Patent ID: 8224597

Claim:
A data collection device for use with a component of an electrical system, the data collection device comprising: a memory configured to store data associated with the component and collected by a test device offboard from the data collection device, the memory configured to store data selected from the group consisting of maintenance data, test data, fleet name, vehicle number, technician comments and a health analysis based upon a comparison of current data to historical data; an antenna; electronics configured to communicate offboard from the data collection device via the antenna with the test device so as to receive the data associated with the component for storage by the memory, wherein the electronics are configured to provide for transmission of the data associated with the component; and an encasement at least partially surrounding the memory, the antenna and the electronics, wherein the encasement is configured to be carried along with the electrical component, wherein the encasement is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, epoxy and rubber.