positioning a non-conductive body of the accessory in a form factor (e.g., receiving structure) of the non-contact electrical detector. When the accessory is removably received by the non-contact electrical detector, at least one internal conductive prong within the non-conductive body of the accessory is positioned within a sensing area of a non-contact sensor of the non-contact electrical detector, and the at least one internal conductive prong does not galvanically contact the non-contact sensor. At least one external conductive prong extends from the non-conductive body of the accessory that may be inserted into a receptacle of an electrical outlet. The external electrical prong is in electrical communication or in selective electrical communication with the internal conductive prong within the non-conductive body of the accessory. An electrical characteristic in internal conductive prong is detected utilizing the non-contact sensor of the non-contact electrical detector. The electrical characteristic is an electrical characteristic of an electrical line or circuit behind the electrical outlet or at the receptacle of the electrical outlet. In other words, the electrical characteristic is an electrical characteristic external to the non-contact electrical detector that normally would be inaccessible to the non-contact electrical detector without use of the accessory. After detecting the electrical characteristic within the accessory utilizing the non-contact sensor, the method includes outputting an indication of the electrical characteristic detected by the non-contact sensor of the non-contact electrical detector. 
     While embodiments of accessories of the present disclosure are discussed being utilized with non-contact electrical detectors that are generally non-contact voltage (NCV) detectors configured to detect a voltage, it will be readily appreciated that the embodiments of the accessories of the present disclosure may readily be utilized with other types of non-contact electrical detectors (e.g., a non-contact multimeter, non-contact current detector, or some other type of non-contact electrical detector) for detecting other types of electrical characteristics such as a current. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an accessory  100  to be utilized with a non-contact electrical detector of the present disclosure. The accessory  100  is structured to be removably received by the non-contact electrical detector, which will be discussed in further detail herein. 
     The accessory  100  is a three-prong male electrical plug or connector that may readily be inserted into an electrical outlet. While the embodiment of the accessory  100  as shown in  FIG.  1    is a type B plug generally utilized in the United States, in some embodiments, the third external conductive prong may not be present such that the accessory  100  is a type A plug generally utilized in the United States. In some embodiments, the accessory  100  may have external conductive prongs corresponding to a Type C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, or N plug that is generally utilized in other countries outside of the United States. In other words, external conductive prongs may extend outward from a first end of a non-conductive body in any number of configurations or patterns for use with any number of electrical outlets having any number of configurations or patterns. In some embodiments, the accessory  100  may have a single external conductive prong. For the sake of simplicity and brevity of the present disclosure, the following discussion with respect to the accessory  100  will focus on an accessory having a Type B structure as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     The accessory  100  includes a non-conductive body  101 , which may be made of an electrically non-conductive material such as a rubber material, a rubber composite material, a non-conductive composite material, a plastic material, a plastic composite material, or some other suitable type of non-conductive or insulating material or combination of non-conductive or insulating materials. The non-conductive body  101  includes a first portion  102  at a first end  103  at which a first external conductive prong  104 , a second external conductive prong  106 , and a third external conductive prong  108  extend outward and away from the non-conductive body  101 . The first portion  102  may be referred to as a prong portion of the accessory  100 . The first portion  102  may have any shape, including a cuboid shape with straight or rounded edges or other similar three-dimensional shape. In some embodiments, the first portion  102  has a cylindrical shape, a cylindrical-like shape, or other similar three-dimensional shape. The non-conductive body is sized and shaped to be received by a corresponding form factor (e.g., receiving structure) of a non-contact electrical detector. 
     The first, second, and third external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 ,  108  may extend into the non-conductive body  101  such that respective ends of the external conductive prongs are held within the non-conductive body  101 . In some embodiments, the first external conductive prong  104  is a hot external conductive prong to be inserted into a hot receptacle of an electrical outlet, the second external conductive prong  106  is a neutral external conductive prong to be inserted into a neutral receptacle of the electrical outlet, and the third external conductive prong  108  is a ground external conductive prong to be inserted into a ground receptacle of the electrical outlet. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the first and second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106  are flat and the third external conductive prong  108  is rounded. In some embodiments, the first and second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106  are rounded. In some embodiments, the third external conductive prong  108  is flat. 
     The non-conductive body  101  includes a second portion  107  at a second end  109  of the non-conductive body  101 , which is opposite to the first end  103  of the non-conductive body  101 . The second portion  107  may be a male structure such as a protrusion, an extension, a boss, or some other type of male structure of the non-conductive body  101  to be received by a corresponding female receiving structure of a non-contact electrical detector. In some embodiments, the second portion  107  may be a female structure of the non-conductive body  101  configured to receive a corresponding male structure of a non-contact electrical detector. Additionally, a first surface  125  of the first portion  102  extends transverse from the second portion  107  of the non-conductive body  101  forming a shelf in a first direction, and a second surface  127  of the first portion  102  extends transverse from the second portion  107  of the non-conductive body  101  forming a shelf in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
     A third portion  110  of the non-conductive body  101  may include a wire reception portion or connector. In the embodiment shown, the third portion  110  extends from the first end  103  to the second end  109  of the accessory  100 . The third portion  110  may have a cylindrical shape, a cylindrical-like shape, or some other three-dimensional shape. However, in some embodiments, the third portion  110  has a cuboid shape with straight edges, a cuboid-like shape with straight edges, or some other three-dimensional shape. The third portion  110  includes a female electrical receptacle  112  at the second end  109  of the accessory  100 . For example, the female electrical receptacle  112  may be female coaxial electrical receptacle structure to receive a male coaxial electrical plug of a wire. The female electrical receptacle  112  may be electrically coupled to the third external conductive prong  108  of the accessory  100 . In cases where the third external conductive prong  108  is inserted into a ground receptacle of an outlet, the third external conductive prong  108  grounds the accessory  100  which, as described below, is useful when the accessory  100  is utilized with a non-contact electrical detector to measure an electrical characteristic such as a voltage, a current, or some other type of electrical characteristic. 
       FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram of a top cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the accessory  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . An internal conductive prong  114  within the non-conductive body  101  has a first portion  116  and a second portion  118  which is wider than the first portion  116 . The second portion  118  is closer to the second end  109  than the first end  103  relative to the first portion  116 . The second portion  118  is adjacent to the second end  109  of the non-conductive body  101 . The first portion  116  is coupled to the second portion  118  or otherwise integral with the second portion  118 . 
     A first electrical pathway  120  within the non-conductive body  101  is electrically coupled to the first external conductive prong  104  and extends from the first external conductive prong  104  towards the internal conductive prong  114 . The first electrical pathway  120  may be a wire electrically coupled to the first external conductive prong  104 , a plurality of wires electrically coupled together with at least one electrically coupled to the first external conductive prong  104 , or may be some other type of electrical connection structure electrically coupled to the first external conductive prong  104 . 
     A second electrical pathway  122  within the non-conductive body  101  is electrically coupled to the second external conductive prong  106 . The second electrical pathway  122  is electrically isolated from the first external conductive prong  104  and the first electrical pathway  120  such that electrical cross-talk does not occur between the first electrical pathway  120  and the second electrical pathway  122 . The second electrical pathway  122  extends from the second external conductive prong  106  towards the internal conductive prong  114 . The second electrical pathway  122  may be a wire electrically coupled to the second external conductive prong  106 , a plurality of wires electrically coupled together with at least one electrically coupled to the second external conductive prong  106 , or may be some other type of electrical connection structure electrically coupled to the second external conductive prong  106 . 
     A third electrical pathway  124  within the non-conductive body  101  is electrically coupled to the internal conductive prong  114 . The third electrical pathway  124  extends through the non-conductive body  101  from the internal conductive prong  114  towards the first and second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 . The third electrical pathway  124  may be a wire electrically coupled to the internal conductive prong  114 , a plurality of wires electrically coupled together with at least one electrically coupled to the internal conductive prong  114 , or may be some other type of electrical connection structure electrically coupled to the internal conductive prong  114 . 
     A switch  126  within the non-conductive body  101  is electrically coupled to the third electrical pathway  124 . The switch  126  is selectively electrically coupleable with the first electrical pathway  120  and the second electrical pathway  122 . The switch  126  may be a mechanical switch or an electrical switch to selectively electrically couple the first and second electrical pathways  120 ,  122  to the third electrical pathway  124 . For example, when the switch  126  is a mechanical switch, the switch  126  may be selectively moved to a first position in which the switch  126  electrically couples the first external conductive prong  104  to the internal conductive prong  114  through the first electrical pathway  120 , the switch  126 , and the third electrical pathway  124 . The switch  126  may also be selectively moved to a second position in which the switch  126  electrically couples the second external conductive prong  106  to the internal conductive prong  114  through the second electrical pathway  122 , the switch  126 , and the third electrical pathway  124 . Alternatively, when the switch  126  is an electrical switch, the switch  126  may be controlled to selectively electrically couple the first electrical pathway  120  to the third electrical pathway  124  and selectively electrically couple the second electrical pathway  122  to the third electrical pathway  124 . 
     The switch  126  may have a third position in which the switch  126  is not electrically coupled to either of the first electrical pathway  120  or the second electrical pathway  122 . Instead, the switch  126  is in a neutral position (see position of the switch  126  in  FIG.  2   ) in which the switch  126  is not electrically coupled to either of the first or second electrical pathways  120 ,  122 . 
     In some embodiments, the switch  126  is switched between being electrically coupled to the first electrical pathway  120  and the second electrical pathway  122  by an external actuator (not shown) accessible either at an external surface of the accessory  100  or at an external surface of a non-contact electrical detector (e.g., the non-contact electrical detector  200  shown in  FIG.  5   , the non-contact electrical detector  302  shown in  FIG.  10   , or some other type of non-contact electrical detector). For example, an external actuator may be magnetically coupled to the switch  126 , or the external actuator may be mechanically coupled to the switch  126 , such that the switch may be switched between being electrically coupled to the first electrical pathway  120  and the second electrical pathway  122 . The external actuators may be actuated electronically, mechanically, by physical manipulation by a user, or by some other type of actuation. 
     When the switch  126  electrically couples the first electrical pathway  120  to the third electrical pathway  124 , an electrical signal at the first external conductive prong  104  is transmitted through the first electrical pathway  120 , the switch  126 , and the third electrical pathway  124  to the internal conductive prong  114  such that the electrical signal is present at the second portion  118  of the internal conductive prong  114 . Alternatively, when the switch  126  electrically couples the second electrical pathway  122  to the third electrical pathway  124 , an electrical signal at the second external conductive prong  106  is transmitted through the second electrical pathway  122 , the switch  126 , and the third electrical pathway  124  to the internal conductive prong  114  such that the electrical signal is present at the second portion  118  of the internal conductive prong  114 . 
     While the first, second, and third electrical pathways  120 ,  122 ,  124  may be a plurality of wires, in some embodiments, the first, second, and third electrical pathways  120 ,  122 ,  124  are portions of the switch  126 . For example, the first electrical pathway  120  may be a first end of the switch  126 , the second electrical pathway  122  may be a second end of the switch  126 , and the third electrical pathway  124  may be a third end of the switch  126 . 
     When the switch  126  is electrically coupling the first electrical pathway  120  to the third electrical pathway  124  and the first, second, and third external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 ,  108  are inserted into the electrical outlet, a first electrical signal having a first voltage (e.g., hot receptacle voltage, hot voltage, etc.) is transmitted from the hot receptacle to the internal conductive prong  118  successively along the first external conductive prong  104 , the first electrical pathway  120 , the switch  126 , and the third electrical pathway  124 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , a non-contact sensor  246  of a non-contact detector  200 , which may be a non-contact voltage (NCV) detector, detects the first voltage when the accessory  100  is inserted into a gap  219  of the non-contact detector  200  such that the internal conductive prong  114  is within a sensing area  234  of the non-contact sensor  232 . 
     When the switch  126  is electrically coupling the second electrical pathway  122  to the third electrical pathway  124  and the first, second, and third external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 ,  108  are inserted into the electrical outlet, a second electrical signal having a second voltage (e.g., neutral receptacle voltage, neutral voltage, etc.) is transmitted from the neutral receptacle to the internal conductive prong  118  successively along the second external conductive prong  106 , the second electrical pathway  122 , the switch  126 , and the third electrical pathway  124 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , the non-contact sensor  246  of the non-contact detector  200  detects the second voltage when the accessory  100  is inserted into the gap  219  of the non-contact detector  200  such that the internal conductive prong  114  is within the sensing area  234  of the non-contact sensor  232 . 
     An electrician may utilize the first voltage and the second voltage measured by the non-contact detector  246  to determine whether there is a defect (e.g., mis-wiring) behind the electrical outlet (e.g., within a wall at which the electrical outlet is present) without having to remove the electrical outlet from the wall. For example, the electrician may measure the first voltage and then measure the second voltage. In one situation, when the first voltage is less than 120-volts, the electrician may determine that there is a mis-wiring defect along a wire extending from a service panel (e.g., circuit breaker panel) to the hot receptacle of the outlet. In at least another situation, when the second voltage is greater than 0-volts, the electrician may determine that there is a mis-wiring defect along a wire extending from the service panel (e.g., circuit breaker panel) to the neutral receptacle. In either of these situations, the mis-wiring defect may cause issues or malfunctions when the electrical outlet is utilized. In other words, the electrician may quickly and easily determine that there is a defect in the wiring behind the electrical outlet before having to remove the electrical outlet from the wall at which the electrical outlet is present. 
     In another situation, the first voltage detected utilizing the accessory  100  may be 0-volts and the second voltage detected utilizing the accessory  100  may be 120-volts. This likely indicates that wiring behind the electrical outlet has been mis-wired such that the neutral receptacle is acting as a hot receptacle, and the hot receptacle is acting a neutral receptacle. In this situation, the electrician may easily repair this mis-wiring by removing the electrical outlet from the wall, switching the wires coupled to the neutral receptacle and the hot receptacle, respectively, and then reinstalling the electrical outlet into the wall. By switching the wires, the neutral receptacle will act as a neutral receptacle and the hot receptacle will act as a hot receptacle as originally intended. 
     In view of the above discussion, the electrician may readily utilize the accessory  100  of the present disclosure with the NCV detector  200  to collect information with respect to wiring behind an electrical outlet of interest. The electrician may easily and quickly collect information with respect to electrical characteristics of the wiring behind the electrical outlet with a low likelihood of damaging the NCV detector  200  when utilizing the accessory  100 . 
     In some cases, the switch  126  may be replaced with a fully automatic selection structure (e.g., automatic switch) configured such that, if the second external conductive prong  106  is energized, the second electrical pathway  122  may be automatically coupled to the third electrical pathway  124 , or if the first external conductive prong  104  is energized, the first electrical pathway  120  may be automatically coupled to the third electrical pathway  124 . If both the first and second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106  are energized, one of the first or the second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 , respectively, may be automatically coupled to the third electrical pathway  124 , and after occurrence of an event such as a predetermined period of time has elapsed or user input is received, the other of the first or second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 , may be automatically coupled to the third electrical pathway  124 . For example, the fully automatic selection structure or configuration may include a plurality of sensors, a processor coupled to the plurality of sensors, and a plurality of electrical connections (e.g., electrical wiring, electrical traces, etc.) that automatically couple the first and second external conductive prongs,  104 ,  106 , respectively, to the internal conductive prong  114 . In some cases, the processor may be coupled to visual indicators and programmed to indicate via the visual indicators which of the first and/or second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106  are energized. 
       FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram of a top cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the accessory  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . A first internal conductive prong  128  and a second internal conductive prong  130  are within the non-conductive body  101 . A first electrical shield  132  within the non-conductive body  101  is positioned between the first and second internal conductive prongs  128 ,  130 , adjacent to the second end  109  of the non-conductive body  101 . The first electrical shield  132  electrically isolates the first internal conductive prong  128  from the second internal conductive prong  130  such that electrical cross-talk does not occur between the first internal conductive prong  128  and the second internal conductive prong  130 . 
     The first internal conductive prong  128  includes a first portion  134  and a second portion  136  coupled to the first portion  134 . The second portion  136  is wider than the first portion  134  and is closer to the second end  109  than the first end  103  relative to the first portion  134 . The second portion  136  is adjacent to the second end  109  of the non-conductive body  101 . 
     The second internal conductive prong  130  includes a third portion  138  and a fourth portion  140  coupled to the third portion  138 . The fourth portion  140  is wider than the third portion  138  and is closer to the second end  109  than the first end  103  relative to the third portion  138 . 
     A fourth electrical pathway  142  within the non-conductive body  101  is electrically coupled to the first internal conductive prong  128 . The fourth electrical pathway  142  extends from the first internal conductive prong  128  towards the first external conductive prong  104 . The fourth electrical pathway  142  may be a wire electrically coupled to the first internal conductive prong  128 , a plurality of wires electrically coupled together with at least one electrically coupled to the first internal conductive prong  128 , or may be some other type of electrical connection structure electrically coupled to the first internal conductive prong  128 . 
     A fifth electrical pathway  144  within the non-conductive body  101  is electrically coupled to the second internal conductive prong  130 . The fifth electrical pathway  144  extends from the second internal conductive prong  130  towards the second external conductive prong  106 . The fifth electrical pathway  144  may be a wire electrically coupled to the second internal conductive prong  130 , a plurality of wires electrically coupled together with at least one electrically coupled to the second internal conductive prong  130 , or may be some other type of electrical connection structure electrically coupled to the second internal conductive prong  130 . 
     A first switch  146  within the non-conductive body  101  selectively electrically couples the first electrical pathway  120  to the fourth electrical pathway  142 , and a second switch  148  within the non-conductive body  101  selectively couples the second electrical pathway  122  to the fifth electrical pathway  144 . The first and second switches  146 ,  148  may be mechanical switches, electrical switches, or a combination thereof. 
     The first and second switches  146 ,  148  may be replaced by a synchronous switch that electrically couples the first external conductive prong  104  to the first internal conductive prong  128  and the second external conductive prong  106  to the second internal conductive prong  130 . In a first position, the synchronous switch may electrically isolate the first and second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 , respectively, from the first and second internal conductive prongs  128 ,  130 , respectively. In a second position, the synchronous switch may bring the first and second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 , respectively, in electrical communication with the first and second internal conductive prongs  128 ,  130 , respectively, through the respective electrical pathways  120 ,  122 ,  142 ,  144  and through the synchronous switch. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second switches  146 ,  148  are switched between being electrically coupled to the first and second electrical pathways  120 ,  122 , respectively, and not being electrically coupled to the first and second electrical pathways  120 ,  122 , respectively by at least one external actuator (not shown) accessible either at an external surface of the accessory  100  or at an external surface of a non-contact electrical detector (e.g., the non-contact electrical detector  200  shown in  FIG.  5   , the non-contact electrical detector  302  shown in  FIG.  10   ). For example, the external switch of the non-contact electrical detector may be magnetically coupled to the switch  126 , or the external actuator may be mechanically coupled to the switch  126 , such that the switch may be switched between being electrically coupled to the first electrical pathway  120  and the second electrical pathway  122 . 
       FIG.  4    is directed to an embodiment of the accessory  100 . Unlike the accessory  100  shown in  FIG.  3   , the accessory  100  shown in  FIG.  4    includes a sixth electrical pathway  150  and a seventh electrical pathway  152 . The sixth electrical pathway  150  electrically couples the first external conductive prong  104  to the first internal conductive prong  128 , and the seventh electrical pathway  152  electrically couples the second external conductive prong  106  with the second internal conductive prong  130 . The sixth electrical pathway  150  may be an electrical wire or a plurality of electrical wires that directly electrically couple the first external conductive prong  104  to the first internal conductive prong  128 . The second electrical pathway  122  may be an electrical wire or a plurality of electrical wires that directly electrically couple the second external conductive prong  106  to the second internal conductive prong  130 . 
     In some embodiments, the first external conductive prong  104  and the first internal conductive prong  128  are directly electrically coupled by being physically coupled together such that the first external conductive prong  104  and the first internal conductive prong  128  are integral to each other. For example, the first external conductive prong  104  and the first internal conductive prong  128  may be a continuous conductive structure. In some embodiments, the second external conductive prong  106  and the second internal conductive prong  130  are directly electrically coupled by being physically coupled together such that the second external conductive prong  106  and the second internal conductive prong  130  are integral to each other. For example, the second external conductive prong  106  and the second internal conductive prong  130  may be a continuous conductive structure. 
     As may readily be seen in  FIGS.  2 ,  3 , and  4   , the first portion  102  of the non-conductive body  101  has a rectangular shape or a rectangular-like shape when viewed in a top plan view, and the second portion  107  of the non-conductive body  101  has a U-shape or a U-like shape when viewed in a top plan view. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view illustrating a non-contact electrical detector  200 . In this embodiment to be discussed as follows, the non-contact electrical detector  200  is a non-contact voltage (NCV) detector  200 . In some embodiments, the non-contact electrical detector  200  is a multimeter or some other type of electrical detector. 
     The NCV detector  200  includes a housing  202 . A plurality of buttons  204  on the housing  202  provide a user interface for a user to control the NCV detector  200 . For example, the user may interact with the plurality of buttons  204  to select measurements displayed on a display  206  or measured by the NCV detector  200 . The display  206  may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a digital display, or some other type of display. A wire  208  is coupled to the housing  202  and is in electrical communication with respective circuitry within the housing  202 . The wire  208  is coupled to a clip  210  external to the housing  202 . In use, the clip  210  may be attached to a grounded object to ground the circuitry within the NCV detector  200  electrically coupled to the wire  208 . 
     The housing  202  of the NCV detector  200  includes a female form factor, e.g., a receiving structure  212  having a first extension  214  and a second extension  216 . The first extension  214  includes a first end surface  218  and the second extension  216  includes a second end surface  220 . The first and second end surfaces  218 ,  220 , respectively, may be substantially flat ends of the first and second extensions  214 ,  216 , respectively. In some embodiments, the receiving structure  212  is a forked structure in which the first extension  214  is a first prong or tine of the forked structure and the second extension  216  is a second prong or tine of the forked structure, with a gap  219  there between. 
     The gap  219  extends from the first extension  214  to the second extension  216  and separates the first extension  214  from the second extension  216 . The gap  219  has a U-shape or U-like shape the same or similar to the U-shape or U-like shape of the second portion  107  of the non-conductive body  101  of the accessory  100  shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3 , and  4   . A sensing area, which may be referred to as a non-contact sensing area, of an NCV sensor within the housing  202  may extend along or across the gap  219 . For example, when the user is utilizing the NCV detector  200  without the accessory  100 , the user may place a wire within the gap  219  such that the wire is positioned between the first and second extensions  214 ,  216  in the sensing area of the NCV sensor to detect an electrical characteristic such as a voltage in the wire. The NCV sensor may be configured to detect other electrical characteristics in the wire as well such as a current or some other type of electrical characteristic. 
       FIG.  6 A  is a top perspective view illustrating a system  222  of the present disclosure in which an embodiment of the accessory  100  as shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3 , and  4    is removably received by the receiving structure  212  of the NCV detector  200  shown in  FIG.  5   . As discussed earlier, the U-shape of the gap  219  shown in  FIG.  5    is the same or similar to (i.e., corresponds, mimics, resembles, mirrors) the U-shape of the second portion  107  of the non-conductive body  101  shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     When a user utilizes the NCV detector  200  as shown in  FIG.  5    to measure a voltage or an electrical characteristic behind an electrical outlet, the user inserts (e.g., slides) the accessory  100  into the gap  219  between the first and second extensions  214 ,  216  of the NCV detector  200 . In this embodiment, since the accessory  100  and the gap  219  have the same or similar U-shape, the accessory  100  may be held in place by a pressure fit between the accessory  100  and the first and second extensions  214 ,  216  of the NCV detector  200 . However, the user may later remove the accessory  100  from the NCV detector  200  by pulling the accessory  100  with enough force to overcome the pressure fit and remove the accessory  100  from the first and second extensions  214 ,  216 . The second portion  107  of the accessory  100 , the first extension  214 , and the second extension  216  may be sized and shaped to direct and facilitate insertion of the accessory  100  between the first and second extensions  214 ,  216  in a proper orientation when utilizing the accessory  100  with the NCV detector  200 . 
       FIG.  6 B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the system  222  as shown in  FIG.  6 A . The housing  202  further includes a reception structure  224  of a peripheral portion  226 , which flares out from the housing  202  separating the receiving structure  212  from the plurality of buttons  204  and the display  206  of the housing  202 . A male end  228  (e.g., a male component of a coaxial electrical plug), which is coupled to a wire  230 , is inserted into and received by the female electrical receptacle  112  (e.g., a female component of a coaxial electrical plug) of the third portion  110  of the accessory  100 . The male end  228  may be removably received by the reception structure  224  such that the male end  228  is at least partially held in place by the reception structure  224 . 
     In some embodiments, the wire  230  is in electrical communication with the third external electrical prong  108  through circuitry present in the accessory  100  such that the accessory  100  is grounded. In some embodiments, the accessory  100  does not include the third portion  110  of the non-conductive body  101  and the accessory  100  is grounded utilizing the ground receptacle of the electrical outlet by inserting the third external conductive prong  108  into the ground receptacle. In some embodiments, the third external conductive prong  108  is in galvanic contact with an electrical contact (not shown) at an external surface of the receiving structure  212  of the NCV sensor such that the third external conductive prong  108  is grounded through circuitry in electrical communication with the wire  208  coupled to the housing  202 . In some embodiments, the third external conductive prong  108  is electrically coupled to circuitry within the NCV sensor such that the third external conductive prong  108  grounds the circuitry in the NCV detector  200  and in the accessory  100 . In some embodiments in which the third external conductive prong  108  is not present, the wire  230  grounds the accessory  100  with circuitry in the accessory  100  in electrical communication with the first external conductive prong  104  and/or the second external conductive prong  106  grounding the accessory  100  utilizing the wire  230 . 
     When the accessory  100  is positioned within the receiving structure  212 , the first surface  125  of the non-conductive body  101  physically abuts the second end surface  220  of the first extension  214 , and the second surface  127  of the non-conductive body  101  physically abuts the first end surface  218  of the second extension  216 . In other words, the first and second end surfaces  218 ,  220  may delimit the insertion of the second portion  107  of the non-conductive body  101  of the accessory  100  into the gap  219 . 
       FIG.  7    is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional diagram of the accessory  100  shown in  FIG.  2    removably positioned between the first extension  214  and the second extension  216  of the NCV detector  200 . 
     A non-contact sensor  232  within the housing  202  has a sensing area  234  in which the non-contact sensor  232  detects electrical characteristics (e.g., voltage, current, or some other type of electrical characteristic) present within the sensing area  234 . The non-contact sensor  232  may be referred to as a non-contact electrical sensor. In this embodiment, the non-contact sensor  232  is a non-contact voltage (NCV) sensor  232  and the sensing area  234  is a voltage sensing area  234 . When the accessory  100  is removably received by the receiving structure  212 , the internal conductive prong  114  is within the voltage sensing area  234  of the NCV sensor  232 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the first portion  116  of the internal conductive prong  114  extends into the voltage sensing area  234  and the second portion  118  of the internal conductive prong  114  is fully within the voltage sensing area  234 . The second portion  118  of the internal conductive prong  114  is positioned adjacent to the NCV sensor  232  such that the second portion  118  is closer to the NCV sensor  232  relative to the first portion  116 . 
     A second electrical shield  236  is within the housing  202  and is positioned between a reference  238  within the housing  202  and the NCV sensor  232 . The second electrical shield  236  electrically isolates the reference  238  from the NCV sensor  232  such that electrical cross-talk does not occur between the NCV sensor  232  and the reference  238 . The reference  238  is utilized with the NCV sensor  232  to measure an electrical characteristic (e.g., voltage, current, etc.) within the internal conductive prong  114 , e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,352,967, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     In a method of utilizing the accessory  100  with the NCV detector  200  to detect an electrical characteristic (e.g., a voltage) behind an electrical outlet, the first and second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106  of the accessory  100  are inserted into receptacles of an electrical outlet. For example, the first external conductive prong  104  may be inserted into a first receptacle (e.g., hot receptacle) of the electrical outlet, the second external conductive prong  106  may be inserted into a second receptacle (e.g., neutral receptacle) of the electrical outlet, and the third external conductive prong  108  may be inserted into a third receptacle (e.g., ground receptacle) of the electrical outlet. The accessory  100  may be inserted into the electrical outlet before or after being removably received by the receiving structure  212  of the accessory  100 . As discussed earlier, a switch is selectively electrically coupleable to either the first electrical pathway  120  or the second electrical pathway  122 . 
     When the switch is switched to be electrically coupled to the first electrical pathway  120 , an electrical signal travels successively along the first external conductive prong  104 , the first electrical pathway  120 , the switch, and the third electrical pathway  124  into the internal conductive prong  114 . The NCV sensor  232  then detects an electrical characteristic (e.g., voltage, current, etc.) in the internal conductive prong  114 . 
     When the switch is electrically coupled to the second electrical pathway  122 , an electrical signal travels successively along the second external conductive prong  106 , the second electrical pathway  122 , the switch, and the third electrical pathway  124  into the internal conductive prong  114 . The NCV sensor  232  then detects an electrical characteristic (e.g., voltage, current, etc.) in the internal conductive prong  114 . 
       FIG.  8 A  is an enlarged schematic diagram of the accessory  100  shown in  FIG.  3    removably positioned between the first extension  214  and the second extension  216  of an embodiment of the NCV detector  200 . 
     Unlike the embodiment of the NCV detector  200  shown in  FIG.  7   , the embodiment of the NCV detector  200  shown in  FIG.  8 A  includes a first non-contact sensor  240  and a second non-contact sensor  242  that are within the housing  202 . The first non-contact sensor  240  has a first sensing area  244  and the second non-contact sensor  242  has a second sensing area  245 . In this embodiment, the first and second non-contact sensors  240 ,  242  are NCV sensors  240 ,  242 , and the first and second sensing areas  244 ,  245  are voltage sensing areas  244 ,  245 . The first portion  134  of the first internal conductive prong  128  extends into the first voltage sensing area  244 , and the second portion  136  of the first internal conductive prong  128  is fully within the first voltage sensing area  244 . The third portion  138  of the second internal conductive prong  130  extends into the second voltage sensing area  245 , and the fourth portion  140  of the first internal conductive prong  128  is fully within the first voltage sensing area  244 . 
     In some embodiments, the first switch  147  and the second switch  138  are not present. For example, the first and third electrical pathways  120 ,  142  are directly coupled to each other such that a respective electrical pathway extends from the first internal conductive prong  128  to the first external conductive prong  104 , and the second and fourth electrical pathways  122 ,  144  are directly coupled to each other such that a respective electrical pathway extends from the second internal conductive prong  130  to the second external conductive prong  106 . 
     In a method of utilizing the accessory  100  with the NCV detector  200  of  FIG.  8 A  to detect a voltage behind an electrical outlet, the first, second, and third external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 ,  108  of the accessory  100  are inserted into corresponding receptacles of an electrical outlet in the same or similar fashion as discussed earlier with respect to  FIG.  7   . The first switch  146  is selectively electrically coupleable to the first electrical pathway  120  and the second switch  148  is selectively electrically coupleable to the second electrical pathway  122 . 
     When the first switch  146  is switched to be electrically coupled to the first electrical pathway  120 , an electrical signal travels successively along the first external conductive prong  104 , the first electrical pathway  120 , the first switch  146 , and the fourth electrical pathway  142  into the first internal conductive prong  128 . The first NCV sensor  240  then detects an electrical characteristic (e.g., voltage, current, etc.) in the first internal conductive prong  128 . 
     When the second switch  148  is switched to be electrically coupled to the second electrical pathway  122 , an electrical signal travels successively along the second external conductive prong  106 , the second electrical pathway  122 , the second switch  148 , and the fifth electrical pathway  144  into the second internal conductive prong  130 . The second NCV sensor  242  then detects an electrical characteristic (e.g., voltage, current, etc.) in the second internal conductive prong  130 . 
     In some cases, the first electrical shield  132  of the accessory  100  is electrically coupled to the second electrical shield  236  by an electrical pathway  241 . The first electrical shield  132  and the second electrical shield  236  are grounded such that the first electrical shield  132  electrically isolates the first internal conductive prong  128  from the second internal conductive prong  130 . In some cases, a portion of the first electrical shield  132  protrudes outward from the second end  109  of the second portion of the non-conductive body  101  and may be inserted into an electrical receptacle present at a surface of the NCV detector  200  delimiting the gap  219 . The portion of the first electrical shield  132  may be inserted into the electrical receptacle such that the first electrical shield  132  is electrically coupled to the second electrical shield  236  resulting in the first electrical shield  132  being grounded along with the second electrical shield  236 . In some cases, the first electrical shield  132  is grounded by the wire  230  in which the male end  228  is inserted into the female electrical receptacle  112  of the accessory  100  such that the wire  230  is electrically coupled to the first electrical shield  132  and grounds the first electrical shield  132 . In some cases, the first electrical shield  132  is electrically coupled to the second electrical shield  236  by a capacitive electrical coupling. In some cases, the first electrical shield  132  is grounded via an electrical coupling to an external conductive prong (e.g., the third external conductive prong  108 ) that is inserted into a ground receptacle of an outlet. The grounding of the first electrical shield  132  electrically isolates the first internal conductive prong  128  from the second internal conductive prong  130 . 
       FIG.  8 B  is a schematic diagram illustrating additional circuit components of the accessory  100  and the NCV detector  200 . For example, in some embodiments, the NCV detector  200  includes a first transimpedance amplifier  800  and a second transimpedance amplifier  802 . The first and second transimpedance amplifiers  800 ,  802 , respectively, each include a gain resistor (R gain ) and a filter resistor (R filter ) The first transimpedance amplifier  800  is coupled to the first NCV sensor  240  and the second electrical shield  236 . The second transimpedance amplifier  802  is coupled to second NCV sensor  242  and the second electrical shield  236 . The reference  238  is coupled to the clip  210 , and the clip is coupled to a test load reference potential  806 , which is grounded. A voltage source  804  is coupled to the reference  238 , the test load reference potential  806 , and the second electrical shield  236 . When the switches  146 ,  148  are closed forming electrical pathways between the first and second external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 , and the respective internal conductive prongs  128 ,  130 , the first transimpedance amplifier  800  outputs a voltage V 0  indicative of the voltage present within the first internal conductive prong  128 , and the second impedance amplifier  802  outputs a voltage V 1  indicative of the voltage present within the second conductive prong  130 . A first current i 0  is communicated from the first non-contact sensor  240  to the first transimpedance amplifier  800 , and a second current i 1  is communicated from the second non-contact sensor  242  to the second transimpedance amplifier  802 . 
       FIG.  9    is an enlarged in schematic diagram of the accessory  100  shown in  FIG.  4    removably positioned between the first extension  214  and the second extension  216  of an embodiment of the NCV detector  200 . 
     Unlike the embodiment of the NCV detector  200  shown in  FIG.  8 A , the embodiment of the NCV detector  200  shown in  FIG.  9    includes a non-contact sensor  246  that detects electrical characteristics of both the first and second internal conductive prongs  128 ,  130  of the accessory  100 . The non-contact sensor  246  includes a sensing area  248 . In this embodiment, the non-contact sensor  246  is an NCV sensor  246 , and the sensing area  248  is a voltage sensing area  248 . The first portion  134  of the first internal conductive prong  128  and the third portion  138  of the second internal conductive prong  130  extend into the voltage sensing area  248  of the NCV sensor  246 . The second portion  136  of the first internal conductive prong  128  and the fourth portion  140  of the second internal conductive prong  130  are fully within the voltage sensing area  248 . 
     In a method of utilizing the accessory  100  with the NCV detector  200  to detect a voltage behind an electrical outlet, the first, second, and third external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 ,  108  of the accessory  100  are inserted into corresponding receptacles of an electrical outlet in the same or similar fashion as discussed earlier with respect to  FIG.  8 A . 
     An electrical signal travels successively along the first external conductive prong  104  and the sixth electrical pathway  150  into the first internal conductive prong  128 . An electrical signal travels successively along the second external conductive prong  106  and the seventh electrical pathway  152  into the second internal conductive prong  130 . The NCV sensor  246  then detects electrical characteristics (e.g., voltage, current, etc.) in both of the first and second internal conductive prongs  128 ,  130 . In some embodiments, the non-contact sensor  246  is replaced by a plurality of sensors (e.g., two, three, four, etc.). For example, the plurality of sensors may be the same or similar to the first and second non-contact sensors  240 ,  242  as discussed earlier with respect to  FIG.  8 A . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  9   , the first electrical shield  132  may be grounded by the wire  230  in which the male end  228  is inserted into the female electrical receptacle  112  of the accessory  100 . The grounding of the first electrical shield  132  electrically isolates the first internal conductive prong  128  from the second internal conductive prong  130 . 
       FIG.  10    is directed to a system  300  including an embodiment of a non-contact electrical detector  302  and an embodiment of an accessory  400  of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the non-contact electrical detector  302  is an NCV detector  302 . In some embodiments, the non-contact electrical detector  302  is a multimeter or some other type of non-contact electrical detector. 
     The NCV detector  302  includes a knob  304 , a display  306 , and a plurality of buttons  308  in a housing  310  of the NCV detector  302 . The knob  304 , the display  306 , and the plurality of buttons  308  provide a user interface for a user to control the NCV detector  302 . For example, the user may interact with the knob  304  and the plurality of buttons  308  to select measurements displayed on the display  306  or measured by the NCV detector  302 . The display  306  may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a digital display, or some other type of display. 
     A clamp  312  is in mechanical cooperation with the housing  310 . The clamp  312  includes a first clamp arm  314  and a second clamp arm  316  that extend away from the housing  310 . The first clamp arm  314  has a first end  318  and the second clamp arm  316  includes a second end  320 . In some embodiments, the first clamp arm  314  is biased towards second clamp arm  316 , or vice versa, by a spring (not shown). In some embodiments, the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316  are both biased toward each other by a spring or a plurality of springs. 
     A protrusion  322  of the first clamp arm  314  adjacent to the housing  310  provides an actuation structure that allows for the first clamp arm  314  to be moved or rotated away from the second clamp arm  316  when a force is applied to the protrusion  322  that overcomes a biasing force of the spring acting on the first clamp arm  314 . For example, by actuating (e.g., moving or rotating) the first clamp arm  314  away from the second clamp arm  316 , the accessory  400  may be positioned between respective ends  318 ,  320  of the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316 . Once the accessory  400  is positioned between the respective ends of the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316 , the user releases the protrusion  322  so the first clamp arm  314  actuates towards the second clamp arm  316  such that the accessory  400  is removably clamped or held between the respective ends  318 ,  320  of the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316  by the biasing force of the spring. 
     A first non-contact sensor  324  at the first end  318  of the first clamp arm  314  is configured to detect electrical characteristics present within a non-conductive body  402  of the accessory  400 . The non-conductive body  402  may be made of an electrically non-conductive material similar to or the same as the material used to make the non-conductive body  101  described earlier. A second non-contact sensor  326  is at the second end  320  of the second clamp arm  316 . In this embodiment, the first and second non-contact  324 ,  326  sensors are NCV sensors  324 ,  326 . In some embodiments, only one of the first or second NCV sensors  324 ,  326 , respectively, is present at only one of the respective ends of the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316 , respectively. In some embodiments, the first non-contact sensor may be an NCV sensor, and the second sensor may be some other type of sensor for detecting another type of electrical characteristic different from the first non-contact sensor. 
       FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  are directed to left and right side views of the embodiment of the accessory  400  as shown in  FIG.  10   . In this embodiment, the accessory  400  has a cuboid shape with rounded edges. 
     A first recess or indentation  404  extends into the non-conductive body  402  of the accessory  400  at the left side of the accessory  400 , and a second recess or indentation  406  extends into the non-conductive body  402  of the accessory  400  at the right side of the accessory  400 . The first and second recesses  404 ,  406  are sized and shaped to receive the first and second ends  318 ,  320  of the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316 , respectively. The first end  318  may be received by the first recess  404  such that the first end  318  is inset within the first recess  404 . Likewise, the second end  320  may be received by the second recess  406  such that the second end  320  is inset within the second recess  406 . The first and second ends  318 ,  320 , respectively, being inset within the first and second recesses  404 ,  406 , respectively, allows for the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316  to securely and removably hold the accessory  400 . 
     A first raised portion  408  surrounding the first recess  404  acts as boundary around the first recess  404 . When the first end  318  of the first clamp arm  314  is inserted into the first recess  404 , the first end  318  interlocks with the first raised portion  408  to assist in holding the accessory  400  in a stationary position when the accessory  400  is held between the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316 . 
     Similarly, a second raised portion  410  surrounding the second recess  406  acts as a boundary around the second recess  406 . When the second end  320  of the second clamp arm  316  is inserted into the second recess  406 , the second end  320  interlocks with the second raised portion  410  to assist in holding the accessory  400  in a stationary position when the accessory  400  is held between the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316 . 
     The internal features of the accessory  400  may be the same or similar to the internal features discussed earlier with respect to the embodiments of the accessory  100  in  FIGS.  1 - 4    of the present disclosure. The internal features may be slightly reorganized or structured slightly differently so that the accessory  400  more readily brings an electrical signal within a voltage sensing area of the first and second non-contact sensors  324 ,  326  of the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316 . It will be readily appreciated that the accessory  400  interacts with the first and second non-contact sensors  324 ,  326  at the respective ends of the first and second clamp arms  314 ,  316 , respectively, in the same or similar manner as the embodiments of the accessory  100  interact with the non-contact sensor(s)  232 ,  240 ,  242 ,  246  in the embodiments of the non-contact electrical detector  200  shown in  FIGS.  6 A,  6 B,  7 ,  8 , and  9    of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  12    illustrates an embodiment of an accessory  500  including an external conductive prong  502  extending outward from the non-conductive body  101 . The external conductive prong  502  may be the same or similar as the first, second, or third external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 ,  108  as discussed earlier with respect to the accessory  100  shown in  FIG.  2   . The external conductive prong  502  is directly electrically coupled to the internal conductive prong  114  by an electrical pathway  504 , which may be an electrical wire or a plurality of electrical wires electrically coupling the external conductive prong  502  to the internal conductive prong  114 . The external conductive prong  502  may be inserted into a receptacle (e.g., hot, neutral, ground, or some other type of receptacle) of an electrical outlet. In some embodiments, a switch along the electrical pathway selectively electrically couples the external conductive prong  502  to the internal conductive prong  114 . It will be readily appreciated that the accessory  500  may be utilized with the embodiments of the NCV detectors  200  as discussed earlier for detecting electrical characteristics of an electrical line or circuit at or behind an electrical outlet. 
     While not shown, the embodiments of the accessory  100  as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4    and the embodiment of the accessory  400  as shown in  FIGS.  10 ,  11 A, and  11 B  may be adapted and constructed to include a single external conductive prong similar to the external conductive prong  502  as shown in  FIG.  12   . 
       FIG.  13    is a block diagram illustrating a system  600  of the present disclosure. The system  600  includes an accessory  601  including at least one internal conductive prong  602  electrically coupled, or selectively electrically coupleable, with the at least one external conductive prong  604  by an electrical pathway  606 . The at least one internal conductive prong  602  is positioned within a sensing area of at least one non-contact sensor  608  in a non-contact electrical detector  610 , allowing the non-contact electrical detector  610  to detect an electrical characteristic of an electric signal in the at least one internal conductive prong  602  without galvanic contact between the at least one internal conductive prong  602  and the at least one non-contact sensor  608 , as represented by a dotted line  612 . 
     The non-contact electrical detector  610  and preferably the accessory  601  are both grounded. In some cases, the accessory  601  is grounded via an external conductive prong (not shown) that is inserted into a ground receptacle of an outlet. In some cases, the accessory  601  is galvanically coupled by an electrical connection  613  to the non-contact electrical detector  610 , e.g., by way of a wire that extends between the accessory  601  and the non-contact electrical detector  610 . In some cases, the accessory  100  includes a conductive protrusion that is received by a receptacle of the non-contact electrical detector  610  which galvanically couples the accessory  601  to the non-contact electrical detector  610 . The non-contact electrical detector  610  may be grounded via an wire coupled to an external clip (e.g., wire  208  and clip  210  as described earlier) that, in use, is attached to a grounded object. 
     The at least one internal conductive prong  602  may be one of the respective internal conductive prongs  114 ,  128 ,  130  as discussed earlier herein. The at least one external conductive prong  604  may be one of the respective external conductive prongs  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  502  as discussed earlier herein. The at least one non-contact sensor  608  may be one of the respective non-contact sensors  232 ,  240 ,  242 ,  246  as discussed earlier herein. The accessory  601  may be one of the respective embodiments of the accessories  100 ,  400 ,  500  as discussed earlier herein. The non-contact electrical detector  610  may be one of the respective non-contact electrical detectors  200 ,  302  as discussed earlier herein. Lastly, the system  600  may be one of the respective systems  222 ,  300  as discussed earlier herein. 
       FIG.  14    is a flowchart  700  illustrating a method of utilizing embodiments of the accessories and non-contact electrical detectors of the present disclosure. 
     In a step  702 , the accessory is removably positioned in a form factor (e.g., receiving structure) of a non-contact electrical detector. The receiving structure may be the female receiving structure  212  as shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , or the receiving structure may be the clamp as shown in  FIG.  10   . In step  704 , an external conductive prong of the accessory is inserted into an electrical outlet. Inserting the external conductive prong into the receptacle electrically couples the accessory to an electrical line or circuit at or behind the electrical outlet. After the external conductive prong is inserted into the receptacle of the electrical outlet, in step  706 , an electrical signal in the electrical line or circuit is transmitted through the external conductive prong into the accessory and an electrical characteristic of the electrical signal in the accessory is detected by a non-contact sensor of the non-contact electrical detector. For example, the non-contact sensor may detect the electrical characteristic in an internal conductive prong within the accessory that is electrically coupled to the external conductive prong. After the electrical characteristic is detected, in step  708 , the electrical characteristic detected is output by the non-contact electrical detector. For example, a measurement signal or a detection signal may be sent to a display of the non-contact electrical detector that outputs the measurement signal or the detection signal to a user in a readable form. Alternatively, the measurement signal or the detection signal may be sent to an external electronic device in communication with the non-contact electrical detector such as a memory, an external display, or some other external electronic device. 
     It will be readily appreciated that the first step  702  and the second step  704  may be reordered such that the first step occurs after the second step. For example, the external conductive prong may be inserted into the receptacle of the electrical outlet, and after insertion, the non-contact electrical detector removably receives the accessory. 
     In view of the foregoing disclosure, various examples of the disclosed device, systems, or methods may include any one or combination of the following features. 
     These features may include an accessory including a non-conductive body selectively positionable in a form factor of a non-contact electrical detector, the form factor configured to removably receive the non-conductive body. An internal conductive prong within the non-conductive body, and an external conductive prong that extends outward from the non-conductive body. The external conductive prong is electrically coupled, or selectively electrically coupleable, with the internal conductive prong, the external conductive prong configured to be inserted into a receptacle of an electrical outlet to electrically couple the external conductive prong to the first receptacle of the electrical outlet. 
     The external conductive prong may be a first external conductive prong, and the accessory may further include a second external conductive prong that extends outward from the non-conductive body. The second external conductive prong is configured to be inserted into a second receptacle of the electrical outlet to electrically couple the second external conductive prong to the second receptacle of the electrical outlet. 
     The internal conductive prong may be a first internal conductive prong, and the accessory may further include a second internal conductive prong within the non-conductive body. The first internal conductive prong is electrically coupled to the first external conductive prong. The second internal conductive prong is electrically coupled to the second external conductive prong. The first internal conductive prong may be electrically coupled to the first external conductive prong by at least a first electrical wire. The second internal conductive prong may be electrically coupled to the second external conductive prong by at least a second electrical wire. 
     The accessory may further include a third external conductive prong extending outward from the non-conductive body, wherein the third external conductive prong is configured to be inserted into a third receptacle of the electrical outlet to electrically couple the third external conductive prong to the third receptacle of the electrical outlet. 
     The external conductive prong may be a first external conductive prong, and the accessory may further include a second external conductive prong and a switch. The second external conductive prong extends outward from the non-conductive body, wherein the second external conductive prong is selectively electrically coupleable with the internal conductive prong, and the second external conductive prong is electrically isolated from the first external conductive prong. The switch selectively electrically couples the first external conductive prong and the second external conductive prong to the internal conductive prong. The switch having a first position that electrically couples the first external conductive prong to the internal conductive prong while the second external conductive prong is decoupled from the internal conductive prong. The switch having a second position that electrically couples the second external conductive prong to internal conductive prong while the first external conductive prong is decoupled from the internal conductive prong. 
     In use, the non-conductive body of the accessory may position the internal conductive prong within a sensing area of a non-contact electrical sensor of the non-contact electrical detector without galvanically contacting the non-contact electrical sensor. 
     These features may include a system including a non-contact electrical detector including a housing and a non-contact electrical sensor, and an accessory configured to be positionable in a form factor of the non-contact electrical detector that is configured to receive the accessory. The accessory including a non-conductive body configured to be removably inserted into the form factor of the non-contact electrical detector, an internal conductive prong positioned within the non-conductive body, and an external conductive prong that extends outward from the non-conductive body, the external conductive prong being electrically coupled, or selectively electrically coupleable, with the internal conductive prong. 
     The external conductive prong may be configured to be inserted into a receptacle of an electrical outlet to electrically couple the external conductive prong to the receptacle of the electrical outlet. 
     The external conductive prong is a first external conductive prong, and the accessory may further include a second external conductive prong extending outward from the non-conductive body. 
     The first external conductive prong may be configured to be inserted into a first receptacle of an electrical outlet to electrically couple the first external conductive prong to the first receptacle of the electrical outlet. The second external conductive prong may be configured to be inserted into a second receptacle of the electrical outlet to electrically couple the second external conductive prong to the second receptacle of the electrical outlet. 
     The non-contact electrical detector may further include a receiving structure integral with the housing, the receiving structure having the form factor configured to removably receive the accessory. The receiving structure including a first extension of the housing, a second extension of the housing, and a gap between the first extension and the second extension, the accessory being removably positionable within the gap between the first and second extensions, wherein the first extension, the second extension, and the gap delimit the form factor of the receiving structure configured to receive the accessory. The non-contact electrical sensor may be positioned within the housing proximate to the gap such that a sensing area of the non-contact electrical sensor extends into the gap to detect an electrical characteristic of the internal conductive prong within the accessory when the accessory is positioned within the gap of the receiving structure. 
     The non-contact electrical detector may further include a clamp having the form factor configured to removably receive the accessory, the clamp being in mechanical cooperation with the housing of the non-contact electrical detector. The clamp including a first clamp arm extending outward from the housing and having a first end, and a second clamp arm extending outward from the housing and having a second end, the first end of the first clamp arm being biased toward the second end of the second clamp arm to removably clamp the accessory. The non-contact electrical sensor may be positioned proximate the first end of the first clamp arm or the second end of the second clamp arm to detect an electrical characteristic of the internal conductive prong within the accessory. 
     The non-contact electrical sensor may be a non-contact voltage (NCV) sensor configured to detect a voltage. 
     The external conductive prong may be a first external conductive prong, and the accessory may further include a second external conductive prong that extends outward from the non-conductive body. The second external conductive prong is selectively electrically coupleable to the non-contact electrical detector, the second external conductive prong is configured to be inserted into a ground receptacle of an electrical outlet. 
     The external conductive prong may be a first external conductive prong, and the accessory may further include a second external conductive prong that extends outward from the non-conductive body. The second external conductive prong is selectively electrically coupleable with the internal conductive prong. The accessory may further include a switch that selectively electrically couples the first and second external conductive prongs to the internal conductive prong. The switch may be selectively positioned in a first position that electrically couples the first external conductive prong to the internal conductive prong while the second external conductive prong is not coupled to the internal conductive prong. The switch may be selectively positioned in a second position that electrically couples the second external conductive prong to the internal conductive prong while the first external conductive prong is not coupled to the internal conductive prong. 
     These features may include a method including: removably positioning an accessory in a receiving structure of a non-contact electrical detector; Inserting an external conductive prong of the accessory into a receptacle of an electrical outlet; switching a switch in the accessory to be electrically coupled to the external conductive prong; detecting an electrical characteristic in the accessory using a non-contact electrical sensor of the non-contact electrical detector; and outputting an indication of the electrical characteristic detected by the non-contact electrical sensor. 
     The external conductive prong may be a first external conductive prong and the receptacle may be a first receptacle, the method may further include inserting a second external conductive prong of the accessory into a second receptacle of the electrical outlet. 
     Detecting the electrical characteristic in the accessory may further include detecting the electrical characteristic in an internal conductive prong within the accessory. The electrical characteristic may be one of a respective electrical characteristic of the first external conductive prong or the second external conductive prong. 
     Inserting the second external conductive prong of the accessory into the second receptacle of the electrical outlet may ground the non-contact electrical detector. As will be appreciated, the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide yet further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the present invention disclosed herein. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.