Apparatus, system and methods for ground current detection
AssigneeEchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
InventorsKirk Lenzie, Casey Gold, Vincent Nguyen, Sam Chaisitti
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Abstract
Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.
Claims14
A ground current detection apparatus comprising:
- a first input in signal communication with an earth ground connection;
- a second input in signal communication with a ground line of a power source, the second input comprising a power plug configured to couple to the power source;
- and
- a detection circuit communicatively coupled to the first input and the second input, which receives a ground signal from the second input, and determines whether a value of a current of the ground signal is above a threshold value, based on the earth ground connection, and provides an indication to a user responsive to determining that the value of the current of the ground signal is above the threshold value.
A ground current detection apparatus comprising:
- a first F-connector that communicatively couples to a first coaxial cable;
- a detection circuit communicatively coupled to the first F-connection, that receives a signal from the first-F connection, and determines whether a value of a current of the signal is above a threshold value, and provides an indication to a user if the value of the current exceeds the threshold value;
- and
- a second F-connector, communicatively coupled to the detection circuit, that is in signal communication with an electronic device through a second coaxial cable, the second F-connector configured to provide the signal to the electronic device through the second coaxial cable.
A method for detecting an excessive ground current, the method comprising:
- coupling a ground current detector to an earth ground;
- coupling the ground current detector to an outlet of a power source;
- determining whether a current from a ground line of the power source exceeds a threshold value based on the earth ground;
- and
- providing an indication that an unsafe condition exists in the ground line responsive to determining that the current exceeds the threshold value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.