Fault detector

• US 4,881,028 A
• Filed: 06/13/1988
• Issued: 11/14/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bright, James A.
• Original Assignee: Bright, James A.
• Inventors: Bright, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Karlsen, Ernest F.
• Application Number:
  US07/205,952
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 324/96, 324/127, 324/133, 324/501, 324/543, 324/522, 324/555, 340/664
• US Class Current: 324/127
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/22 using light-emitting devices, e.g. LED, optocouplers G01R31/31901 takes precedence

Abstract

A new type of immersible fault detector which includes a magnetic coupling link that can be coupled to a power line and a detector receives energy proportional to the load currents flowing in the power line and energizes a light source. A fiber-optics light waveguide or cable is connected to the detector so as to detect the light generated by the detector and has its opposite connected to an indicator which is remote from the detector and is electrically insulated therefrom so that the condition of the power line can be determined.

Claims

1. A fault detector and indicator for monitoring the current in a power line which may be immersed in water comprising, a detector mounted adjacent the power line, magnetic coupling means coupled to said power line and supplying an output to said detector, a light generator in said detector receiving the output of said magnetic coupling means and producing light emission in response thereto, a fiber optics cable with one end attached to said detector such that it receives light energy emitted by said light generator, and an indicator located remotely from said detector connected to a second end of said fiber optics cable and producing an indication from the received light energy indicative of the current in said power line, wherein said indicator includes a photo-voltic cell which is mounted so as to receive light energy from said second end of said fiber optic cable and indicating means connected to said photo-voltic cell, wherein said indicating means includes first and second display means for, respectively, displaying indications of "normal" or "alarm" conditions for the current monitored in said power line, including a threshold detector connected to the output of said photo-voltic cell, a two-way switch with a moveable switch contact connected to one output lead of said photo-voltic cell and with two fixed contacts, respectively, connected to said first and second display means, a second output lead of said photo-voltic cell connected to said first and second display means, and a relay connected to receive the output of said threshold detector and connected to the moveable contact of said two-way switch.

2. A fault detector and indicator according to claim 1 including a capacitor connected across said first and second output leads of said photo-voltaic cell.

3. A fault detector and indicator according to claim 1 including a battery connected across said first and second output leads of said photo-voltic cell.