US 2005/0089079 A1 · Test apparatus for power circuits of an electrical distribution device

Abstract

A glowing contact or high resistance test device includes a housing and first and second circuits substantially within the housing. The first and second circuits include first and second electrical plugs disposed from the housing and adapted to electrically engage and thermally communicate with line and neutral circuits, respectively, of an electrical receptacle. First and second diode temperature sensors are proximate the first and second circuits and the first and second electrical plugs, respectively. The first and second sensors output first and second signals representative of the first and second temperatures of the line and neutral circuits, respectively. An amplifier circuit determines a difference between the first and second signals. A window comparator circuit includes a light emitting diode, which displays an indication signal when the absolute value of the difference exceeds a predetermined value.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A test apparatus for a first power circuit and a second power circuit of an electrical distribution device, said first power circuit having a first temperature, said second power circuit having a second temperature, said test apparatus comprising:

a first circuit adapted to thermally respond to the first temperature of the first power circuit of said electrical distribution device;
a second circuit adapted to thermally respond to the second temperature of the second power circuit of said electrical distribution device;
a first temperature sensor proximate said first circuit and outputting a first signal representative of the first temperature of said first power circuit;
a second temperature sensor proximate said second circuit and outputting a second signal representative of the second temperature of said second power circuit;
a third circuit determining a difference between the first and second signals;
and
a fourth circuit outputting an indication signal as a function of said difference.

4 more elements

A test device for a first power circuit and a second power circuit of an electrical distribution device, said first power circuit having a first temperature, said second power circuit having a second temperature, said test device comprising:

a housing;
a first circuit substantially within said housing, said first circuit including a first electrical connection disposed from said housing and adapted to electrically engage and thermally communicate with the first power circuit of said electrical distribution device;
a second circuit substantially within said housing, said second circuit including a second electrical connection disposed from said housing and adapted to electrically engage and thermally communicate with the second power circuit of said electrical distribution device;
a first temperature sensor proximate said first circuit and said first electrical connection, said first temperature sensor outputting a first signal representative of the first temperature of said first power circuit;
a second temperature sensor proximate said second circuit and said second electrical connection, said second temperature sensor outputting a second signal representative of the second temperature of said second power circuit;
a third circuit determining a difference between the first and second signals;
and
a fourth circuit displaying an indication signal as a function of said difference.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Test apparatus for power circuits of an electrical distribution device

Life of this patent

Test apparatus for power circuits of an electrical distribution device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25