公开(公告)号：US3763426A

公开(公告)日：1973-10-02

申请号：US3763426D

申请日：1972-03-07

Applicant: HIPOTRONICS

Inventor： WILKES R

IPC: G01R31/02 ,  G01R31/08 ,  G01R31/12

CPC classification number: G01R31/022

Abstract: A twisted pair of individually insulated wires is rapidly and reliably tested for electrical faults in a testing apparatus which separates the twisted pair of wires for continuous testing of the individual wires as a length of the twisted pair wire is drawn through the testing apparatus. The testing apparatus comprises a support member providing a passage along a feed axis for said twisted pair and an electrode unit mounted in the support member for free rotation about said axis. The electrode unit includes a separating member lying on said axis and arranged to fit between the twisted pair of wires to follow the twist of said twisted pair as it is fed along said axis so as to continuously remain between the twisted pair of wires and permit continuous separate testing of the individual wires. Electrode units of several different configurations are usable: In one electrode unit, the separating member fitting between the twisted pair of wires comprises an insulating sheet and conductive members on each side of the sheet for contacting the individual wires of the twisted pair. In other electrode units, the separating member fitting between the twisted pair of wires is designed to release when a kink or knot occurs in the wire, and in still other electrode units, the separating member fitting between the wires may be a solid conductor or a solid insulator with other electrode portions lying adjacent the individual wires. In each such testing apparatus, means are provided for making electrical contact with the electrode unit as it rotates, to enable connection to an indicating or control circuit. By means of such testing apparatus, twisted pair wire may be tested for pinholes, bare wire, and coincidence faults. By including means sensitive to rotation of the electrode unit, the detection of wire runout is achieved. In one testing system, two such testing apparatuses are axially separated on the same twisted pair wire, to detect open circuits in the wires by measuring capacitance in the length of wire between the two electrode units, and to measure the amount of twist per unit length of wire by measuring the phase angle between the two rotating electrode units in relation to their axial separation.