Detection circuitry

Voltage and continuity detection circuitry comprising:

• a set of terminals for electrically coupling the detection circuitry to an independent electrical apparatus, wherein the set of terminals comprises a sensing-input terminal and further comprises a power-output terminal and a reference-voltage terminal, wherein the power-output terminal and the reference-voltage terminal may be two distinct terminals or one combined terminal;
• a power supply unit for supplying electrical current from the power-output terminal;
• and
• a voltage sensor for detecting a potential difference between the sensing-input terminal and a reference voltage,
• wherein:
• the voltage and continuity detection circuitry supports a voltage-detection mode of operation in which the voltage and continuity detection circuitry is configured to use the voltage sensor to detect a voltage supplied by the independent electrical apparatus by determining the presence or absence of a potential difference between the sensing-input terminal and the reference-voltage terminal;
• the detection circuitry additionally supports a continuity-detection mode of operation in which the voltage and continuity detection circuitry is configured to use the voltage sensor to detect continuity in the independent electrical apparatus by determining the presence or absence of a potential difference between the sensing-input terminal and the power-output terminal;
• and
• the voltage sensor comprises a binary digital output and is configured, in each mode of operation, to output a binary signal from the binary digital output indicative of whether the respective potential difference is determined to be present or absent.