INSULATION INSPECTION INSTRUMENT

摘要

A continuity tester that has particular application for inspecting the insulation on the stator windings in an electric machine. The continuity tester includes a power supply, a brush having conductive bristles, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. One terminal of the power supply is electrically coupled to the brush and another terminal of the power supply is electrically coupled to the A/D converter and the stator being tested. The conductive brush is selectively positioned against the exposed windings of the stator, and if an electrical circuit is formed as a result of loss of insulation, the potential at the input of the A/D converter drops, which can be detected. In one embodiment, the conductive brush is a manual brush that is moved across the stator windings, and in alternate embodiments the conductive brush is specially configured to be positioned against the conductive windings in an automated process.

主权项

1. A continuity tester for detecting defects in an electrical device, said tester comprising:
a power supply including a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is electrically coupled to the device; an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter including an input electrically coupled to the first terminal of the power supply; a brush including a plurality of electrically conductive bristles being configured to contact the device; and a controller electrically coupled to the A/D converter, said A/D converter providing a signal to the controller in response to a low signal at the input when the conductive bristles make electrical contact with the device.