Potential indicating device

• US 4,814,933 A
• Filed: 02/25/1988
• Issued: 03/21/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Claude G. Maurice, Reinhard Filter
• Original Assignee: Claude G. Maurice, Reinhard Filter
• Inventors: Maurice, Claude G., Filter, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Tolin, Gerald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jennings, Derek S.
• Application Number:
  US07/163,003
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 361/86, 361/88, 361/92, 324/133, 340/660
• US Class Current: 361/86
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/22 using light-emitting devices, e.g. LED, optocouplers G01R31/31901 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/155 Indicating the presence of voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 35/00 Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A potential indicating device for indicating the presence of a voltage on a connector in a high voltage electrical distribution system, the connector including a conductor, a semiconductive shield and a test point terminal. The device comprises two separate indicator circuits, each energized by a different voltage capacitively coupled to the conductor. When a voltage is present in the conductor, first circuit means transmits a voltage capacitively coupled to the test point terminal to a visible indicator which flashes intermittently, and second circuit means transmits a voltage capacitively coupled to the semiconductive shield to an audible indicator when switching means closes the second circuit means. Preferably switching means comprises a photosensitive transistor normally shielded from light by a removable plug.

Claims

1. A potential indicating device for indicating the presence of a voltage on a connector in a high voltage distribution system, the connector comprising a conductor surrounded by an insulating sheath encased in a semiconductive shield and having a test point terminal embedded in the insulating sheath and exposed for contact from outside of the shield, whereby a voltage on the conductor capacitively couples a first voltage in the test point terminal and a second voltage in the shield, comprising

a housing for connection to the shield having a window for viewing a visible indicator, containing

a first circuit means having input terminals for connection to the test point terminal and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to a first visible indicator, and

a second circuit means having input terminals for connection to the connector shield and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to a second indicator, wherein a voltage on the conductor energizes the first circuit means for a first visible indication of voltage status and energizes the second circuit means for a second indication of voltage status.

2. A potential indicating device as defined in claim 1 wherein the second indicator is an audible indicator.

3. A potential indicating device as defined in claim 2 including switching means for activating the second circuit means.

4. A potential indicating device as defined in claim 3 wherein the housing has a first open end adapted to engage the connector shield about the test point terminal and a second end adapted to receive a plug, and the switching means comprises a photo-sensitive transistor presented through the second end of the housing such that the plug when engaged with the housing prevents exposure of the photo-sensitive transistor to light.

5. A potential indicating device as defined in claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the visible indicator is a neon lamp presented for viewing through the window in the housing.

6. A potential indicating device for indicating the presence of voltage on a connector in a high voltage distribution system, the connector comprising a conductor surrounded by an insulating sheath encased in a semiconductive shield and having a test point terminal embedded in the insulating sheath and exposed for contact from outside of the shield, whereby a voltage on the conductor capacitively couples a first voltage on the test point terminal and a second voltage on the shield, comprising

a housing having a first open end adapted to engage the connector shield, a second end, and a window for viewing a visible indicator, containing

a first circuit means having input terminals connected to the test point terminal and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to the visible indicator, and

a second circuit means having input terminals connected to the connector shield and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to an audible indicator, wherein a voltage on the conductor energizes the first circuit means for a visible indication of voltage status and energizes the second circuit means for an audible indication of voltage status.

7. A potential indicating device as defined in claim 6 including switching means for closing the second circuit.

8. A potential indicating device as defined in claim 7 wherein switching means comprises a photo-sensitive transistor presented through the second end of the housing and a plug adapted to removably engage the second end of the housing and prevent exposure of the photo-sensitive transistor to light.

9. A potential indicating device as defined in claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein the visible indicator is a neon lamp presented for viewing through the window in the housing.