Three phase lighted plugs and connectors for indicating the absence of at least one phase

• US 7,168,974 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Bonasia, Gaetano, Laurent, Maxim, Feldman, Steven, Eckel, David P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad; Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US11/094,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20060057890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 439/488, 439/489, 439/490, 361/76
• US Class Current: 439/488
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7172 Conduits for light transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7177 filament or neon bulb

Abstract

Indicator means located in a plug or connector indicates when at least one phase of an AC multi-phase voltage is absent. The indicator means can be any one of a variety of light sources and/or an audible generator. The light source can be, for example, an LED, an illuminating ring visible from any angle around the body of the plug or connector, etc. An opaque barrier can be used to totally or partially block the light from the light source when light from the light indicator may be objectionable such as during a stage lighting application. The indicator means for detecting the absence of at least one phase can be on a printed circuit board connected to receive power from the conductors in the plug or connector.

Claims

1. Apparatus adapted to be coupled to an AC multi-phase power line having a first conductor for receiving a first phase, a second conductor for receiving a second phase, a third conductor for receiving a third phase and a fourth conductor for a ground connection comprising:

a first series circuit of a diode interposed between a first resistor and a second resistor;

a second series circuit of a diode interposed between a first resistor and a second resistor;

a third circuit of a diode interposed between a first resistor and a second resistor;

said first, second and third series circuits coupled in parallel with each other between a first end terminal coupled to the first resistor of each series circuit and a second end terminal coupled to the second resistor of each series circuit;

indicator means coupled between said first and second end terminals;

a first diode having a first terminal coupled to said first end terminal and a second terminal adapted to be coupled to said fourth conductor;

said first conductor for receiving said first phase is coupled between said diode and said second resistor of said first series circuit;

said second conductor for receiving said second phase is coupled between said diode and said second resistor of said second series circuit; and

said third conductor for receiving said third phase is coupled between said diode and said second resistor of said third series circuit.

2. The apparatus or claim 1 wherein said fourth conductor is an equipment ground.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said AC multi-phase power line is coupled to a delta connected source of power.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said indicator means is an LED.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said indicator means is a neon bulb.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a resistor coupled in series with said first diode adapted to be coupled to said fourth conductor.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:

a fourth circuit of a resistor in series with a diode having one end of said fourth series circuit coupled to said first end terminal and the other end adapted to be coupled to an equipment ground conductor.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a second diode having a first terminal coupled to said first end terminal and a second terminal adapted to be coupled to a system ground conductor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a resistor coupled in series with said first diode.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a resistor coupled in series with said second diode.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicator means is located within a connector and positioned to allow light generated by said indicator means to exit said connector.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said indicator means is located adjacent to a window in said connector.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein light generated by said indicator means is coupled via a light pipe to a window in said connector.