Electrical testing device

• US 6,054,849 A
• Filed: 10/17/1997
• Issued: 04/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stephen D. Collier, Wayne E. Hughes
• Original Assignee: Stephen D. Collier, Wayne E. Hughes
• Inventors: Hughes, Wayne E., Collier, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ballato, Josie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Solis, Jose M.
• Application Number:
  US08/953,402
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 324/509, 324/510, 324/133, 324/556
• US Class Current: 324/133
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/66 Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints testing for incorrect line connections G01R31/55

Abstract

An electrical testing device for determining the continuity between ground terminals of an electrical power cord and determining the electrical grounding of an electrical power tool. The electrical testing device can also be configured to determine the proper polarity on each of the hot, negative, and ground cord wires of an electrical power extension cord. The electrical testing device includes a plastic case housing one or more batteries which supply power to a test button and the ground terminal of a female receptacle installed in the case. The top surface of the case includes a female receptacle, a test button, and a ground light. The top surface may also include a male plug and an additional female receptacle installed in the case. On the side of the case is an extending metal contact element. The test button is a single pole momentary contact test button. When this test button is actuated it closes the test button contacts thus completing a circuit which will illuminate the light if the light and the battery are good.

Claims

1. An electrical testing device for determining the continuity between ground terminals of an electrical power cord and determining the electrical grounding of an electrical power tool, said testing device comprising:

a case;

a power source installed in said case;

a female receptacle disposed in said case for receiving a three-prong plug;

a test button for testing said power source;

indicating means on said case for indicating proper ground continuity; and

a metal contact element extending from said case;

whereby the determination of proper grounding occurs upon inserting a plug of an electrical power cord or an electrical power tool into said female receptacle and contacting said metal contact element with a ground terminal in the electrical power cord or a conductive portion of the electrical power tool.

2. The electrical testing device according to claim 1, wherein said case is plastic.

3. The electrical testing device according to claim 1, wherein said power source is a nine volt battery.

4. The electrical testing device according to claim 1, wherein said indicating means includes a light for also indicating sufficient power upon actuating said test button.

13. The electrical testing device according to claim 1, further including circuit means for electrical coupling said test button in parallel with said female receptacle and said metal contact;

wherein said test button closes a conductive path including said power source and said means for indicating.

14. The electrical testing device according to claim 1, further including circuit means for electrical coupling said test button in parallel with said female receptacle and said metal contact;

wherein the proper ground line of the electrical cord or the electrical power tool closes a conductive path including said power source and said means for indicating.

15. The electrical testing device according to claim 1, further including a tape receptacle for holding color coded tape for marking the electrical power cords and electrical power tools having proper ground continuity.

5. An electrical testing device for determining the continuity between ground terminals of an electrical power cord and determining the electrical grounding of an electrical power tool, said electrical testing device comprising:

a case;

a power source installed in said case;

a female receptacle disposed in said case for receiving a three-prong plug;

a test button on said top surface for testing said power source;

indicating means on said case for indicating proper ground continuity;

a metal contact element extending from said case;

a plurality of rolls of tape, each of said rolls of tape being color coded; and

a tape receptacle integrally formed in said case for holding said plurality of rolls of color coded tape;

whereby proper ground continuity is determined upon inserting a plug of an electrical power cord or an electrical power tool into said female receptacle and contacting said metal contact element with a ground terminal in the electrical power cord or a conductive portion of the electrical power tool and marking the electrical power cord or electrical power tool with a piece of the color coded tape to show results of the testing device.

6. A testing device for determining the continuity between ground terminals of an electrical power cord and determining the electrical grounding of an electrical power tool, said device comprising:

circuit means for testing ground continuity;

means for supplying electrical power to said circuit means;

means for receiving a three-prong plug having a ground terminal;

said circuit means coupled to said ground terminal;

means for making electrical contact coupled to said circuit means;

means for testing said power source for sufficient power;

means for selectively indicating proper ground continuity and sufficient power;

a case for housing said circuit means, said means for supplying, said means for receiving, means for making electrical contact, said means for testing, and said means for indicating;

at least one roll of color coded tape; and

tape receptacle means on said case for holding said at least one roll of tape.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said means for testing said power source includes a switch for closing said circuit means.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein said means for receiving a three-prong plug includes at least one female receptacle, said ground terminal being disposed in said female receptacle.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said means for electrical contact includes a metal contact element extending from said case means;

whereby ground continuity is determined by inserting a plug of an electrical power cord or an electrical power tool into said female receptacle and contacting said metal contact element with a ground terminal in the electrical power cord or a conductive portion of the electrical power tool and marking the electrical power cord or electrical power tool with a piece of the color coded tape to show results of the testing device.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein said means for supplying power includes at least one battery.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said at least one battery includes a nine volt battery.

12. The device according to claim 6, wherein said means for selectively indicating includes a light.