| CPC G01R 31/1272 (2013.01) [G01R 31/086 (2013.01); H02H 1/0015 (2013.01); H02H 7/26 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
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1. A diagnostic device for performing diagnostics on a branch circuit of an electrical system, the branch circuit having a plurality of electrical conductors including a power line, neutral line and ground line, the diagnostic device comprising:
electrical connectors including a first set of terminals for connecting to the electrical conductors of the branch circuit in an upstream direction at an electrical outlet location, and a second set of terminals for connecting to the electrical conductors of the branch circuit in a downstream direction at the electrical outlet location;
a load;
a power supply;
switching circuitry, which is coupled to the first and second sets of terminals of the electrical connectors, the load and the power supply, for isolating an upstream or downstream section of the branch circuit from the electrical outlet, and selectively connecting or disconnecting the power supply or the load to the section of the branch circuit upstream or downstream from the electrical outlet location, via the electrical connectors; and
sensors for measuring electrical characteristics of the electrical conductors on the branch circuit to monitor current on the power, neutral and ground lines; and
at least one processor configured: to control the switching circuitry to selectively connect either the power supply or the load to the portion of the branch circuit either upstream or downstream from the electrical outlet location; and to obtain diagnostic information corresponding to the monitored current on the power, neutral and ground lines based on the measurements performed by the sensors,
wherein the load is a variable load, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to set the variable load to a load level which is different than other loads connected on the branch circuit.
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