# US 2019/0170824 A1 · Device for Measuring a Condition of an Electric Switch, Electric Switch and Method for Measuring a Condition of an Electric Switch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170824 A1 - Document ID: US20190170824A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/088,023 - Filed: 2017-02-23 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-24 - Assignees: Epcos AG - Applicants: Epcos AG - Inventors: Robert Hoffmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170824A1 ## CPC - G01R 31/3278: {of relays, solenoids or reed switches (measuring contact resistance G01R27/205; high voltage magnetic switches G01R31/3271, G01R31/333; testing electric windings G01R31/72; monitoring of fail safe circuits H01H47/002)} - H01H 9/16: Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off" - H01H 33/025: {Terminal arrangements (for vacuum switches H01H33/6606)} - H01H 47/002: {Monitoring or fail-safe circuits} - H01H 71/04: Means for indicating condition of the switching device {(by means of an auxiliary contact H01H71/46)} - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract A device for measuring a condition of an electric switch, an electric switch and a method for measuring a condition of an electric switch are disclosed. In an embodiment an apparatus for measuring a state of an electrical switch is configured to tap a voltage at main contacts of the electrical switch. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-16. (canceled) ### Claim 17 An apparatus for measuring a state of an electrical switch, wherein the apparatus is configured to tap a voltage at main contacts of the electrical switch. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus according to claim 17, the apparatus comprising: a first high voltage (HV) line comprising a first contact; a second HV line comprising a second contact; and at least one high-impedance resistor, wherein the resistor is configured to interrupt a flow of current on one of the HV lines. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the resistor has a value that permits a maximum flow of current of 1 mA in case of an external short-circuit of the first and second HV lines. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first contact and the second contact are configured to be connected directly to the main contacts of the electrical switch. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a carrier, wherein the first contact, the second contact and the resistor are arranged on the carrier. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The apparatus according to claim 17, the apparatus comprising: a first HV line comprising a first contact; a second HV line comprising a second contact; at least one first high-impedance resistor; and at least one second high-impedance resistor, wherein the respective resistor is configured to interrupt a flow of current on the respective HV line. ### Claim 23 An electrical switch comprising: an apparatus for measuring a state of the electrical switch, wherein the apparatus is configured to tap a voltage at main contacts of the electrical switch, wherein the apparatus comprises a first high voltage (HV) line comprising a first contact, a second HV line comprising a second contact, and at least two high-impedance resistors; a first outer main contact; a second outer main contact; and a housing, wherein the first contact and the second contact are each directly connected to a main contact, and wherein the voltage at the main contacts is tapped inside the housing of the electrical switch. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The electrical switch according to claim 23, wherein the resistors are arranged inside the housing. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The electrical switch according to claim 23, wherein two resistors are provided for each main contact. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The electrical switch according to claim 23, wherein the first contact and the second contact are sliding contacts. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The electrical switch according to claim 23, wherein the first contact and the second contact are fixedly connected to their respective main contact. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The electrical switch according to claim 27, wherein the first contact and the second contact are welded or soldered to their respective main contact. ### Claim 29 A method for measuring a state of an electrical switch, the method comprising: providing an electrical switch having a first outer main contact and a second outer main contact; providing an apparatus for tapping a voltage at a first main contact and a second main contact, wherein the apparatus has a first contact, a second contact, at least two high-impedance resistors, a first high voltage (HV) line and a second HV line; directly connecting the first contact to the first main contact; directly connecting the second contact to the second main contact; and linking the HV lines to an A/D converter. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The method according to claim 29, wherein the first and second contacts are welded or soldered to the main first and second contacts. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The method according to claim 29, wherein the apparatus further comprises a carrier, and wherein the carrier is placed onto the switch for direct connection between the first and second contacts and the first and second main contacts. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The method according to claim 29, wherein the switch comprises a housing, and wherein the apparatus is arranged at least partly inside the housing.