Patent ID: 6133723
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A fault indicator for providing indication of a fault current outside the exterior surface of an electrical equipment enclosure following the occurrence of a fault current in an electrical conductor within the enclosure, comprising:a circuit monitoring module;a remote fault indicator light module operatively connected to said circuit monitoring module and mounted to said exterior surface of said enclosure;a battery contained within said circuit monitoring module;a light source contained within said remote fault indicator light module operable from said battery;a magnetic circuit including a magnetic pole piece, a magnetically actuated switch and a bias magnet, said bias magnet having a magnetic polarity which opposes a magnetic field in said magnetic pole piece in one direction, and reenforces a magnetic field in said magnetic pole piece in the other direction, whereby said magnetically actuated switch is conditioned to open in response to a magnetic field in said one direction and close in response to a magnetic field in said other direction;circuit means including a magnetic winding in magnetic communication with said magnetic pole piece and responsive to the current in the monitored conductor for developing a magnetic field in said pole piece in a direction to condition said switch open during normal current flow in the monitored conductor, and for developing a magnetic field in said pole piece in said opposite direction to condition said switch closed upon occurrence of a fault current in the conductor; andsaid magnetically actuated switch connecting said battery to said light source.