Abstract: An object is to provide a DC power supply connector that can suppress occurrence of an arc discharge at DC power off with a small-scale configuration without reducing power efficiency during DC power supply and can reduce heat generation. The connector includes, on at least any of a positive-electrode-side electrode side and a negative-electrode-side electrode side, a movable contact piece (20c) that touches a first contact (25) in a state where a terminal (11) on a power receiving side has been inserted and to touch a second contact (24) in a state where the terminal has not been inserted, and a current limiting circuit (30) including a switching element (T1).

Abstract: A power supply device includes: a power supply; a first contactor and a second contactor that are connected between the power supply and a load; a voltage detection circuit that detects a voltage between a load side of the first contactor and a power supply side of the second contactor; and a control unit that sets the contactors to an open/closed state. In a state in which electrical power has not been supplied to the load, a voltage which is greater than zero and less than a voltage at the power supply is applied between a positive electrode and a negative electrode on the load side; and after controlling the contactors to an open state, the control unit makes a decision as to whether or not one of the contactors is welded based upon detection results of the voltage detection circuit.

Abstract: A power supply controller apparatus is provided for use in a power supply apparatus including a battery assembly. The power supply controller apparatus includes a controller that controls supplying power to a load from said battery assembly through a capacitor connected between first and second contactors by turning on and off each of contactors. The controller detects whether or not each contactor is welded based on an output signal from one output terminal of both ends of the capacitor, when the each contactor is controlled to be turned off and an AC signal is applied to one input terminal of (a) one end of the battery assembly, (b) the other end of the battery assembly, and (c) each connection point between secondary batteries of the battery assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for testing performance characteristics of a MEMs device includes an activation driver configured to receive and drive a waveform to an activation side of the micro electromechanical device and configured to provide readback of an activation voltage and activation current drawn by activation of the micro electromechanical device. A switch driver configured to provide a load to a switch side of the micro electromechanical device provides readback of a load voltage and a load current drawn by the micro electromechanical device. A contact-closure counter and master control card (MCC) is included to control the activation and switch drivers while a digital volt meter (DVM) is in operable communication with the micro electromechanical device to read back analog readback. An analog multiplexer provides the analog readback to a corresponding activation driver or switch driver.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for testing performance characteristics of a MEMs device. The system includes an activation driver configured to receive and drive a waveform to an activation side of the micro electromechanical device and configured to provide readback of an activation voltage and activation current drawn by activation of the micro electromechanical device. The system further includes a switch driver configured to provide a load to a switch side of the micro electromechanical device and configured to provide readback of a load voltage and a load current drawn by the micro electromechanical device. It also contains a contact-closure counter. A master control card (MCC) is included to control the activation and switch drivers while a digital volt meter (DVM) is in operable communication with the micro electromechanical device to read back analog readback. An analog multiplexer is configured to provide the analog readback to a corresponding activation driver or switch driver.

Abstract: A tracer material is embedded in a component of electrical equipment to detect excessive wear of the component when it is exposed to an electrical arc. As the component wears, the tracer material becomes exposed to the electrical arc and emits electromagnetic radiation, which is monitored continuously. The tracer material is selected so that it emits electromagnetic radiation when it is exposed to an electrical arc that is distinct from electromagnetic radiation emitted by any other parts of the component.

Abstract: A device and a method for the non-destructive testing of passive components by applying an electrical test signal to passive components and an acoustic emission is measured by a microphone and, the measured signal is applied to an evaluation unit.

Abstract: In a device for controlling the power supply of the electric motor of a starter of a motor vehicle, and of an automobile in particular, a power switch is connected in series with the electric motor to control the motor power. The switch consists of an electronic power unit capable of being controlled.

Abstract: Frequency of judgment of welding of relays is increased to increase likelihood of early detection of welding. It is determined that a battery 22 is not being recharged or discharged when a vehicle speed V of an electric vehicle is approximately 0 and a brake pedal 54 is pressed, and a switching element of an inverter 24 is controlled to be switched to discharge electric charges which are stored in a capacitor 44. After discharging, relays 30, 32 are turned off, and voltages RV1, RV2 between the terminals of the relays 30, 32 are detected by voltmeters 40, 42 to judge whether either of the voltages RV1, RV2 has a threshold value RVref (approximate value 0) or less. When it is so determined, it is judged that the relays 30, 32 are welded, and an LED 70 is illuminated.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an on-load tap changer wherein the recording of sound and its conversion into a sound signal are initiated at the beginning of a connection operation of the tap changer and the sound signal is rectified, converted into a signal envelope, sampled digitally and continuously evaluated with respect to the condition of the tap changer by comparing the envelope with at least one fixed or one continuously updated reference envelope. The comparison is carried out selectively by calculating a dimensionless comparison figure T.sub.i which is based on a quantity measure and a variation measure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the recognition of the state of a solenoid valve supplies an on/off control switching current to the coil of the solenoid valve. A high level of current is caused to flow through the coil for switching the device on, and a reduced level of current is applied to the coil for holding the solenoid armature in its on position. If the armature should be caused to drop off from its on position by a mechanical shock, an increase in the frequency of the switching current occurs, due to the decrease in magnetic circuit inductance. This frequency increase is detected and compared to a predetermined threshold value. If the detected frequency exceeds the threshold value, it is recognized as an armature drop off, and corrective action can be taken immediately.

Abstract: Starting power supply to starter windings is interrupted whenever a power contact for the starter is still open after a predetermined time delay from initiation of the power supply to the starter. The invention also provides apparatus for controlling a contactor of a motor vehicle starter, said contactor including at least one winding and a power contact which, on being closed, serves to supply power to the starter, the apparatus including circuitry detecting the open or closed state of the power contact and for interrupting or reducing starting power supply to the winding(s) in the event the power contact is still open at the end of a predetermined time delay from initiation of power supply to the starter.

Abstract: Switching devices in which current contacts are made by actuating a magnetic armature, are tested by analyzing the vibrations or sound emission occurring under operating conditions. According to the present invention, the sound emitted by the switching device when it is actuated is detected by a sensor and is transmitted to an evaluation device for discriminating the time and/or frequency curve of individual sound components. With the process of the present invention, discriminating between the sound signals produced by the making of the contacts on the one hand, and the striking of the armature on the other hand, is possible. In addition, a sound analysis in a suitable time range permits any faults present in the switching device to be classified. Finally, especially in the application to flashing signal relays, whether the sound of the relay is proper, can be objectively determined. In all cases, particularly the high frequency sound components are evaluated.

Abstract: In a high frequency cooking apparatus including a magnetron, a fan motor, turntable motor, a plurality of relays for controlling them and a microcomputer controlling the relays, the microcomputer is provided with a relay test program. The relay test program is executed when specific two cooking menu selecting keys are simultaneously depressed. Consequently, pulses are sequentially supplied to all the relays and simultaneously, relay identification marks are sequentially displayed on a display unit. Based on the mechanical operation sound from each relay and the displayed content, an operator determines whether or not each relay is normal.

Abstract: A contact chatter detector includes a bipolar power supply and a switching system which permits the fixed contacts of a relay under test to be connected either to the positive or the negative terminal of the power supply, the movable contacts of the relay under test being grounded. Depending upon the switch position and whether or not chatter is present, the fixed contacts may be at ground potential, a positive potential, or a negative potential. Binary gates continuously monitor the fixed contacts, and are able to accommodate the three input states by receiving power from power supply translation circuits which effectively adjust the gates to be responsive to the negative potential and ground at one switch position and to ground and the positive potential at another switch position. Interruption alarms connected to the gates determine whether chatter exceeds a predetermined minimum, regardless of the rate at which the chatter pulses occur.

Abstract: Electromagnetic actuator release characteristics are evaluated by sampling at high frequency the voltage waveform resulting when the magnet coil is deenergized. The samples are converted to a digitally coded form and stored in sequence. The stored values are then examined in reverse sequence to identify the first examined sampling interval in which the sample value exceeds a predetermined characteristic release level for the electromagnetic actuator. Finally, the release time is determined by calculating the time after energization corresponding to the sampling interval that has been identified as the release interval.

Abstract: Abnormal conditions of a tank type gas circuit breaker are detected by driving a movable contact with a drive force and at a speed respectively lower than normal drive force and speed. Measuring units are mounted on various portions of a casing of the circuit breaker without disassembling the same and measured data are displayed for comparison.

Abstract: A technique and a circuit is described for readily detecting contact resistance build-up and contact chatter. Closed contacts are arranged in series with each other and with a resistor. A voltage is applied across the series arrangement. Each contact is shorted by jumper lead and/or separately jolted. If the contact is defective, the voltage step or series of voltage pulses will appear at the junction between the resistor and the contacts in series. The voltage step or pulses are coupled through a capacitor to a normally on switch which changes state to indicate the presence of the pulse indicating the defective contact. A resistor coupled to the capacitor provides a differentiating circuit to bleed off any charge in the capacitor to permit sequentially testing each contact. A further resistor in combination with the capacitor provides an integrating circuit to assure appropriate capacitor charging in response to the negative going pulses that occur when there is contact chatter.