Hand-Held Circuit Tester With Isolated Dual Testing Modules
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit testers are limited in their ability to test modular wiring systems before conventional wall receptacles are installed, requiring multiple devices and posing a shock hazard due to interconnected circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held electrical circuit tester with electrically isolated testing components, featuring a non-conductive housing with separate circuit testers for conventional and modular systems, providing visual indications through light sources to ensure safe and simultaneous testing of multiple circuit types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional circuit testers are used to test modular wiring systems, then multiple separate devices are required, but this increases device complexity and portability requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a conventional receptacle circuit tester and a modular plug circuit tester into a single integrated device. The housing contains both a receptacle portion with testing components and a modular plug receptacle portion with its own testing components, allowing users to test both conventional and modular wiring systems with one device rather than carrying multiple separate testers.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit tester is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple testing scenarios. It can test conventional three-wire ground type electrical household outlets through the receptacle portion and modular wiring systems through the modular plug receptacle portion, making it a multi-functional tool that adapts to different wiring system types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If circuit testers have interconnected circuitry to enable multiple testing functions, then versatility is improved, but shock hazard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit tester divides its internal circuitry into electrically isolated segments. The receptacle portion and modular plug receptacle portion each have separate testing circuits that are electrically isolated from one another. This segmentation allows both testing functions to operate simultaneously without creating electrical pathways that could expose users to shock hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure acts as an electrical intermediary and barrier between the two testing circuits. The non-conductive housing material physically separates and electrically isolates the receptacle portion circuitry from the modular plug receptacle portion circuitry, preventing harmful electrical interaction while allowing both functions to coexist.
3Reliability
If conventional receptacles are installed before testing modular wiring systems, then testing capability is limited, but early detection of wiring problems is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit tester enables preliminary testing of modular wiring systems before conventional wall receptacles are installed. The modular plug receptacle portion allows testers to verify wiring correctness at the electrical box level during the installation process, enabling early detection of wiring problems before final receptacle installation, thus preventing rework and ensuring reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for safe and efficient testing of both conventional and modular wiring systems without the need for multiple devices, reducing shock hazards and enabling simultaneous testing of various circuit types while ensuring accurate visual feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The light sources are electrically coupled to the PCB and provide a visual indication of the installation status for one or both of the first and second electrical circuit testers.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical circuit tester includes a first testing device and a second testing device provided in a hand-held housing, each being electrically isolated from the other. Multiple light sources are electrically coupled to one of the first and second testing devices to provide a visual indication of the testing result. The first testing device includes a conventional three-prong plug extending out from the surface of the housing and configured to be inserted into a standard electrical receptacle. The second testing device includes one or more keyed cavities, each being designed to receive all or a portion of a plug into the cavity in only one orientation. Each cavity can include at least one blade prong that makes electrical contact with the plug when inserted into the cavity. Both the first and second testing devices can be operated simultaneously with separate sets of light sources providing separate testing indications for each.