Systems and methods for locating a circuit
First Claim
1. A circuit tracing apparatus, comprising:
- a) a signal generating test apparatus having at least two outputs adapted and configured for connection, respectively, to at least two different branch circuits of an electrical power distribution network simultaneously, each of said at least two outputs comprising a uniquely identifiable signal; and
b) a signal receiving apparatus adapted and configured for connection to one of said at least two different branch circuits of said electrical power distribution network, said signal receiving apparatus comprising means for identifying at least one of said uniquely identifiable signals, and a display for indicating which of said at least two outputs is associated therewith.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital 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 means of 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.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A circuit tracing apparatus, comprising:
- a) a signal generating test apparatus having at least two outputs adapted and configured for connection, respectively, to at least two different branch circuits of an electrical power distribution network simultaneously, each of said at least two outputs comprising a uniquely identifiable signal; and
b) a signal receiving apparatus adapted and configured for connection to one of said at least two different branch circuits of said electrical power distribution network, said signal receiving apparatus comprising means for identifying at least one of said uniquely identifiable signals, and a display for indicating which of said at least two outputs is associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- a) a signal generating test apparatus having at least two outputs adapted and configured for connection, respectively, to at least two different branch circuits of an electrical power distribution network simultaneously, each of said at least two outputs comprising a uniquely identifiable signal; and
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7. A method of tracing an electrical network, the steps comprising:
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a) providing a multioutput, signal generating electrical test apparatus configured to provide a uniquely identifiable electrical signal simultaneously at each output thereof; b) providing a readout device compatible with said multi-output, signal generating electrical test apparatus;
c) de energizing all branch circuits to be tested in an electrical power distribution network to create at least one deenergized branch circuit;
d) connecting an output of said multi-output, signal generating electrical test apparatus to each of said at least one de energized branch circuit; and
e) connecting said readout device to an electrical outlet connected to said at least one de energized circuit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A circuit tracing apparatus, comprising:
- a) a signal generating test apparatus having at least two outputs adapted and configured for coupling, respectively, to at least two different branch circuits of an electrical power distribution network concurrently, each of said at least two outputs comprising a uniquely identifiable signal; and
b) a signal receiving apparatus adapted and configured for coupling with one of said at least two different branch circuits of said electrical power distribution network, said signal receiving apparatus comprising means for identifying at least one of said uniquely identifiable signals. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a) a signal generating test apparatus having at least two outputs adapted and configured for coupling, respectively, to at least two different branch circuits of an electrical power distribution network concurrently, each of said at least two outputs comprising a uniquely identifiable signal; and
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18. A method of tracing an electrical network, the steps comprising:
- a) providing a multioutput, signal generating electrical test apparatus configured to provide a uniquely identifiable electrical signal concurrently at each output thereof;
b) providing a readout device compatible with said multi-output, signal generating electrical test apparatus;
c) selecting at least one branch circuit to be tested in an electrical power distribution network;
d) coupling said multi-output, signal generating electrical test apparatus to each of at least one branch circuit of an electrical power distribution network; and
e) coupling said readout device to an electrical outlet connected to said at least one branch circuit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
- a) providing a multioutput, signal generating electrical test apparatus configured to provide a uniquely identifiable electrical signal concurrently at each output thereof;
Specification