Oscillator activated continuity testing switch

A method for checking the continuity of first and second conductors in a circuit having a current flowing indicator comprising the following steps:

• a) connecting a test switch/circuit for completing a circuit for a predetermined time between the first and second conductor when power is supplied to one of the conductors said test switch/circuit further comprising:
• 1) an oscillator;
• and
• 2) a timer
• wherein the oscillator and timer are activated by application of power to the conductor, the oscillator permitting current to flow between the first and second conductors until the timer output, upon reaching a predetermined time setting, deactivates the oscillator;
• b) applying power to the first conductor;
• and
• c) monitoring the status of the current flowing indicator.

A method for checking the continuity of first and second conductors in a circuit between a status indicator and a remote sensor comprising the following steps:

• a) connecting proximate to and electrically in parallel with the sensor a test switch for completing a circuit for a predetermined time between the first and second conductor when power is supplied to one of the conductors said test switch further comprising:
• 1) an oscillator;
• and
• 2) a timer
• wherein the oscillator and timer are activated by application of power to the conductor, the oscillator permitting current to flow between the first and second conductors until the timer output, upon reaching a predetermined setting, deactivates the oscillator;
• b) applying power to the first conductor;
• and
• c) monitoring the status of the indicator.

A device for checking the continuity of first and second conductors in a circuit between a status indicator and a remote sensor comprising:

• a) a test switch means connected proximate to and electrically in parallel with the sensor for completing the circuit for a predetermined time between the first and second conductor when power is supplied to one of the conductors, said test switch means further comprising:
• 1) an oscillator means;
• and
• 2) a timer means
• wherein the oscillator means and timer means are activated by application of power to the conductor, the oscillator means permitting current to flow between the first and second conductors until the timer means output, upon reaching a predetermined time setting, deactivates the oscillator means.

A device for sensing the continuity of first and second conductor means in a circuit, said circuit comprising detector means connected with indicator means by said first and second conductor means, said detector means having an open circuit mode wherein there is no continuity between said first and second conductor means and a closed circuit mode wherein continuity between said first and second conductor means is established, said indicator means indicating when continuity between said first and second conductor means is established, comprising:

• a) switch means being adapted to be connected across said first and second conductor means at a location near said detector means, said switch means having current conducting and non-conducting states with said conducting state of said switch means being adapted to provide a continuity and current flow between said first and second conductor means when said device is connected to said first and second conductor means, and with said non-conducting state of said switch means not providing continuity and current flow between said first and second conductor means, said switch means self activating to the conducting state upon application of electrical power to said first and second conductor means wherein said indicator means can indicate continuity between said first and second conductor means;
• b) control means for automatically operating said switch means from a conducting to a non-conducting state;
• and
• c) said control means being energized by the application of electrical power to said first and second conductor means.

A device for sensing the continuity of conductors in a circuit, said circuit comprising said conductors, detector means, indicator means and power source means, said detector means being connected with said power source means and with said indicator means by said conductors, said power source means for selectively providing power to said detector means and said indicator means, said detector means having an open circuit mode wherein there is no continuity between said conductors and a closed circuit mode wherein continuity between said conductors is established, said indicator means indicating when continuity between said first and second conductor means is established, comprising:

• (a) switch means having current conducting and non-conducting states, said switch means being adapted to be connected across said conductors at a location near said detector means, with said conducting state of said switch means being adapted to provide continuity between said conductors when said device is connected to said conductors, and with said non-conducting state of said switch means not providing continuity between said conductors;
• (b) control means for automatically operating said switch means from a conducting to a non-conducting state, said control means being connected with said switch means;
• (c) power storage means for storing power from said power source means, said power storage means adapted to be connected with said power source means and connected with said control means, said power storage means providing power to said control means for the operation of said control means;
• (d) said switch means being energized to a current conducting state by application of power applied to said conductors from said power source means;
• (e) said control means being energized by said power storage means and operating said switch means from a current conducting to a non-conducting state after a predetermined length of time when power is applied to said conductors by said power source means, wherein said indicator means can indicate continuity between said conductors when said switch is in the current conducting state.

An apparatus for monitoring a piece of equipment, comprising:

• (a) detector means located in said equipment;
• (b) power source means for providing power to said detector means, said detector means being connected to said power source means by conductors, said detector means having an open circuit mode wherein there is no continuity between said conductors and a closed circuit mode wherein continuity between said conductors is established;
• (c) an indicator lamp for indicating when continuity is present across said conductors, said indicator lamp being connected with said detector means by said conductors such that when said detector means by said conductors such that when said detector means is in the closed circuit mode and power is applied by said power source means said lamp is illuminated;
• (d) a switch means for applying power from said power source means to said apparatus, said manual switch means and said lamp being connected with said power source means and said detector means by said conductors;
• (e) switch means having current conducting and non-conducting states, said switch means being connected across said conductors near said detector means, with said conducting state of said switch means providing continuity between said conductors and said non-conducting state of said switch means not providing continuity between said conductors;
• (f) control means for automatically operating said switch means from a conducting to a non-conducting state, said control means being connected with said switch means;
• and
• (g) power storage means for storing power from said power source means to supply power to said control means.