POLARITY TESTING ADAPTOR MEANS

• US 3,851,243 A
• Filed: 12/06/1971
• Issued: 11/26/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philip M. Banner
• Original Assignee: Philip M. Banner
• Inventors: Banner, Philip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Strecker, Gerard R.
• Application Number:
  US05/204,826
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 324/51,66,73,133 340/255 339/14,32,36,33 317/18
• US Class Current: 324/508
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/14 Indicating direction of current; Indicating polarity of voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/145 Indicating the presence of current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/20 Measuring earth resistance; Measuring contact resistance, e.g. of earth connections, e.g. plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/648 Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices , e.g. anti-static shielding coaxially arranged shields H01R24/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/912 with testing means

Abstract

A polarity testing adapter for single phase three wire systems designed for polarity testing, circuit testing and low voltage detection. It features improved polarity reversing apparatus that corrects the mismating of wiring manually. The adapter means comprises a standard plug at one end, and a socket at the other end which is connected to the plug so as to reverse the wiring at the socket, having a single entry rotatable guide disc with a marker attached to the socket rotatably. Said adapter means having testing apparatus for polarity, voltage, circuits and ground fault.

Claims

1. A polarity testing adapter means for single phase three wire electrical systems having a hot wire, a ground carrying wire and an equipment grounding wire, comprising in combination, a three wire plug having first and second curreNt carrying prongs, and a third prong connected to the third equipment grounding wire, fuse protected, a socket having first and second current carrying recessed contacts connected to said first and second prongs, and a third recessed contact connected to said third prong and the equipment grounding wire, a fourth recessed contact connected to said third recessed contact for connecting the grounding equipment wire so that a standard three wire plug may be connected to said socket in first and second positions for reversing polarity, a rotatable disc rotatably mounted on the socket having slotted holes to receive a standard three wire plug in one position when a plug engages the socket said rotatable disc being disposed to counterclockwise or clockwise rotation and settable to a position 180 degrees away for a second position entry for said plug, said rotating disc serving as a mask to block one entry position, an arrow pointer attached to said rotatable disc for indicating one or more reference positions of the rotating disc, and circuit wires connected to said plug and said socket for testing or correcting said circuit.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the rotating disc single entry mask and indicating pointer are in relatively concentric rotatable position turning 360* allowing single entry into a double entry socket, eliminating dangerous incorrect entry of the plug into said socket.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the combination of said pointer on the rotating disc in cooperation with said indicating arrow pointer directs the use of the adapter in first and second positions for correct and incorrect socket use.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said testing adapter contains a visual means of detecting low voltage conditions or high voltage by connection to the current carrying wires of the plug and connected to a visual gauge and an alarm for audio benefit, said connection being a terminal or actual alarm means embodied in the present invention.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said testing adapter has circuit testing means in visual form showing voltage values on both correct and incorret positions of an adapter in use, further, that when said plug is intentionally reversed for test purposes it will read out the voltage and detect broken unconnected wiring faults.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said testing adapter has additional means of testing individual circuits and equipment ground wiring, by means of individual test switches connected to the individual wires that readout on a test meter.

7. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said testing means is done by test lights connected to the wiring wherein a light would show reversed polarity and a second light shows correct polarity, such lights actually checkout the circuits and provide an identity for the pointer as to which way it should be rotated.

8. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said testing means is clearly marked by arrows on the body of the adapter, lining up with the arrows of the rotating disc mask on the socket, showing first and second positions.

9. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said adapter means of the present invention having said circuit wires connected as a tester, reverser, low voltage alarm, ground fault alarm allowing safe use of electricity in homes, factories and on boats wherever the green wire grounding conductor is important.

10. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the adapter has means to connect straight blade or twist lock arrangements on the plug of any designated amperage.

11. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein ground fault is detected by said circuit wiring connecting a pair of test lights causing both of said test lights to operate when the equipment ground protection is unsafe.

12. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said adapter means is adaptable to various forms and sizes of test equipment, connectors, receptacles and adapters.