GB2153600A - Electrical measuring instrument - Google Patents

Electrical measuring instrument Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2153600A
GB2153600A GB08402187A GB8402187A GB2153600A GB 2153600 A GB2153600 A GB 2153600A GB 08402187 A GB08402187 A GB 08402187A GB 8402187 A GB8402187 A GB 8402187A GB 2153600 A GB2153600 A GB 2153600A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
electrical
body part
shroud
power supply
electrical components
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08402187A
Other versions
GB2153600B (en
GB8402187D0 (en
Inventor
Terence Michael Friend
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thorn EMI Instruments Ltd
Original Assignee
Thorn EMI Instruments Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thorn EMI Instruments Ltd filed Critical Thorn EMI Instruments Ltd
Priority to GB08402187A priority Critical patent/GB2153600B/en
Publication of GB8402187D0 publication Critical patent/GB8402187D0/en
Publication of GB2153600A publication Critical patent/GB2153600A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2153600B publication Critical patent/GB2153600B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts
    • H01R13/447—Shutter or cover plate
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R19/00—Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof
    • G01R19/145—Indicating the presence of current or voltage
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/68—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in fuse

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measuring Leads Or Probes (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical measuring instrument (10) includes a detachable probe incorporating a removable shroud (20). The shroud prevents access to a power supply for the instrument whenever the probe is attached and so protects the user from potentially dangerous voltages or currents. The shroud may include a fuse. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical measuring instrument This invention relates to an electrical measuring instrument and it relates especially, although not exclusively, to a multimeter-forexample, a handheld multimeter.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates, by way of example, a perspective view of a known form of hand-held multimeter. It comprises a body part 10 which is intended to be gripped by a user and which contains electrical components interconnecting a pair of sensing probes. One of the probes 11 is mounted fixedly on the body part and the other 12 is a "long reach" probe connected to the body part by a suitable lead 13. As is usually the case in such instruments the "long reach" probe is removeably attached to the body part by means of a plug and socket arrangement indicated generally at 14. The body part is provided with a cover plate 15 which can be removed to expose the power supply for the instrument.If this plate is removed, either accidentally or intentionally, while the instrument is in use it is possible that, in some operational circumstances, the user may be exposed to dangerously high voltages or currents.
It is an object of the present invention to alleviate this problem.
Accordingly there is provided an electrical measuring instrument comprising a body part containing a number of electrical components interconnecting first and second electrical sensing members, one of said sensing members being removeably attached to the body part so as to establish an electrical connection with said electrical components, wherein said body is adapted to permit access to a power supply for said electrical components and a shroud, removeably mounted on the body part, prevents access to the power supply whenever said one electrical sensing member is attached to the body part. It will be appreciated that the shroud prevents access to the power supply whenever the instrument is in use and so protects the user from potentially dangerous voltages or currents which could prevail in certain operational circumstances.
In an embodiment of the invention said body part has a removeable or displaceable wall portion which pemits access to the power supply and said shroud, when mounted on the body part, at least partially covers said wall portion to prevent removal or displacement thereof and includes an electrical connector for establishing, when so mounted, an electrical connection between said one electrical sensing member and said electrical components.
The instrument may be provided with a fuse between said electrical components and said one electrical sensing member; preferably the fuse is mounted within the shroud.
In order that the invention may be carried into effect an embodiment thereof is now described, by way of example only, by reference to the remaining Figures of the accompanying drawings of which Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a hand-held multimeter provided with a removeable shroud and Figure 3 shows a section through the shroud.
Referring to Figure 2, a hand-held multimeter, of the kind described herein before by reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, is provided with a removable shroud 20 dimensioned to fit closely over one end of the body part 10 of the multimeter. The shroud is formed conveniently as a platics material moulding and, as is shown in greater detail in the sectional view of Figure 3, comprises an end wall 21 provided with an electrical plug 22 and four side walls (e.g. 23, 24) arranged to embrace the body part. The plug is connected by lead 13 to a "long reach" probe 12 and is positioned in the end wall so as to be received in a complementary socket in the body part to establish an electrical connection with electrical components contained therein.
As shown in Figure 2, the shroud is dimensioned to partially overlie cover plate 15 and so prevent its removal or displacement. This configuration prevents access to the power supply while probe 12 is attached to the body part and so protects the user from potentially dangerous voltages or currents which may sometimes prevail in certain operational circumstances; for example during flash testing.
To reduce the possibility of electrical breakdown in such circumstances it is desirable also to provide a fuse between plug 22 and probe 12. Conveniently this is mounted in the shroud, as shown at 26, although alternatively a fuse could be mounted in the body of the probe holder.
It will be appreciated that the shroud described by reference to Figures 2 and 3 is only an example; other configurations preventing access to the power supply could be employed alternatively. The shroud may, for example, be constructed so as to overlie the cover plate while only partially embracing the body part.
While the present invention finds particular application in a hand-held multimeter it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable in other forms of electrical measuring instruments wherein it is desirable to prevent access to a power supply whenever the instrument is in use.
1. An electrical measuring instrumentcomprising a body part containing a number of electrical components interconnecting first and second electrical sensing members, one of said sensing members being removeably attached to the body part so as to establish an electrical connection with said electrical components, wherein said body part is adapted to permit access to a power supply for said electrical components and a shroud, removably mounted on the body part, prevents access to the power supply whenever said one electrical sensing member is attached to the body part.
2. An electrical measuring instrument according to Claim 1 wherein said body part has a removeable or displaceable wall portion which permits access to the power supply and said shroud, when mounted n the body part, at least partially covers said wall portion to prevent removal or displacement thereof and includes an electrical connector for establishing,
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Electrical measuring instrument This invention relates to an electrical measuring instrument and it relates especially, although not exclusively, to a multimeter-forexample, a handheld multimeter. Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates, by way of example, a perspective view of a known form of hand-held multimeter. It comprises a body part 10 which is intended to be gripped by a user and which contains electrical components interconnecting a pair of sensing probes. One of the probes 11 is mounted fixedly on the body part and the other 12 is a "long reach" probe connected to the body part by a suitable lead 13. As is usually the case in such instruments the "long reach" probe is removeably attached to the body part by means of a plug and socket arrangement indicated generally at 14. The body part is provided with a cover plate 15 which can be removed to expose the power supply for the instrument.If this plate is removed, either accidentally or intentionally, while the instrument is in use it is possible that, in some operational circumstances, the user may be exposed to dangerously high voltages or currents. It is an object of the present invention to alleviate this problem. Accordingly there is provided an electrical measuring instrument comprising a body part containing a number of electrical components interconnecting first and second electrical sensing members, one of said sensing members being removeably attached to the body part so as to establish an electrical connection with said electrical components, wherein said body is adapted to permit access to a power supply for said electrical components and a shroud, removeably mounted on the body part, prevents access to the power supply whenever said one electrical sensing member is attached to the body part. It will be appreciated that the shroud prevents access to the power supply whenever the instrument is in use and so protects the user from potentially dangerous voltages or currents which could prevail in certain operational circumstances. In an embodiment of the invention said body part has a removeable or displaceable wall portion which pemits access to the power supply and said shroud, when mounted on the body part, at least partially covers said wall portion to prevent removal or displacement thereof and includes an electrical connector for establishing, when so mounted, an electrical connection between said one electrical sensing member and said electrical components. The instrument may be provided with a fuse between said electrical components and said one electrical sensing member; preferably the fuse is mounted within the shroud. In order that the invention may be carried into effect an embodiment thereof is now described, by way of example only, by reference to the remaining Figures of the accompanying drawings of which Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a hand-held multimeter provided with a removeable shroud and Figure 3 shows a section through the shroud. Referring to Figure 2, a hand-held multimeter, of the kind described herein before by reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, is provided with a removable shroud 20 dimensioned to fit closely over one end of the body part 10 of the multimeter. The shroud is formed conveniently as a platics material moulding and, as is shown in greater detail in the sectional view of Figure 3, comprises an end wall 21 provided with an electrical plug 22 and four side walls (e.g. 23, 24) arranged to embrace the body part. The plug is connected by lead 13 to a "long reach" probe 12 and is positioned in the end wall so as to be received in a complementary socket in the body part to establish an electrical connection with electrical components contained therein. As shown in Figure 2, the shroud is dimensioned to partially overlie cover plate 15 and so prevent its removal or displacement. This configuration prevents access to the power supply while probe 12 is attached to the body part and so protects the user from potentially dangerous voltages or currents which may sometimes prevail in certain operational circumstances; for example during flash testing. To reduce the possibility of electrical breakdown in such circumstances it is desirable also to provide a fuse between plug 22 and probe 12. Conveniently this is mounted in the shroud, as shown at 26, although alternatively a fuse could be mounted in the body of the probe holder. It will be appreciated that the shroud described by reference to Figures 2 and 3 is only an example; other configurations preventing access to the power supply could be employed alternatively. The shroud may, for example, be constructed so as to overlie the cover plate while only partially embracing the body part. While the present invention finds particular application in a hand-held multimeter it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable in other forms of electrical measuring instruments wherein it is desirable to prevent access to a power supply whenever the instrument is in use. CLAIMS
1. An electrical measuring instrumentcomprising a body part containing a number of electrical components interconnecting first and second electrical sensing members, one of said sensing members being removeably attached to the body part so as to establish an electrical connection with said electrical components, wherein said body part is adapted to permit access to a power supply for said electrical components and a shroud, removably mounted on the body part, prevents access to the power supply whenever said one electrical sensing member is attached to the body part.
2. An electrical measuring instrument according to Claim 1 wherein said body part has a removeable or displaceable wall portion which permits access to the power supply and said shroud, when mounted n the body part, at least partially covers said wall portion to prevent removal or displacement thereof and includes an electrical connector for establishing, when the shroud is so mounted, an electrical connection between said one electrical sensing member and said electrical components.
3. An electrical measuring instrument according to Claim 2 wherein a fuse is provided between said one electrical sensing member and said electrical components.
4. An electrical measuring instrument according to Claim 3 wherein said fuse is mounted within said shroud.
5. A shroud for use in an electrical measuring instrument according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.
6. An electrical measuring instrumentsubstantially as hereinbefore described by reference to and as illustrated in Figure 2 ofthe accompanying drawings.
7. A shroud substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
GB08402187A 1984-01-27 1984-01-27 Electrical measuring instrument Expired GB2153600B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08402187A GB2153600B (en) 1984-01-27 1984-01-27 Electrical measuring instrument

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08402187A GB2153600B (en) 1984-01-27 1984-01-27 Electrical measuring instrument

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8402187D0 GB8402187D0 (en) 1984-02-29
GB2153600A true GB2153600A (en) 1985-08-21
GB2153600B GB2153600B (en) 1987-10-21

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08402187A Expired GB2153600B (en) 1984-01-27 1984-01-27 Electrical measuring instrument

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2153600B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103604969A (en) * 2013-10-31 2014-02-26 三亚雷声船舶维修实业有限公司 Universal meter and control method thereof
CN105866516A (en) * 2016-03-29 2016-08-17 国网山东省电力公司平阴县供电公司 Lower voltage test light having digital function and neon tube function

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB314390A (en) * 1928-06-26 1930-07-03 Johannes Franciscus Schleper An improved electric testing device
GB429503A (en) * 1933-11-23 1935-05-23 Reyrolle A & Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to earthing arrangements for electric apparatus
GB748811A (en) * 1953-12-08 1956-05-09 Albert Henry Saunders Improvements in electrical test probes
GB770892A (en) * 1953-07-03 1957-03-27 Automatic Coil Winder And Elec Improvements in electrical test probes
GB806270A (en) * 1955-08-29 1958-12-23 United Carr Fastener Corp Improvements in and relating to electrical switch assemblies
GB881140A (en) * 1958-02-26 1961-11-01 Mark Burke Improvements in and relating to fluorescent hand lamps
GB1434647A (en) * 1973-10-15 1976-05-05 Parc Amber Co Ltd Resistivity measuring heads

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB314390A (en) * 1928-06-26 1930-07-03 Johannes Franciscus Schleper An improved electric testing device
GB429503A (en) * 1933-11-23 1935-05-23 Reyrolle A & Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to earthing arrangements for electric apparatus
GB770892A (en) * 1953-07-03 1957-03-27 Automatic Coil Winder And Elec Improvements in electrical test probes
GB748811A (en) * 1953-12-08 1956-05-09 Albert Henry Saunders Improvements in electrical test probes
GB806270A (en) * 1955-08-29 1958-12-23 United Carr Fastener Corp Improvements in and relating to electrical switch assemblies
GB881140A (en) * 1958-02-26 1961-11-01 Mark Burke Improvements in and relating to fluorescent hand lamps
GB1434647A (en) * 1973-10-15 1976-05-05 Parc Amber Co Ltd Resistivity measuring heads

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103604969A (en) * 2013-10-31 2014-02-26 三亚雷声船舶维修实业有限公司 Universal meter and control method thereof
CN105866516A (en) * 2016-03-29 2016-08-17 国网山东省电力公司平阴县供电公司 Lower voltage test light having digital function and neon tube function
CN105866516B (en) * 2016-03-29 2018-08-07 国网山东省电力公司平阴县供电公司 Have both digital and neon tube formula function low pressure electroscope

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2153600B (en) 1987-10-21
GB8402187D0 (en) 1984-02-29

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Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19980127