Patent ID: 6420877
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method of determining at least one electrical discontinuity in a test load, said method comprising the steps of:placing the test load in a series circuit with a voltage source and an input resistance, said test load, said voltage source and said input resistance being connected in series; generating a load characteristic signal across at least a portion of said input resistance, said load characteristic signal being dependent upon an impedance of said test load; determining whether a change in said load characteristic signal is indicative of a discontinuity condition, said determining step including the substeps of: generating a reference voltage signal; comparing said load characteristic signal to said reference voltage signal and generating a preliminary discontinuity voltage signal when said load characteristic signal reaches a predetermined threshold voltage value relative to said reference voltage signal; and comparing a time duration of said preliminary discontinuity voltage signal to a predetermined time duration; and generating a discontinuity signal when said preliminary discontinuity voltage signal reaches said predetermined time duration.