Circuit continuity detection system and method

A circuit continuity detection system coupled to a voltage source and a load, comprising:

• a current sensor for sensing a current drawn through an electrical circuit of a resistive nature;
• a voltage sensor for sensing a voltage applied from said source across said load, simultaneously with sensing of said current by said current sensor;
• an arbitration device for arbitrating outputs from said current sensor and said voltage sensor to determine an operable status of said load;
• a set of output contacts allowing for connection to an external power source;
• an external reporting device coupled to said output contacts;
• and
• an output circuit coupled to said reporting device,
• wherein said voltage sensor comprises a passive device for indicating a presence of a line voltage without a corresponding current and without external power being supplied thereto, as an indication of a fault condition in the electrical circuit element of a resistive nature, said circuit continuity detection system being a point-of-use, self-contained, plug-replaceable state response device devoid of external logic and voltage-specific wiring,
• wherein said voltage sensor includes voltage sensor contacts which are normally biased open, and said current sensor includes current sensor contacts which are normally biased closed, and
• wherein when voltage is applied to said system and current is flowing through said system, the current sensor activates, opening said normally closed current sensor contacts, and said voltage sensor activates, thereby closing said normally open voltage sensor contacts, such that no closure of the output circuit is made, and such that no continuity disruption condition is reported.

A circuit continuity detection system coupled to a voltage source and a load, comprising:

• a current sensor for sensing a current drawn through an electrical circuit of a resistive nature;
• a voltage sensor for sensing a voltage applied from said source across said load, simultaneously with sensing of said current by said current sensor;
• an arbitration device for arbitrating outputs from said current sensor and said voltage sensor to determine an operable status of said load;
• a set of output contacts allowing for connection to an external power source;
• an external reporting device coupled to said output contacts;
• and
• an output circuit coupled to said reporting device,
• wherein said voltage sensor comprises a passive device for indicating a presence of a line voltage without a corresponding current and without external power being supplied thereto, as an indication of a fault condition in the electrical circuit of a resistive nature, said circuit continuity detection system being a point-of-use, self-contained. plug-replaceable state response device devoid of external logic and voltage-specific wiring,
• wherein said voltage sensor includes voltage sensor contacts which are normally biased open, and said current sensor includes current sensor contacts which are normally biased closed, and
• wherein when voltage is applied to the system and no current is flowing through said system, the current sensor remains in an unexcited state, and said current sensor contacts remain in their normally closed state, and said voltage sensor activates, closing said normally open voltage sensor contacts, such that the output circuit is closed, and the externally applied source voltage is connected to the reporting device, and such that the continuity disruption condition is reported.

A circuit breaker coupled between a voltage source and a load, comprising:

• a continuity detection system coupled to said voltage source and said load, said continuity detection system including:
• a current sensor for sensing a current through an electrical circuit of a resistive nature;
• a voltage sensor for sensing a voltage from said source across said load simultaneously with sensing of said current by said current sensor;
• and
• an arbitration device for arbitrating outputs from said current sensor and said voltage sensor to determine an operable status of said load,
• wherein said voltage sensor comprises a passive device for indicating a presence of a line voltage without a corresponding current and without external power being supplied thereto, as an indication of a fault condition in the electrical circuit of a resistive nature, said circuit continuity detection system being a point-of-use, self-contained, plug-replaceable state response device devoid of external logic and voltage-specific wiring.

A circuit breaker coupled between a voltage source and a load, comprising:

• a continuity detection system coupled to said voltage source and said load, said continuity detection system including:
• a current sensor for sensing a current through an electrical circuit of a resistive nature;
• a voltage sensor for sensing a voltage from said source across said load simultaneously with sensing of said current by said current sensor;
• and
• an arbitration device for arbitrating outputs from said current sensor and said voltage sensor to determine an operable status of said load;
• a set of output contacts allowing for connection to an external power source;
• an external reporting device coupled to laid output contacts;
• and
• an output circuit coupled to said reporting device,
• wherein said voltage sensor includes voltage sensor contacts which are normally biased open, and said current sensor includes current sensor contacts which are normally biased closed,
• wherein said voltage sensor comprises a passive device for indicating a presence of a line voltage without a corresponding current and without external power being supplied thereto, as an indication of a fault condition in an electrical circuit of a resistive nature, said circuit continuity detection system being a point-of-use, self-contained, plug-replaceable state response device devoid of external logic and voltage-specific wiring, and
• wherein when voltage is applied to said system and current is flowing through said system, the current sensor activates, opening said normally closed current sensor contacts, and said voltage sensor activates, thereby closing said normally open voltage sensor contacts, such that no closure of the output circuit is made, and such that no continuity disruption condition is reported.

A circuit breaker coupled between a voltage source and a load, comprising:

• a continuity detection system coupled to said voltage source and said load, said continuity detection system including:
• a current sensor for sensing a current through an electrical circuit of a resistive nature;
• a voltage sensor for sensing a voltage from said source across said load simultaneously with sensing of said current by said current sensor;
• an arbitration device for arbitrating outputs from said current sensor and said voltage sensor to determine an operable status of said load;
• a set of output contacts allowing for connection to an external power source;
• an external reporting device coupled to laid output contacts;
• and
• an output circuit coupled to said reporting device,
• wherein said voltage sensor includes voltage sensor contacts which are normally biased open, and said current sensor includes current sensor contacts which are normally biased closed,
• wherein said voltage sensor comprises a passive device for indicating a presence of a line voltage without a corresponding current and without external power being supplied thereto, as an indication of a fault condition in the electrical circuit of a resistive nature, said circuit continuity detection system being a point-of-use self-contained, plug-replaceable state response device devoid of external logic and voltage-specific wiring, and
• wherein when voltage is applied to the system and no current is flowing through said system, the current sensor remains in an unexcited state, and said current sensor contacts remain in their normally closed state, and said voltage sensor activates, closing said normally open voltage sensor contacts, such that the output circuit is closed, and the externally applied source voltage is connected to the reporting device, and such that the continuity disruption condition is reported.

A method of detecting continuity of a circuit coupled to a voltage source and a load, said method comprising:

• sensing a current drawn through an electrical circuit of a resistive nature to produce a first output;
• sensing a voltage applied from said source across said load, simultaneously with sensing of said current, to produce a second output;
• and
• arbitrating said first and second outputs to determine an operable status of said load,
• wherein said sensing a voltage is performed by a passive device for indicating a presence of a line voltage without a corresponding current and without external power being supplied thereto, as an indication of a fault condition in the electrical circuit of a resistive nature, said circuit continuity detection system being a point-of-use, self-contained, plug-replaceable state response device devoid of external logic and voltage-specific wiring.