US PATENT SUBCLASS 324 / 500
FAULT DETECTING IN ELECTRIC CIRCUITS AND OF ELECTRIC COMPONENTS

Current as of: June, 1999
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324 /   HD   ELECTRICITY: MEASURING AND TESTING

500FAULT DETECTING IN ELECTRIC CIRCUITS AND OF ELECTRIC COMPONENTS {10}
501  DF  .~> Using radiant energy
502  DF  .~> In an ignitor or detonator
503  DF  .~> In vehicle wiring {2}
506  DF  .~> Combined with a flashlight {1}
508  DF  .~> With electric power receptacle for line wire testing
509  DF  .~> Of ground fault indication {1}
511  DF  .~> Of electrically operated apparatus (power tool, appliance, machine, etc.)
512  DF  .~> For fault location {10}
537  DF  .~> Of individual circuit component or element {17}
555  DF  .~> Instruments and devices for fault testing {1}

DEFINITION

Classification: 324/500

FAULT DETECTING IN ELECTRIC CIRCUITS AND OF ELECTRIC COMPONENTS:

(under the class definition) Subject matter including means for testing for the existence, or location, of an electrical defect by providing a quantitative or nonquantitative output.

(1) Note. The indented subclasses under this subclass have three main sections: (I) Special types of fault testing circuits and instruments; (II) Circuits and instruments for locating faults; (III) Circuits and instruments for testing electric elements for faults.

(2) Note. This subclass includes fault detecting circuits and fault detecting instruments.

(3) Note. The instruments are classified with the type of test, or the element tested, if a particular subclass exists.

(4) Note. This subclass includes the following faults: (A) Ground Fault - where defective insulation causes an electrical conductor to leak current to ground; (B) Short Circuit - where defective insulation causes two electrical conductors to come in contact unintentionally; (C) Open Circuit - where a electrical conductor breaks.

(5) Note. If the fault detecting circuit produces a quantitative output indication, it is included in this subclass.

(6) Note. If the fault detecting circuit produces a nonquantitative output indication and it is temporarily

connected to the object under test, it is included in this subclass. (7) Note. If the fault detecting circuit produces a nonquantitative output indication and it is permanently connected to the object under test, it is not included in this subclass. For this, see the search note below.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

340, Communications: Electrical,

500+, for fault detecting circuit that produces a nonquantitative output indication permanently connected to the object under test; subclasses 635+ for determining the condition of electrical apparatus where a fault testing circuit produces a nonquantitative output and the test circuit is permanently connected to the apparatus under test.

361, Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices,

23+, for safety and protection of systems and devices which include fault sensing combined with control.