Abstract: A testing system includes a hand-held transmitter that plugs into a receptacle electrically coupled to a selected branch circuit. The transmitter includes a circuit effective to test an arc fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a first pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the arc fault circuit interrupter. The transmitter can perform at least one additional test including: determining whether the receptacle is wired properly; determining a location of a circuit interrupting device electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a second pulse on the branch circuit that can be sensed by a receiver located proximately to the respective circuit interrupting device and broadly tuned about a frequency of the second pulse; and testing a ground fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a third pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the ground fault circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A testing system includes a hand-held transmitter that plugs into a receptacle electrically coupled to a selected branch circuit. The transmitter includes a circuit effective to test an arc fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a first pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the arc fault circuit interrupter. The transmitter can perform at least one additional test including: determining whether the receptacle is wired properly; determining a location of a circuit interrupting device electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a second pulse on the branch circuit that can be sensed by a receiver located proximately to the respective circuit interrupting device and broadly tuned about a frequency of the second pulse; and testing a ground fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a third pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the ground fault circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A testing system includes a hand-held transmitter that plugs into a receptacle electrically coupled to a selected branch circuit. The transmitter includes a circuit effective to test an arc fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a first pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the arc fault circuit interrupter. The transmitter can perform an additional test of determining whether the receptacle is wired properly.

Abstract: A system for locating a circuit interrupter associated with a selected branch circuit. The system includes a passive transmitter that creates a current spike at a predetermined frequency and a receiver broadly tuned about that predetermined frequency. The current spike signal has a sufficiently short spike duration and a sufficient amplitude so as to substantially minimize development of a sympathetic signal on other branch circuits adjacent to the selected branch circuit. The passive transmitter includes a voltage controlled switch in series with a charge storage device. The receiver drives a user-perceivable signaling device upon sensing the current spike. Related subsystems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A testing system includes a hand-held transmitter that plugs into a receptacle electrically coupled to a selected branch circuit. The transmitter includes a circuit effective to test an arc fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a first pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the arc fault circuit interrupter. The transmitter can perform at least one additional test including: determining whether the receptacle is wired properly; determining a location of a circuit interrupting device electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a second pulse on the branch circuit that can be sensed by a receiver located proximately to the respective circuit interrupting device and broadly tuned about a frequency of the second pulse; and testing a ground fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a third pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the ground fault circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A multi-part reactive device preferably includes a substrate with a first conductive area and a second conductive area. A first conductive element with a first terminal is connected to the first conductive area. The first conductive element has a second terminal connected to the second conductive area. A current loop is formed extending from the first conductive area, through the first terminal, through the second terminal, to the second conductive area. A magnetically-effective core member is captivated by the first conductive element to the substrate between the first conductive area and the second conductive area and encircles the current loop. The first conductive area, the first conductive element, the magnetically-effective core member, and the second conductive area form a first magnetic circuit. Additional magnetic circuits can be formed by adding additional conductive patterns and additional conductive elements.

Abstract: A system for locating a circuit interrupter associated with a selected branch circuit. The system includes a passive transmitter that creates a current spike at a predetermined frequency and a receiver broadly tuned about that predetermined frequency. The current spike signal has a sufficiently short spike duration and a sufficient amplitude so as to substantially minimize development of a sympathetic signal on other branch circuits adjacent to the selected branch circuit. The passive transmitter includes a voltage controlled switch in series with a charge storage device. The receiver drives a user-perceivable signaling device upon sensing the current spike. Related subsystems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control system for use with a bidirectional motor connected to a motorized vehicle accessory to move the accessory a distance from a first position to a second position. The control system includes a detector responsive to control signals emitted from the motor during rotation, where the control signals indicate the amount of motor rotation. The control system also includes a memory that stores information used to represent the position of the accessory. Additionally, this control system includes a controller responsive to the memory and the detector. The controller provides an output signal to operate the motor based on the distance between a first position and a second position of the accessory as well as control signals that indicate the amount of motor rotation. The controller includes an adjustment routine that determines a correction factor that is applied to the output signal to compensate for inaccuracies in control signal detection.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating samples of biological material contained individually on a plurality of fixtures contained on a centrifuge. A flash tube is located adjacent to the centrifuge to convert electrical energy from a capacitor into heat as the samples of biological material go past the flash tube. A trigger signal is used to cause the capacitor to discharge as the biological material moves past the flash tube. Circuitry is used to control the amount the capacitor is charged by using a fixed number of pulses having a controlled amplitude and to prevent charging of the capacitor when the capacitor is discharged. This causes the flash tube to accurately heat the samples of biological material to a predetermined temperature prior to analysis.