Apparatus for detecting a completed electrical circuit, reverse polarity, ground and ground fault interrupter
US6462555B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/641
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A self-contained unit intended primarily for tracing the circuit connection between an electrical outlet or lighting receptacle and its corresponding circuit-breaker. The preferred embodiment includes a housing, a male three prong electrical plug, a sound-producing means, a first momentary switch which permits testing of a ground fault interrupt across either a hot wire and a neutral, or across a hot wire and the ground; and a second momentary switch which permits testing of reverse polarity by testing across a neutral and the ground. An alternate embodiment incorporates a single 3-way switch. Adapters are used to temporarily adapt bare wires or a lighting receptacle to a female plug so that the device may be used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.