# US 6,724,589 B1 · Boat electrical test and isolator system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,724,589 B1 - Document ID: US6724589B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/395,277 - Filed: 1999-09-13 - Granted: 2004-04-20 - Earliest claimed: 1999-09-13 - Inventors: Donald G. Funderburk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6724589B1 ## CPC - C23F 13/04: Controlling or regulating desired parameters - G01R 31/52: Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults - H02H 3/338: {also responsive to wiring error, e.g. loss of neutral, break} - G01R 31/40: Testing power supplies (testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10) - C23F: NON-MECHANICAL REMOVAL OF METALLIC MATERIAL FROM SURFACE (working metal by laser beams B23K26/00; desurfacing by applying flames B23K7/00; working of metal by electro-erosion B23H; producing decorative effects by removing surface material, e.g. by engraving, by etching, B44C1/22; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F); INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL; MULTI-STEP PROCESSES FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL INVOLVING AT LEAST ONE PROCESS PROVIDED FOR IN CLASS C23 AND AT LEAST ONE PROCESS COVERED BY SUBCLASS C21D OR C22F OR CLASS C25 - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) ## Abstract A method and apparatus including indicators and a Ground Fault Current Interrupter (GFCI) are provided to test the marina's power and the boats electrical system load to make sure that both are proper and safe to be inter-connected. A low voltage high impedance ground current path including an oppositely connected pair of typically four silicon diodes in series in each of the pairs, sufficient to raise the voltage to a safe level encompassing the typical combined AC ground fault and DC galvanic currents in a Marina is incorporated. This protects against low level AC ground faults present in the marina, as well as DC current due to the harbor safety ground interconnect between boats in the harbor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for testing an electrical supply system comprising: first means for testing the proper wiring of said electrical supply system, wherein at least a portion of said means for testing said electrical supply system comprises a Ground Fault Current Interrupter (GFCI); second means for providing a low voltage, high impedance path for monitoring and preventing both AC and DC damaging high ground current flow between said electrical supply system and a boat hooked to said system; and third means for automatically disconnecting said supply system if there is unsafe ground current leakage caused by a boat load. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Apparatus for testing an electrical supply system according to claim 1 wherein said first means for testing said supply electrical supply system comprises a display for testing the AC portion of said electrical supply system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Apparatus for testing said electrical supply according to claim 1 wherein said means for automatically disconnecting said electrical supply system comprises at least in part a GFCI. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Apparatus for testing said electrical supply system according to claim 1 wherein said means for providing a low voltage, high impedance path comprises an opposite polarity connected pair of at least four diodes connected in series in each of said pairs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Apparatus for testing said electrical supply system according to claim 4 including means for indicating a failure condition in said electrical supply system and said boat load system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Apparatus according to claim 5 including means for providing additional testing of said electrical supply system and said boat load system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) Apparatus for testing said electrical supply system according to claim 4 wherein said first and said second pair of diodes also includes at least one additional diode and at least one light emitting diode (LED) as an indicator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) Apparatus for testing of an electrical system according to claim 6 including means for testing voltage and current flow, and means for determining current flow. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Apparatus for testing of an electrical system according to claim 1 including means for testing voltage and current flow, and means for determining current flow. ### Claim 10 A method for testing a marina electrical supply system having AC lines and a marina wiring system for marine vehicles for personnel safety and avoiding electrical damage to components of said marine vehicle by the said marina electrical supply system comprising: providing a marine vehicle testing system including a receptacle; a low voltage, high impedance path for any damaging high currents in said marina electrical supply system; and means for disconnecting said marina electrical supply system if the supply current, as measured by unbalanced current, exceeds a predetermined value; connecting said marina electrical supply system to said marine vehicle testing system receptacle; testing said marina wiring system for proper wiring hookup of said marina electrical supply system to prevent any damaging high currents to pass through said low voltage, high impedance path in said marina electrical supply electrical system; and disconnecting said marina electrical supply system if the supply current leakage, as measured by unbalanced current, exceeds a predetermined value. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10 for testing said marina electrical supply system including providing a GFCI having a sensing mechanism and a solenoid with a contactor connected between said GFCI and said solenoid and connecting said GFCI to said marina supply system AC lines. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A method for testing said marina electrical supply system according to claim 10 including testing the voltage across said low voltage high impedance path. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Apparatus for testing of an electrical supply system according to claim 1 including a high current ground fault simulation validation device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Apparatus for testing of an electrical supply system according to claim 1 comprising a service cord also providing safety protection. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) Apparatus for testing of an electrical supply system according to claim 14 wherein said service cord includes an additional pair of 15/20 amp service outlets. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, including a means to connect said device to a marina power source. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1 including additional service outlets. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said service outlets are 15/20 amp service outlets.