A system for evaluating battery connection quality in one or more battery modules of a battery assembly includes a battery testing unit having a housing including an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of testing modules are disposed on the lower surface of the housing to communicate with and electrically contact the one or more battery modules of the battery assembly. The plurality of testing modules each include at least one connector extending from a lower surface of the testing module and at least one contact disposed on one or more side surfaces of the testing module. A controller is in electrical communication with the at least one connector and at least one contacts to simultaneously evaluate voltage and resistance measurements of the one or more battery modules of the battery assembly.

A device for determining impedance at a data pin of a communication interface. In one embodiment, the device includes a current source configured to selectively inject a test current to the data pin. The device also includes a sensing circuit for sensing a first test voltage corresponding to a voltage at the data pin without the test current injected, and a second test voltage corresponding to another voltage at the data pin with the test current injected. The sensing circuit determines the impedance at the data pin based on the first test voltage and the second test voltage.

A test measurement system configured to be applied or otherwise coupled to an energized low-voltage receptacle or to live terminals of a feeder/branch circuit to detect the presence of potentially hazardous conditions. The test measurement system can be configured to indicate to a user if a ground-fault, which could occur at a load supplied by that energized low-voltage receptacle or live terminals of a feeder/branch circuit, would cause unsafe touch potentials to an individual.

An illustrative embodiment of a cable joint integrity detection systems for an electric vehicle includes an electric vehicle power converter module; a fastener joint on the power converter module; vehicle wiring connections electrically interfacing with the power converter module at the fastener joint; a current sensor electrically interfacing with the fastener joint; and a controller interfacing with the current sensor, the current sensor transmits a sensor signal to the controller to ensure connectional integrity between the fastener joint and the vehicle wiring connections. Cable joint integrity detection methods are also disclosed.

A sensing system includes circuitry having a diagnostic interface for a powered sensor. Responsive to sensing signals, the circuitry is operable to produce a DC level that is defined by operating or fault conditions. The fault conditions include an open voltage supply, an open sensor power return signal, open communication signal(s), series resistance in a communication signal, fault resistance to ground on the communication signal and fault resistance to a voltage source on the communication signal. The circuitry includes a fault tolerant interface between a wire harness at an output of the powered sensor and a digital input port of a microprocessor for the purpose of un-ambiguous fault detection when distortion of sensor information occurs or when loss of sensor information occurs, and wherein the microprocessor diagnoses a fault as defined by the DC level of the analog signal monitored at the communication signal input to the microprocessor.

A load calculation device for determining the maximum electrical load that can be applied to an electrical circuit includes determines the temperature differential (ΔT) between a section of the electrical circuit and the ambient air temperature in which the section of the electrical circuit resides. The actual electrical load applied to the electrical circuit is also determined as is the design load of the electrical circuit. The maximum electrical load that can be applied to the electrical circuit is then determined based on the temperature differential and the electrical load applied to the electrical circuit and the circuit designed load. The load calculation device may be applied to an electrical joint and may be used to calculate the maximum temperature differential allowed for a given current to be applied at the electrical joint. This is particularly beneficial in connection with detecting and preventing electrical joint failure.

A homogeneity detection circuit, a valve driving system, a vehicle, an integrated circuit and a method of homogeneity detection in a valve driving system are provided. The homogeneity detection circuit comprises a first input, a second input and a comparison circuit. The first input receives a first signal being related to a first driving signal for driving a first valve. The second input receives a second signal being related to a second driving signal for driving a second valve. The comparison circuit compares the first signal with the second signal and generates a warning signal if predetermined differences are detected between the first driving signal and the second driving signal.

When a poor meter to socket connection occurs, there is the potential for arcing to develop which can result in a hot socket and a fire. Disclosed herein are methods for a meter to detect the occurrence of an arc condition in the socket by analyzing the RF noise on the channels of the communication spectrum used by the meter to communicate within its metering system. For example, by keeping a record of the normal background noise and looking for a broadband increase in the noise on all channels, arc detection can be achieved. Meter quantities such as temperature, current, voltage, and harmonic content may also be used in a standalone manner or in combination with broadband RF noise to detect an arc condition. A disconnect switch within the meter can be opened to remove the arc fault.

The invention relates to a method and to an electrical protection device for detecting a disconnection of a protective conductor connection with a subsystem in ungrounded and grounded power supply systems and in a grounded power supply system comprising a converter system.

The invention is based on the idea that the disconnection of the protective conductor connection with a subsystem will reduce the sum of the network leakage capacitances of the power supply system by the value of the network leakage capacitance of the subsystem. The necessary distinction between a subsystem in operation having a disconnected protective conductor connection and a shut-off subsystem is made by evaluating the current total power consumed via the power supply system. In the case of a converter system connected to the subsystem, the protective conductor disconnection is detected by examining the leakage current spectra that are characteristic of the converter system.

A battery pack, a method for detecting the battery pack, a charging assembly, and an electric tool are provided for detecting voltage and disconnection of the battery cells. The battery pack may have an output voltage of at least 56V and may include a plurality of series connection units. A voltage detecting module may be utilized for detecting voltage in the battery pack. A battery control module configured to control voltage detecting module may also be employed. The method may involve determining whether the series connection units are disconnected based on rates of voltage change or internal-resistance of the series connection units.