Characteristics Of The Short/Grounded Circuit Signal - Power Probe ECT3000 User Manual

Path of Least Resistance

Characteristics of the Short/Grounded Circuit Signal:

1. Strongest when flowing exclusively through one wire
Major portion of signal goes
When the signal is conducting through only one wire, the signal into short (ground)
strength is at its maximum because 100% of the signal is travel-
ing through that wire exclusively to return back to the negative
side of the battery. If the signal branches out to parallel circuits,
its strength divides and of course is weaker in each branch of
the divided circuit. But when the signal recollects through the
Lights have resistance
single negative cable to return to the battery, the signal strength
and limit signal flow
is at its maximum again because 100% of the signal is concen-
trated through the single negative battery cable. (see "Isolate the
Circuit You are Tracing" pg. 18)
2. Travels the path of least resistance
In case of a short circuit that blows its fuse reliably, you can
sometimes get away with not having to isolate the circuit. The
Very small traces of signal
majority of the signal will follow the path of least resistance
branch into parallel circuits
through the short and then back to the battery. In fig.1, you can
see the majority of the signal travels right to the short circuit.
You can also see only a small portion of the signal running
through parallel wires.
3. A 4 KHz Polarized Signal
The fact that the Grounded Circuit signal is a 4 KHz polarized signal provides directional information for the receiver to pick up. This capabili-
ty to indicate the direction to the short or ground takes the guesswork out of tracing grounded circuits. (See "Direction to the Short" pg. 15)
4. Carries a current of only 100 mA.
When generating a Short/Grounded Circuit signal, a maximum of 100 milliamp flows from the signal lead. This keeps you safe from damaging
sensitive computer circuits.
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