DE2213583A1 - Voltage tester, especially for alternating voltages - Google Patents

Description

.. * -.-τ March 21, 1972

ΡΑίΓ.ίΝ ¹ , / -: - ".!. Ι

ίΐ,: ϊ «αίΛΐΓ. ff o97.3-IV / He.

56 '7 62

Edouard Singer, Morschwiller-le-Bas (Haut-Rhin) ₃ rue de

Ilulhouse 53 (France)

"Voltage tester, especially for alternating voltages"

Priorities of March 22, 1971 and January 19, 1972 from the French patent applications No. 71,11200 and 72.02482

The invention relates to a voltage tester, in particular for alternating voltages, consisting of an outer, insulating, opaque plastic housing with an independent electrical power supply source, a metal probe tip at one end of the housing, one located in the housing Light source, one electrode of which is electrically connected to the probe tip and the other electrode to the ground point of the test device is connected, as well as with a light-sensitive element located in the housing, which is from the light source receives outgoing light flux and with an amplifier connected to the light-sensitive element, its output is connected to a display organ.

Portable spahnungsprüfgeräte, especially those for alternating voltages, are already known in several embodiments .

209852/0556 " ² "

The usual and most widespread voltage tester is a small one that contains a glow lamp Instrument that the user carries with him and handles like a normal tool. When the user touches the stylus tip this Brings instrument to a live conductor and at the other end of the instrument, for example with the When your finger connects to the ground, the lamp lights up, indicating the presence of voltage. Of the Earth fault occurs via the user who puts the end of a protective resistor for the glow lamp, e.g. a neon-filled one Glow tube, touched.

For safety reasons, these so-called voltage testers can only be used for voltages in the order of a few hundred Volts, possibly up to a thousand volts, can be used.

There are already voltage testers with a glow lamp or ileon lamp known, which with a maximum of safety for the user can be used for much higher voltages.

These voltage testers are simple and inexpensive, and can be used in a wide range of voltages. A significant disadvantage, however, is that the neon lamp or tube emits very little light when it lights up, so that it happens when using the device for outdoor work in full sunlight that the brightness of the neon tube is completely is insufficient to be able to perceive the illumination of the same with certainty.

There are also already known electronic voltage testers for industrial AC voltage, in which a part of the to test voltage is applied to the input of an amplifier that controls a signal detector.

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These electronic voltage testers are often very sensitive and already speak (undesirably) to electrostatic voltages or to voltages in the immediate vicinity des Cerates.

Another voltage sensing device is proposed with the French Patent 1570 ggj and ₃ based on the fact that the luminous Lntladung 1n a noble gas tube excites a photosensitive Ilement, which is arranged so that the light flux of the T'ehre darauffT 11t. The light-sensitive element controls an amplifier connected to a power supply source and an amplifier.

" ⁷ With this arrangement, the luminous signal can be amplified or converted into a different type of signaling.

However, this device does not guarantee complete safety in voltage testing, since it has no puncture control or function test device, due to the presence of only one single ^s: test path ^tr (consisting of the. Lichterripf in! Borrowed element , the amplifier and the signal transmitter or " is not protected eider) against failure of this Prüfweges and has no means for changing the threshold or Ansprechsehwelle These are the face of a voltage sensing device for high and highest Weehselspannun-; τη to demanding absolute unktionssieherheit schwervjiegende ^T.? disadvantages.

The invention is therefore based on the object of a voltage r.r'i'fger ^? To create the type mentioned at the beginning, which guarantees absolute safety during voltage testing and handling.

The task is with the voltage tester proposed here according to the invention thereby coolest. daÄ the light source

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BATH

Has devices for adjusting their response voltage or their luminous flux and a test lamp in the housing is arranged so that they the photosensitive element when closing an actuated by a test button electrical Contacts illuminated.

This design of the voltage tester has the advantage that the user can withdraw from the operational readiness at any time and proper puncture of the voltage tester can and therefore does not run the risk of de-energizing a live conductor due to failure of the voltage tester to keep.

Advantageous embodiments of the voltage tester according to the invention consist in that an electrical and / or electronic light source with an adjustable response threshold and preferably simultaneous generation of a sound effect is provided, the other electrode of which with the device ground, which is possibly in connection with earth, is connected, wherein the light flux of the light source through a The opening provided in a diaphragm falls onto the light-sensitive element with the downstream amplifier and / or a sound-sensitive element with a downstream amplifier is provided, and the amplifier or amplifiers with optical and / or acoustic alarms are connected and the device has facilities for a puncture control.

In this context, a first advantageous embodiment is that the photosensitive element consists of one of a selectively transparent light filter covered photocell or a photoresistor covered in the same way and over the amplifier is connected to a preferably illuminated indicator.

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A second advantageous embodiment is that Instead of the light-sensitive element, an electro-acoustic transducer, e.g. a microphone, is connected and this is an integrating one Is an amplifier with a long time constant connected to a sound detector, e.g. a buzzer.

To the device after the invention over a large voltage range to be able to use, it is expedient according to a further embodiment that the light source is a spark gap with adjustable response voltage or in a replaceable cartridge, enables strong spark generation and is off an insulating body provided with a window and metal plate

et'ft

ten, each of which is electrically connected to a metal tip each forming an electrode, one of which is connected to the Probe tip and the other connected to the ground point of the device is.

Interference immunity can be achieved particularly easily by that the amplifier and the function test devices are formed in a Faraday cage and with metal container connected to a fixed potential, e.g. earth.

Another possibility for setting the response threshold of the device exists according to a further expedient embodiment in that the light source is a noble gas, e.g. neon lamp, the two similar, elongated, preferably straight, Contains opposing and coaxial electrodes, one with the probe tip and the other with the device ground is connected, and that an optical screen is arranged along the lamp, which on one side with a tubular J shaped opening opposite a section of one of the electrodes the noble gas lamp is provided, while the light-sensitive element is provided on the other side of the diaphragm opposite the opening is arranged.

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For the same purpose, however, the device can also be designed in this way that between the probe tip and one of the electrodes A spark gap is arranged around the noble gas lamp and this electrode is connected to ground via a first protective resistor 1st, while the second electrode of the noble gas lamp is connected to ground via a second protective resistor.

The response threshold can also be changed by changing the position of the opening in relation to the opening opposing electrode devices are provided, by means of which the distance between this opening and the electrode tip can be changed by moving it parallel to this electrode,

There is an advantageous further development of the device in which the light source itself is also included in the function test finally, that there is one that can be switched on by the test button and is fed from a separate part of the power supply Contains voltage converter, the output voltage of which excites the light source to glow, while preferably monochromatic Light falls on the light-sensitive element at the input of the amplifier.

In the drawing, the voltage tester according to the invention is illustrated schematically on the basis of several exemplary selected embodiments and their details. It demonstrate:

1 shows an axial section through a first embodiment of the voltage tester,

FIG. 2 shows an essential part of the device according to FIG. 1,

3 shows the electrical circuit inside the device according to FIG. 1,

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Fig. H part of a further embodiment of the voltage test device it,

Fig. 5 shows a development of the embodiment of FIG Use for high and very high alternating voltages,

6 shows a further embodiment of the voltage tester with simultaneous optical and acoustic test for the presence of an alternating voltage and

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a replaceable Cartridge formed spark gap, which in the embodiment according to Fig. 6 is usable.

The voltage tester according to FIG. 1 consists essentially of an insulating tube 1, the wall of which is wholly or partially is translucent. This tube can, for example, have a length of 50 mm and a diameter of 30 to 35 mm .

At one end, the tube 1 is closed with an insulating stopper la, through which a metallic test probe 2 runs and emerges axially from the tube. This test probe is connected to a detector 3 inside the tube , which in turn is connected to an amplifier H , which will be described in the "Usamirienhang with Fir · ;. 3". The output of the amplifier ¹ J leads to a test lamp Z ₃ which is visible through a translucent part 1b of the tube 1.

The insulating tube 1 contains in its, the detector 3 and the ^amplifier} l - ~ ep; en "üb succumbing en end of a Gleichstromversorgungouelle, which here consists of two batteries 5 and 7, the first of which, for example, 4.5 volts, and the second has 9 volts ί..cbildlich Trä;.. t the pipe 1 to which the stylus 2 opposite Zn ^ i elij' jn-button 8, for checking the function of the

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BATH ORIGINAL

22Ί3583

ability of the entire circuit. The batteries 6 and are constantly connected; however, it is at rest the power consumption is very low and is less than 10 " Amp.

The detector 3 is shown in detail in FIG. He

one

contains lamp filled with Heon or any other noble gas 9, a photoresistor 10 and a low-voltage incandescent lamp 11. These three elements are opaque in one common Housing 10 housed and arranged so that the photoresistor 10 either by the neon lamp 9 or can be illuminated by the incandescent lamp 11.

The connections between these various elements are shown in the electrical circuit diagram of FIG. 3. The one electrode the lleon lamp 9 is with the chassis of the amplifier, with others Words connected to ground while the other electrode is connected to the probe tip 2. The incandescent lamp 11 is with the interposition of a contact 8a, which is on the button can be operated at the terminals of the battery 7, the positive pole of which is connected to ground, as well as the negative pole of the other battery 6.

The negative pole of the battery 7 is connected to a resistor 16 connected to the base of a field effect transistor 13, the source electrode of which is connected to ground via a resistor 18 is while its drain is connected to the positive pole. the battery 6 is connected. The photoresistor 10 is on between the base and the source electrode of the field effect transistor 13.

The source electrode of the field effect transistor 13 is with connected to the base of a first NPN transistor 14, whose Collector with the positive pole of battery 6 and its emitter

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through a resistor 17 to the base of a second NPN transistor connected is. The emitter of this second NPN transistor 15 is connected to ground and thus to the negative pole of the battery 6, while the collector on the test lamp 5 on the positive Pole of the battery 6 is.

The device works as follows: To convince yourself, -that the voltage tester is functional and ready for use, the user presses the button 8, whereby the contact 8a is closed, which has the consequence that the low-voltage incandescent lamp 11 illuminates the photoresistor 10. The value of this resistance thereupon decreases, which is the transition of the field effect transistor 13 and consequently also of the two following Transistors 14 and 15 result in the conductive state. The test lamp 5 therefore lights up, which indicates that the voltage tester is ok.

In order to determine the presence of an alternating voltage on a conductor, the user brings the test probe 2 into contact with this conductor. If the tested alternating voltage is greater than the ignition voltage of the neon lamp 9, this lights up weakly as a result of the capacitance existing between the chassis or the device ground and the ground. The photoresistor 10 is now illuminated by the neon lamp 9, reduces its resistance value and thus causes the test lamp 5 to light up, as in the previous case. The user can consequently, by observing the lighting up of the test lamp 5 through the transparent part 1b of the insulating tube 1, determine that an alternating voltage is present on the checked conductor.

In the further development according to FIG. 4, the neon lamp contains 9 two elongated coaxial electrodes: _9a and 9b, which face each other with their end faces and one parallel to them optical aperture 19 is arranged in which a tubular

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Opening 20 is located. Opposite this opening is the one Photocell 10 forming part of the detector.

When the test probe 2 connected to the electrode 9a with
If a conductor connected to AC voltage is brought into contact, a discharge occurs between electrodes 9a and 9b and the area in which the discharge forms between the two electrodes changes depending on the voltage tested. The higher this voltage, the longer the discharge area. When this arrives opposite the opening, the photocell 10 is illuminated, which leads to the test lamp 5 lighting up in the manner described. at
In this embodiment, the test lamp 5 only lights up when the AC voltage being tested has a certain value
Response value or threshold value exceeded. Below this response value, the discharge range is too short to illuminate the photocell 10 and the test lamp 5 remains dark.

If the response value is to be changed, it is sufficient to provide devices 21 and 21a that allow the position
of the opening 20 relative to the electrode 9a in such a way that it can be displaced parallel to the electrodes of the
Tip of the electrode 9a can be approached or removed from this. An external setting element can consequently be provided which allows the optical diaphragm 19 to be displaced and, accordingly, to change the threshold value above which the test device responds to the tested voltage.

For checking high voltages (higher than 1000 volts) it is advisable to use the arrangement according to FIG. The device contains a spark gap 22, one of which is an electrode is connected to the probe tip 2, while the other electrode on the one hand with the electrode 9a of the neon lamp 9 and on the other hand is connected to ground via a resistor 23, which is for a

-U-

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Voltage tester for about 100,000 volts between 1 and 10 kilo-ohms. This resistance allows the definition of the voltage range j within which the device can be used. The other electrode 9b of the neon lamp 9 is connected to ground via a protective resistor 2k , which has a high value of a few Meg ^ _0hm.

In all of the embodiments of the device described above, the test lamp 5 can be replaced or supplemented by a sound detector.

According to a further embodiment, the device can be designed in this way j that the test lamp 5 lights up, that a conductor is de-energized. For this purpose, it is sufficient to connect the resistor 18 (FIG. 3) in series with the drain electrode of the field effect transistor 13 instead of arranging it in the source circle, as shown in FIG. 3.

According to a further embodiment, the function test can be carried out using a device which generates a voltage that is high enough to excite a glow discharge in the neon tube 9. For this purpose, a self-breaking relay, or can Wagner ¹ Scherhammer be used, for example, which generates a self-induction voltage of several hundred volts between its terminals, which can be directly applied to the neon tube.

Another embodiment of the voltage tester according to the invention is shown in FIGS. The entire The device is located in a container 25, which is preferably made of an insulating plastic. The container has im upper part has the shape of a cone 26, from the tip of which a probe tip 27 protrudes. Their length depends on the safety regulations in force away. It can be hooked at the top

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be provided. The lower end 29 of the probe tip 27 forms the

upper electrode of a spark gap 30, the lower electrode distance

31 is arranged in a / d from the upper electrode. These lower electrode 31 is mounted on a metal housing 32 which has a Faraday's cage for the following to be described electronic circuit forms.

A light-sensitive element is opposite the spark gap 33, for example a photocell arranged, which is covered with a selective filter 3 ^ that only light with in the light emanating from the sparks of the spark gap 30 allows the predominant wavelength to pass through.

In the upper part of the metal container 32, the photocell 33, a test light source 35 and a microphone 36 are fastened vertically and each with one of three circuits 37a, 37b and 37c of a circuit board 37 located inside the housing 32 is connected. The circuit 37a provides an amplifier for the signal emitted by the photocell 33 represents: the circuit 37b supplies the test light source 35i, the circuit 37c represents an amplifier for that of the microphone 36 recorded sound signal. This latter amplifier It contains an integrator with a large time constant to avoid responding to an interfering noise signal that may be present.

From the circuit board 37 come three wires, 38, 39 and * J0, of which the wire 38 with a flag, preferably an illuminated indicator M, the wire 39 with a sounder 4 2 and the wire ^ O connected to a power supply source Ό are.

The sound generator 42 radiates its sound vertically nacti below via an opening provided in the base of the container 25

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44 from. This Easis is extended downwards in the middle part by a sleeve 45, in the lower part of which there is an insulating rod 46 sits and whose upper part receives the power supply 43.

The various circuits are not shown from the outside Switch turned on.

Furthermore, the distance b between the electrodes of the spark gap 30 can be adjusted from the outside, for example by means of a screw device 27a firmly connected to the probe tip 27 or an indirectly acting adjusting element.

Furthermore, a device for puncture control of the Sound detector be provided; a buzzer supplied from a separate circuit can be used for this purpose, for example will.

In the embodiment of the voltage tester according to Pig. the open spark gap can be caused by one in a cartridge arranged spark gap are replaced, the more accurate and safer is. According to FIG. 7, this consists of an insulating body 47, which is cylindrical, for example, and its lower and upper end faces Carry metal plates 48 and 49, which are electrically connected to two tips 50 and 51, which are the electrodes of the Form spark gaps between which the spark jumps and face each other at a certain distance D. the Arrangement has a window 52, the ventilation of the spark gap and allows the light generated by the spark to escape.

This embodiment of the voltage tester works as follows: In order to convince himself of the operability or the proper working, the user lets in | switch the chromatic light source 35 light up from the outside, j

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Its light reaches the photocell 33 via the selective filter 34 , makes it conductive and causes the indicator kl to light up via the amplifier 37a.

If a sound test is available or planned, will proceed in a practically analogous manner.

In the normal case, i.e. to check for the presence of an alternating voltage on a conductor, the user brings the Probe tip 27 or the hook 28 with this conductor in contact.

If the voltage is higher than _5, the ignition voltage of the spark gap 6 jump over a series of sparks between the electrodes 29 and 31st The resulting light drove in the same way as described above in connection with the function test to light up the indicator 41 and the persistent crackling of the sparks is picked up by the microphone 36, which via the integrating amplifier 37c with a large time constant »! the sound generator 42 can respond, which emits a sound signal which confirms the information received from the indicator 41.

The particular advantage of the last-described embodiment of the voltage tester is that by Setting the spark gap or by replacing the spark gap cartridges the device can be used within an extraordinarily large voltage range, from 1000 Volts to 380,000 volts and more is sufficient.

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Claims (11)

*! taten21 · öaiikorf *. » March 21, 1972 T # W <* V6973-IV / He. Edouard Singer, Morschwiller-le-Bas (Haut-Rhin) Rue de Ilulhouse 53 (France) Claims: 1. ) Voltage testing device, especially for AC voltages, consisting of an outer, insulating, opaque plastic housing with an independent electrical power supply source, a metal probe tip at one end of the housing, a light source located in the housing, one electrode of which is electrically connected to the probe tip and the other other electrode is connected to the ground point of the test device, as well as to a light-sensitive element located in the housing, which receives the light flux emanating from the light source and is connected to an amplifier connected to the light-sensitive element, oessen output is connected to a display element, since through ge characterizing zei chnet ^ that the light source comprises means for adjusting its response voltage or its light flux, and is disposed in the housing, a test lamp (1) such that it elekt the photosensitive member (10, 33) of an actuated when closing by a test button (8) electrical contact ( ^c a) illuminated. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-sensitive Ilement consists of one of a selectively permeable light filter (3 * 0 covered photocell or an equally covered photoresistor (IC, 33) and via ■ Jen amplifier with a preferably luminous indicator (f ., ^J J1) is connected. _ " 209852/0556 BATH ORIGINAL 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that instead of the light-sensitive element, an electro-acoustic Οι / 1 * "Stm ittt / ttA" A Converter, e.g. a microphone (36) 7 ^ is connected and this an integrating amplifier (37c) with a large time constant, which is connected to a sound detector (42), e.g. a buzzer, connected is. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that the light source has a spark gap (30) with an adjustable response voltage or an exchangeable one Cartridge enables strong spark generation and consists of an insulating body provided with a window (52) (47) and metal plates (48, 49), each of which has a metal tip (50, 51) forming an electrode is connected, one of which is connected to the probe tip (27) and the other to the ground point of the device. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the amplifier and the function test devices are located in a metal container (32) which forms a Faraday's cage and is connected to a fixed potential, for example earth. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the light source a noble gas, e.g., neon lamp, the two identical, elongated, preferably straight, opposite and contains coaxial electrodes (9a, 9b), one with the probe tip (2) and the other with the device ground is connected, and that along the lamp an optical screen (19) is arranged, which on one side with a tubular Opening (20) is provided opposite a section of one of the electrodes of the noble gas lamp, while on the the other side of the diaphragm opposite the opening is the light-sensitive one Element is arranged. CO 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that between the probe tip (2) and one of the electrodes (9a) of the noble gas lamp (9) a spark gap (22) is arranged and this Electrode (9a) is connected to ground via a first protective resistor (23), while the second electrode (9b) of the Noble gas lamp (9) is connected to ground via a second protective resistor (24). 8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that to change the position of the opening (20) with respect to the one opposite it Electrode (9a) devices (21, 21a) are provided, by means of which the distance of this opening from the electrode tip can be changed by moving it parallel to this electrode. 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that an opaque housing inside an insulating tube (1) (12), a current amplifier (4) with a photoresistor (10) at the entrance and an acoustic or optical alarm, e.g. a test lamp (5) in front of a transparent window (Ib) in the insulating tube (1) at the output, and the power supply are provided and the insulating tube on the one facing away from the probe tip The end of the test button (8) for the function test. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the opaque Housing (12) contains the test lamp (11) for illuminating the photoresistor (10), which is through the Test button (8) actuated contact (8a) can be connected to the power supply. 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is "a contains voltage transformers which can be switched on by the test button (8) and are fed from a separate part (7) of the power supply, whose output voltage causes the light source (9) to glow stimulates, while preferably monochromatic light on the 209852/0556 light-sensitive element (10) at the input of the amplifier falls. 2 09852/0556