Patent Description:
Multiphase electrical wiring such as, for example, <NUM>-phase wiring is commonly used in devices that require large amounts of power as these wiring systems can efficiently and economically transmit power to such devices. <NUM>-phase wiring includes <NUM> phase conductors that electrically couple to a power supply and a grounding or neutral conductor that is typically connected to the chassis or body of the device.

The device may include, for example, a large motor, a pump, and/or a hydraulic rig that requires large amounts of power to operate a heavy load. In many cases, the device chassis includes a conductive portion(s) (e.g., metal body or the like) that allows the grounding conductor to dissipate electrical charge to the device chassis as a precautionary safety measure. In contrast, the phase conductors, which are wired to carry electrical power, are typically electrically coupled to an electrical component(s) of the device to transmit power to drive the component(s) such as, for example, a motor, a pump, and/or the like.

Unfortunately, there have been instances when one of the active phase conductor(s) and grounding or neutral conductor have been swapped and/or otherwise incorrectly wired, for example, during maintenance, refurbishing, repair, or the like of the device and/or its corresponding electrical wiring. This can result in one of the conductors that carries electrical power being connected to the chassis of the device, creating a safety concern when the device is powered, potentially resulting in damage to the device or injury to persons around it.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide apparatuses and methods for testing electrical wiring of a device that alleviate any miswiring concerns. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the various embodiments described herein will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for testing the electrical wiring of a device having a multiphase plug. The plug has a ground terminal and a plurality of phase terminals. The ground terminal is connected through a neutral line to a conductive portion of the device. The apparatus comprises a receptacle that connects to the plug and a power supply for carrying out the test. Mis-wiring is detected based on the measured resistance between the neutral and the phase lines.

Various non-limiting embodiments of an apparatus for testing electrical wiring of a device and a method for testing electrical wiring of a device are provided herein. The device has a conductive portion, an electrical component, and a multiphase plug that is electrically coupled to a neutral conductor and at least two phase conductors. The neutral conductor is coupled to the conductive portion and the at least two phase conductors are coupled to the electrical component.

In a first non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus includes, but is not limited to, a receptacle that removably couples to the multiphase plug. The apparatus further includes, but is not limited to, a grounding cable that removably couples to the conductive portion. The apparatus further includes, but is not limited to, a power supply that is configured to generate power and that is in electrical communication with the receptacle to communicate the power to the receptacle. The apparatus further includes, but is not limited to, an annunciator that is in electrical communication with the power supply and the grounding cable and that is configured to generate a response when the receptacle, the multiphase plug, the conductive portion, and the grounding cable are in electrical communication to communicate the power therethrough.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus includes, but is not limited to, a receptacle that includes a ground outlet and active outlets. The ground outlet removably couples to a ground terminal of the multiphase plug and the active outlets removably couple to active terminals of the multiphase plug. The neutral conductor is electrically coupled to the ground terminal or one of the active terminals. The apparatus further includes, but is not limited to, a grounding cable that removably couples to the conductive portion. The apparatus further includes, but is not limited to, a first circuit section. The first circuit section includes a first power supply that is configured to generate a first power and that is in electrical communication with the receptacle to communicate the first power to the ground outlet. The first circuit section further includes a first annunciator that is in electrical communication with the first power supply and the grounding cable and that is configured to generate a first response when the ground outlet, the ground terminal, the neutral conductor, the conductive portion, and the grounding cable are in electrical communication to communicate the first power therethrough. The apparatus further includes, but is not limited to, a second circuit section. The second circuit section includes a second power supply that is configured to generate a second power and that is in electrical communication with the receptacle to communicate the second power to the active terminals. The second circuit section further includes a second annunciator that is in electrical communication with the second power supply and the grounding cable and that is configured to generate a second response when one of the active outlets, a corresponding one of the active terminals, the neutral conductor, the conductive portion, and the grounding cable are in electrical communication to communicate the second power therethrough.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the method includes, but is not limited to, removably coupling a receptacle to the multiphase plug. The receptacle is electrically coupled to a power supply that is electrically couples to an annunciator. The method further includes, but is not limited to, removably coupling a grounding cable to the conductive portion. The grounding cable is electrically coupled to the annunciator. The method further includes, but is not limited to, communicating power from the power supply to the receptacle. The method further includes, but is not limited to, generating a response from the annunciator when the receptacle, the multiphase plug, the conductive portion, and the grounding cable are in electrical communication to communicate the power therethrough.

The following Detailed Description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the various embodiments or the application and uses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

Various embodiments contemplated herein relate to apparatuses for testing electrical wiring of a device and methods for testing electrical wiring of a device. The device has a conductive portion (e.g., metal or conductive chassis, housing or body portion of the device), an electrical component (e.g., a motor, a pump), and a multiphase plug that is electrically coupled to a neutral conductor (e.g., wire intended for grounding) and at least two phase conductors (e.g., wires intended to carry electrical power). The neutral conductor is coupled to the conductive portion and the at least two phase conductors are coupled to the electrical component. In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive portion is electrically isolated from the electrical component.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a receptacle, a grounding cable, a power supply, and an annunciator. The receptacle removably couples to the multiphase plug and the grounding cable removably couples to the conductive portion of the device. The power supply (e.g., relatively low voltage direct current (D. ) battery) is configured to generate power and is in electrical communication with the receptacle to communicate the power to the receptacle. The annunciator is in electrical communication with the power supply and the grounding cable and is configured to generate a response (e.g., light, sound, other alert) when the receptacle, the multiphase plug, the conductive portion, and the grounding cable are in electrical communication to communicate the power therethrough.

In an exemplary embodiment, by configuring the apparatus such that the annunciator generates a response when the power from the power supply is communicated through the receptacle, the multiphase plug, the conductive portion, and the grounding cable, advantageously the response from the annunciator identifies whether the electrical wiring of the device is properly or improperly wired. As such, a mechanic or other operator of the apparatus can efficiently determine if the device has been properly wired, for example, during or after maintenance, refurbishing, repair, or the like of the device without having to power the device for operation and potentially charging the conductive portion of the device in the event that the device has been improperly wired and thereby creating a safety issue.

<FIG> illustrate an apparatus <NUM> that is being used to test electrical wiring of a device <NUM> and <FIG> and <FIG> additionally illustrate the device <NUM> as correctly or properly wired in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The device <NUM> includes a conductive portion <NUM>, one or more electrical components <NUM> and <NUM>, a multiphase plug <NUM>, phase conductors 20a, 20b, and 20c (e.g., wires intended for carrying electrical power), and a neutral conductor <NUM> (e.g., a wire intended for grounding). Although the device <NUM> is illustrated as having three phase conductors 20a, 20b, and 20c, it is to be understood that various embodiments of the device <NUM> include the device <NUM> having two phase conductors, or more than three phase conductors.

As illustrated, the conductive portion <NUM> is a conductive housing or chassis <NUM> that houses, supports, or otherwise at least partially surrounds the electrical components <NUM> and <NUM>. The conductive portion <NUM> may be formed of or otherwise include a conductive material, such as, for example, steel, aluminum, copper, other conductive metal, or the like. Alternatively, the conductive portion <NUM> may be coupled to and/or form a part of the chassis <NUM> or be configured as another body portion or the like of the device <NUM>.

The multiphase plug <NUM> is electrically coupled to each of the phase conductors 20a, 20b, and 20c and the neutral conductor <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the multiphase plug is a <NUM>-phase plug. As illustrated, the phase conductors 20a, 20b, and 20c are each coupled to the electrical component <NUM> and the neutral conductor <NUM> is coupled to the conductive portion <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment and as will be discussed in further detail below, the electrical components <NUM> and <NUM> are electrically isolated from the conductive portion <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the multiphase plug <NUM> includes active terminals 26a, 26b, and 26c and a ground terminal <NUM>. As illustrated, when the device <NUM> is correctly wired, for example, each of the active terminals 26a, 26b, and 26c are electrically coupled to a corresponding phase conductor 20a, 20b, or 20c, and the ground terminal <NUM> is electrically coupled to the corresponding neutral conductor <NUM>. Alternatively and as will be discussed in further detail below, if the device <NUM> is incorrectly wired, then one of the active terminals 26a, 26b, or 26c is electrically coupled to the neutral conductor <NUM>, and the other active terminal(s) 26a, 26b, and/or 26c and the ground terminal <NUM> are each electrically coupled to a corresponding phase conductor 20a, 20b, or 20c.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device <NUM> is configured as a hydraulic rig for pumping fluid between a vehicle (e.g., aircraft or other vehicle) and the hydraulic rig. As illustrated, the electrical components <NUM> and <NUM> are respectively configured as a motor starter and a pump motor that is in electrical communication with the motor starter via wires 23a, 23b, and 23c. In an exemplary embodiment, during normal operation of the device <NUM>, the multiphase plug <NUM> is plugged into or otherwise electrically coupled to an external relatively high voltage, alternating current (A. ) power supply (not illustrated). Power supplied to the multiphase plug <NUM> is carried by the phase conductors 20a-c to the motor starter <NUM> and from the motor starter <NUM> to the pump motor <NUM> by wires 23a-c to drive the pump motor <NUM> to pump fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical components <NUM> and <NUM> are electrically isolated from the conductive portion <NUM> (e.g., chassis <NUM>) of the device <NUM> unless one or both of the electrical components <NUM> and <NUM> and/or any of the wiring unintentionally shorts out to the conductive portion <NUM>, which is grounded via the neutral conductor <NUM> for safety.

With continued reference to <FIG>, in an exemplary embodiment, when the device <NUM> is not in use during normal operation (e.g., for pumping fluid) and a mechanic or other personnel wants to confirm that the electrical wiring of the device <NUM> is correct or otherwise, for example during or after maintenance, refurbishing, repair, or the like of the device <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM> is used to test the electrical wiring. The apparatus <NUM> includes a power supply <NUM> (e.g., a relatively low voltage power supply), a receptacle <NUM>, a grounding cable <NUM>, and an annunciator <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> is configured to generate power and is in electrical communication with the receptacle <NUM> to communicate the power to the receptacle <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the power generated by the power supply <NUM> is a relatively low voltage, direct current (DC) power.

The receptacle <NUM> receives or otherwise removably couples to the multiphase plug <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle <NUM> includes a ground outlet <NUM> and active outlets 40a, 40b, and 40c. The ground outlet <NUM> receives or removably couples to the ground terminal <NUM> and each of the active outlets 40a, 40b, and 40c receives or removably couples to a corresponding active terminal 26a, 26b, or 26c.

The grounding cable <NUM> removably couples to the conductive portion <NUM> of the device <NUM>. For example, the conductive portion <NUM> may include a component such as a bolt, a screw, or the like, and the grounding cable <NUM> removably couples to this component. In an exemplary embodiment, the grounding cable <NUM> has an end portion <NUM> that removably couples to the conductive portion <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the end portion <NUM> is a clamp or the like that is spring-loaded and clamps onto the conductive portion <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the annunciator <NUM> is an alert device and is in electrical communication with the power supply <NUM> and the grounding cable <NUM>. As will be discussed in further detail below, the annunciator <NUM> is configured to generate a response when the receptacle <NUM>, the multiphase plug <NUM>, the conductive portion <NUM>, and the grounding cable <NUM> are in electrical communication to communicate the power therethrough. In an exemplary embodiment, the annunciator <NUM> generates the response as a humanly perceivable response that includes light and/or sound for alerting the mechanic and/or other personnel a condition(s) with respect to the wiring of the device <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the annunciator <NUM> includes a light source <NUM> that generates light (e.g., an alert flash, flashing or constant light) as at least part of the response. In one example, the light source <NUM> is a light-emitting diode (LED) light source (e.g., a single LED or an array of LEDs). Alternatively, or in addition to the light source <NUM>, the annunciator <NUM> may include a sound source <NUM> (e.g., speaker or the like) that generates sound (e.g., an alert noise, buzzing sound) as at least part of the response.

The apparatus <NUM> includes a circuit <NUM> that has circuit sections <NUM> and <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, during testing of the electrical wiring of the device <NUM> with the apparatus <NUM>, the circuit section <NUM> is configured to generate a response when the device <NUM> is correctly wired while the circuit section <NUM> is configured to generate a response when the device <NUM> is incorrectly wired.

The circuit section <NUM> includes the power supply <NUM>, the annunciator <NUM>, and lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (e.g., wires, conductive lines). The power supply <NUM> is in electrical communication with the receptacle <NUM> to communicate the power from the circuit section <NUM> to the ground outlet <NUM> via lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. When the multiphase plug <NUM> is plugged into the receptacle <NUM>, the power is communicated from the ground outlet <NUM> to the ground terminal <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the device <NUM> is correctly wired with the ground terminal <NUM> electrically coupled to the corresponding neutral conductor <NUM>, which is coupled to the conductive portion <NUM>. As such, the power is communicated from the ground terminal <NUM> through the neutral conductor <NUM> to the conductive portion <NUM> via line <NUM> (e.g., wire, conductive line). When the grounding cable <NUM> is clamped or otherwise removably coupled to the conductive portion <NUM>, the power is communicated from the conductive portion <NUM> to the grounding cable <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the grounding cable <NUM> includes line <NUM> (e.g., wire, conductive line) that extends from the end portion <NUM> (e.g., clamp) to an end portion <NUM> that is electrically coupled to the circuit <NUM>. As such, the power is communicated through the grounding cable <NUM> to the circuit <NUM> via line <NUM>, and to the annunciator <NUM> of the circuit section <NUM> via lines <NUM> and <NUM>. When the annunciator <NUM> receives the power, the annunciator <NUM> generates the response as discussed above to alert the mechanic or other personnel that the device <NUM> is correctly wired. In an exemplary embodiment, the response from the annunciator <NUM> is a green light(s) indicating that the device <NUM> is properly wired. As illustrated, the annunciator <NUM> is electrically coupled to the power supply <NUM> via line <NUM> to form a complete circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, the annunciator <NUM> generates the response when the ground outlet <NUM>, the ground terminal <NUM>, the neutral conductor <NUM>, the conductive portion <NUM>, and the grounding cable <NUM> are in electrical communication to communicate the power therethrough. In an exemplary embodiment, by generating the response, the annunciator <NUM> indicates that the electrical wiring of the device <NUM> is correctly wired.

The circuit section <NUM> includes a power supply <NUM>, an annunciator <NUM>, and lines <NUM>, <NUM>, 73a, 73b, 73c, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (e.g., wires, conductive lines). In an exemplary embodiment, the power supply <NUM> includes batteries wired in series. In an exemplary embodiment, the power generated by the power supply <NUM> is a direct current (DC) power. The power supply <NUM> is configured to generate power and is in electrical communication with the receptacle <NUM> to communicate the power from the circuit section <NUM> to each of the active outlets 40a, 40b, and 40c via line <NUM> through line <NUM> to and through lines 73a, 73b, and 73c. As illustrated in <FIG>, the device <NUM> is properly or correctly wired. As discussed above, this means that each active terminal 26a, 26b, and 26c is electrically coupled to a corresponding phase conductor 20a, 20b, or 20c. As such, the power is communicated from the active terminals 26a, 26b, and 26c through the phase conductors 20a, 20b, and 20c to the electrical component <NUM> via lines 74a, 74b, and 74c. The electrical component <NUM> is electrically isolated from the conductive portion <NUM>, and therefore the power is prevented from being communicated to the conductive portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the power is prevented from being communicated to the grounding cable <NUM> and the annunciator <NUM> fails to generate a response. In an exemplary embodiment, by failing to generate the response, the annunciator <NUM> indicates that the device <NUM> is not incorrectly wired.

Referring to <FIG>, a schematic representation of the apparatus <NUM> and the device <NUM> improperly or incorrectly wired in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. With respect to circuit section <NUM>, the power supply <NUM> is in electrical communication with the receptacle <NUM> to communicate the power from the circuit section <NUM> to the ground outlet <NUM> via lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. When the multiphase plug <NUM> is plugged into the receptacle <NUM>, the power is communicated from the ground outlet <NUM> to the ground terminal <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the device <NUM> is incorrectly wired with the ground terminal <NUM> electrically coupled to one of the corresponding phase conductors 20a, 20b, or 20c. As such, the power is communicated from the ground terminal <NUM> through one of the phase conductors 20a, 20b, or 20c to the electrical component <NUM> via line <NUM>. The electrical component <NUM> is electrically isolated from the conductive portion <NUM>, and therefore the power is not communicated to the conductive portion <NUM>, the grounding cable <NUM>, and the annunciator <NUM>, which remains unresponsive. In an exemplary embodiment, by failing to generate the response, the annunciator <NUM> indicates that the device <NUM> is not correctly wired.

With respect to circuit section <NUM>, the power supply <NUM> is in electrical communication with the receptacle <NUM> to communicate the power from the circuit section <NUM> to the active outlets 40a, 40b, and 40c via lines <NUM>, <NUM>, 73a, 73b, and 73c. When the multiphase plug <NUM> is plugged into the receptacle <NUM>, the power is communicated from the active outlets 40a, 40b, and 40c to the active terminals 26a, 26b, and 26c. As illustrated in <FIG>, the device <NUM> is incorrectly wired. As discussed above, this means that one of the active terminals 26a, 26b, or 26c is electrically coupled to the neutral conductor <NUM>. As such, the power is communicated from one of the active terminals 26a, 26b, or 26c through the neutral conductor <NUM> to the conductive portion <NUM> via line 73c. When the grounding cable <NUM> is clamped or otherwise removably coupled to the conductive portion <NUM>, the power is communicated from the conductive portion <NUM> to the grounding cable <NUM>. The power is then communicated from the grounding cable <NUM> to the circuit section <NUM> via line <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the annunciator <NUM> includes a light source <NUM> that is configured to generate light and a sound source <NUM> that is configured to generate sound. From the end portion <NUM> of the grounding cable <NUM>, the power is communicated to the light source <NUM> via lines <NUM> and <NUM> and the power is also communicated to the sound source <NUM> via lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. When the annunciator <NUM> receives the power, the annunciator <NUM> generates the response. For example, when the power is communicated to the light source <NUM>, the light source generates light. Likewise, when the power is communicated to the sound source <NUM>, the sound source generates sound. In an exemplary embodiment, the response from the annunciator <NUM> includes a red light generated by the light source <NUM> and a sound generated by the sound source <NUM>. From the light source <NUM>, the power is communicated to the power supply <NUM> via lines <NUM>, and <NUM> to complete the circuit. Likewise, from the sound source <NUM>, the power is communicated to the power supply <NUM> via lines <NUM> and <NUM> to complete the circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, the annunciator <NUM> is configured to generate the response when one of the active outlets 40a, 40b, or 40c, one of the active terminals 26a, 26b, or 26c, the neutral conductor <NUM>, the conductive portion <NUM>, and the grounding cable <NUM> are in electrical communication to communicate the power therethrough. In an exemplary embodiment, by generating the response, the annunciator <NUM> indicates that the electrical wiring of the device <NUM> is incorrectly wired.

In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit section <NUM> is configured to generate an additional response when the power supply <NUM> generates power. As illustrated, the circuit section <NUM> further includes line <NUM> and an actuator <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the actuator <NUM> is a switch, a button, or the like. The actuator <NUM> moves between a first position and a second position (e.g., on-off positions or vice versa). When the actuator <NUM> is in the first position, it prevents power that is generated by the power supply <NUM> from being communicated from line <NUM> to line <NUM>. As such, when the actuator <NUM> is in the first position, power is prevented from being communicated from the power supply <NUM> to the ground outlet <NUM>. When the actuator <NUM> is in the second position, it allows power that is generated by the power supply <NUM> to pass from line <NUM> to line <NUM>. As such, when the actuator <NUM> is in the second position, power is allowed to be communicated from the power supply <NUM> to the ground outlet <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> includes a conductive terminal <NUM>. The end portion <NUM> of the grounding cable <NUM> is configured to be clamped or otherwise removably couple to the conductive terminal <NUM> when electrically isolated from (e.g., not clamped to) the conductive portion <NUM>. When the end portion <NUM> of the grounding cable <NUM> is removably coupled to the conductive terminal <NUM>, the power supply <NUM> communicates the power from the circuit section <NUM> to the conductive terminal <NUM> via lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The power is then communicated from the conductive terminal <NUM> to the end portion <NUM> of the grounding cable <NUM> back to the circuit section <NUM> via line <NUM>. Then, the power is communicated from the end portion <NUM> to the annunciator <NUM> via lines <NUM> and <NUM>. When the power is communicated to the annunciator <NUM>, the annunciator <NUM> generates an additional response. In an exemplary embodiment, the additional response from the annunciator <NUM> is green light. The power then is communicated from the annunciator <NUM> to the power supply <NUM> via line <NUM> to complete the circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, the annunciator <NUM> is configured to generate the additional response when the end portion <NUM> of the grounding cable <NUM> is coupled to the conductive terminal <NUM> to indicate that the power supply <NUM> is generating power.

In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit section <NUM> is configured to generate an additional response when the power supply <NUM> generates power. As illustrated, the circuit section <NUM> further includes lines <NUM> and <NUM> and an actuator <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> moves between a first position and a second position (e.g., on-off positions or vice versa). When the actuator <NUM> is in the first position, it allows power that is generated by the power supply <NUM> to be communicated from line <NUM> to line <NUM> and prevents the power from being communicated from line <NUM> to line <NUM>. As such, when the actuator <NUM> is in the first position, power is allowed to be communicated from the power supply <NUM> to the active outlets <NUM>. When the actuator <NUM> is in the second position, it allows power that is generated by the power supply <NUM> to be communicated from line <NUM> to line <NUM> and prevents the power from being communicated from line <NUM> to line <NUM>. As such, when the actuator <NUM> is in the second position, power is prevented from being communicated from the power supply <NUM> to the active outlets 40a, 40b, and 40c.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> includes a ground cable terminal <NUM> that is coupled to the end portion <NUM> of the ground cable <NUM>. The end portion <NUM> of the grounding cable <NUM> is configured to removably couple (e.g., clamp) to the ground cable terminal <NUM> when electrically isolated from (e.g., not clamped to) the conductive portion <NUM>. When the end portion <NUM> is removably coupled to the conductive terminal <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> is in the second position, the power supply <NUM> communicates the power from the power supply <NUM> to the sound source <NUM> of the annunciator <NUM> via lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. When the end portion <NUM> is removably coupled to the conductive terminal <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> is in the second position, the power from the power supply <NUM> is also communicated to the light source <NUM> of the annunciator <NUM> via lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. When the power is communicated to the annunciator <NUM>, the annunciator <NUM> generates the additional response. In an exemplary embodiment, the additional response from the annunciator <NUM> is red light generated by the light source <NUM> and sound generated by the sound source <NUM>. The power is then communicated from the light source <NUM> to the power supply <NUM> via lines <NUM> and <NUM> to complete the circuit. Likewise, the power is communicated from the sound source <NUM> to the power supply <NUM> via lines <NUM> and <NUM> to complete the circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, the annunciator <NUM> is configured to generate the additional response when the end portion <NUM> is coupled to the ground cable terminal <NUM> to indicate that the power supply <NUM> is generating power.

Referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> includes a container <NUM>. The container <NUM> has a base portion <NUM> and walls <NUM> extending therefrom to at least partially surround a cavity <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle <NUM>, the grounding cable <NUM>, the power supply <NUM>, the power supply <NUM>, the annunciator <NUM>, and the annunciator <NUM> are disposed in the cavity <NUM>. The container <NUM> is manually portable. For example, the container <NUM> may include a plurality of wheels <NUM> and <NUM> coupled to the base portion <NUM> and a handle <NUM> coupled to one of the walls <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a method <NUM> for testing electrical wiring of a device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The device has a conductive portion, an electrical component, and a multiphase plug that includes a ground terminal and active terminals and that is electrically coupled to a neutral conductor and at least two phase conductors. The neutral conductor is coupled to the conductive portion and the at least two phase conductors are coupled to the electrical component.

The method includes removably coupling (STEP <NUM>) a receptacle to the multiphase plug. The receptacle is electrically coupled to an annunciator. A grounding cable is removably coupled (STEP <NUM>) to the conductive portion. The grounding cable is electrically coupled to the annunciator. Power from the power supply is communicated (STEP <NUM>) to the receptacle. A response is generated (STEP <NUM>) from the annunciator when the receptacle, the multiphase plug, the conductive portion, and the grounding cable are in electrical communication to communicate the power therethrough.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for testing electrical wiring of a device (<NUM>) having a conductive portion (<NUM>), an electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a multiphase plug (<NUM>) that is electrically coupled to a neutral conductor (<NUM>) and at least two phase conductors (20a, 20b, 20c), wherein the neutral conductor (<NUM>) is coupled to the conductive portion (<NUM>) and the at least two phase conductors (20a, 20b, 20c) are coupled to the electrical component (<NUM>, <NUM>), the apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a receptacle (<NUM>) that removably couples to the multiphase plug (<NUM>);
a grounding cable (<NUM>) that removably couples to the conductive portion (<NUM>);
a power supply (<NUM>) that is configured to generate power and that is in electrical communication with the receptacle (<NUM>) to communicate the power to the receptacle (<NUM>); and
an annunciator (<NUM>) that is in electrical communication with the power supply (<NUM>) and
the grounding cable (<NUM>) and that is configured to generate a response when the receptacle (<NUM>), the multiphase plug (<NUM>), the conductive portion (<NUM>), and the grounding cable (<NUM>) are in electrical communication to communicate the power therethrough.