Fuse saving tester for fused circuit
First Claim
1. A tester for testing an electrical system for excessive current flaw, which system is powered by an electricity source and includes a fuse holder for a fuse having a predetermined rating, the tester comprising:
- a pair of contacts removably electrically coupleable across the fuse holder;
a switch coupled with the contacts and coupleable with the electricity source, the switch being momentarily closeable to pass a current pulse to the fuse holder;
a controller, coupled to the switch that controls the switch to momentarily close repeatedly;
a comparator that compares the magnitude of the current pulse with a prescribed reference current value;
an indicator that produces a perceptible signal when the magnitude of the current pulse exceeds that of the prescribed reference current value; and
a rectifier in circuit with the pair of contacts, wherein the rectifier produces an input voltage signal that is independent of the polarity of the connection to the pair of contacts.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one form, tester for an electrical system, such as for a vehicle, develops repetitively applied, short duration, control current pulses for reducing load current pulses through the electrical system. An operator connects a pair of input contacts across a fuse holder. A circuit between the input contacts is closed momentarily and repetitively to produce repetitive current pulses from the electricity source through the system. A perceptible alert is produced when the magnitude of the current pulse exceeds that of a prescribed reference current value. In another form, a tester for an electrical system is designed to plug into the fuse terminals in a fuse box. The tester can include a plurality of interchangeable circuit breaker modules to allow the tester to be used on circuits having differing current ratings.
50 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A tester for testing an electrical system for excessive current flaw, which system is powered by an electricity source and includes a fuse holder for a fuse having a predetermined rating, the tester comprising:
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a pair of contacts removably electrically coupleable across the fuse holder;
a switch coupled with the contacts and coupleable with the electricity source, the switch being momentarily closeable to pass a current pulse to the fuse holder;
a controller, coupled to the switch that controls the switch to momentarily close repeatedly;
a comparator that compares the magnitude of the current pulse with a prescribed reference current value;
an indicator that produces a perceptible signal when the magnitude of the current pulse exceeds that of the prescribed reference current value; and
a rectifier in circuit with the pair of contacts, wherein the rectifier produces an input voltage signal that is independent of the polarity of the connection to the pair of contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of testing an electrical system for current flow exceeding a prescribed value, which system is powered by an electricity source and includes a fuse holder for a fuse having a predetermined rating, the method comprising the steps of:
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removably connecting a pair of contacts across the fuse holder;
momentarily closing a circuit between the contacts to produce a current pulse from the electricity source through the electrical system;
comparing the magnitude of the current pulse with a prescribed reference current value;
producing a perceptible signal when the magnitude of the current pulse exceeds that of the prescribed reference current signal; and
generating a positive voltage signal through the system independent of a polarity of the pair of contacts. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A tester for testing an electrical system, which system includes a fuse holder for a fuse having one of a plurality of possible predetermined ratings, the tester comprising:
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an indicator unit including a first pair of contacts removably electrically coupleable to the fuse holder and a second pair of contacts electrically coupled to the first pair of contacts and an indicator coupled to the second pair of contacts; and
a circuit breaking module having a third pair of contacts for removably coupling to the second pair of contacts, the circuit breaking module including a circuit breaker having a predetermined current load rating;
wherein the indicator produces a perceptible signal when an overcurrent situation exists in the circuit breaking module. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A tester for testing an electrical system, which system includes a fuse holder for a fuse having one of a plurality of possible predetermined ratings, the tester comprising:
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an coupling unit including a first pair of contacts removably electrically coupleable to the fuse holder and a second pair of contacts electrically coupled to the first pair of contacts;
a circuit breaking module having a third pair of contacts for removably coupling to the second pair of contacts, the circuit breaking module including a circuit breaker having a predetermined current load rating; and
and an indicator coupled to at least one of the coupling unit and the circuit breaking module, wherein the indicator produces a perceptible signal when an overcurrent situation exists in the circuit breaking module. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A tester for testing an electrical system, which system includes a fuse holder for a fuse having one of a plurality of possible predetermined ratings, the tester comprising:
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an coupling unit including a first pair of contacts removably electrically coupleable to the fuse holder and a second pair of contacts electrically coupled to the first pair of contacts;
a circuit breaking module having a third pair of contacts for removably coupling to the second pair of contacts, the circuit breaking module including a circuit breaker having a predetermined current load rating; and
and an indicator coupled to at least one of the first pair of contacts, the second pair of contacts and the third pair of contacts, wherein the indicator produces a perceptible signal when an overcurrent situation exists in the circuit breaking module. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification