Abstract: An adapter base for reed-type fuses, of the kind usually installed in fuse carriers on passenger cars, comprises a pair of blades each provided at one end with a socket, and a microlamp having rheophores each connected electrically to a respective one of said blades.The adapter base can be retrofitted to passenger car fuse carriers and affords illumination of a burned out fuse from the time when the failure occurs.

Abstract: A blown circuit breaker indicator utilizing an illuminating device such as a light-emitting diode for indicating whether either a thermal electrical or magnetic circuit breaker has been tripped. The indicating device is provided in a circuit parallel to the main switch of the circuit breaker and includes a reactive element such as a capacitor. The value of the capacitor is less than or equal to 11,000 picofarads.

Abstract: An indicator circuit used primarily, but not exclusively, within a conventional circuit breaker. The indicator circuit consists of a light-emitting diode and a capacitor connected in series and provided on the neutral line of the circuit breaker. The circuit is connected in series with the main breaker switch and the light-emitting diode is energized when the circuit breaker is in the ON position. Alternatively, this indicator circuit can be used to determine the operational status of various load devices.

Abstract: A system for feeding and controlling low intensity obstruction lights, involving low power drain especially in radio stations powered by solar cells includes:a sub-system which not only generates the energy necessary to feed the obstruction light, but also detects solar intensity;a control sub-system which delivers energy to the obstruction lights, triggered in correspondence to a light threshold, generates indicator signals on the operating state of the main on/off switch and the power circuit breaker and generates a lamp failure control for telemetering purposes and fault controls for the individual obstruction lights for local displaying purposes; and a low luminous intensity and low power drain lighting sub-system.

Abstract: A circuit for testing fuses, especially those of the so-called "little fuse" type, is accommodated in the housing of an electrical component which belongs to a central current distribution system, especially to a central electric system of a vehicle. A simple test arrangement for such fuses is created therewith, whereby this arrangement can be manufactured in a simple and cost-favorable manner and requires no additional space.

Abstract: An alarm system used in conjunction with a circuit breaker panel box indicating the presence of an overload condition. At least one sensor is provided in proximity with the circuit breaker box but is not physically connected thereto. This sensor senses various parameters which are inherent in an overload condition or which are produced by various circuitry connected to the circuit breaker which are enabled during an overload condition. This alarm system is set by closing the door of the circuit breaker panel box.

Abstract: A solid state switching circuit for energizing a lamp (L) is connected around a fuse (12) across an AC supply for detecting a voltage differential at the opposite sides of a blown fuse and applying that differential across the control (g) and switching (c) electrodes of the solid state switch (SCR) to render the same conductive. Current limiting resistors (RL1 and RL2) are placed in the ends of wire conductors which are to be connected at opposite sides of the fuse, thereby to limit current flowing in the conductors over the entire length of the conductor, minimizing electrical shock hazard upon damage to the conductor.

Abstract: A duplex electrical receptacle has a replaceable module on-board which surge-suppressing components are mounted for replacement in the event of surge-suppression failure. An auditory alarm sounds to alert an operator to surge-suppression failure.

Abstract: A warning light device for blown fuse caps having a photosensitive circuit mounted inside an adapter casing that mounts over and is exposed to the fuse element of the fuse caps. The device is powered by batteries contained inside the casing and includes battery energy saving circuits in the form of an intermittent circuit or a low duty cycle circuit that is suitable to provide a visual indication periodically to the user. Light emitting diodes are used as a low power consumption indicating light.

Abstract: A holder for an electric fuse is provided with apparatus which senses the flow of electric current along the current path of the fuse holder, and, which responsive to such sensing, electromagnetically induces an ascertainable signal. The signal may be detected and processed to provide an indication of whether current is flowing through the fuse holder.

Abstract: A blown circuit breaker indicator utilizing an illuminating device such as a light-emitting diode for indicating whether either a thermal electrical or magnetic circuit breaker has been tripped. The indicating device is provided in a circuit parallel to the main switch of the circuit breaker and includes a reactive element such as a capacitor.

Abstract: A method and arrangement of apparatus is provided for remotely and selectively determining the existence of a failed fuse in the rectifier circuit of a brushless exciter rotor. A current transformer is disposed about each fuse in such a way that uses the conductor which carries current to the fuse as the primary winding of the current transformer. A light emitting diode is connected in series with the secondary winding of the current transformer. The emitted light, indicating a current flow through the fuse, is sensed by a stationary photodetector. This method senses the existence of a current flow through the exciter fuses and thereby positively determines each fuse that has not failed. Electronic circuitry is used to synchronize the detection operation with the rotation of the brushless exciter rotor so that each fuse is inspected at a time when it is expected to be carrying its maximum current. Since this method looks for the existence of current through each fuse, it operates in a failsafe manner.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement of apparatus is provided for remotely detecting the existence of a failed fuse of a brushless exciter rotor's rotating rectifier assembly. A conducting fuse produces a magnetic field which is sensed by elements on a stationary structure. A signal corresponding to the conducting status of each fuse is synchronized to the rotational speed of the brushless exciter rotor by means of a preselected oscillator frequency and the status of each individual fuse is retained and displayed until the next inspection of that fuse. Alarm circuitry enables automatic detection of a failed fuse and shutdown in the event of multiple fuse failures. Since this method looks for the instance of current through each fuse, it operates in a fail-safe manner.

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker with overload condition illuminated indicator having a secondary switch coupled to the movement inherent in conventional circuit breaker levers. The improved circuit breaker is self-powered with batteries thereby insulating itself from possible power failures.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the condition of a high voltage circuit-breaker comprises as current-sensing members a number of reed contacts, which are located in such a way in relation to the current path through the circuit-breaker that the contacts are activated at different current levels. The reed elements control a pulse train to a counter, which takes place with different dignity for the different elements. With the aid of a position transducer connected to the contact device of the circuit-breaker, the pulse train is started simultaneously with the opening of the circuit-breaker, the contents of the counter thus being a measure of the contact wear. The contact position transducer is also used for measuring the opening speed, and if said speed falls below a certain value, alarm is triggered.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated illuminating warning device for conventional circuit breakers of the type that have a switch assembly with three possible positions for its switch lever. A battery powered illuminating device is mounted in the vicinity of the breaker and the illuminating circuit is interrupted by a magnetically actuated switch that is closed when a permanent magnet mounted on the switch lever comes within a predetermined distance. The position of the magnetic switch is selected so that it is actuated or closed when the switch lever is in the overload position.

Abstract: A high voltage current interrupter has integral therewith a fiber optic cable extending into the housing for carrying a failure-indication signal back to a remote monitor station when current flow through the interrupter is interrupted. In the preferred embodiment described herein, the optical cable extends continuously between optical input and output ports of the current interrupter and carries a monitor signal which is continuously present during normal operation. When a fault current occurs, the cable is explosively severed to interrupt the monitor signal and thereby provide a fault indication signal to the monitoring station.

Abstract: A security system for motels and other properties such as offices and rental properties where small appliances such as television sets, radios, lamps and others are plugged into electrical outlets within rented rooms and which are easily removed by the rentor consists simply of a small disc placed between the appliance's electrical plug and the outlet and if removed, causes the breaker in the circuit feeding that outlet to blow. If a tenant tries to cut the wires without removing the electrical plug, the circuit breaker will also blow. With the circuit breaker blown the tenant must contact the motel manager in order to see what he is removing from the room. An alarm attached to the circuit breaker at the fuse panel sounds when that circuit has no power. The potential signals for separated breakers can be accumulated through a telemetry circuit and are sent to the central office, which will immediately dispatch a house security officer to stop the removal of the appliance or other piece of equipment.

Abstract: A protection device for interrupting power to a load connected to a pair of terminals when the temperature of a terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold comprises an alloy having a eutectic at the predetermined threshold and a neon gas-filled glow tube electrically coupled in parallel with the thermal fuse. The thermal fuse is electrically serially connected between the terminal and the load and thermally coupled to the terminal so that an excessive temperature rise at the terminal causes the fuse to melt, thereby removing power from the load and causing the glow tube to be lit.

Abstract: A remote control circuit breaker and contactor system having at least one I/O circuit functioning as an interface between a central processing unit and a plurality of up to 32 devices such as remote circuit breakers for each I/O circuit, each remote circuit breaker having an individual electronic circuit which receives commands from the I/O circuit to turn the breaker or contactor on or off or hold and also senses the state of the breaker contacts and the control line and upon request sends back status codes which are stored in the memory in the I/O circuit to be read when desired by the central processing unit. Four-state status information is provided including open, closed, tripped and problem (low voltage, open or shorted control line). Contact state is determined by directly measuring the contact resistance in single break contacts (or solid state device contactors) or the contact voltage in double-break contacts.

Abstract: A fuse-type circuit breaker having a fuse link which is manually pivotal in a housing between an on position and an off position. The fuse link has contact caps which, when in the open position, short-circuit two current contacts which are fixed to the housing. Also provided is an operating state indicator device which includes a light source for the fuse link. The indicator device, at least in the on position, is electrically connected with the two contact caps of the fuse link and with the two current contacts. The indicator device is in parallel with the latter and is provided with a very high electrical resistance relative to the fuse link. The indicator device is in the form of a blinker which incorporates a capacitor, a first diode connected ahead of the capacitor, and a charging resistor as well as a glow lamp connected in parallel with the capacitor and in series with a discharging resistor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuse loss indicating system for monitoring the condition of a plurality of fuses in an electric circuit. The indicating system includes a plurality of individual indicator circuits, one for each fuse to be monitored. Each indicator circuit includes an optical isolator for electrically isolating the indicator circuit from the monitored circuit. When a monitored fuse blows, the associated optical isolator triggers a flip flop to generate a fuse loss signal to cause a warning LED to light and alert an operator as to which fuse has blown. In its preferred embodiment, the fuse loss indicating system is utilized to monitor the fuses in an SCR motor bridge circuit. In this embodiment, the fuse loss system also generates a bridge disable signal when a fuse blows to cause a bridge lockout circuit to disable the gating signals to the SCR's, thereby disconnecting power from the motor.

Abstract: An alarm device for a circuit breaker box is provided that is especially designed for mounting on the face panel of conventional breaker boxes. The alarm device includes an audible signaling device and a switch box having a plurality of switches arranged in parallel electrical relationship for selectively coupling the audible signaling device to a source of operating power. The switch box includes a pair of spaced apart, apertured sidewalls for mounting the switches in side-by-side pairs of opposed switch members. A spring is interposed between each pair of switch members for urging the switch member pairs away from each other and into abutting relationship with electrical contacts carried by the sidewalls. In operation, the switch box is mounted between the vertical rows of breaker arm toggle switches of a conventional circuit breaker box.

Abstract: This is a method, and apparatus for practicing the method, by which electrical fuses or circuit breakers which have become inoperative by failure or overload can be instantly identified. The method and apparatus involves the use of light emitting diodes or the like connected in parallel with fuses in such a manner that when a fuse or circuit breaker fails in carrying an electrical load the flow of electrical current will be diverted to the light emitting device and cause it to visually signal the failure.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring system for a high-voltage vacuum circuit interrupter including a plurality of capacitors connected in series located outside an evacuated housing and between two metallic end plates each attached to the electrode holder and an arc shielding member. The pressure monitoring system which monitors the deterioration of vacuum pressure within the evacuated housing of the interrupter by detecting the change in the electric field intensity of the capacitors dependent upon the change in vacuum pressure comprises a light source, at least one electric field detecting member having a Pockel's cell located on one of the capacitors, light receiving member and a vacuum pressure determining member, whereby an automatic monitoring of vacuum pressure within the evacuated housing of the vacuum circuit interrupter or within each of the evacuated envelopes of a plurality of vacuum circuit interrupters can be made.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and alarm device for a circuit having a series connected interruptible current device whereupon a circuit breaker tripping means, attached to said circuit breaker, is adapted to obtain an output voltage of one polarity upon the tripping of the circuit breaker. A circuit breaker resetting device, attached to said circuit breaker, is adapted to obtain an output voltage of reverse polarity upon the resetting of the circuit breaker. A voltage-detecting circuit for sensing the voltage produced by the tripping or resetting of the circuit breaker. A current detecting circuit which produces an output upon detecting an output produced by the voltage-detecting circuit. An alarm circuit which is connected to the current-detecting circuit is thereby caused to essentially instantaneously upon the tripping of the circuit breaker, to energize and remain energized until the resetting of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: Each arm forming a three-phase full wave rectifier bridge includes a semiconductor diode, a current transformer and a fuse. The current transformer is connected to a pulse extinction indicator circuit through a pulse transformer. When no current flows through the arm for a predetermined time or more, the pulse extinction detection circuit produces a DC signal indicating the blowing of the fuse. The rectifier bridge, the current transformers, the fuses and the pulse extinction detection circuit are all disposed on the rotor of a brushless synchronous machine.

Abstract: A device for detecting a burnt-out fuse in a fuse box accommodating a plurality of parallelly arranged blade-type fuses. The device comprises an insulative support body mounted to the fuse box, an electrically conductive rubber member carried on said support body and a light emitting element connected between said rubber bar member and ground. The rubber bar member faces the output sides of the blade type fuses accommodated in the fuse box such that the rubber bar member acts as a contact means ready for depressing.

Abstract: A warning circuit generates warning signals in response to a blown fuse in a vehicle brake system which includes primary and ignition-switch controlled. The back-up pump is driven by an electric motor. Control circuitry monitors and controls the brake system and the fuse protects the control circuitry from ground fault conditions. The warning circuit includes a warning lamp which is connected to the battery via the ignition switch and which is grounded through a transistor switch. The transistor switch is resistively coupled to ground and to the vehicle battery through the fuse so that the transistor switch becomes conducting to actuate the lamp upon the blowing of the fuse. Alternatively, a similar transistor switch may be connected to the output of an astable multivibrator, which in turn is connected to the battery via the fuse and whose output is inhibited unless the fuse blows while the ignition switch is closed.

Abstract: A device for detecting whether any of a plurality of fuses has blown out. The fuses are connected between a first terminal of an electrical source and a number of loads, the loads also being connected to the other terminal of the source. The device comprises one light emitting element for each fuse. One end of the light emitting element is connected to a junction between the fuse and its load. The other ends of the light emitting elements are all connected together to one terminal of a switch, having another terminal connected to the other terminal of the electrical source. When the switch is closed, the light emitting element corresponding to any fuse which has blown out is not lit.

Abstract: The device comprises means for applying a DC voltage U as a function of the voltage taken from the terminals of a fuse between a fixed electrode and a movable electrode forming together a capacitor. The movable electrode is urged towards the fixed electrode by an electret fast to the latter and in the opposite direction by a magnet and by the voltage U. As soon as this voltage exceeds a threshold corresponding to the rupture of the fuse, the movable electrode swings over and closes a switch for warning purposes.

Abstract: An indicator is disclosed for a high voltage circuit interrupter having a stored-energy mechanism for biasing the contacts open.The interrupter has a shunt trip mechanism to open the contacts in response to either circuit conditions or a remote command, and a manual mechanism to trip the store-energy mechanism and to recharge and reset the store-energy mechanism. The indicator mimics the operation of the circuit interrupter and provide three signals indicating that the contacts are closed and the manual mechanism are between home and trip position, that the contacts open and the manual mechanism is either in the home or trip position, and that the contacts are open and the manual mechanism is between the trip and reset position or at the reset position. The indicators are preferably two lights with either light on or with both lights out.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided with a hook operating to hold the breaker movable contacts open against the bias of charged mechanism springs. The hook is selectively actuated by a closing solenoid to release the contacts for abrupt closure under the urgence of the mechanism springs. An indicator is appropriately positioned under the joint control of the breaker mechanism and movable contacts to identify OFF, charged and ON breaker conditions and to, in turn, control an actuating lever for a switch operating in an external charged signalling and closing solenoid circuit.

Abstract: An electroluminescent display device includes at least two conductive leads spaced from each other with a light-emitting element electrically coupled between such leads. A transparent, insulating base is formed about and between the leads. The base encapsulates both the leads and the light-emitting element.At least one lateral portion of each lead extends beyond the base and substantially conforms to the configuration of the base. In conforming such lateral portions, they are preferably wrapped around the base and fixed to it. These lateral portions are arranged so that light from the light-emitting element may pass axially through the base and out of its ends. In addition, light may pass laterally out of the base.The device may also be used for circuit protection purposes. To so use the device, a protective element is electrically coupled between the leads so that upon the occurrence of an overload condition in an external circuit coupled to the lateral portions, the protective element decouples the leads.

Abstract: An electric fuse is disposed within a fluid tight submersible enclosure. The status of the fuse is indicated by an externally mounted neon lamp. The outside surface of the enclosure is coated with conductive paint for safety. Likewise, most of the inside surface of the enclosure is coated with conductive paint to reduce corona therein. A relatively thin annular band of semiconductive paint is disposed between terminals of the fuse apparatus on the inner surface of the enclosure. The enclosure is made primarily of insulating material. When the fuse blows, the voltage difference between the opposite ends of the fuse is capacitively coupled through the enclosure to the indicator. The indicator is sensitive to a change in voltage thereacross and periodically illuminates to indicate that the fuse within has blown.

Abstract: Semiconductive paint is applied to a narrow strip on the inside surface of an insulating enclosure for a submersible fuse. The enclosure is generally watertight. The semiconducting paint marginally overlaps two isolated regions of electrically conducting paint. The combination of the conducting paint and semiconducting paint covers the entire inner surface of the enclosure and acts cooperatively to prevent or reduce corona therein. At the place of overlap, rounded ridges are provided for shielding the relatively sharp interface corner of the conductive paint on the inside surface of the electrically insulating material to reduce the corona at that relatively critical point. A flowable rubber gasket is provided for insertion between two separable portions of the enclosure. The gasket not only provides watertight sealing for the enclosure when completely assembled but has a bead on the inside surface thereof which shields the corners of the two portions of the enclosure to reduce the corona effects thereat.

Abstract: An on-line indicator connected to each fuse of an electrical circuit includes an LED which becomes illuminated if its protected fuse blows. Groups of these on-line indicators can be connected via an OR gate to a single master fuse status indicator which also includes an LED which becomes illuminated if any of the on-line indicators connected thereto has its LED illuminated. The circuitry can accommodate power supplies of different voltages of either polarity. Opto-isolators can be used to reduce stand-by current drain and to isolate the on-line indicators from each other.