Fault indicator for use with load-break connector

• US 5,821,869 A
• Filed: 02/06/1997
• Issued: 10/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edmund O. Schweitzer III, Jean E. Schweitzer, Marilyn L. Schweitzer
• Original Assignee: Edmund O. Schweitzer Jr
• Inventors: Schweitzer, Edmund O. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIEU, JULIE BICHNGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/796,536
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 340/660, 340/664, 340/691, 340/693, 340/815.71, 116/278, 116/284, 116/289, 116/286, 116/204, 116/298, 324/133
• US Class Current: 340/660
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16509 using electromagnetic relays, e.g. reed relay magnetically driven reeds G01R9/06
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/04 with warning or supervision in addition to disconnection, e.g. for indicating that protective apparatus has functioned watching of pilot wires H02H1/0084; protection of protective arrangements H02H7/008; indication of the state of electronic switches H03K17/18

Abstract

A fault indicator for use in conjunction with a load-break elbow connector includes a resilient mounting collar which wraps around the body of the fault indicator at a location overlying the arc-suppressing non-conductive margin between the electrically conductive sheath and the connecting end of the connector. An electrically conductive layer on the inside surface of the collar capacitively couples the circuitry of the fault indicator to the conductor within the connector to provide operating power to the fault indicator. A ground connection is provided by a second conductive layer on the collar which contacts the grounded connector sheath, or by a spring contact which extends from the fault indicator to the sheath. A voltage indicator is also disclosed using the same collar and capacitive coupling to the monitored conductor.

Claims

1. A removable circuit condition indicator adapted to mount on a connector and including circuitry operable by capacitive coupling to an electrical conductor within the connector, said connector including an electrically grounded outer sheath layer and a sheath-free arc-suppressing arcuate margin at its connecting end, said circuit condition indicator comprising:

a housing for said circuit condition indicator including a collar extending from said housing and having a pair of opposed arms extending around and engaging said elbow connector over said arcuate sheath free margin;

said collar including an electrically conductive inner surface providing a capacitive coupling to said conductor along said arcuate sheath-free margin; and

the circuit condition indicator circuitry being electrically connected to said conductive surface to receive operating power therefrom.

2. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said collar is formed of a resilient non-electrically conductive plastic dimensioned for snap-mounting over said elbow connector.

3. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 2 wherein said electrically conductive surface of said collar comprises an electrically conductive layer on the inside surface of said collar.

4. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 3 wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a layer of long-filament carbon in a lacquer solvent.

5. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 1 including means for connecting said circuit condition indicator circuitry to said sheath layer to provide a grounding means for a ground return for said circuitry.

6. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 5 wherein said grounding means comprise an additional conductive surface on said collar for engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

7. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 5 wherein said grounding means comprise a spring contact engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

8. A removable circuit condition indicator adapted to mount on a connector and including circuitry operable by capacitive coupling to an electrical conductor within the connector, said connector including an electrically grounded outer sheath layer and a sheath-free arc-suppressing arcuate margin at its connecting end, said circuit condition fault indicator comprising:

a housing for said circuit condition indicator including a collar extending from said housing and having a pair of opposed arms extending around and engaging said elbow connector over said arcuate sheath-free margin;

indicator means viewable from the exterior of the housing;

circuit means operable from an applied current for operating said indicator means in accordance with a sensed condition in the conductor;

said circuit means being contained within said housing and being operable from an applied electrical current;

said collar including an electrically conductive inner surface providing a capacitive coupling to said conductor along said arcuate sheath-free margin; and

said circuit means being electrically connected to said conductive surface to receive operating power therefrom.

9. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 8 wherein said collar is formed of a resilient non-electrically conductive plastic dimensioned for snap-mounting over said elbow connector.

10. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 9 wherein said electrically conductive surface of said collar comprises an electrically conductive layer on the inside surface of said collar.

11. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 10 wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a layer of long-filament carbon in a lacquer solvent.

12. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 11 including means for connecting said circuit condition indicator circuitry to said sheath layer to provide a grounding means for a ground return for said circuitry.

13. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 12 wherein said grounding means comprise an additional conductive surface on said collar for engaging said sheath layer.

14. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 13 wherein said grounding means comprise a spring contact engaging said sheath layer.

15. A removable circuit condition indicator adapted to mount on a connector and including circuitry operable by capacitive coupling to an electrical conductor within the connector, said connector including an electrically grounded outer sheath layer and a sheath-free arc-suppressing arcuate marginal portion at its connecting end, said indicator comprising:

a housing for said circuit condition indicator including a collar formed of resilient plastic material extending from said housing and dimensioned to engage said housing of said connector over said marginal portion;

indicator means viewable from the exterior to the housing;

circuit means for operating said indicator means in accordance with a sensed condition in the conductor;

said circuit means being contained within said housing and being operable from an applied electrical current;

said collar including an electrically conductive layer on the inside thereof providing a capacitive coupling to said electrical conductor within said connector; and

said circuit means being electrically connected to said layer to receive operating power therefrom.

16. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 15 wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a layer of long-filament carbon in a lacquer solvent.

17. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 15 including means for connecting said circuit condition indicator circuitry to said sheath layer to provide a grounding means for a ground return for said circuitry.

18. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 17 wherein said grounding means comprise an additional conductive surface on said collar for engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

19. A circuit condition indicator as defined in claim 17 wherein said grounding means comprise a spring contact engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

20. A removable fault indicator adapted to mount on an elbow connector and including circuitry operable by capacitive coupling to an electrical conductor within the connector, said connector including an electrically grounded outer sheath layer and a sheath-free arc-suppressing arcuate margin at its connecting end, said fault indicator comprising:

a housing for said fault indicator including a collar extending from said housing and having a pair of opposed arms extending around and engaging said elbow connector over said arcuate sheath free margin;

said collar including an electrically conductive inner surface providing a capacitive coupling to said conductor along said arcuate sheath-free margin; and

the fault indicator circuitry being electrically connected to said conductive surface to receive operating power therefrom.

21. A fault indicator as defined in claim 20 wherein said collar is formed of a resilient non-electrically conductive plastic dimensioned for snap-mounting over said elbow connector.

22. A fault indicator as defined in claim 21 wherein said electrically conductive surface of said collar comprises an electrically conductive layer on the inside surface of said collar.

23. A fault indicator as defined in claim 22 wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a layer of long-filament carbon in a lacquer solvent.

24. A fault indicator as defined in claim 20 including means for connecting said fault indicator circuitry to said sheath layer to provide a grounding means for a ground return for said circuitry.

25. A fault indicator as defined in claim 24 wherein said grounding means comprise an additional conductive surface on said collar for engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

26. A fault indicator as defined in claim 24 wherein said grounding means comprise a spring contact engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

27. A removable fault indicator adapted to mount on an elbow connector and including circuitry operable by capacitive coupling to an electrical conductor within the connector, said connector including an electrically grounded outer sheath layer and a sheath-free arc-suppressing arcuate margin at its connecting end, said fault indicator comprising:

a housing for said fault indicator including a collar extending from said housing and having a pair of opposed arms extending around and engaging said elbow connector over said arcuate sheath-free margin;

an indicator flag having a normal state and a fault-indicating state;

actuator means operable from an applied current for positioning said indicator flag to said fault-indicating state upon the occurrence of a fault current in said conductor;

said actuator means being contained within said housing and being operable from an applied electrical current;

said collar including an electrically conductive inner surface providing a capacitive coupling to said conductor along said arcuate sheath-free margin; and

said actuator means being electrically connected to said conductive surface to receive operating power therefrom.

28. A fault indicator as defined in claim 27 wherein said collar is formed of a resilient non-electrically conductive plastic dimensioned for snap-mounting over said elbow connector.

29. A fault indicator as defined in claim 28 wherein said electrically conductive surface of said collar comprises an electrically conductive layer on the inside surface of said collar.

30. A fault indicator as defined in claim 29 wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a layer of long-filament carbon in a lacquer solvent.

31. A fault indicator as defined in claim 30 including means for connecting said fault indicator circuitry to said sheath layer to provide a grounding means for a ground return for said circuitry.

32. A fault indicator as defined in claim 31 wherein said grounding means comprise an additional conductive surface on said collar for engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

33. A fault indicator as defined in claim 32 wherein said grounding means comprise a spring contact engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

34. A removable fault indicator adapted to mount on an elbow connector and including circuitry operable by capacitive coupling to an electrical conductor within the connector, said connector including an electrically grounded outer sheath layer and a sheath-free arc-suppressing arcuate margin at its connecting end, said fault indicator comprising:

a housing for said fault indicator including a collar formed of resilient plastic material extending from said housing and dimensioned to engage said elbow connector over said marginal portion;

an indicator flag having a normal state and a fault-indicating state;

actuator means for positioning said indicator flag to said fault-indicating state upon the occurrence of a fault current in said conductor;

said actuator means being contained within said housing and being operable from an applied electrical current;

said collar including an electrically conductive layer on the inside thereof providing a capacitive coupling to said electrical conductor within said elbow connector; and

said actuator means being electrically connected to said layer to receive operating power therefrom.

35. A fault indicator as defined in claim 34 wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a layer of long-filament carbon in a lacquer solvent.

36. A fault indicator as defined in claim 34 including means for connecting said fault indicator circuitry to said sheath layer to provide a grounding means for a ground return for said circuitry.

37. A fault indicator as defined in claim 36 wherein said grounding means comprise an additional conductive surface on said collar for engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

38. A fault indicator as defined in claim 36 wherein said grounding means comprise a spring contact engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

39. A removable voltage indicator adapted to mount on a connector and including circuitry operable by capacitive coupling to an electrical conductor within the connector, said connector including an electrically grounded outer sheath layer and a sheath-free arc-suppressing arcuate margin at its connecting end, said voltage indicator comprising:

a housing for said voltage indicator including a collar extending from said housing and having a pair of opposed arms extending around and engaging said elbow connector over said arcuate sheath free margin;

said collar including an electrically conductive inner surface providing a capacitive coupling to said conductor along said arcuate sheath-free margin; and

the voltage indicator circuitry being electrically connected to said conductive surface to receive operating power therefrom.

40. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 39 wherein said collar is formed of a resilient non-electrically conductive plastic and dimensioned for snap-mounting over said elbow connector.

41. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 40 wherein said electrically conductive surface of said collar comprises an electrically conductive layer on the inside surface of said collar.

42. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 41 wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a layer of long-filament carbon in a lacquer solvent.

43. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 39 including means for connecting said fault indicator circuitry to said sheath layer to provide a grounding means for a ground return for said circuitry.

44. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 43 wherein said grounding means comprise an additional conductive surface on said collar for engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

45. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 43 wherein said grounding means comprise a spring contact engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

46. A removable voltage indicator adapted to mount on a connector and including circuitry operable by capacitive coupling to an electrical conductor within the connector, said connector including an electrically grounded outer sheath layer and a sheath-free arc-suppressing arcuate margin at its connecting end, said voltage indicator comprising:

a housing for said voltage indicator including a collar extending from said housing and having a pair of opposed arms extending around and engaging said elbow connector over said sheath-free margin;

voltage indicator means viewable from the exterior of the housing;

circuit means operable from an applied current for operating said voltage indicator means in accordance with a sensed voltage on the conductor;

said circuit means being contained within said housing and being operable from an applied electrical current;

said collar including an electrically conductive inner surface providing a capacitive coupling to said conductor along said arcuate sheath-free margin; and

said circuit means being electrically connected to said conductive surface to receive operating power therefrom.

47. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 46 wherein said collar is formed of a resilient non-electrically conductive plastic dimensioned for snap-mounting over said elbow connector.

48. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 47 wherein said electrically conductive surface of said collar comprises an electrically conductive layer on the inside surface of said collar.

49. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 48 wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a layer of long-filament carbon in a lacquer solvent.

50. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 49 including means for connecting said voltage indicator circuit means to said sheath layer to provide a grounding means for a ground return for said circuitry.

51. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 50 wherein said grounding means comprise an additional conductive surface on said collar for engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

52. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 51 wherein said grounding means comprise a spring contact engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

53. A removable voltage indicator adapted to mount on a connector and including circuitry operable by capacitive coupling to an electrical conductor within the connector, said connector including an electrically grounded outer sheath layer and a sheath-free arc-suppressing arcuate margin at its connecting end, said voltage indicator comprising:

a housing for said voltage indicator including a collar formed of resilient plastic material extending from said housing and dimensioned to engage said housing of said connector over said marginal portion;

indicator means viewable from the exterior to the housing;

circuit means for operating said indicator means in accordance with a sensed voltage in the conductor;

said circuit means being contained within said housing and being operable from an applied electrical current;

said collar including an electrically conductive layer on the inside thereof providing a capacitive coupling to said electrical conductor within said connector; and

said circuit means being electrically connected to said layer to receive operating power therefrom.

54. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 53 wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a layer of long-filament carbon in a lacquer solvent.

55. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 53 including means for connecting said indicator circuitry to said sheath layer to provide a grounding means for a ground return for said circuitry.

56. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 55 wherein said grounding means comprise an additional conductive surface on said collar for engaging said electrically conductive sheath.

57. A voltage indicator as defined in claim 55 wherein said grounding means comprise a spring contact engaging said electrically conductive sheath.