Device for measuring a wide range of voltages and for determining continuity

• US 5,617,018 A
• Filed: 09/18/1995
• Issued: 04/01/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Etcon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Etcon Corporation
• Inventors: Earle, Kent L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieder, Kenneth A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, GLENN WARNER
• Application Number:
  US08/529,760
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 324/72.5, 324/521, 324/539, 324/542, 324/543, 324/555, 324/556, 324/713, 340/652, 340/660
• US Class Current: 324/72.5
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/12 Circuits for multi-testers , i.e. multimeters, e.g. for measuring voltage, current, or impedance at will
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2841 Signal generators
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72

Abstract

An electrical test device for use by an electrician in testing circuits. The device includes a voltage sensor, display, and steady current source. The voltage sensor monitors the type of voltage (AC or DC) between the two conductors, and provides a signal to the display which responsively displays the type of voltage and the voltage level. The power supply has a steady current source that is in series with a tactile transducer, so that the test device may measure a broad range of voltages while only a limited amount of current flows through the voltage sensor. Consequently, lower cost components may be used in the voltage sensor. In another embodiment, the tester also includes a substantially independent continuity tester. The continuity tester includes its own power supply and alarm to indicate the continuity of a conductor and, thus, may operate even if the voltage sensor and display become inoperable. Further, the device may include a phase control for monitoring any alternating voltage sensed by the testing device. The phase control provides an enable signal for only a relatively small segment of the phase of an alternating voltage signal. Thus, the phase control enables the voltage sensor to sense voltage only for a relatively short period of every cycle of the voltage applied to the tester. Accordingly, a lower cost voltage sensor may be employed within the tester.

Claims

1. A device for testing electrical conductors, said conductors having placed thereon an alternating voltage with substantially repetitive phases, comprising, in combination:

a phase control for monitoring said alternating voltage and responsively providing a phase enable signal for a predetermined segment of said phases of said alternating voltage;

a voltage sensor, interconnected to said phase control, for measuring said voltage of said electrical conductors and responsively producing a voltage signal;

a display for receiving said voltage signal and responsively displaying said voltage of said electrical conductors; and

a power supply receiving said phase enable signal from said phase control and powering said display.

2. A testing device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a steady current source in parallel with said voltage sensor.

3. A testing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said repetitive phases of said alternating voltage vary between 0°

and 360° and

said predetermined segment of said phases is less than 45°

.

4. A testing device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a continuity tester for testing continuity of said electrical conductors, said continuity tester including a separate power supply and a separate alarm to indicate continuity of said electrical conductors, said continuity tester being substantially electrically independent of said phase control, voltage sensor, display, and power supply.

5. A testing device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a pair of leads interconnected to said voltage sensor and wherein said voltage sensor measures said voltage when said leads are interconnected to said conductors and wherein said device further comprises display hold means for maintaining said display when said leads are removed from said conductors.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a tactile transducer activated by said power supply, said phase enable signal supplied to said power supply causing said power supply to activate said tactile transducer during said predetermined segment of said phases of said alternating voltage.