Testing and monitoring of an electrical connection
First Claim
1. An interlocking socket for coupling to a connector of a load, the interlocking socket comprising:
- a receptacle configured to receive the connector;
a microcontroller coupled to the receptacle, the microcontroller operable for testing for one or more faults in the connector, a conductor coupling the load and the connector, or the load;
a breaker coupled to the receptacle and the microcontroller; and
a signal transformer coupled on a first side of the interlocking socket at a power cord conductor and coupled to a second side of the interlocking socket at a line conductor, wherein the breaker is located between the first side and the second side of the interlocking socket.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for testing of electrical connections, conductors, and loads prior to energizing those connections is disclosed. For example, an interlocking socket can comprise a receptacle designed to be coupled to a connector of a load. The interlocking socket can comprise a microprocessor coupled to the receptacle, the microcontroller operable for testing one or more faults in the connector, a conductor, or the load coupled to the connector. In another example, a microprocessor can be coupled to a switch comprising a conductor, where the microprocessor is operable for testing one or more faults in the conductor or a load coupled to the conductor.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An interlocking socket for coupling to a connector of a load, the interlocking socket comprising:
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a receptacle configured to receive the connector; a microcontroller coupled to the receptacle, the microcontroller operable for testing for one or more faults in the connector, a conductor coupling the load and the connector, or the load; a breaker coupled to the receptacle and the microcontroller; and a signal transformer coupled on a first side of the interlocking socket at a power cord conductor and coupled to a second side of the interlocking socket at a line conductor, wherein the breaker is located between the first side and the second side of the interlocking socket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A switching device for coupling to a load, the switching device comprising:
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a line conductor; a power cord conductor; a breaker disposed between the line conductor and the power cord conductor; a microcontroller coupled to the breaker and the power cord conductor, the microcontroller operable for testing for one or more faults in the power cord conductor or the load coupled to the power cord conductor; and a power line communication module comprising a signal transformer, the signal transformer coupled on a first side of the switching device to the power cord conductor and coupled on a second side of the switching device to the line conductor, the signal transformer for transmitting communication signals between the load and a remote device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An indicator device for coupling to a load, the indicator device comprising:
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a line conductor; a power cord conductor; a breaker disposed between the line conductor and the power cord conductor; a microcontroller coupled to the breaker and the power cord conductor, the microcontroller operable for testing for one or more faults in the power cord conductor or the load coupled to the power cord conductor; a power line communication module comprising a signal transformer, the signal transformer coupled on a first side of the indicator device to the power cord conductor and coupled on a second side of the indicator device to the line conductor, the signal transformer for transmitting communication signals between the load and a remote device; and an indicator for providing a result of the testing performed by the microcontroller, the indicator being visual, audible, or both visual and audible. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification