Apparatus and method for electrically testing multi-core cables and automatically indicating the presence of a defective core

摘要

An apparatus for electrically testing a multi-core cable terminated at both ends and including a plurality of insulated conductor cores, comprises a rotatably mounted disc having a peripheral surface formed of a plurality of notches each slightly larger than the core diameter for picking up a core and annular projections formed at both sides of the peripheral surface with annular grooves therebetween. The disc further includes an inlet for receiving and urging the cores adjacent to the disc toward the peripheral surface of the disc, whereby the cores are picked up by the notches one by one and transferred along the peripheral surface while each of the picked up cores is confined in the notches in a lid-like member. A counter counts the picked up cores. Fingers are coupled to the annular grooves for scooping the cores and removing the cores from the peripheral surface of the disc at an outlet. A bladed electrode is provided along the periphery of the disc for cutting only the insulation so as to be in contact with the conductor of a picked up core. An electrode vessel containing an electrically conductive fluid is arranged for immersing the cores at the opposite end for collectively rendering the cores conductive. A voltage source is coupled between the bladed electrode and the electrode vessel, and an electrical circuit for detecting a conductive state of a picked up core is connected between the bladed electrode and the electrode vessel for determining the continuity of any core.