Patent ID: 9651606
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: G01R

Claim:
1. An apparatus for testing fluorescent lamps and lighting fixtures comprising: an elongated body having two relatively short ends opposite each other, two relatively long ends opposite each other and transverse to the short ends, and an annular opening at one of the short ends, the annular opening defined between two walls transverse to a length of the elongated body and two walls parallel to the length of the elongated body; an elongated surface disposed between opposing ends of the body; operational circuitry disposed below the elongated surface of the body; a control panel on the elongated surface of the body; control buttons on the control panel and coupled to the operational circuitry for operating the apparatus to conduct tests, wherein the operational circuitry tests for ballast type, gas integrity, ballast operation and non-contact voltage, and filament continuity, and wherein in the ballast type test, the operational circuitry discriminates between magnetic ballasts and electronic ballasts; one or more indicators on the elongated surface for displaying results of one or more tests conducted by the apparatus; and an antenna that is disposed at an end of the elongated body, wherein the antenna has a collapsible mast oriented parallel to the length of the elongated body and a top hat having long edges disposed transverse to the collapsible mast, and wherein the mast collapses to or below walls of the apparatus to protect the long edges of the top hat from damage when not in use, the edges of the top hat being overlapped in whole or in part by edges of the walls.