Patent ID: 8041221

Claim:
A method for coupling an optical signal to a packaged semiconductor circuit via at least one optical cable selected from a group comprising lightguide, optical fiber and a combination thereof for at least one of operating electrical appliances and monitoring said appliances power consumption, said packaged semiconductor includes at least one optically linked access with at least one photo element selected from a group comprising a photo diode, a photovoltaic cell, a photo diac, a photo thyristor, a photo triac, a photo transistor, a photo MOSFET, an LED, a laser and combinations thereof and at least one holder selected from a group comprising a built-in holder, an attachable holder and a combination thereof for attaching a terminated end of said optical cable to said access: said circuit is an SPDT switch for connection to one of a manually and a remotely operated mechanical SPDT switch via two traveler contacts, said method comprising the steps of: a. terminating said optical cable end by a process selected from a group comprising cutting, trimming, shaping and combinations thereof; b. attaching the terminated end of said optical cable to said access through said holder; c. exchanging said optical signal selected from a group comprising transmit, receive and two way between said optical cable and said element for communicating said signal with said circuit.