Current monitor

• US 20050275371A1
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Shamel A. Bersiek
• Original Assignee: Shamel A. Bersiek
• Inventors: Bersiek, Shamel A.
• Application Number:
  US11/154,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20050275371A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/111
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/06 by electronic methods
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/20 for testing or measuring purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads

Abstract

Power monitoring devices and systems structured to be removably connected between a multiple outlet power strip and a power source and effective to provide real-time monitoring of voltage and/or current flowing through the power strip, are provided. The devices include a housing, a receptacle located on a first end of the housing and suitable for receiving a plug of a power strip, and a set of prongs located on a second end and suitable for connecting the device to an electrical outlet. Monitoring devices useful for detecting failure of a battery in a string of batteries utilized in a UPS or like system are also provided.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring power, the system comprising, in combination:

a power strip including a plurality of electrical sockets suitable for connecting the power strip to a plurality of electrical devices; and

a power monitoring apparatus, structured to be removably connected between a power source and a power strip;

the power monitoring apparatus being useful for monitoring a characteristic of electric current flowing from the power source and into the power strip when the power monitoring apparatus is electrically coupled between the power source and the power strip.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the power monitoring apparatus is structured to monitor at least one of current and voltage.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the power monitoring apparatus includes a display for displaying information about the electric current.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the power monitoring apparatus includes a display comprising at least one of an alarm, a real-time current reading, and a real-time voltage reading.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the power monitoring apparatus includes a display comprising at least two of an alarm, a real-time current reading, and a real-time voltage reading.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the power monitoring apparatus comprises

a receptacle suitable for receiving a plug of an electrical device, and

a set of prongs suitable for connecting to an electrical socket,

wherein the receptacle and the set of prongs are in linear alignment with one another.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 including substantially no structure effective to store data relating to electric in the circuit.

7. An apparatus for monitoring power, the apparatus comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end;

a receptacle, located on said first end, suitable for receiving a plug of an electrical device;

a set of prongs, located on said second end, suitable for connecting to an electrical socket; and

a circuit, within said housing, structured to measure electric current flowing between said receptacle and said set of prongs when said apparatus is connected to a power source;

the housing, receptacle, and set of prongs being configured such that the receptacle and the set of prongs plug are in linear alignment with one another.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a display effective to provide information about the electric current.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the display includes at least in of an alarm, a real-time current reading, and a real-time voltage reading.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the display includes at least two of an alarm, a real-time current reading, and a real-time voltage reading.

12. A battery monitor for use with a device having a string of batteries, the monitor comprising:

a connector element structured to be electrically coupled to a string of batteries along a point of contact;

an electronic circuit structured to monitor current flow across the point of contact and to provide a signal when the current flow drops below a predetermined current level; and

an alarm, structured to receive the signal from the electronic circuit, the alarm being effective to produce an alarm in response to the signal.

13. The monitor of claim 13 wherein the circuit is effective to detect at least one of a reduction of a charging ac ripple current and an increase ripple voltage across the string of batteries.

14. The monitor of claim 13 wherein the circuit is effective to detect a reduction of a charging ac ripple current and an increase of ripple voltage across the string of batteries.

15. The monitor of claim 13 structured to be suitable for detecting failure or impending failure of a battery in a battery string in an uninterruptible power supply.

16. The monitor of claim 13 wherein the circuit is configured to detect an absence of a charging AC ripple current.