User-upgradeable load control network
A backplate may include a backplate housing providing a cavity to removably accept any of a plurality of device control assemblies, where a device control assembly of the plurality of device control assemblies includes a set of device control assembly electrical contacts. The backplate housing may mount to an electrical junction box. The backplate may further include a backplate junction box electrical connector to connect to electrical wiring within the electrical junction box, and a set of backplate electrical contacts to couple to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts.
1. A backplate, comprising:
a backplate housing providing a cavity to removably accept any of a plurality of device control assemblies, a device control assembly of the plurality of device control assemblies including a set of device control assembly electrical contacts, the backplate housing configured to mount to an electrical junction box and further including a user interface for user control of one or more electrical loads connected to electrical wiring within the electrical junction box;
a backplate junction box electrical connector configured to connect to the electrical wiring within the electrical junction box;
a set of backplate electrical contacts configured to couple to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts; and
a translatable cover, the cover configured to shield the set of backplate electrical contacts from the cavity when translated to a closed position, the cover further configured to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the device control assembly when the device control assembly is inserted into the cavity and when the translatable cover is translated to an open position, wherein the cover remains attached to the backplate housing in the open and the closed position.
2. The backplate of claim 1 , further comprising:
a locking lever configured to secure the device control assembly in the cavity when the cover is in the open position.
3. The backplate of claim 2 , wherein the locking lever is configured to be pressed against the cover by a spring when the cover is in the closed position, wherein the locking lever is configured to be exposed to the cavity when the cover is translated from the closed position to the open position.
4. The backplate of claim 1 , wherein the backplate junction box electrical connector comprises:
at least one of a set of connection wires configured to connect to the electrical wiring within the junction box via a pigtail connection, a set of internal spring push-type connectors, a set of push-on wire connectors, or a set of screw-on wire connectors.
5. The backplate of claim 1 , wherein the cover is formed from an electrically insulating material.
6. The backplate of claim 1 , wherein the set of backplate electrical contacts comprises:
a set of spring contacts.
7. The backplate of claim 1 , wherein the backplate is configured to removably couple with the device control assembly when the backplate is connected to live power via the electrical wiring within the electrical junction box.
8. The backplate of claim 7 , wherein the set of backplate electrical contacts is configured to provide an ordered set of electrical connections to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts.
9. The backplate of claim 8 , wherein the set of backplate electrical contacts is configured to provide a ground connection to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts prior to providing one or more additional electrical connections when the device control assembly is inserted into the cavity.
10. The backplate of claim 8 , wherein the set of backplate electrical contacts is configured to release a ground connection to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts subsequent to releasing, one or more additional electrical connections when the device control assembly is removed from the cavity.
11. The backplate of claim 1 , wherein the device control assembly includes at least one of a switch, a dimmer, an outlet, a sensor, or a control panel.
12. A backplate, comprising:
a backplate housing providing a cavity to removably accept any of a plurality of device control assemblies, a device control assembly of the plurality of device control assemblies including a set of device control assembly electrical contacts, the backplate housing configured to mount to an electrical junction box and further including a user interface for user control of one or more electrical loads connected to electrical wiring within the electrical junction box;
a backplate junction box electrical connector configured to connect to electrical wiring within the electrical junction box; and
a set of backplate electrical contacts configured to couple to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts.
13. The backplate of claim 12 , wherein the backplate junction box electrical connector comprises:
at least one of a set of connection wires configured to connect to the electrical wiring within the junction box via a pigtail connection, a set of internal spring push-type connectors, a set of push-on wire connectors, or a set of screw-on wire connectors.
14. The backplate of claim 12 , wherein the cover is formed from an electrically insulating material.
15. The backplate of claim 12 , wherein the set of backplate electrical contacts comprises:
a set of spring contacts.
16. The backplate of claim 12 , wherein the backplate is configured to removably couple with the device control assembly when the backplate is connected to live power via the electrical wiring within the electrical junction box.
17. The backplate of claim 16 , wherein the set of backplate electrical contacts is configured to provide an ordered set of electrical connections to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts.
18. The backplate of claim 17 , wherein the set of backplate electrical contacts is configured to provide a ground connection to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts prior to providing one or more additional electrical connections when the device control assembly is inserted into the cavity.
19. The backplate of claim 17 , wherein the set of backplate electrical contacts is configured to release a ground connection to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts subsequent to releasing, one or more additional electrical connections when the device control assembly is removed from the cavity.
20. The backplate of claim 12 , wherein the device control assembly includes at least one of a switch, a dimmer, an outlet, a sensor, or a control panel.