Patent ID: 7911754
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for testing an opto-switch, comprising: a first sense resistor coupled between a power source and an input of the opto-switch; a second sense resistor coupled to an output of the opto-switch; a test circuit, which is coupled to sense a first current flowing through the first sense resistor and a second current flowing through the second sense resistor and to generate a test signal responsively to a relation between the first and second currents; and a controller, which is coupled to receive the test signal and to perform a protective action when the test signal exceeds a predetermined limit, wherein the protective action comprises disconnecting the power source from the opto-switch and wherein the controller is configured to increment a counter upon determining that the test signal has exceeded the limit, and to disconnect the opto-switch from the power source when the counter reaches a predetermined threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to decrement the counter upon determining that the test signal is below the limit.