Fault indicator system for high voltage connectors

• US 3,876,911 A
• Filed: 02/11/1974
• Issued: 04/08/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edmund O. Schweitzer Jr
• Original Assignee: Edmund O. Schweitzer Jr
• Inventors: Schweitzer, Edmund O. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James D.
• Application Number:
  US05/441,298
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 324/51,133,103 174/11BH,DIG.10 335/293 317/58 340/253A
• US Class Current: 361/102
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/145 Indicating the presence of current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16509 using electromagnetic relays, e.g. reed relay magnetically driven reeds G01R9/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/2445 using a reed switch for current measuring G01R19/16509
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 174/10 Bushing with current transformers

Abstract

The housing of a high voltage connector has embedded therein a Ushaped yoke of low coercive magnetic material embracing the conductor in the housing and having a magnetizing winding thereon connected to external terminals. Adjacent the ends of the yoke and also embedded in the housing is a reed switch which is closed when the yoke is magnetized. It is also connected to external terminals. A reset tool has external terminals connected across a chargeable capacitor for connection to the winding terminals for magnetizing the yoke and connected to a lamp in series with a current source for connection to the external terminals of the reed switch for detecting whether it occupies a closed or an open position.

Claims

1. Fault detecting connector means for interconnecting a high voltage alternating current conductor and a terminal comprising:

an insulating housing, a conductor extension in said housing for connecting said conductor to said terminal, a yoke of low coercive magnetic material within said housing and embracing said conductor extension, winding means on said yoke for magnetizing it, switch means adjacent said yoke, said switch means occupying one position when said yoke is magnetized and an alternate position when said yoke is demagnetized by flow of fault current through said conductor extension, terminal means exterior to and mounted on said housing, and conductor means interconnecting said winding means and said switch means to said terminal means.

2. Fault detecting connector means according to claim 1 wherein said housing is formed of moldable plastic and said yoke with said winding means thereon and said switch means are embedded in said housing.

3. Fault detecting connector means according to claim 1 wherein said terminal means exterior to said housing are connected to fault indicating means and to reset means for remagnetizing the yoke.

4. Fault detecting connector means according to claim 3 wherein said fault indicating means includes a current source and signalling means for connection across said switch means.

5. Fault detecting connector means according to claim 3 wherein said reset means includes a direct current source and a capacitor for connection across said winding means.

6. Fault detecting connector means according to claim 3 wherein said fault indicating means includes a series connectable direct current source and a signalling device, said reset means includes a capacitor connected to one terminal of said direct current source, and a manually operable switch is arranged to connect said series connected direct current source and said signalling device across said switch means and to connect said capacitor to another terminal of said direct current source and across said winding means.

7. Fault detecting connector means according to claim 1 wherein cable means connect said winding means and said switch means to terminal means remote from said housing for connection to fault indicating means and to reset means for magnetizing said yoke.

8. For combination with an insulating housing enclosing a high voltage alternating current conductor embraced by a yoke of low coercive magnetic material having reset winding means thereon, switch means adjacent said yoke having switch contacts operated from closed position to open position depending upon the magnetization or demagnetization of said yoke, and external contacts connected to said reset winding means and to said switch contacts;

a combination indication and reset tool comprising an insulating tool housing having a pair of contacts for connection to said external contacts and across either said reset winding means or across said switch contacts of said switch means, a source of direct current in said tool housing having one terminal connected to one of said pair of contacts, signalling means carried by said tool housing and connected to the other of said pair of contacts, manually operable switch means for connecting said signalling means to another terminal of said source of direct current whereby said signalling means is energized when said pair of contacts engages said external contacts connected to said switch contacts and said switch contacts are closed, and capacitor means connected across said pair of contacts and charged when said manually operable switch means is closed whereby said reset winding means is energized and said pair of contacts engages said external contacts connected to said reset winding means.