Fault indicator and means for resetting same

• US 4,165,528 A
• Filed: 02/13/1978
• Issued: 08/21/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1976
• 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): Miller, J. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schroeder, L. C.
• Application Number:
  US05/877,470
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 361/156, 361/143, 324/127, 324/133, 340/664
• US Class Current: 361/156
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/15 Indicating the presence of current

Abstract

A fault indicator for alternating current distribution systems includes a pair of spaced pole pieces for receiving therebetween at one end the conductor and at the other end a pivoted permanent magnet carrying a target that is biased to a fault indicating position by a stationary permanent magnet. The pole pieces are demagnetized on flow of fault current in the conductor. They are remagnetized by a winding which is energized by discharge of a capacitor that is charged through a rectifier from an oscillator circuit. The winding is carried by a receptacle into which the other ends of the pole pieces are inserted and a circuit is completed thereby to charge the capacitor. The receptacle is carried at one end of a tubular housing the other end of which has an eye to receive a claw of a live line tool for applying the fault indicator to and removing it from the conductor.

Claims

1. Means for resetting the pivoted target of a fault indicator of the type having a generally cylindrical housing, a target mounted for rotation in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said housing at one end thereof and including a target permanent magnet mounted for rotation with said target, a stationary permanent magnet within said housing for biasing said target magnet to position said target in a fault indicating position, and means including a pair of demagnetizable pole pieces extending longitudinally in parallel-shaped relationship within said housing for biasing said target magnet to position said target in a reset position, comprising in combination:

a receptacle dimensioned for telescopic engagement with said housing;

a winding coaxially disposed within said receptacle for magnetic communication with said pole pieces when said housing is seated in said receptacle; and

means for energizing said winding from a source of direct current.

2. The target resetting means according to claim 1 wherein switch means operable upon insertion of said housing in said receptacle are provided in said receptacle to energize said winding.

3. The target resetting means according to claim 1 wherein said means for energizing said winding include a capacitor arranged to be charged through a rectifier from an oscillator circuit.

4. The target resetting means according to claim 1 wherein said pole pieces extend beyond said receptacle when said housing is seated therein and wherein a hood projects from said receptacle and overlies the projecting end of one of said pole pieces to assist in applying, and removing said fault indicator from a conductor.

5. The target resetting means according to claim 2 wherein said receptacle is mounted at one end of a support for attachment to a high voltage live line tool.