Armature operation-release testing apparatus

An armature operating-release testing apparatus for testing the armature operating and releasing characteristics of an electromagnetic relay comprising an armature, a core and an electromagnetic coil, said apparatus comprising:

• a. means for causing reciprocating movement of an externally controlled sensor between a stand-by position, at which said sensor is initially positioned opposite to and free from any electrical engagement with said armature of said electromagnetic relay disposed at a test position, and a detecting position at which said sensor is slightly displaced toward said armature beyond the armature attracting surface of said core;
• b. power supply means adapted to be switched over for selectively supplying a predetermined operating current and a predetermined releasing current to said electromagnetic coil of said electromagnetic relay thereby causing movement of said armature toward and away from said core;
• c. detecting means connected to said armature and said sensor for detecting electrical engagement between said armature and said sensor;
• and
• d. test time sequence signal generating means for controlling the operating timing of said detecting means, said power supply means and said sensor moving means so as to test said electromagnetic relay for the operating characteristic by supplying the operating current to said electromagnetic coil while said sensor is positioned at said stand-by position, advancing said sensor to said detecting position in a predetermined period of time, and detecting the output of said detecting means, and so as to test said electromagnetic relay for the releasing characteristic by retracting said sensor to said stand-by position from said detecting position, switching over said power supply means to supply the releasing current to said electromagnetic coil in lieu of the operating current, advancing said sensor to said detecting position again in a predetermined period of time, and detecting the output of said detecting means.