Patent ID: 8443485

Claim:
A vacuum system comprising: a vacuum having a housing and a vacuum source disposed in said housing; an outlet box separate from said vacuum and electrically connected to said vacuum; a power tool sensing system for sensing operation of a power tool plugged into said outlet box; a control module for operating said vacuum source in response to a sensed operation of said power tool, wherein said vacuum includes a first connector having at least four connections, said outlet box includes a second connector having at least four connections and adapted to engage said first connector to electrically connect said outlet box to said vacuum; and wherein said outlet box includes a third connector electrically connected to said second connector, and further comprising a power cord including a fourth connector having at least four connections, said power cord adapted to be connected to either of said first and third connectors to supply electrical power to either of said vacuum and said outlet box, and said power cord including a fifth connector adapted to connect to a power source.