Faulty lamp tester
OwnerEarl T. Farleyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A detector (42) is provided for testing a string of lamps (12) that are connected to a wire (14) in a series configuration. The detector (42) has a probe (44) disposed on the end thereof with a cavity (56) formed therein. The cavity (56) is operable to be disposed around the socket (30) of lamp (12). The electrodes (34) and (36) disposed in the interior of the socket (30) are disposed parallel to two electrodes (60) and (62) that are embedded in the probe (44). A detector circuit is provided for detecting the presence of an AC signal capacitively coupled from one of the electrodes (34) and (36) to one of the capacitive plates (60) and (62), respectively. A large DC signal will be present for a defective bulb having at least one of the electrodes (34) or (36) connected to one side of an AC supply (18).
Claims6
An apparatus for testing for faulty lights in a string of lights, each light having a light socket with at least first and second contacts provided therein, the first and second contacts being disposed substantially parallel and spaced a predetermined distance apart and operable to place an AC signal across the electrodes of a light bulb which is supported in the socket, the apparatus comprising:
- a first capacitive plate;
- a second capacitive plate;
- a support member for supporting said first and second capacitive plates in a substantially parallel relationship and at a distance greater than that between the first and second contacts, said support having a cavity formed between said first and second capacitive plates for receiving the socket;
- and
- a detector circuit for detecting a voltage difference between said first and second capacitive plates.
A method for testing for faulty lights in a string of lights, each light having a light socket with at least first and second contacts provided therein, the first and second contacts being disposed substantially parallel and spaced a predetermined distance apart and operable to place an AC signal across the electrodes of a light bulb which is supported in the socket, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first capacitive plate;
- providing a second capacitive plate;
- providing a cavity between the first and second capacitive plates and sized slightly larger than the socket;
- supporting the first and second capacitive plates in a substantially parallel relationship and at a distance greater than that between the first and second contacts and within the cavity;
- placing the socket in the cavity such that the first and second contacts are disposed substantially proximate to the first and second capacitive plates, respectively;
- and
- detecting a voltage difference between the first and second capacitive plates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.