Static grounding and monitoring accessory

• US 4,829,289 A
• Filed: 02/17/1987
• Issued: 05/09/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Voltec Pte Limited
• Original Assignee: Voltec Pte Limited
• Inventors: Sabol, Peter, Mione, Lawrence J., Kallman, M. Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US07/015,474
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 340/635, 340/649, 340/650, 340/654, 340/656, 324/508, 324/509, 324/133, 361/42-50
• US Class Current: 340/656
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/59 while the cable continuously passes the testing apparatus, e.g. during manufacture

Abstract

Electrical monitoring circuitry simultaneously and continuously tests a three-wire ground-type AC outlet for proper line voltage, polarity of the wiring and external ground resistance. The circuitry includes a single indicating lamp, preferably a light-emitting diode, which illuminates only when the proper conditions tested for exist at the outlet. For optimum convenience, the circuitry is incorporated in a male/female outlet adaptor which, in use, is plugged into the wall outlet to be tested, thereby to establish via the phase, neutral and ground prongs of the adaptor the necessary test connections of the circuitry to the wall outlet. The adaptor includes one or more jack receptacles internally connected to the adaptor ground prong for receiving static charges from external equipment and draining same to the building ground when the light-emitting diode illuminates.

Claims

1. Electrical monitoring circuitry for testing the wiring of a three-wire ground-type AC outlet, said circuitry comprising first, second and third input terminal means for connection to the outlet contacts assigned, respectively, to the phase, neutral and ground wires of a building mains system;

a first conductor connected to said first input terminal mean;

a second conductor connected to said second input terminal means;

a third conductor connected to said third input terminal means;

resistive means connected between said first and third conductors for developing a voltage drop between the phase and ground wires;

voltage-responsive on-off switching means for responding to a voltage drop; and

an indicating lamp serially connected with said on-off switching means across said first and second conductors at a connection point to said first conductor beyond that of said resistive means, said on-off switching means being arranged for switching on and illuminating said indicating lamp in response to a predetermined value of a portion of the voltage drop developed across the resistance provided by said resistive means in summation with the external ground resistance at said third input terminal only when said input terminals are connected to said respective assigned outlet contacts and the latter are correctly wired to said building means system.

2. Electrical monitoring circuitry according to claim 1, wherein said resistive means comprises a voltage divider, the dividing point of which is connected in controlling relation to a Zener diode for causing said Zener diode to conduct and supply gate current when said predetermined value exists of said voltage drop portion;

and wherein said switching means comprises an SCR switch, the gate electrode of which is connected to said Zener diode to receive said gate current.

3. Electrical monitoring circuitry according to claim 1, wherein said third conductor is connected by way of high protective resistance to at least one jack said jack constituting means for receiving static charges to be drained to ground from external equipment.

4. Electrical monitoring circuitry according to claim 1, comprising first, second and third output terminals connected to said first, second and third input terminals by way of said first, second and third conductors for supplying power to external equipment.

5. Electrical monitoring circuitry according to claim 4, wherein second switching means are disposed in one of said first and second conductors and are arranged to switch on in response to the flow of illuminating current through said indicating lamp, thereby to control the delivery of power to said first and second output terminals.

6. Electrical monitoring circuitry according to claim 4, wherein said first, second and third input terminals are respectively connected to phase, neutral and ground prongs of a male/female outlet adaptor, the phase, neutral and ground prong-receiving contacts of which are respectively connected to said first, second and third output terminals;

and wherein the remaining portions of said circuitry are housed within said outlet adaptor, said indicating lamp being exposed for viewing by way of a surface aperture in said adaptor.