TESTING DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY USING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

• US 20140266287A1
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth Mark Iii Reeder
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Mark Iii Reeder
• Inventors: Reeder, Kenneth Mark III
• Granted Patent: US 9,575,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/759.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0408 Test fixtures or contact fields; Connectors or connecting adaptors; Test clips; Test sockets G01R1/067 takes precedence; mass production testing systems G01R31/59; testing of connections G01R31/66; for testing printed circuit boards G01R31/2808
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/22 Tong testers acting as secondary windings of current transformers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/44 Testing lamps

Abstract

Devices and methods for enhancing electrical safety are provided herein. Devices testing the safety of light fixtures are provided. Also provided are a variety of testing tools for improving electrical safety. The devices are generally capable of wirelessly communicating with a computer, particularly a hand-held device such as a smart-phone or tablet. Methods for using the devices are also provided.

Claims

1. A electrical testing tool for testing light fixtures comprising a body having attached thereto and being in electrical connection with a tester extension adapted for testing the electrical safety of at least one light fixture;

at least one ground wire in electrical connection with the body and adapted for connecting to a suitable external ground source;

one or more selectors for selecting one or testing functions, and an internal power source for powering at least the tool, wherein the testing extension has nonconductive structure complementary to the light fixture so that it can be positioned therein for testing the fixture, and a conductive contact positioned for establishing electrical contact with the light fixture.

2. The testing tool of claim 1 wherein the tool further comprises one or more of a display screen, an audio output, and one or more indicator lights.

3. The testing tool of claim 1 further comprising circuitry for wireless communication with a computer;

wherein the circuitry is in electrically connection with and powered by the internal power source.

4. The testing tool of claim 3 further comprising an antenna for facilitating or improving the wireless communication.

5. The testing tool of claim 4 that communicates wirelessly with a handheld computer.

6. The testing tool of claim 5 wherein the handheld computer comprises an app for interacting with the testing tool.

7. The testing tool of claim 6 wherein the testing tool further comprises one or more of a display screen and an audio output, and the computer can provide one or more of instructions for operating the testing tool, instructions for testing the safety of an electrical component, analysis of a test performed with the testing tool, instructions for preventing or repairing an electrical safety issue identified with the testing tool, a listing of local repair services, or a listing of parts or supplies for preventing or repairing an electrical safety issue.

8. A device for enhancing electrical safety comprising a testing tool for testing an electrical component, said tool having circuitry for wireless communication, an antenna for facilitating or improving wireless communication with at least one computer, an internal power source for powering at least the tool and the wireless communication, one or more selectors for selecting one or testing functions, one or more of a display screen, an audio output, and at least one indicator light, and optionally.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the computer is a hand-held computer that is a smartphone, smart watch, PDA, or tablet computer.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the computer has a program installed for enhancing communication or data exchange with the device.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the computer can provide one or more of instructions for operating the testing tool, instructions for testing the safety of an electrical component, analysis of a test performed with the testing tool, instructions for preventing or repairing an electrical safety issue identified with the testing tool, a listing of local repair services, or a listing of parts or supplies for preventing or repairing an electrical safety issue.

12. The device of claim 8 wherein the tool is adapted for receiving any of a plurality of testing modules wherein the testing modules comprise a module for testing electrical safety of a light fixture, a clamp meter, a receptacle tester, a circuit breaker finder, a multimeter, a contact or noncontact voltage detector, a continuity tester, an arc circuit tester, a ground resistance tester, a phase meter, a watt meter, or an insulation resistance tester/megohmmeter.

13. A method of enhancing electrical safety comprising the steps of:

a) providing an electrical testing tool comprising

i) a tool for testing light fixtures comprising a body having attached thereto and being in electrical connection with a tester extension adapted for testing the electrical safety of at least one light fixture;

at least one ground wire in electrical connection with the body and adapted for connecting to a suitable external ground source;

one or more selectors for selecting one or testing functions, and an internal power source for powering at least the tool, wherein the testing extension has nonconductive structure complementary to the light fixture so that it can be positioned therein for testing the fixture, and a conductive contact positioned for establishing electrical contact with the light fixture;

or

ii) a device for enhancing electrical safety comprising a testing tool for testing an electrical component, said tool having circuitry for wireless communication, an antenna for facilitating or improving wireless communication with at least one computer, an internal power source for powering at least the tool and the wireless communication, one or more selectors for selecting one or testing functions, and one or more of a display screen, an audio output, and at least one indicator light;

said tool adapted to receive one or more ground wires for attaching to a grounded object during electrical testing, or one or more other wires useful during other electrical testing;

b) using the electrical testing tool to test one or more electrical components one or more times;

c) sending the test results wirelessly to a computer;

d) analyzing the test results for one or more electrical safety issues; and

e) taking preventive or corrective action based on the analysis to resolve or mitigate any electrical safety issues;

thereby enhancing electrical safety.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the device b) comprises a tool adapted for receiving any of a plurality of testing modules wherein the testing modules comprise a module for testing electrical safety of a light fixture, a clamp meter, a receptacle tester, a circuit breaker finder, a multimeter, a contact or noncontact voltage detector, a continuity tester, an arc circuit tester, a ground resistance tester, a phase meter, a watt meter, insulation resistance tester/megohmmeter.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the computer is a hand-held computer that is a smartphone, smart watch, PDA, or tablet computer.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the computer has a program installed for enhancing communication or data exchange with the device.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the computer can provide one or more of instructions for operating the testing tool, instructions for testing the safety of an electrical component, analysis of a test performed with the testing tool, instructions for preventing or repairing an electrical safety issue identified with the testing tool, a listing of local repair services, or a listing of parts or supplies for preventing or repairing an electrical safety issue.