ELECTRICAL APPARATUS WITH VOLTAGE DROP INDICATOR

• US 20070024460A1
• Filed: 07/28/2006
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Richard Clark
• Original Assignee: Richard Clark
• Inventors: Clark, Richard
• Application Number:
  US11/460,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20070024460A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/663
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/32 with arrangements for indicating defects, e.g. breaks or leaks
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/24 responsive to undervoltage or no-voltage H02H3/207 takes precedence

Abstract

An electrical apparatus has an indicator for indicating a voltage drop across an electrical system. The electrical apparatus includes a core, a sense lead, and an indicator. The core transmits electrical current from a source to a load. The sense lead electrically connects to the core for sensing a voltage drop between a source end and a sink end of the core. The indicator is operably connected to the sense lead and provides an indication when the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined limit.

Claims

1. An electrical apparatus with voltage drop indication, comprising:

(a) a core for transmitting electrical current from a source to a load;

(b) a sense lead electrically connected to the core for sensing a voltage drop between a source end and a sink end of the core; and

(c) an indicator operably connected to the sense lead for providing an indication when the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined limit.

2. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sense lead includes a core for transmitting electrical current and an insulation layer for covering the core.

3. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sense lead is embedded in the core.

4. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicator provides a visual indication of the undesired voltage drop.

5. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicator provides an audible indication of the undesired voltage drop.

6. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a light emitting diode.

7. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is located remote of the core.

8. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the source end of the core is electrically connected to the source and the sink end is electrically connected to the load.

9. The electrical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when a voltage drop occurs between the source end and the sink end, current representative of the voltage drop is transmitted through the sense lead to the indicator.

10. The electrical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, when the voltage drop reaches an undesired level the indicator activates to provide an indication of the voltage drop.

11. An electrical apparatus with voltage drop indication, comprising:

(a) at least one input terminal for being electrically connected to a source;

(b) at least one output terminal electrically connected to the at least one input terminal for being electrically connected to a load;

(c) at least one sense lead terminal electrically connected to a respective one of the input and output terminals for electrically connecting a sense lead carrying a current representative of a voltage drop; and

(d) at least one indicator operably connected to the at least one sense lead terminal for providing an indication when the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined limit.

12. The electrical apparatus according to claim 11, and further including a sense lead electrically connected to the at least one sense lead terminal for sensing a voltage drop and transmitting a current representative of the voltage drop to the at least one indicator.

13. The electrical apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one indicator is attached to the at least one sense lead.

14. The electrical apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one indicator is integrally-formed in the electrical apparatus.

15. The electrical apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one sense lead is fixedly attached to the at least one sense lead terminal.

16. The electrical apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one sense lead is electrically connected between the at least one sense lead terminal and the source to sense a voltage drop.

17. The electrical apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, when a voltage drop occurs between the source and the input terminal, current representative of the voltage drop is transmitted through the sense lead to the indicator.

18. The electrical apparatus according to claim 11, and further including at least one fuse electrically connecting the input terminal to the output terminal for providing a disconnect in the event of a surge.

19. An electrical apparatus with voltage drop indication, comprising:

(a) at least one input terminal for being electrically connected to a source;

(b) at least one output terminal electrically connected to the at least one input terminal for being electrically connected to a load;

(c) at least one indicator electrically connected to a respective one of the input and output terminals and fixedly attached to the electrical apparatus for providing an indication of a voltage drop exceeding a predetermined limit;

(d) at least one sense lead electrically connected to the indicator for sensing a voltage drop and transmitting a current representative of the voltage drop to the indicator.

20. The electrical apparatus according to claim 19, and further including at least one sense lead terminal for electrically connecting the at least one sense lead to a respective one of the input and output terminals.

21. The electrical apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the at least one sense lead is fixedly attached to a respective one of the input and output terminals.

22. The electrical apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the at least one sense lead is electrically connected between the at least one input terminal and the source to sense a voltage drop therebetween.

23. The electrical apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the at least one sense lead is electrically connected between the at least one output terminal and the load to sense a voltage drop therebetween.

24. An audio system, comprising:

(a) a power source;

(b) an amplifier electrically connected to the power source for amplifying a signal;

(c) a speaker electrically connected to the amplifier for receiving the signal and producing an audible sound; and

(d) an electrical apparatus for electrically connecting the power source to the amplifier, including;

(i) a core for transmitting current from the power source to the amplifier;

(ii) a sense lead at least partially embedded in the core for receiving a current representative of a voltage drop across the core;

(iii) an indicator electrically connected to the sense lead for receiving the current in the sense lead and providing an indication when the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined limit; and

(iv) an insulated cover for covering the core.

25. An audio system, comprising:

(a) a power source;

(b) an amplifier electrically connected to the power source for amplifying a signal, including;

(i) at least one input terminal for being electrically connected to the power source;

(ii) at least one output terminal electrically connected to the input terminal;

(iii) at least one sense lead terminal electrically connected to the input terminal;

(c) at least one speaker electrically connected to the at least one output terminal for receiving the signal therefrom; and

(d) a plurality of electrical cables for electrically connecting the power source to the at least one input terminal and the at least one output to the at least one speaker.

26. The audio system according to claim 25, wherein the amplifier includes at least one indicator electrically connected to the at least one input terminal for providing an indication of a voltage drop exceeding a predetermined limit.

27. The audio system according to claim 25, and further including a sense lead electrically connected between the power source and the at least one input terminal to detect a voltage drop in an electrical cable electrically connecting the power source to the at least one input terminal.

28. The audio system according to claim 26, and further including a sense lead electrically connected between the power source and the at least one sense lead terminal for transmitting a current representative of a voltage drop across an electrical cable electrically connecting the power source to the at least one input terminal.

30. The audio system according to claim 25, and further including a plurality of amplifiers having:

(a) at least one input terminal for being electrically connected to the power source;

(b) at least one output terminal electrically connected to the input terminal; and

(c) at least one sense lead terminal electrically connected to the input terminal.

31. The audio system according to claim 30, and further including a power distribution block for distributing current from the power source to each of the plurality of amplifiers.

32. The audio system according to claim 31, wherein the power distribution block includes:

(a) at least one input terminal for electrically connecting to the power source; and

(b) a plurality of output terminals for electrically connecting to the plurality of amplifiers.

29. The audio system according to clam 28, wherein the at least one indicator receives the current and provides an indication when the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined limit.

33. The audio system according to claim 33, wherein the power distribution block includes a sense lead for each of the input and output terminals to detect a voltage drop between the power source and the power distribution block and the power distribution block and the plurality of amplifiers.