Relay circuit test extender

• US 6,724,193 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2002
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Automotive Technicial Tools, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kevin W. Lutz
• Inventors: Lutz, Kevin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGHIEM, MICHAEL P
• Application Number:
  US10/262,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20030042906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 324/418, 324/383, 324/503, 324/538, 324/555, 324/400, 439/638
• US Class Current: 324/418
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3278 of relays, solenoids or reed switches measuring contact resistance G01R27/205; high voltage magnetic switches G01R31/3271, G01R31/333; testing electric windings G01R31/72; monitoring of fail safe circuits H01H47/002

Abstract

A relay circuit test extender is adapted to facilitate testing of relays and relay circuits in a vehicle. The test extender includes a plurality of elongated bundled wires having first and second opposing ends, and adapted for carrying current in an electric circuit between a vehicle relay receptacle and a removable electric relay. A male connector is located at the first end of the bundled wires, and includes a plurality of electric pins electrically connected to respective wires and adapted for being inserted into respective pin openings of the vehicle relay receptacle. A female connector is located at the second end of the bundled wires, and defines a plurality of pin openings adapted for receiving respective pins of the removable electric relay. Upon connecting the male connector of the test extender to the vehicle relay receptacle and connecting the removable electric relay to the female connector of the test extender, the relay is tested in a live electric circuit at a location spaced apart from the vehicle relay receptacle.

Claims

1. A method for testing relays and relay circuits in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

(a) electrically connecting a first end of a relay circuit test extender to a vehicle relay receptacle;

(b) locating a second end of the relay circuit test extender a distance away from the vehicle relay receptacle; and

(c) electrically connecting a removable electric relay to the second end of relay circuit test extender, such that the relay is tested in a live electric circuit at a location spaced apart from the vehicle relay receptacle.

2. A method for testing relays and relay circuits in a vehicle according to claim 1, and comprising testing the voltage from the removable electric relay by inserting a voltage testing device into back probe ports formed in the second end of the relay circuit test extender.

3. A method for testing relays and relay circuits in a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the voltage testing device comprises a digital volt-ohm meter.

4. A method for testing relays and relay circuits in a vehicle according to claim 1, and comprising the step of locating the second end of the relay circuit test extender a distance of at least two feet from the vehicle relay receptacle.