Electrical testing device
First Claim
1. An electrical testing device for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires coupled between an AC power distribution point and a device box, the device comprising:
- a plurality of electrical probes configured for insertion into an outlet receptacle;
a plug test connection arrangement configured to receive a plug connector when inserted therein, the plug connector including a plurality of plug contacts and a termination arrangement configured to terminate the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires such that electrical continuity is established between the AC power distribution point and the plurality of plug contacts, the plug test connection arrangement including a plurality of test contacts configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the plug test connection arrangement, the termination arrangement being in a detached relationship from the device box after the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires are terminated;
an electrical test circuit configured to perform at least one electrical test, the electrical test circuit including a switch mechanism configured to connect the electrical test circuit to the plurality of electrical probes at a first switch setting or connect the electrical test circuit to the plurality of test contacts at a second switch setting; and
at least one shock mitigation structure coupled to the plurality of electrical probes or the plug test connection arrangement, the at least one shock mitigation structure being configured to prevent user access to the plurality of electrical probes or the plug test connection arrangement.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an electrical testing device for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires coupled between an AC power distribution point and a device box. The device includes a plurality of electrical probes configured for insertion into an outlet receptacle. A plug test connection arrangement is configured to receive a plug connector when inserted therein. The plug connector includes a plurality of plug contacts and a termination arrangement configured to terminate the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires such that electrical continuity is established between the AC power distribution point and the plurality of plug contacts. The plug test connection arrangement includes a plurality of test contacts configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the plug test connection arrangement. The termination arrangement being in a detached relationship from the device box after the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires are terminated. An electrical test circuit is configured to perform at least one electrical test. The electrical test circuit includes a switch mechanism configured to connect the electrical test circuit to the plurality of electrical probes at a first switch setting or connect the electrical test circuit to the plurality of test contacts at a second switch setting. At least one shock mitigation structure is coupled to the plurality of electrical probes or the plug test connection arrangement and is configured to prevent user access to the plurality of electrical probes or the plug test connection arrangement.
50 Citations
65 Claims
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1. An electrical testing device for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires coupled between an AC power distribution point and a device box, the device comprising:
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a plurality of electrical probes configured for insertion into an outlet receptacle; a plug test connection arrangement configured to receive a plug connector when inserted therein, the plug connector including a plurality of plug contacts and a termination arrangement configured to terminate the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires such that electrical continuity is established between the AC power distribution point and the plurality of plug contacts, the plug test connection arrangement including a plurality of test contacts configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the plug test connection arrangement, the termination arrangement being in a detached relationship from the device box after the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires are terminated; an electrical test circuit configured to perform at least one electrical test, the electrical test circuit including a switch mechanism configured to connect the electrical test circuit to the plurality of electrical probes at a first switch setting or connect the electrical test circuit to the plurality of test contacts at a second switch setting; and at least one shock mitigation structure coupled to the plurality of electrical probes or the plug test connection arrangement, the at least one shock mitigation structure being configured to prevent user access to the plurality of electrical probes or the plug test connection arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An electrical testing device for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires coupled between an AC power distribution point and a device box, the device comprising:
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a plug test connection arrangement configured to receive a plug connector when inserted therein, the plug connector including a plurality of plug contacts and a termination arrangement configured to terminate the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires such that electrical continuity is established between the AC power distribution point and the plurality of plug contacts, the plug connector being configured to mate within a rear portion of an electrical wiring device via a latching connection to establish electrical continuity between the electrical wiring device and the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires, the plug test connection arrangement including a plurality of test contacts configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the plug test connection arrangement, the termination arrangement being in a detached relationship from the device box after the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires are terminated; an electrical test circuit configured to perform at least one electrical test to determine whether the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires, the plurality of plug contacts or the termination arrangement are correctly interconnected; a display coupled to the electrical test circuit, the display being configured to generate a user-perceivable signal relating to the at least one electrical test; and at least one shock mitigation structure coupled to the plug test connection arrangement, the at least one shock mitigation structure being configured to prevent user access to the plurality of test contacts when the plug connector is mated with the plug test connection arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. An electrical testing device for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires coupled between an AC power distribution point and a device box, the device comprising:
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a plug test connection arrangement configured to receive at least one plug connector when inserted therein, the at least one plug connector including a plurality of plug contacts and a termination arrangement configured to terminate the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires such that electrical continuity is established between the AC power distribution point and the plurality of plug contacts, the plug test connection arrangement including a plurality of test contacts configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the plug test connection arrangement, the termination arrangement being in a detached relationship from the device box after the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires are terminated; an electrical test circuit configured to perform at least one electrical test to determine whether the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires, the plurality of plug contacts or the termination arrangement are properly interconnected, the electrical test circuit including a switch mechanism coupled to a battery, the switch mechanism being configured to couple the battery to the plurality of test contacts and perform the electrical continuity test when the AC electrical power distribution circuit is deenergized; an indicator coupled to the electrical test circuit, the indicator being configured to generate a user-perceivable signal relating to the electrical continuity test; and at least one shock mitigation structure coupled to the plug test connection arrangement, the at least one shock mitigation structure being configured to prevent user access to the plug test connection arrangement in an energized state. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59. An electrical testing device for use in an AC electrical power distribution circuit including a plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires coupled between an AC power source and a device box, the device comprising:
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a modular test connection arrangement including a plurality of replaceable test connectors, the plurality of replaceable test connectors including a replaceable plug test connector arrangement configured to mate with a corresponding plug connector of a plurality of plug connectors, each plug connector of the plurality of plug connectors including a plurality of plug contacts and a termination arrangement configured to terminate the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires such that electrical continuity is established between the AC power distribution point and the plurality of plug contacts, each replaceable plug test connector including a plurality of test contacts configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts of the corresponding plug connector, the termination arrangement being in a detached relationship from the device box after the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires are terminated; an electrical test circuit configured to perform at least one electrical test to determine whether the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires, the plurality of plug contacts or the termination arrangement are properly interconnected; and an indicator coupled to the electrical test circuit, the indicator being configured to generate a user-perceivable signal relating to the electrical continuity test. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification