Patent ID: 9170294
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A testing apparatus compatible with an electrical outlet having a line socket designated for a line voltage conductor, a neutral socket designated for a neutral voltage conductor, and a ground socket designated for a ground voltage conductor, the testing apparatus comprising: a housing; a plug interface comprising an electrically conductive line prong extending from the housing and configured to mate with the line socket, an electrically conductive neutral prong extending from the housing and configured to mate with the neutral socket, and an electrically conductive ground prong extending from the housing and configured to mate with the ground socket; a first voltage controlled indicator lamp having a first terminal connected to a first terminal of a first resistor, and having a second terminal connected to a first electrical node, the first resistor having a second terminal connected to a second electrical node, and the ground prong connected to the second electrical node; a second voltage controlled indicator lamp having a first terminal connected to a first terminal of a second resistor, and having a second terminal connected to the second electrical node, the second resistor having a second terminal connected to a third electrical node, and the line prong connected to the third electrical node; a third voltage controlled indicator lamp having a first terminal connected to a first terminal of a third resistor, and having a second terminal connected to the third electrical node, the third resistor having a second terminal connected to a fourth electrical node, and the neutral prong connected to the fourth electrical node; a fourth voltage controlled indicator lamp having a first terminal connected to a first terminal of a fourth resistor, and having a second terminal connected to the second electrical node, the fourth resistor having a second terminal connected to the fourth electrical node; and a grounding lead extending from the housing, the grounding lead having a proximal end connected to the first electrical node and connected to the second terminal of the first voltage controlled indicator lamp, and having a distal end terminated with an electrically conductive connector; wherein: the testing apparatus is configured to indicate a properly wired electrical outlet when the plug interface is mated with the properly wired electrical outlet, and when the first voltage controlled indicator lamp is deactivated, the second voltage controlled indicator lamp is activated, the third voltage controlled indicator lamp is activated, and the fourth voltage controlled indicator lamp is deactivated; the testing apparatus is configured to indicate an incorrectly wired electrical outlet of a first type when the plug interface is mated with the incorrectly wired electrical outlet of the first type, and when the first voltage controlled indicator lamp is activated, the second voltage controlled indicator lamp is activated, the third voltage controlled indicator lamp is activated, and the fourth voltage controlled indicator lamp is deactivated, where the incorrectly wired electrical outlet of the first type has its ground socket and neutral socket tied to the line voltage conductor, and has its line socket tied to the ground voltage conductor or to the neutral voltage conductor; the testing apparatus is configured to indicate an incorrectly wired electrical outlet of a second type when the plug interface is mated with the incorrectly wired electrical outlet of the second type, and when the first voltage controlled indicator lamp is activated, the second voltage controlled indicator lamp is activated, the third voltage controlled indicator lamp is deactivated, and the fourth voltage controlled indicator lamp is activated, where the incorrectly wired electrical outlet of the second type has its ground socket tied to the line voltage conductor, has its line socket tied to the ground voltage conductor, and has its neutral socket tied to the neutral voltage conductor; and the testing apparatus is configured to indicate an incorrectly wired electrical outlet of a third type when the plug interface is mated with the incorrectly wired electrical outlet of the third type, and when the first voltage controlled indicator lamp is deactivated, the second voltage controlled indicator lamp is deactivated, the third voltage controlled indicator lamp is activated, and the fourth voltage controlled indicator lamp is activated, where the incorrectly wired electrical outlet of the third type has its neutral socket tied to the line voltage conductor, has its line socket tied to the neutral voltage conductor, and has its ground socket tied to the ground voltage conductor.