DE2659363A1 - TEST DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS - Google Patents

Description

Electric circuit tester

The invention relates generally to electrical circuit test equipment and, more particularly, relates to an apparatus for checking voltage and continuity. The invention enables the use of two sensors for a change from current passage measurement to voltage measurement without the need for switching devices, with the further advantage that neither the operator nor the device can cause injuries or damage. Can continue when using a single sensor detected the presence of a voltage of 120, 220 and 440 volts with the triggering of sound or light displays where a neutral or earth conductor is not needed. A tone indicator can be used to indicate the continuity of electricity.

Electricians and the like often have to determine whether a connection voltage is present in a line or in a circuit and whether this is e.g. B. 120, 240 or 480'Viiit. If the output to be measured or the connection difficult to reach

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is, pulling a separate earth to perform the measurement becomes extremely difficult. In addition, such craftsmen must also often know if there is continuity between two terminals is available. Is z. B. between the neutral conductor and the earth connection at an outlet, there is no continuity Possibility of break in the neutral wire.

The object of the present invention is to provide a circuit tester to create that is suitable for such applications.

For this purpose, the invention provides a circuit tester, consisting of a housing, two sensors, one of which protruding from the housing, a voltage level test circuit which is operationally connected to the one measuring sensor, and a voltage level test circuit continuity test circuit connected between the two sensors, wherein the voltage level checking circuit comprises an indicator for the voltage level and a connected tran-. transistor amplifier means for energizing the voltage level indicating means as a function of the different voltages supplied to a sensor, the display device in the Emitter-collector circuit of the transistor amplifier device is switched on and the one measuring sensor on the base electrode of the transistor amplifier device acts, as well as one directly with the emitter-collector circuit of the transistor amplifier device connected ·. ' -Consistent voltage source.

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Further advantages and features of the invention result from .der following description in conjunction with the drawing, in which several embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown or described. In the drawing show:

Pig, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a testing device embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a plug connection (in plan view), Pig. 3 is a schematic representation of voltages in FIG

three with the connections after Pig. 2 connected conductors and

Fig. 4 circuit diagrams,
till 8

The portable insulated housing 10 shown in Pig, 1 is elongated to be handheld. The probe 11 protruding from the housing end wall 10a is relatively rigid. A second sensor 12 is connected to the housing via a flexible cable 12a and its handle 12b can be fixed to the housing at 13 by means of a clamp. The housing is also equipped with a battery-saving button I ¹ I, a buzzer or loudspeaker 15, a voltmeter 100 and three lamps 101, 102 and 103 for displaying different voltage levels.

According to FIG. 4, the sensor 11 is designated as a whole by 110 Circuit connected for checking voltage levels. In addition, the two sensors 11 and 12 is a circuit 111 for

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Measurement of electrical continuity interposed.

The circuit 111 comprises a buzzer or the like 112 with a magnetic coil 113 and a loudspeaker 114, a Zener diode 115 being connected between the magnetic coil terminals 116 and 117 in order to create a fixed voltage at the magnetic coil. A battery 118 is connected in series with its positive connection via connection 116 both with the magnetic coil and with the Zener diode and connected with its negative connection via lines 119 and 120 to measuring sensor 11. ^The terminal 117 is connected to the sensor 12 via a diode 121, a resistor 122 and a fuse 123. A measuring device 12 * 1 is shown in a series connection with a resistor 125 and a diode 126. The sensor 12 can be pulled out by pulling out one Plug 127 must be removed and a bypass capacitor 128 is connected between points 129 and 130 as shown.

The circuit 110 includes multiple voltage level indicators, such as. B. lamps I3I to 133, along with one associated with these standing device for a separate switch-on depending on the different applied to the sensor 11, specified stress levels. For example, when 120 volts are applied to the sensor, lamp 131 lights up, at 240 volts lamp 132 and at 480 volts lamp 133.

Such a device for separate switching on

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holds three amplifiers 134 to I36, e.g. B. Semiconductor elements with emitter, base and collector electrodes as shown. The collectors are connected directly to the lamps and the emitter electrodes to negative connections of batteries 137 to 139. The positive battery connections are connected to the lamps via a line I ¹ JO.

The device for the separate switch-on further comprises one Gas discharge lamp l4l and an electrical resistor l42, the between the probe 11 and a reference pole 143, such as one from the user's pinger when the button 14 is depressed touching contact surface, are connected in series. Are further three photocells 145 to 147 arranged so that they are through the Radiation of the lamp 141 are illuminated, the photocells, e.g. B. via their base connections, each to the three amplifiers are connected. When 120 volts are applied to the sensor 11, the photocell 145 is excited to switch on the amplifier 134, whereby the lamp I31 is switched on. Also sounds a buzzer 150 connected in parallel to lamp 131. When put on of 240 volts to sensor 11, photocell 146 and lamp 132 are also turned on, and if so, finally 480 volts are fed to the sensor 11, the photocell 147 is energized and the lamp 133 lights up. The lamps 131 to 133 can have green, yellow and red lenses to indicate increasing voltage. A battery saving switch 151 is actuated by the button 14, to all photocells, for example via a line 152, to the

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Connect supply batteries 137 to 139.

According to FIG. 5, the sensor 11 is designated as a whole by 210 Voltage level test circuit connected. A continuity test circuit 211 is also provided for the sensors 11 and 12 interposed.

The circuit 211 comprises a tone generator 212 with a magnetic coil 213 and a loudspeaker 214. In order to provide a fixed voltage to the magnetic coil, a Zener diode 215 is connected in parallel. ^r The negative terminal of a battery 218 is connected via a terminal 216 with both the Zener diode and with the Mag · netspule in series, and the positive battery terminal is connected to the probe 12 via a line 219th The measuring sensor 11 is connected to the connection 217 via an iDiode 325, a resistor 221 and a diode bridge 222. The diode bridge 222 has a connection 223 connected to the measuring sensor 11, a minus connection 224 connected to the negative pole of the battery 227, a connection 225 connected to the resistor 221 and a plus connection 226.

Circuit 210 includes multiple voltage level indicators, e.g. B. lamps 231 to 233, together with one of these in connection standing device depending on their separate switching on supplied by the sensor 11, different, predetermined voltage levels. This is how lamps 231 to 233 of the light up

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■ η.

Sequentially up when 120, 24O and 480 volts are applied to the sensor will. The maintenance means for the lamps comprises three Amplifiers 234-236, such as e.g. B. the semiconductor elements shown, which, as shown, have emitter, base and collector connections. The collectors are connected directly to the lamps and the other terminals of the lamps are connected to the positive terminal of the battery 227. The emitters are on the minus pole of the same battery.

The switch-on device also comprises three Zener diodes 241 to 243, which are each connected between the measuring sensor 11 (via connections 223 and 226 of the bridge circuit) and a common line 244 to which the negative terminal of the battery 227 is also connected is switched. Resistors 245 to 247 are also connected to the Zener diode. The base connections of the As shown, amplifiers are used to control the voltage of the base connected to the zener diodes via resistors 248 to 250

Further illustrated in Pig, Figure 5 is a voltage indicating device Sound generator 251, which comprises a magnetic coil 252 with loudspeaker 253 and an exciter battery 254. A control organ, e.g. B. a semiconductor element or an amplifier 255, provides the battery connection for the tone generator depending on one of the sensors 11 applied voltage. Thus, a rectifier bridge 256 comprises a first connection 257 connected to the measuring sensor 11, each with the base or emitter electrode of element 255

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connected "second and third terminals 258 and 259 and one z. B. via a resistor 263 with a reference point 261 at the Switch 262 connected to fourth terminal 260.

The collector connection of the element 255 is connected to the solenoid 252, which continues to be via a line 264, a button ' 265 and a line 266 is connected to the battery. The negative connection of the battery is to the emitter connection of the element 255 connected. When the pressure switch 265 is pressed down and the reference point 261 is touched by the user's finger is the body capacitance of the latter across the branches 260 and 258 connected to the base electrode of the element 255 and switches it to the conductive state, which means when it is applied the tone generator is excited by voltage at the sensor 11. In addition, a lamp 270 on the solenoid 252 lights up.

In the composite circuit illustrated in FIG two sensors 40 and 4l are used. The circuit includes the probe 40, a fuse 42, a neon lamp 43, a Resistor 44, -a switch 45 and an annular earth 46 on the button 47. Here, a photoelectric cell 48 controls the on line 49 of transistor amplifier 50 from the battery Tension. The elements connected in between in the emitter-collector circuit of the transistor amplifier comprise batteries 51 and 52, signal lamps 53 and 54 connected in parallel, a loudspeaker 55 and a switch 57 actuated by the button 47. Im

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26b9363

Operation can be when 120 volts AC voltage are detected by the probe 40, the lamp 53 light up and a signal sound in the loudspeaker and, if 240 volts AC voltage are detected, the lamp 5 ¹ I light up, the loudspeaker making a higher and more intense tone gives away.

The same: circuit is also used to test voltage using both sensors 40 and 41. ^r The switch 45 of operating the probe is automatically moved to a Umsehaltstellung 45a then manually or as a result, a switch operating mechanical connection is shown at the 59th

The neon lamp 43 then lights up in one of the power supplies the sensors 40 and 4l on proportional intensity. The voltage prevailing at the transistor base then becomes proportional controlled to control the battery power supplying lamps 53 and 54 and speaker 55.

When using the device of FIG. 6, a single sensor 4o can be used to determine a voltage of 120 and 240 volts, with the need for a separate earth or Zero measuring line is omitted. Thus the lamp lights up at 110 volts and the lamp 54 lights up at 240 volts (the loudspeaker resp. Buzzer for these voltages sounds in two different pitches). Testing for 440 volts is accomplished by finding 24o volts on each power outlet or on both sides of a plug

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dose determined. Both AC and DC currents can be measured in this way. Checking for an interrupted "Zero" conduction can be done as described above.

On an ungrounded fuse box, it is easy to decide which one of the voltage conductors is with the single probe and which is the neutral. Checking a backup will greatly simplified by placing the sensor on the supply side. the fuse and the load side of the fuse is applied. When measuring a fuse block or circuit interruption it is only necessary to attach the sensor to the load side the fuse or the breaker when the line side is connected to a power line. It is not required to apply the voltage to the tester to look as the buzzer indicates the voltage.

When setting up a three-wire supply and when provisional When coupling the same to an existing two-wire supply, one must first determine which one is coming from the pole "hot" wire is. The device detects the "hot" line. To determine which of the of the of the new If the supply set is coming three lines the neutral line, one only uses the current continuity sensor by adding the sensor 12 is placed on the set (earth) and each new line is checked with the other sensor 13 until a noise is heard sounds, indicating that the corresponding wire is the neutral

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represents ] since it forms a closed circuit from the neutral current connection to the grounded set. When working in broad daylight, it is a great relief not to have to look for a light indicator, as you know that the buzzer indicates the presence of voltage or continuity.

Other application texts are the setting up of neutral conductors, earth cables, motors, controls, relays, primary and secondary sides of transformers with regard to voltages and currents passage, current continuity phase pairs in 120, 240 and 480 volt motors, Panel tests for low and high voltage, relays with low and high voltage, telephone on location η with test through Tone generator and a single probe, single-phase and three-phase winding measurement in engines.

.The device can be used when there is no earth and an output connection (which may be completely inaccessible due to its location in the attic or under the floor, for example) does not work. The only sensor can then be connected to the terminal or wire; to see if it is "hot".

The device of FIG. 7 is similar to that of FIG. 6, but differs therefrom in that two sensors and two amplifiers are used. Thus, a relatively low voltage applied to probe 80 activates (e.g., 120 Volts alternating voltage) the sensor 81 (via a neon tube 79) and

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the output of the sensor is amplified at 82 to give a glow
of the lamp 83, whereas a relatively high voltage (e.g. 240 volts AC) applied to the sensor 80 activates the sensor 84, the output of which is amplified at 85 and
a lighting up of the lamp 86 (in addition to the lighting up of the
Lamp 83). Both voltages set the sound converter, e.g.
B. the loudspeaker or buzzer 87 in action »A switch is shown at 88.

The body of the user of the device is insulated by an electrically insulating layer 90 on the outer surface of a cylindrical metal housing 91 containing the circuit described. A switch 92, when electrically connected in series with the housing 91, is a resistor 94 and a tube 79 between the voltage reading position shown in solid lines and
the switchover position 92a, in which it is connected to the second sensor 93.'nst.

To supplement the explanation of FIG. 2, it should be mentioned that the rigid measuring sensor 11 can be inserted into one of the openings 1, 2 by bringing the housing up to the end face of the socket-type part 16
and 3 can be introduced. With button 14 depressed
then speaks the buzzer 15, if applicable, to display the prevailing voltage, z. E.g. 120, 240 or 480. Aside from that,
Corresponding lamps 101 to 103 light up and the needle 100a of the test device moves to the corresponding voltage

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to register the scale 100b. For illustration purposes only FIG. 3 shows an arrangement in which the opening 1 contains a connection 1 a connected to the “hot” wire 17 and the openings 2 a and 3 a connected to lines 18 and 19 are that z. B. to earth at a remote control panel 20 are connected.

In FIG. 8, the sensor 11 is connected to a sensor designated as a whole by 310 Voltage level test circuit connected. In addition, the sensors 11 and 12 are provided with a current continuity measuring circuit interposed.

The circuit 311 comprises elements 312 to 315, 317 to 319, 321 and 425, which correspond to elements 212 to 215, 217 to 219, 221 and 325 correspond to FIG. 5. The sensor 11 is connected directly to a resistor 321 via a fuse 322, and a meter 423 is for measuring current continuity in the resistor stood 321 switched over this.

Circuit 310 includes multiple voltage level indicators, e.g. B. three lamps 331 to 333, together with one cooperating with these Means for their selective switching on depending on the speed of the sensor 11 supplied different, predetermined Stress levels. So shine z. B. the lamps 331 to 333 in sequence when the sensor pulls 120, 240 and 40 volts leads to be. The switching device for the lamps comprises three

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Amplifiers that each have primary and secondary transistors, each of the latter having base, emitter and collector electrodes as shown. Thus the amplifier comprises for the lamp 331 the primary and secondary transistors 3 ^ 4 and 33 ^, the amplifier for lamp 332 the primary and Secondary transistors 345 and 335 and the amplifier for the lamp 333 the primary and secondary transistors 346 and 336. Each primary transistor is connected to control its associated secondary transistor, namely z. B. via the emitter to base connections. 36O to 362; DC voltage sources such as B. the 9 volt batteries 364 through 366 are each with the emitter-collector indicator circuits of the transistor in each of the three amplifiers are connected in series, and resistors 350 to 352 are respectively between the emitter electrodes of transistors 344 to 346 and the negative terminals of the batteries switched. The values of the resistors vary as the voltage across the probe increases 11 to the stated values to enable the lamps to be switched on in their order.

The one measuring sensor 11 is, as shown, e.g. above the corresponding Diode bridges 322, 372 and 382 are electrically connected to the base electrode of each transistor 344 to 346. the Bridges are the same and each bridge has a z. B. connected to the sensor 11 via the resistor 370 first terminal (see 323 for bridge 322). The bridges also have second connections (see 326 for bridge 322), each connected to the base electrodes of the primary transistors, and the bridges have third

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Conclusions (see 324 on bridge 322), each with the negative Battery connections are connected.

In the simpler device of FIG. 8, no z. B. over body contact made by a switch is required. The luminosity of the indicator lamps is also compared to that according to Pig. 5 much brighter.

The transistors can each be of type 2N6426 and the resistors 350, 351 and 352 can have values of 900 ohms, 3000 ohms and 11,000 ohms. These values are only given as examples; other values can also be used.

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Claims (1)

Patent claims: 1. Circuit tester consisting of a housing, two sensors, one of which protrudes from the housing, one with the voltage level test circuit which is operationally connected to a sensor and a continuity test circuit interposed between the two measuring sensors, characterized in that that the voltage level checking circuit (110) has a display device (131-133) for the voltage level and a transistor amplifier device (134-136) connected to it for exciting the Voltage level display device as a function of the different voltages supplied to a measuring sensor (11), wherein the display device is switched on in the emitter-collector circuit of the transistor amplifier device and the one Sensor acts on the base electrode of the transistor amplifier device, and one directly with the emitter-collector circuit the transistor amplifier device connected • has DC voltage source (137-139). 2. Test device according to claim 1, characterized in that the current continuity test circuit (111) comprises a buzzer (112). 3. Test device according to claim 2, characterized · that the buzzer has a magnetic coil (113) and the current continuity test circuit a Zener diode (115) connected in parallel to the solenoid and one connected in series with the diode and the solenoid 709828/0697 - iff- switched "battery (Il8) includes. 4. Testing device according to claim 3 _}, characterized in that the current continuity test circuit comprises a measuring device (124) connected in series with the magnetic coil and the Zener diode. 5. Testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the current continuity test circuit has one between the one sensor (11) and the buzzer (212) in the continuity test circuit series-connected diode bridge (222) also connected to the transistor amplifier means in the voltage level test circuit is connected in series. 6. Testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display device has multiple voltage level indicators. 7. Testing device according to claim 6, characterized in that three display devices are provided and the transistor amplifier device three each supplied to the display devices for their optional excitation depending on the sensor Voltages of 120, 240 or 480 volts connected amplifiers includes. b. Testing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the voltage level test circuit, a gas discharge lamp (141) and one, between the one measuring sensor and a reference pole in series 709828/0697 * 3. switched resistor (142) and three for illuminating by spotlighting through the lamp arranged photocells (145-147) which are each connected to the three amplifiers. 9. Test device according to claim 7, characterized in that the voltage level! Test circuit three each between the one Sensors and a neutral connected zener diodes (241-243), the amplifiers being responsive to the zener diodes created different voltage levels are each connected to the three Zener diodes. 10. 'test device according to claim 9, characterized in that the voltage level test circuit has a tone generator (251) j a battery (254;) and one connected to the battery and sounder and depending on the voltage supply to the one measuring sensor comprises excitable control device (265) for battery supply of the tone generator. 11. Testing device according to claim 10, characterized by a switch connected between the battery and the sounder (265). . · 12. Test device according to claim 10, characterized in that the control device comprises a semiconductor (255) with base, emitter and collector connections and the voltage level test circuit has a * rectifier bridge (256), with one measuring 709828/0897 -Vf- sensor connected first connection, with the base and emitter connections connected second and third connections and a fourth connection connected to a reference pole on the switch, where the collector connection is connected to the tone generator. 13. Test device according to claim 7, characterized in that each amplifier comprises primary transistors (344-346) and secondary transistors (334-337) each having base, emitter and collector electrodes, the primary transistor being connected to the secondary transistor in a controlling manner, the display. ¹ direction (331-333) is switched into the emitter-collector circuit of the secondary transistor, which is electrically connected to a sensor with the base electrode of each primary transistor, a DC voltage supply is connected in series with the emitter-collector circuit of each transistor and a resistor (350-352) is connected between the emitter electrode and the DC voltage supply. 14. Test device according to claim 13, characterized in that the voltage level test circuit comprises three diode bridges, each a first terminal connected to the one sensor, each connected to the base electrodes of the primary transistors have second connections and third connections each connected to the DC voltage supply. Circuit tester consisting of one housing, two 709828/0697 Measuring sensors, one of which protrudes from the housing, a voltage level test circuit connected to the one measuring sensor and a current continuity test circuit interposed between the two measuring sensors, characterized in that the voltage level test circuit has a display device for the voltage level and an amplifier device connected to it for switching the Voltage level display device has different voltages as a function of the one sensor supplied, the amplifier device comprising primary and secondary transistor stages and the primary transistor stage being connected to the secondary transistor stage in a controlling manner, the display device being switched on in the emitter-collector circuit of the secondary transistor stage and a diode bridge circuit on has the first branch connected to a sensor and a second branch connected to the base electrode of the primary transistor stage, and furthermore an Eq calibration voltage supply is connected to a branch of the bridge circuit and also to the emitter-collector circuits of the primary and secondary transistor stages'. 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