APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR GROUND CURRENT DETECTION
First Claim
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1. A ground current detection apparatus comprising:
- a first input in signal communication with an earth ground connection;
a second input in signal communication with a ground line of a power source, the second input comprising a power plug configured to couple to the power source; and
a detection circuit communicatively coupled to the first input and the second input, which receives a ground signal from the second input, and determines whether a value of a current of the ground signal is above a threshold value, based on the earth ground connection, and provides an indication to a user responsive to determining that the value of the current of the ground signal is above the threshold value.
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Abstract
Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.
13 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A ground current detection apparatus comprising:
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a first input in signal communication with an earth ground connection; a second input in signal communication with a ground line of a power source, the second input comprising a power plug configured to couple to the power source; and a detection circuit communicatively coupled to the first input and the second input, which receives a ground signal from the second input, and determines whether a value of a current of the ground signal is above a threshold value, based on the earth ground connection, and provides an indication to a user responsive to determining that the value of the current of the ground signal is above the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A ground current detection apparatus comprising:
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a first F-connector that communicatively couples to a first coaxial cable; a detection circuit communicatively coupled to the first F-connection, that receives a signal from the first-F connection, and determines whether a value of a current of the signal is above a threshold value, and provides an indication to a user if the value of the current exceeds the threshold value; and a second F-connector, communicatively coupled to the detection circuit, that is in signal communication with an electronic device through a second coaxial cable, the second F-connector configured to provide the signal to the electronic device through the second coaxial cable. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for detecting an excessive ground current, the method comprising:
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coupling a ground current detector to an earth ground; coupling the ground current detector to an outlet of a power source; determining whether a current from a ground line of the power source exceeds a threshold value based on the earth ground; and providing an indication that an unsafe condition exists in the ground line responsive to determining that the current exceeds the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for installing an antenna reception system, the method comprising:
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providing an antenna electrically coupled to an earth ground through a first cable; coupling a first input of a ground current detector to the first cable; signally coupling a second input of the ground current detector to a receiver; coupling a power plug of the receiver to an outlet of a power source; utilizing the ground current detector to determine whether the power source is correctly wired; decoupling the power plug of the receiver from the outlet of the power source responsive to determining that the power source is correctly wired; connecting the receiver to at least one other electronic device responsive to determining that the power source is correctly wired; powering on the at least one electronic device responsive to determining that the power source is correctly wired; and utilizing the ground current detector to determine whether there is any current leakage into the receiver from the at least one other electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification