Apparatus and method for measuring capacitive energy

摘要

A system for determining whether or not an amount of energy in excess of a specified minimum amount of energy is stored in a capacitor of unknown capacitance includes a capacitive reference device for storing an amount of energy which is known to be no less than the specified minimum. The system further includes a capacitive calibration device selectively coupled to the capacitive reference device and to the unknown capacitor for providing a first voltage when coupled to the capacitive reference device, and for providing a second voltage when coupled to the unknown capacitor. A comparator device which is calibrated by the first voltage receives the second voltage and provides an indication signal when the unknown capacitor has stored an amount of energy which exceeds the reference amount of energy.