FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to an electrical power outlet incorporating a master-slave socket arrangement.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Master and slave power outlets allow electrical equipment connected to the slave outlet(s) to be switched on-off by controlling activation-deactivation of the associated master outlet. This saves power by turning off all electrical equipment connected to the slave outlet(s) associated with the master outlet.

[0003] This power saving is particularly relevant in reducing 'standby' mode power usage of a variety of electrical equipment, reduces the need to switch on- off a number of items of electrical equipment at any one time, and reduces the risk of electrical equipment inadvertently being left switched on, such as an electrical heater.

[0004] Wandering or flexible lead type electrical power/data outlets risk are at being damaged if left on the floor.

[0005] They are also at risk of being removed from location, either

inadvertently or through theft, causing a cost impost to the owner and loss of availability of the lead and associated inconvenience. This is particularly so in relation to temporary accommodation, such as at 'fly-in fly-out' (FIFO) worksites.

[0006] With the aforementioned in mind, it has been found desirable to provide an electrical outlet having the practical feature of master-slave outlet control without the inconvenience or risk of a wandering or flexible lead type power outlet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An aspect of the present invention provides an electrical outlet having a housing incorporating a master outlet and at least one slave outlet associated with the master outlet, wherein activation of the master outlet or presence of an electrical load on the master outlet enables respective activation of the at least one slave outlet, and deactivation of the master outlet or deactivation of an electrical load on the master outlet enables deactivation of the at least one slave outlet, and wherein the housing is arranged to be mounted to a solid surface.

[0008] It will be appreciated that the electrical outlet is arranged and configured to mount to a solid surface, such as a wall, a panel or a conduit. The housing is not adapted to be directly wired to a wandering power lead, rather, in a fixed position.

[0009] Mounting the electrical outlet in a fixed arrangement reduces the risk of theft or inadvertent removal associated with valuable wandering lead type outlets.

[0010] Preferably the electrical outlet includes multiple slave sockets controlled by activation/deactivation of the master outlet.

[001 1 ] Preferably the electrical outlet also includes at least one data outlet, such as one or more Ethernet outlets and/or one or more USB data outlets.

[0012] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the at least one data outlet may be activated and/or deactivated as one or more slave data outlets with corresponding activation/deactivation of the master outlet.

[0013] Preferably, an electrical load detecting means is provided within the housing, the electrical load detecting means detecting presence of an electrical load associated with the master outlet, which causes activation of the at least one slave outlet allowing electrical power to associated electrical equipment connected thereto.

[0014] Furthermore, deactivation of the electrical load on the master outlet can be detected by the detecting means and electrical supply to the at least one slave outlet can be removed, thereby effectively turning off the associated electrical equipment.

[0015] One or more of the data outlets may also provide an associated power outlet, such as a relatively low voltage outlet (e.g. in the order of 5 volts) for charging data devices, such as smart phones, tablets etc.

[0016] Data transfer through the one or more data outlets may be prevented on deactivation of the master outlet and/or electrical equipment connected to an associated one of the one or more of the data outlets may be switched off or data flow interrupted/prevented.

[0017] Furthermore, data transfer allowed through the one or more data outlets by activation of the master outlet may allow data transfer to the associated electrical device and/or may switch on the associated electrical device.

[0018] Preferably the electrical outlet includes a removable cover for the housing.

[0019] The removable cover can hide and protect fasteners used for fastening the electrical outlet to the solid surface.

[0020] The removable cover can also provide an enhanced aesthetic feature to the electrical outlet. [0021 ] The electrical outlet may include an external power switch enabling activation and deactivation of the master outlet, and thereby control of the slave outlet(s).

[0022] The housing may include at least one aperture for one or more respective fasteners to fasten the housing, and thereby the electrical outlet, to the solid surface.

[0023] A rear of the housing may include at least one electrical connector, preferably active (live), neutral and earth connections, for connecting an electrical supply, such as mains power.

[0024] The electrical outlet may include at least one independent electrical power outlet independent of power supply from the master outlet i.e. the at least one independent outlet is not a slave outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] One or more embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of an electrical outlet with cover over housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 with cover removed.

[0028] Figure 3 shows a rear view of the electrical outlet of Figure 1 .

[0029] Figure 4 shows control circuitry for the master-slave arrangement of an electrical outlet according to an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an electrical outlet 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 12 and a removable front cover 14.

[0031 ] The electrical outlet includes a master outlet 16, electrical power slave outlets 18, 20, 22, 24 and independent outlet 26, a power switch 28 and data/low voltage power outlets 30, 32, 34.

[0032] The independent outlet 26 provides an electrical socket for electrical power to electrical equipment connected thereto without influence from the master outlet and not acting on the slave outlets.

[0033] The master outlet provides an electrical socket for electrical power to equipment connected thereto. Switching off electrical equipment connected to the master outlet also switches off electrical supply to electrical equipment connected to each of the slave outlets.

[0034] Optionally, the main switch 28 can be used to switch on-off the master outlet (and thereby the slave outlets) and/or can control the independent outlet.

[0035] The data and/or low voltage outlets 30, 32, 34 can also optionally be controlled to switch on-off with control of the master outlet.

[0036] Switching on or off electrical equipment connected to a slave outlet does not affect other slave outlets or the master outlet.

[0037] The electrical outlet 10 includes fasteners 36, 38 held in respective fastener keepers 36a, 38a of the housing 12 hidden behind the cover 14. [0038] Apertures 40 through the housing provide a variety of fastening points for attaching the electrical outlet housing to the solid surface (not shown).

[0039] Electrical connectors 42 enable direct connection of mains electrical supply into the electrical outlet i.e. hard wired.

[0040] Figure 4 shows internal electrical circuitry for controlling the electrical supply within the electrical outlet housing and feeding/controlling electricity to the master, slave and independent sockets, as well as providing controlled electrical supply to the low voltage/data outlets.

[0041 ] If current draw through the master outlet 16 is detected by the detecting means 50, a relay drive 52 controls a relay 54 to allow mains electricity to the slave outlet(s).

[0042] Device connectors 56 enable connection of personal devices or permanent equipment to be connected for electrical charging. An AC/DC adapter 58 provides for voltage step down from higher to lower voltage, such as from a mains supply voltage at between 1 10V and 260V AC to a reduced DC voltage, such as approximately 5.0V DC. The device connectors can be universal serial bus (USB) ports.

[0043] Electrical input, such as from a mains supply 60, can be filtered by a filter and protector 62. The electrical input can be provided via the filter and protector to the AC/DC adapter 58, and preferably to the electrical outlets.

[0044] The relay 54, such as a 10A relay, connects the live supply to the slave outlet(s) 64 and to the master outlet 66 and the independent outlet 68.

[0045] An AC/DC convertor circuit with a regulator (+6V, +5V, +24V) 70 is connected to the relay drive and switch circuit 52. Preferably the AC/DC convertor circuit provides a +24V supply to the relay drive and switch circuit 52. [0046] The AC/DC convenor circuit 70 can also supply electricity to an AC ~ current operational amplifier (Omp Amp) 72. The Omp Amp is connected to the independent outlet 68 and to the master outlet 66.

[0047] The Master Control Unit (MCU) 50 detects presence or absence of current draw at the master outlet and automatically controls supply of electricity to or cut-off of electricity for the slave outlet(s) accordingly via the relay 54. If no current draw is detected via the MCU, the relay remains open and no current is provided to the slave outlet(s).

[0048] On the other hand, current draw at the master outlet is detected by the MCU and the relay is engaged to allow electrical supply to the slave outlet(s). Optionally, the independent outlet 68 can be controlled by the MCU.