Ground assurance circuit
US4506260A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1982 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H7/003
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A bi-directional system for ensuring that a ground connection is made in a three-wire conductor system including a line "hot" conductor, a line neutral conductor, and a ground conductor includes a circuit for generating direct current potential related to the potential difference between the line "hot" conductor and ground and a second circuit for generating a direct current potential related to the potential difference between the line "hot" conductor and ground. A circuit including a male plug for insertion into a female receptacle includes a first prong for coupling alternatively to the line "hot" conductor or the line neutral conductor, a second prong for coupling alternatively to the line "hot" conductor or the line neutral conductor, and a third prong for coupling to the line ground conductor. Coupling of the first prong to the line "hot" conductor causes the second prong to be coupled to the line neutral conductor and coupling of the first prong to the line neutral conductor causes the second prong to be coupled to the line "hot" conductor. Conductors are provided for coupling the first circuit to the first and third prongs and for coupling the second circuit to the second a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.