Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Patent
1996-08-26
1998-05-19
Swarthout, Brent A.
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
340652, 361 42, 361 47, G08B 2100
Patent
active
057541140
ABSTRACT:
Ground detection apparatus that automatically detects continuity of a safety ground of a piece of equipment. The ground detection apparatus includes test relay circuitry for determining if a ground connection is open. Comparison logic circuitry is used to generate a fault signal if the ground connection is open and to prevent the electrical equipment from being energized. Delay circuitry is used to stabilize input voltage measurements, and to test the lines for a desired time period. Latching circuitry is used to latch the fault condition, and to ensure that all delays have elapsed and no fault condition exists before the electrical equipment is energized. Optionally, the latching circuitry may be used to prevent latching in a "brownout" condition. If the equipment safety ground is not present, power is not supplied to the equipment. This prevents possible shock to a user caused by ungrounded equipment. The ground detection apparatus also provides an audible alert, and may also provide a light indication, that indicates that a ground connection is not present.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3737765 (1973-06-01), Lee et al.
patent: 4012727 (1977-03-01), Grossi et al.
patent: 4228475 (1980-10-01), Sherwood
patent: 4321643 (1982-03-01), Vernier
patent: 4638244 (1987-01-01), Howell
patent: 5166852 (1992-11-01), Sano
patent: 5576695 (1996-11-01), Minger et al.
Delco Electronics Corporation
Navarre Mark A.
Swarthout Brent A.
Trieu Van T.
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