Power Probe ECT 2000 - Manual (Page 8)

8
Characteristics of the Short/Grounded Circuit Signal:
1. Strongest when fl owing exclusively through one wire
When the signal is conducting through only one wire, the signal
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 single
negative cable to return to the battery, the signal strength is at
its maximum again because 100% of the signal is concentrated
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 some-
times get away with not having to isolate the circuit. The majority
of the signal will follow the path of least resistance through the
short and then back to the battery. In fi g.1, you can see the major-
ity 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 Major portion of signal
goes into short (ground)
Very small traces of
signal branch into
parallel circuits
Lights have resistance
and limit signal fl ow
The fact that the Grounded Circuit signal is a 4 KHz polarized signal provides directional information for the SMART receiver to pick up. This
capability 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 fl ows from the signal lead. This keeps you safe from damaging
sensitive computer circuits.
Path of least resistance
Fig. 1