WO2002027339A1 - An apparatus for testing an electrical device - Google Patents

An apparatus for testing an electrical device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002027339A1
WO2002027339A1 PCT/NZ2001/000208 NZ0100208W WO0227339A1 WO 2002027339 A1 WO2002027339 A1 WO 2002027339A1 NZ 0100208 W NZ0100208 W NZ 0100208W WO 0227339 A1 WO0227339 A1 WO 0227339A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
state
magnetic switch
electrical device
test circuit
signal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ2001/000208
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert Julian Gretton Tomkies
Michael Quin
Original Assignee
Sales & Promotions (Nz) Limited
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 Sales & Promotions (Nz) Limited filed Critical Sales & Promotions (Nz) Limited
Priority to AU2002211110A priority Critical patent/AU2002211110A1/en
Priority to NZ525073A priority patent/NZ525073A/en
Publication of WO2002027339A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002027339A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/28—Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
    • G01R31/282—Testing of electronic circuits specially adapted for particular applications not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/2829—Testing of circuits in sensor or actuator systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing an electrical device. More particularly, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to an electrical device having a test circuit incorporating a magnetic switch wherein the test circuit generates a signal indicating the status of the device when the state of the magnetic switch is changed.
  • a number of electrical devices such as emergency lighting systems, require regular testing to ensure that components of the system are functioning correctly (eg battery, light source etc).
  • Many emergency lighting systems incorporate test buttons which, when actuated, indicate whether the components of the emergency lighting system are functioning as desired.
  • a smoke detector has been proposed in which a light detector is incorporated within a test circuit which, when light falls on the detector, conducts a test and indicates the status of the unit.
  • a test circuit may be activated by stray light and requires a serviceman to carry a light source with them.
  • the cost involved in providing batteries for the light source there is the additional annoyance in that a test cannot be conducted should the batteries of the light source fail. It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and convenient means of testing electrical devices located in remote positions that overcomes these drawbacks or at least provides the public with a useful choice.
  • an electrical device including a test circuit having a magnetic switch and a signal generator electrically connected to the test circuit, the circuit being responsive to the state of the magnetic switch to generate a signal indicative of the state of the device.
  • the signal generator may generate a visible or audible signal indicative of the state of the electrical device.
  • a signal may be generated when the test circuit determines that the electrical device is in an operational state.
  • the magnetic switch may be a reed switch, Hall effect sensor or other magnetically actuated switch.
  • a method of testing an electrical device having a magnetic switch connected to an electrical test circuit of the device which generates a signal perceivable by a user to indicate the status of the device when the state of the magnetic switch is changed comprising bringing a magnet into sufficiently close proximity to the magnetic switch to change the state of the magnetic switch and observing the signal generated by the device to determine the status of the device.
  • Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of an electrical device and test actuating means according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of part of the circuit of an emergency lighting system incorporating a test circuit.
  • an emergency lighting system 1 has a reed switch 2 which is electrically connected to a test circuit within emergency lighting system 1.
  • a light source 3 generates visible radiation 4 when driven by the test circuit.
  • Elongate member 5 has a magnet 6 provided at one end thereof.
  • test circuit When magnet 6 is brought into sufficiently close proximity to reed switch 2 it changes the state of reed switch 2.
  • the change in state of reed switch 2 causes the test circuit to generate visible radiation 4 from light source 3 if the components of the emergency lighting system are operating correctly.
  • the test circuit may test the state of a backup battery within the emergency lighting system.
  • magnet 6 If magnet 6 is brought into close proximity to reed switch 2 and light source 3 is not activated this is indicative of failure of a component of the emergency lighting system and that servicing is required.
  • test signal generator may be substituted for light source 3, such as an audible signal.
  • test signal may be either a transition from an on-state to an off-state or from an off-state to an on-state or some other user identifiable sequence.
  • reed switch 2 may be of a normally closed or normally open type and it is simply the transition of state that causes the test circuit to generate a signal or not in dependence upon the state of the components within the emergency lighting system.
  • FIG. 2 a circuit diagram of part of an emergency lighting system incorporating a test circuit is shown.
  • the circuit to the left of battery 7 is a power supply circuit for maintaining battery 7 in a charged state.
  • the circuit to the right of battery 7 is a test circuit for testing the status of battery 7.
  • Power is supplied to the power supply section via lines 8 and 9. Power passing through LED 10 causes it to emit radiation.
  • a reference voltage is generated at point 15 (by virtue of zener diode 18 and diodes 17) which lies between the voltages at point 13 when opto- transistor 1 1 is on and off (and battery 7 is charged).
  • Reed switch 2 and resistor 14 are provided in parallel with LED 10. When reed switch 2 is closed, resistor 14 provides a low conduction path in parallel with LED 10 which turns off LED 10. This causes opto- transistor 1 1 to turn off. Opto-transistor 11 thus becomes a higher resistance path in parallel with resistor 12. This causes the voltage at point 13 to drop.
  • comparator 16 when opto-transistor 11 is turned off there is a change in state of comparator 16.
  • the change in state of comparator 16 causes a drive circuit (not shown) to drive light source 3 (figure 1). A serviceman may thus visually observe whether the emergency lighting system is operating correctly.
  • the magnet 6 is mounted at the end of the member 5, which member 5 is desirably in the form of a telescopic rod, which rod may be extended as necessary to bring the magnet 6 into proximate range of the reed switch 2.
  • Magnetic activation is cheap and simple and minimises the risk of erroneous activation.
  • a magnetic switch may be placed within a housing and so requires no modification of the housing and does not compromise the aesthetics of the housing.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
  • Testing Electric Properties And Detecting Electric Faults (AREA)
  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)

Abstract

According to one form of the invention there is provided an electrical device (1) including a test circuit having a magnetic switch (2) and a signalgenerator (3) electrically connected to the test circuit, the circuit being responsive to the state of the magnetic switch (2) to generate a signal indicative of the state of the device (1). The signal generator (3) may generate a visible or audible signal indicative of the state of the electrical device (1).

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR TESTING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing an electrical device. More particularly, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to an electrical device having a test circuit incorporating a magnetic switch wherein the test circuit generates a signal indicating the status of the device when the state of the magnetic switch is changed.
BACKGROUND ART
A number of electrical devices, such as emergency lighting systems, require regular testing to ensure that components of the system are functioning correctly (eg battery, light source etc). Many emergency lighting systems incorporate test buttons which, when actuated, indicate whether the components of the emergency lighting system are functioning as desired.
Where emergency lighting systems are located in inaccessible positions it is time consuming and difficult for a serviceman to test them. Typically, this requires a serviceman to transport a ladder to the various emergency lighting systems and actuate each test button manually.
A smoke detector has been proposed in which a light detector is incorporated within a test circuit which, when light falls on the detector, conducts a test and indicates the status of the unit. Such a system suffers from the disadvantage that the test circuit may be activated by stray light and requires a serviceman to carry a light source with them. As well as the cost involved in providing batteries for the light source there is the additional annoyance in that a test cannot be conducted should the batteries of the light source fail. It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and convenient means of testing electrical devices located in remote positions that overcomes these drawbacks or at least provides the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical device including a test circuit having a magnetic switch and a signal generator electrically connected to the test circuit, the circuit being responsive to the state of the magnetic switch to generate a signal indicative of the state of the device.
The signal generator may generate a visible or audible signal indicative of the state of the electrical device. A signal may be generated when the test circuit determines that the electrical device is in an operational state. The magnetic switch may be a reed switch, Hall effect sensor or other magnetically actuated switch.
There is further provide a system comprising an electrical device as hereinbefore described and an elongate member having a magnet connected to a distal end thereof.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of testing an electrical device having a magnetic switch connected to an electrical test circuit of the device which generates a signal perceivable by a user to indicate the status of the device when the state of the magnetic switch is changed, the method comprising bringing a magnet into sufficiently close proximity to the magnetic switch to change the state of the magnetic switch and observing the signal generated by the device to determine the status of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of examples referenced to the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 : is a pictorial representation of an electrical device and test actuating means according to the invention.
Figure 2: is a circuit diagram of part of the circuit of an emergency lighting system incorporating a test circuit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to figure 1 an emergency lighting system 1 has a reed switch 2 which is electrically connected to a test circuit within emergency lighting system 1. A light source 3 generates visible radiation 4 when driven by the test circuit. Elongate member 5 has a magnet 6 provided at one end thereof.
When magnet 6 is brought into sufficiently close proximity to reed switch 2 it changes the state of reed switch 2. The change in state of reed switch 2 causes the test circuit to generate visible radiation 4 from light source 3 if the components of the emergency lighting system are operating correctly. In particular, the test circuit may test the state of a backup battery within the emergency lighting system.
If magnet 6 is brought into close proximity to reed switch 2 and light source 3 is not activated this is indicative of failure of a component of the emergency lighting system and that servicing is required.
It will be appreciated that another form of signal generator may be substituted for light source 3, such as an audible signal. Further, it will be appreciated that the test signal may be either a transition from an on-state to an off-state or from an off-state to an on-state or some other user identifiable sequence.
Likewise, reed switch 2 may be of a normally closed or normally open type and it is simply the transition of state that causes the test circuit to generate a signal or not in dependence upon the state of the components within the emergency lighting system.
Referring now to figure 2 a circuit diagram of part of an emergency lighting system incorporating a test circuit is shown. The circuit to the left of battery 7 is a power supply circuit for maintaining battery 7 in a charged state. The circuit to the right of battery 7 is a test circuit for testing the status of battery 7. Power is supplied to the power supply section via lines 8 and 9. Power passing through LED 10 causes it to emit radiation. LED
10 is optically coupled to opto-transistor 11. In normal use power flows through LED 10 and the radiation it generates causes opto-transistor 11 to switch on. This provides a low resistance path in parallel with transistor 12 which pulls the voltage at point 13 high.
A reference voltage is generated at point 15 (by virtue of zener diode 18 and diodes 17) which lies between the voltages at point 13 when opto- transistor 1 1 is on and off (and battery 7 is charged).
If there is a power failure LED 10 turns off, causing opto-transistor 1 1 to turn off, and the voltage at point 13 to drop below the reference voltage at point 15. This causes a change in state of the output of comparator 16 which causes the emergency lighting 3 to be activated.
Reed switch 2 and resistor 14 are provided in parallel with LED 10. When reed switch 2 is closed, resistor 14 provides a low conduction path in parallel with LED 10 which turns off LED 10. This causes opto- transistor 1 1 to turn off. Opto-transistor 11 thus becomes a higher resistance path in parallel with resistor 12. This causes the voltage at point 13 to drop.
Accordingly, when opto-transistor 11 is turned off there is a change in state of comparator 16. The change in state of comparator 16 causes a drive circuit (not shown) to drive light source 3 (figure 1). A serviceman may thus visually observe whether the emergency lighting system is operating correctly.
There is thus provided a system which enables easy testing of a remotely positioned electrical device without requiring a serviceman to ascend a ladder to test the device. In furtherance of that objective the magnet 6 is mounted at the end of the member 5, which member 5 is desirably in the form of a telescopic rod, which rod may be extended as necessary to bring the magnet 6 into proximate range of the reed switch 2.
Magnetic activation is cheap and simple and minimises the risk of erroneous activation. A magnetic switch may be placed within a housing and so requires no modification of the housing and does not compromise the aesthetics of the housing.
Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.
Although this invention has been described by way of example it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. An electrical device including a test circuit having a magnetic switch and a signal generator electrically connected to the test circuit, the circuit being responsive to the state of the magnetic switch to generate a signal indicative of the state of the device.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the signal generator may generate a visible or audible signal indicative of the state of the electrical device.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the signal may be generated when the test circuit determines that the electrical device is in an operational state.
4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the magnetic switch is a reed switch, a Hall effect sensor or any other form of magnetically actuated switch.
5. A system comprising an electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and an elongate member having a magnet connected to a distal end thereof.
6. A method of testing the device of any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising bringing a magnet into sufficiently close proximity to the magnetic switch to change the state of the magnetic switch and observing the signal generated by the device to determine the status of the device.
7. A device according to claim 1 substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. A system according to claim 5 substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. A method according to claim 6 substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings.
PCT/NZ2001/000208 2000-09-29 2001-10-01 An apparatus for testing an electrical device WO2002027339A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002211110A AU2002211110A1 (en) 2000-09-29 2001-10-01 An apparatus for testing an electrical device
NZ525073A NZ525073A (en) 2000-09-29 2001-10-01 Testing an electrical device using an apparatus having magnetic switch, the state of the switch showing the state of the device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ50723000 2000-09-29
NZ507230 2000-09-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002027339A1 true WO2002027339A1 (en) 2002-04-04

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PCT/NZ2001/000208 WO2002027339A1 (en) 2000-09-29 2001-10-01 An apparatus for testing an electrical device

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WO (1) WO2002027339A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113861729B (en) * 2021-10-14 2022-12-09 新纶新能源材料(常州)有限公司 High-corrosion-resistance environment-friendly coating and preparation method thereof

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2619794A1 (en) * 1976-05-05 1977-11-24 Horstmann Gmbh Dipl Ing H Short circuit indicator for overhead lines - has blinking signal generator and reed contact exposed to line magnetic field
US4488112A (en) * 1982-08-30 1984-12-11 Gte Automatic Electric Inc. Hall effect device test circuit
US4491794A (en) * 1982-10-29 1985-01-01 Gte Automatic Electric Inc. Hall effect device test circuit
DE4430243A1 (en) * 1993-09-03 1995-03-09 Syslab Gmbh Magnetoresistive sensor
US5670948A (en) * 1992-05-25 1997-09-23 Nohmi Bosai Ltd. Fire detector
GB2316627A (en) * 1996-08-30 1998-03-04 Orion Projects Limited Tackle indicator
US5754383A (en) * 1995-03-06 1998-05-19 Dipl.-Ing H. Horstmann Gmbh Faulted circuit indicatior with variable load levelling circuit
EP0903856A2 (en) * 1997-09-18 1999-03-24 Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. Pulse signal generation method and apparatus

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2619794A1 (en) * 1976-05-05 1977-11-24 Horstmann Gmbh Dipl Ing H Short circuit indicator for overhead lines - has blinking signal generator and reed contact exposed to line magnetic field
US4488112A (en) * 1982-08-30 1984-12-11 Gte Automatic Electric Inc. Hall effect device test circuit
US4491794A (en) * 1982-10-29 1985-01-01 Gte Automatic Electric Inc. Hall effect device test circuit
US5670948A (en) * 1992-05-25 1997-09-23 Nohmi Bosai Ltd. Fire detector
DE4430243A1 (en) * 1993-09-03 1995-03-09 Syslab Gmbh Magnetoresistive sensor
US5754383A (en) * 1995-03-06 1998-05-19 Dipl.-Ing H. Horstmann Gmbh Faulted circuit indicatior with variable load levelling circuit
GB2316627A (en) * 1996-08-30 1998-03-04 Orion Projects Limited Tackle indicator
EP0903856A2 (en) * 1997-09-18 1999-03-24 Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. Pulse signal generation method and apparatus

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