Indicator light and testing circuit

• US 4,019,128 A
• Filed: 05/08/1975
• Issued: 04/19/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: REES Incorporated
• Original Assignee: REES Incorporated
• Inventors: Chebowski, Jerome E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Strecker, Gerard R.
• Application Number:
  US05/575,593
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 324/20-23, 324/51, 324/120, 340/213 R, 340/214, 340/409, 340/410, 340/411, 340/251, 340/252 R, 340/252 P, 315/129, 315/131, 315/132, 315/133, 317/157
• US Class Current: 324/414
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/44 Testing lamps

Abstract

A circuit for simultaneously testing all of the pilot lights or indicator lights on a panel. Each of the pilot lights is associated with a pilot light unit having a transformer and a relay-operated, two-pole switch. Upon the simultaneous introduction of a test current to each of the pilot light units, the relay is energized by the test current to disconnect the pilot light from its normal signal connection and connect the pilot light to receve the test current.

Claims

1. An indicator light circuit comprising

a plurality of indicator lights,

transformer means associated with each of said indicator lights, said transformer means having a primary side and a secondary side with said associated indicator light being connected across the secondary of said transformer means,

relay means connected to the primary side of each of said transformer means for supplying a current to the primary side of said transformer means from either a control terminal or a test terminal, each of said relay means having an internal relay coil and internal switch means including a pair of relay contacts, one of said contacts being connected to said control terminal and the other of said contacts being connected to said test terminal, said internal switch means being adapted to switch from said one contact to said other contact upon the energization of said internal relay coil,

control circuit means connected to each of said control terminals associated with said plurality of relay means for supplying current to one or more of said plurality of relay means in response to operation of one or more of a corresponding plurality of external contact means,

test circuit means connected to each of said test terminals associated with said relay means for simultaneously energizing said internal relay coils of each of said relay means in response to operation of a single external test contact means,

whereby said indicator lights are isolated from said control circuit means and illuminated.

2. The circuit defined in claim 1 wherein the transformer means and relay means are contained in a compact unit.

3. A pilot light circuit comprising

a plurality of pilot light units, each unit containing a relay-operated switch and a transformer and having three terminals, said relay operated switch being adapted to complete a circuit between a first of said terminals and a second of said terminals in a first normally biased position, and to complete a circuit between said second terminal and a third of said terminals in a second position, said relay operated switch being further adapted to switch from said first position to said second position upon the application of a current to said third terminal,

a pilot light connected to each pilot light unit, adapted to be energized by a current applied to said first terminal when said relay operated switch is in said first position and to be energized by a current applied to said third terminal when said relay operated switch is in said second position,

control circuit means connected to said first and second terminals on each pilot light unit, said control circuit means adapted upon activation of one or more of a corresponding plurality of contact means to provide a control current to said first terminals of one or more of said plurality of pilot light units,

test circuit means connected to said second and third terminals on each pilot light unit, said test circuit means adapted upon activation of a single test contact means to simultaneously provide a current to said third terminals of said plurality of pilot light units to cause said relay-operated switches to electrically disconnect said control circuit means from each of said pilot light units and to energize all of the pilot lights associated with said plurality of pilot light units.

4. The circuit defined in claim 3 wherein said second terminal is connected to the main power line.

5. The circuit defined in claim 3 wherein said second terminal is connected to ground.

6. A pilot light unit comprising,

a pilot light,

a transformer connected to said pilot light,

relay means connected in circuit to said transformer, said relay means having a relay coil, switching means, a signal line terminal, a test line terminal and a main line terminal,

said signal line and main line terminals adapted to be connected to and energized by a control circuit,

said test line and main line terminals adapted to be connected to and energized by a test circuit, and

said switching means normally biased to connect in circuit said signal line terminal with said transformer whereby said pilot light is energized by said control circuit, and movable subject to energization of said relay coil by said test circuit to connect in circuit said test line terminal with said transformer, whereby said pilot light is energized by said test circuit and isolated from said control circuit.