Patent ID: 6472859
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
An electrical circuit for use in combination with a voltage source which produces a first amount of voltage and an electrical assembly of the type which is selectively connected to an electrically grounded member, said circuit comprising:a first capacitor which is coupled to said electrically grounded member; a second capacitor which is coupled to said electrically grounded member and to said voltage source; a resistor which is coupled to said first and to said second capacitors and to said electrically grounded member and which cooperates with said voltage source and with said second capacitor to selectively charge said first capacitor to an amount of voltage that is substantially equal to said first amount and to thereafter cause said amount of voltage to decrease within a period of time; and a controller which is coupled to said first capacitor, which measures said period of time, and which utilizes said measured period of time to determine whether said electrical assembly is connected to said electrically grounded member.