Apparatus and method for non-destructive testing of primers, in particular for airbags in motor vehicles

A measuring device for non-destructive testing of an ignitor installed in a subassembly comprising:

• means for generating a measuring current with a predefined value;
• means for check-testing the predefined value of the measuring current while bypassing the igniter;
• means for applying the check-tested measuring current to the subassembly with the installed ignitor for a predefined time interval;
• and
• means for determining an internal resistance of the subassembly with the installed ignitor and for deriving a test signal indicating an installation condition based on a comparison of the internal resistance of the subassembly with a setpoint value.

A measuring method for non-destructive testing of an ignitor installed in a subassembly, comprising:

• generating a measuring current with a predefined value;
• check-testing the predefined value of the measuring current while bypassing the ignitor;
• applying the check-tested measuring current to the subassembly with the installed ignitor for a predefined time interval;
• determining the internal resistance of the subassembly with the installed ignitor;
• and
• deriving a test signal indicating the installation condition based on a comparison of the internal resistance of the subassembly with a setpoint value.

A measuring device for non-destructive testing of an ignitor installed in a subassembly comprising:

• a power source for generating a measuring current with a predefined value;
• a current measuring device for check-testing the predefined value of the measuring current, and for measuring current flowing through the subassembly, the check-testing performed with the measuring current bypassing the igniter;
• a time-controlled circuit for applying the check-tested measuring current to the subassembly with the installed ignitor for a predefined time interval;
• a voltage measuring device that measures a voltage over the subassembly;
• and
• an evaluation unit that evaluates the current flowing through the subassembly and the voltage over the subassembly, determines a resistance of the subassembly with the installed ignitor, and derives a test signal indicating an installation condition of the ignitor based on a comparison of the resistance of the subassembly with a setpoint value.