Wilbur Otto Hansen

US Patent:

41421515, Feb 27, 1979

Filed:

Jul 25, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/818483

Inventors:

Wilbur O. Hansen - Erie PA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Erie PA

International Classification:

G01R 3102

US Classification:

324158D

Abstract:

A shorted diode in an array of parallel diodes is detected by connecting between normally equipotential points in each pair of adjacent branch circuits of the array an inexpensive indicating device comprising signaling means for visually indicating that a malfunction has occurred if appreciable current flows in an associated resistor. The signaling means comprises heat sensitive material that changes appearance when its temperature is raised to a predetermined high degree by the heat generated in the resistor when current flows between the aforesaid connection points due to the potential difference that develops therebetween as a result of a diode failing shorted.