Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for determining the relative positions of power outlets within a multi-outlet electrical circuit and, specifically, for determining the first occurring power outlet in a multiple-earth-neutral power system in which earth and neutral wires are interconnected at a distribution point. The apparatus incorporates circuitry for generating a current pulse and probe means for injecting the pulse into a wiring loop which extends between neutral and earth contact terminals of each of the power outlets. The probes are also employed for detecting the voltage drop which occurs along the wiring loop as a consequence of the current flow through the loop, and circuitry is provided for generating a signal which is representative of the voltage drop along the wiring loop. A liquid crystal display device which is driven by an analogue-to-digital converter is employed for generating and displaying an output which is representative of the level of the signal which is itself representative of the voltage drop along the wiring loop. The current pulse itself is generated in a manner such that it ramps up and ramps down at the leading and trailing ends of the pulse and the display provided by the indicator device is inhibited during the ramping period of the current pulse.

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First Claim