GB2192464A

GB2192464A - Wound component tester

Info

Publication number: GB2192464A
Application number: GB08616698A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Gard; Michael Bennett; Angus Ellefsen
Original assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
Current assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
Priority date: 1986-07-09
Filing date: 1986-07-09
Publication date: 1988-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2006-07-09
Also published as: GB2192464B; GB8616698D0

Abstract

A tester for wound components such as transformers or chokes, the tester comprising a bridge for measuring inductance and resistance, an insulation tester, and a volt meter, 7, 8,9, each being capable of being coupled selectively to a test jig 1 via a switching matrix 2 under the control of signals from a central processor unit 3 having a main store which is arranged to receive data from a floppy disc drive 4 whereby the testing of wound components received by the test jig 1 in accordance with a programme stored on a floppy disc is facilitated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wound component tester This invention relates to a wound componenttester.

In the final stages of manufacture of electrical components such as inductors, transformers, resistors, relays, connectors and simple connective networks it is necessary for a test operator to apply a series of tests to the component. The tests involve measurements of inductance, resistance, strength and voltage etc. The operatorthen notes the relevant test result and has to checkwhether it falls withinthe designed specification for the component or not. For each individual component, the series of tests has to be repeated and sometimes, during the testing process, the electrical connections to the component have to be changed to enable the process to be completed. This causes a delay in the testing operation and could lead to errors being made.

The testing operation is therefore a repetitive and time-consuming task and yet it has to be carried out with great care to ensure that the correct results are obtained for each individual component.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a wound component tester device which will enable the testing procedure to be carried out automatically so that time can be saved and the occurrence of errors can be reduced.

According to the invention, there is provided a testerforwound components such astransformers or chokes, the tester comprising a bridge for measuring inductance and resistance, an insulation tester, and indicator means, each being capable being coupled selectively to a test jig via a switching matrix underthe control of signalsfrom central processor unit having a main store which is arranged to receive data from a memory unit whereby the testing of wound components received by the test jig in accordancewith a programme stored inthe memoryunitisfacilitated.

Preferably, the tester includes a high voltage power supply unit having an output controlled by said central processor unit which is arranged to provide the correct voltages at relevant points of the test procedure.

The central processor unit may be coupled to a visual display unit arranged to indicate a sequence of test instructions to a test operator. The central processor unit may be arranged to indicate further whether the component under test has passed or failed the series of tests.

Byway of example, a particular embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single Figure of which shows a block diagram of the wound component tester.

As shown in the Figure, the component tester comprises a connection jig 1 which is capable of being connectedtothedifferentelectricalwindings of the component under test. The connection jig 1 is coupled through a switching matrix 2, the operation of which is controlled bya computer3 having a memory unit such as a disc drive 4, and a keyboard 6.

The computer 3 also controls switching ofthe relevant adjustment ranges of an inductance analyser 7, a high voltage power supply unit 8 and indicator means such as a digital multimeter 9.

The inductance analyser 7, powersupply unit8 and multimeter 9 are capable of being connected respectively through the switching matrix 2 to the component undertest. Similarly, the relevant outputs of the analyser 7, power supply unit 8 and multimeter 9 are capable of being transferred to the computer3 for enabling the outputs to be recorded and compared with the specified test limit data which will be fed into the computer 3 from the disc drive 4.

In operation of the wound component tester, a test operatorwill switch on the test station and insert a disc carrying a software programme in the disc drive 4. The software is loaded into the computer 3 automatically, and the system and connected test gear is checked for correct operation. The computer 3 has a visual display screen and this next displays a listofjobnumbersforthewhole rangeofwound components that are capable of being tested by the component tester.

The test operator uses the keyboard 6 to select a relevant one ofthe available job numbers. The' screen then displays a connection diagram for enabling the operator to make correct connections of the com ponent to the connection jig 1.

To minimise operator effort, the action of inserting a component for test into the connection jig automatically initiates the testing procedure. Afirst test is made to ensure that the component is correctly oriented and from then on all the relevant tests which are included in the software programme are carried out.

The computer acts to ensure that the tests are carried out with optimum speed and accuracy and it is able to interrupt any test to ensure that a latertest is not held upduetotheoperatingtimesof connected test gear. The best route through the series oftestswill be selected.

The computer sets the inductance analyserto preprogrammed test frequencies and voltages to' carry outvarious types of test as may be required, for example, inductance value measurement, transformerturns ratio, Q-factor and DC resistance.

The high voltage power supply unit is set bythe computerto provide suitable stimuli required mainly for insulation testing. Voltages are ramped up and down so that electrical interference that might adversely affect the operation of the computer and test gear is avoided. Furthermore, it is ensured, by this ramping technique, that items of test gear are not subjected to unsafe electrical stress.

The digital multimeter is connected into the system when insulation resistance measurements are being made or very high accuracy turns ratio tests are carried out.

On completion ofthetestsequency, a PASS/FAlL message is displayed together with the numerictest resu Its. The system then waits for the tested component to be removed from the connection jig 1 so that another component can be inserted.

The computer is also capable of making a printout of data relating to batch test information and time.

The test results can also be stored in the computer so that detailed information on the results can be analysed subsequently.

The foregoing description of an embodiment of the invention has been given byway of example only and a number of modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Forinstance,thetests described may be extended by the inclusion of 'further tests such as for continuities, open circuits, effective resistance and leakage inductance.

Claims

1. Atesterforwound components such as transformers orchokes,thetestercomprising a bridge for measuring inductance and resistance, an insulation tester, and indicator means, each being capable of being coupled selectively to a test jig via a switching matrix under the control of signals from a central processor unit having a main store which is arranged receive data from a memory unit wherebythetesting of wound components received bythe,testjig in accordance with a programme stored in the memory u nit is facilitated.

2. Atester as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said central processor u n itfu rth er controls a high voltage power supply unit having an outputwhich is arranged to providethe correctvoltages at relevant points ofthetest procedure.

3. Atester as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the centraiprocessor unit is coupled to a visual display unit arranged to indicate a sequence of test instructions to a test operation.

4. Atesteras claimed in Claim 3, in which thesaid central processor unit is arranged to indicate further whether the component under test has passed or failed the series'oftests.

5. Atesterforwound components according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the memory unit comprises a floppy disc unit.

6. Atesterforwound components according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the indicator means comprises a digital multimeter.

7. Atesterforwound cqmponents substantially .a & erei nbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.