The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 19, 1985
Filed:
Mar. 15, 1982
Frederick W Woodruff, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Daniel C Hughey, Indianapolis, IN (US);
William L Smart, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Ransburg Corporation, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Abstract
A bi-directional system for ensuring that a ground connection is made in a three-wire conductor system including a line 'hot' conductor, a line neutral conductor, and a ground conductor includes a circuit for generating direct current potential related to the potential difference between the line 'hot' conductor and ground and a second circuit for generating a direct current potential related to the potential difference between the line 'hot' conductor and ground. A circuit including a male plug for insertion into a female receptacle includes a first prong for coupling alternatively to the line 'hot' conductor or the line neutral conductor, a second prong for coupling alternatively to the line 'hot' conductor or the line neutral conductor, and a third prong for coupling to the line ground conductor. Coupling of the first prong to the line 'hot' conductor causes the second prong to be coupled to the line neutral conductor and coupling of the first prong to the line neutral conductor causes the second prong to be coupled to the line 'hot' conductor. Conductors are provided for coupling the first circuit to the first and third prongs and for coupling the second circuit to the second and third prongs. Each of the first and second circuits includes a Zener diode for sensing the potential across the 'hot' and ground conductors and for switching in response to the presence of potential difference, which tends to indicate the presence of ground potential on the ground conductor.