Parallel termination apparatus and method for ground-check monitors

• US 6,304,089 B1
• Filed: 10/26/1998
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Startco Engineering ULC (Littelfuse Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Startco Engineering ULC (Littelfuse Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dudiak, Joseph J., Paydli, Rodney J., Paulson, Garry E., Vangool, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, GLENN WARNER
• Application Number:
  US09/178,417
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 324/509, 324/510, 324/511, 324/521, 324/551
• US Class Current: 324/509
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• 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

A combination of two trailing cable termination devices is provided for connection in parallel between the ground-check and ground conductors of the two arms of a Y-configured trailing cable supplying power to two loads, the combined output electrical characteristic of the parallel termination devices satisfying the requirements of a ground-check monitor located at the source of the power and the individual output electrical characteristics of the devices each failing to satisfy those requirements.

Claims

1. Termination apparatus comprising first and second termination devices for use with a ground-check monitor and a Y-configured trailing cable whereby said ground-check monitor is connected to a ground-check conductor and ground conductor(s) at a power source and said Y-configured trailing cable provides power to two loads, said trailing cable being connected at one end thereof to said power source and following a first length thereof being split into two arms each of which connects to one of said two loads, and whereby said ground-check monitor is configured for normal use with an unsplit trailing cable providing power to a single load and under such normal use said ground check monitor detects a predetermined electrical characteristic associated with a single termination device across a ground-check conductor and ground conductor(s) at said single load, said first and second termination devices having associated therewith first and second electrical characteristics, respectively, which differ from said predetermined electrical characteristic, said first and second termination devices being configured for connection in parallel between a ground-check conductor and ground conductor(s) of said arms of said Y-configured trailing cable whereby said first and second termination devices, when in said parallel connection, are detected by said ground-check monitor to have a combined electrical characteristic which matches said predetermined electrical characteristic, whereby a discontinuity in the ground-check conductor of any of said first length and arms of said trailing cable is determined by said ground-check monitor when said monitor does not detect said predetermined electrical characteristic between said ground-check and ground conductors.

2. Termination apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined electrical characteristic is a zener-diode characteristic.

3. Termination apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second electrical characteristics are zener-diode characteristics and one said zener-diode characteristic is switched on and off at a predetermined frequency.

4. A method of detecting a discontinuity in ground conductor(s) of a Y-configured trailing cable providing power to first and second loads connected in parallel, whereby said trailing cable comprises a ground-check conductor and is connected at one end thereof to a power source and following a first length thereof is split into two arms each of which connects to one of said first and second loads, said method comprising the following steps:

(a) installing at said power source a ground-check monitor whereby said ground-check monitor connects to said ground-check conductor and said ground conductor(s) of said trailing cable, said ground-check monitor being configured for normal use with an unsplit trailing cable providing power to a single load whereby, under such normal use, said ground check monitor detects a predetermined electrical characteristic associated with a single termination device across a ground-check conductor and ground conductor(s) at said single load;

(b) at said first load, installing a first termination device across said ground-check conductor and said ground conductor(s) of said arm of said trailing cable which supplies power to said first load;

(c) at said second load, installing a second termination device across said ground-check conductor and said ground conductor(s) of said arm of said trailing cable which supplies power to said second load; and

,

(d) identifying a discontinuity in the ground-check conductor of any of said first length and arms of said trailing cable when said ground-check monitor does not detect said predetermined electrical characteristic between said ground-check and ground conductors;

whereby said first and second termination devices have associated therewith first and second electrical characteristics, respectively, which differ from said predetermined electrical characteristic and which, in parallel connection, are detected by said ground-check monitor to have a combined electrical characteristic which matches said predetermined electrical characteristic.

5. A method according to claim 4 whereby said predetermined electrical characteristic is a zener-diode characteristic.

6. A method according to claim 4 whereby each of said first and second electrical characteristics are zener-diode characteristics and one said zener-diode characteristic is switched on and off at a predetermined frequency.