Systems and methods for locating a circuit

• US 8,552,709 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2005
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tasco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tasco Incorporated
• Inventors: McCasland, Steven Thomas, McCasland, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TANG, MINH NHUT
• Application Number:
  US11/052,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20130082679A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,165 Days
• Field of Search: 324/66, 324/67
• US Class Current: 324/66
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/18 using inductive devices, e.g. transformers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/66 Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints testing for incorrect line connections G01R31/55
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/67 Testing the correctness of wire connections in electric apparatus or circuits

Abstract

Systems and methods presented herein locate and/or identify a circuit within an electrical system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example. the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.

Claims

1. A system operable to correlate a plurality of electrical lines at a central distribution point with a plurality of electrical line outlets, wherein the central distribution point is operable to receive three-phase power and to distribute single-phase power through each of the electrical lines, the system comprising:

a transmitter having a plurality of outputs, wherein each output comprises a coupling clip that is operable to inductively couple to a corresponding one of the electrical lines at the central distribution point of the electrical lines, wherein the transmitter is operable to generate a plurality of unique identifiers, and to inductively transmit each unique identifier from a corresponding output of the transmitter along its corresponding electrical line to inductively label its corresponding electrical line with a corresponding unique identifier;

a three-phase balancer operable to couple to the central distribution point of the electrical lines to filter noise associated with the three-phase power from the each of the electrical lines; and

a mobile receiver operable to detect a first unique identifier of the unique identifiers at a first outlet of the electrical line outlets when the mobile receiver is positioned proximate to the first outlet, wherein the first outlet is connected to a first electrical line of the plurality of electrical lines, and to detect a second unique identifier of the unique identifiers at a second outlet of the electrical line outlets when the mobile receiver is positioned proximate to the second outlet, wherein the second outlet is connected to a second electrical line of the plurality of electrical lines.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the three-phase balancer is further operable to discharge electrical energy when the three-phase balancer is decoupled from the central distribution point to prevent electrical shock to an operator.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the three-phase balancer comprises a capacitor for each phase of the three-phase power to filter high frequency noise associated with the three-phase power from the each of the electrical lines.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the three-phase balancer further comprises a resistor at each of the capacitors to discharge the electrical energy from the capacitors when the three-phase balancer is decoupled from the central distribution point to prevent electrical shock to an operator.

5. A method for correlating a plurality of electrical lines at a central distribution point with a plurality of electrical line outlets, wherein the central distribution point is operable to receive three-phase power and to distribute single-phase power through each of the electrical lines, the method comprising:

inductively coupling a plurality of transmitter outputs, each output comprising a coupling clip, to corresponding ones of the electrical lines at the central distribution point of the electrical lines,

generating a unique identifier for each output;

inductively transmitting each unique identifier from its corresponding output along its corresponding electrical line to inductively label its corresponding electrical line with a corresponding unique identifier;

filtering noise associated with the three-phase power from the each of the electrical lines with a three-phase balancer coupled to the central distribution point of the electrical lines; and

positioning a mobile receiver at a first outlet of the electrical line outlets to detect a first unique identifier of the unique identifiers at the first outlet, wherein the first outlet is connected to a first electrical line of the plurality of electrical lines; and

positioning the mobile receiver at a second outlet of the electrical line outlets to detect a second unique identifier of the unique identifiers at the second outlet, wherein the second outlet is connected to a second electrical line of the plurality of electrical lines.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

decoupling three-phase balancer from the central distribution point; and

discharging electrical energy from the three-phase balancer, during said decoupling, to prevent electrical shock to an operator.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein filtering noise comprises:

filtering high frequency noise associated with the three-phase power from the each of the electrical lines with a capacitor for each phase of the three-phase power.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein discharging electrical energy from the three-phase balancer comprises:

discharging the electrical energy from each of the capacitors with a corresponding resistor at each capacitor when the three-phase balancer is decoupled from the central distribution point.