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A universal AC/DC electrical connector for selectively coupling either a mating direct electrical current (DC) electrical connector or a mating alternating electrical current (AC) electrical connector to selectively receive both direct electrical current (DC) and alternating electrical current (AC)

A universal AC/DC electrical connector for selectively coupling either a mating direct electrical current (DC) electrical connector or a mating alternating electrical current (AC) electrical connector to selectively receive both direct electrical current (DC) and alternating electrical current (AC) therein. The AC/DC electrical connector has a pair of direct current contacts, a pair of alternating current contacts, and a ground contact. When DC electrical connector is coupled to the AC/DC electrical connector, the direct current contacts and the ground contact electrically engage corresponding electrical contacts of the DC electrical connector, while the alternating current contacts of the AC/DC electrical connector remains uncoupled, i.e., alternating current connects of the AC/DC electrical connector does not electrically engage the contacts of the DC electrical connector. When AC electrical connector is coupled to the AC/DC electrical connector, the alternating current contacts and the ground contacts of the AC/DC electrical connector engage corresponding electrical contacts of the AC electrical connector. The AC/DC electrical connector can also be provided with a sensor in the form of a pilot contact or reed switches for determining whether direct electrical current or alternating electrical current is being supplied thereto.

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[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of selectively receiving direct electrical current from a DC electrical connector and alternating electrical current from an AC electrical connector, comprising the steps ofproviding a universal AC/DC electrical connector with a housing for alternatively coupling

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of selectively receiving direct electrical current from a DC electrical connector and alternating electrical current from an AC electrical connector, comprising the steps ofproviding a universal AC/DC electrical connector with a housing for alternatively coupling with the DC electrical connector and the AC electrical connector;providing the housing with a direct electrical current path for selectively receiving direct electrical current from the DC electrical connector; andproviding the housing with an alternating electrical current path for selectively receiving alternating electrical current from the AC electrical connector.