Electrical verification circuit for a current clamp, corresponding current clamp, and corresponding verification method

1 . An electrical current-measurement verification circuit ( 100 ) for a current clamp ( 1 ), the current clamp configured to operate in a calibration mode or a clamp operation mode, the circuit ( 100 ) comprising:

at least one electrical conductor ( 101 ) having at least one winding ( 101 a ) configured to be arranged around a jaw ( 11 ) of the current clamp, said at least one conductor ( 101 ) being configured to be electrically connected to a source of direct current so as to have a direct current of a predetermined intensity (I) flowing through itthe at least one electrical conductor ( 101 ), and

a switch ( 105 ) electrically connected to said at least one conductor ( 101 ) andto switch in a verification mode after the calibration mode and before the clamp operation mode, the switch ( 105 ) configured to take at least:

a position preventing the direct current from flowing in said at least one conductor ( 101 ) during the verification mode; and

a position allowing the direct current to flow in said at least one conductor ( 101 ) during the verification mode, so as to verify whether the current clamp ( 1 ) is measuring an intensity value representative of the predetermined intensity (I) flowing through said at least one conductor ( 101 ) when the switch ( 105 ) is in the allowing position.

2 . The circuit ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , in which said at least one conductor ( 101 ) comprises at least two windings ( 101 a ) configured to be arranged around the jaw ( 11 ) of the current clamp ( 1 ), so that when the switch ( 105 ) is in the allowing position and direct current flows through the at least one conductor ( 101 ), the intensity value to be measured by the current clamp ( 1 ) corresponds to the predetermined intensity (I) flowing through the at least one conductor ( 101 ), multiplied by the number of windings ( 101 a ).

3 . The circuit ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , further comprising a battery or at least one electrical accumulator ( 103 ) forming the direct current source, arranged in series with the switch ( 105 ), said at least one conductor ( 101 ) being electrically connected to the terminals of the battery or of said at least one electrical accumulator ( 103 ), such that said at least one conductor ( 101 ), the battery or said at least one accumulator ( 103 ) and the switch ( 105 ) form a closed loop.

4 . The circuit ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , further comprising a light source ( 107 ) arranged in series with the switch ( 105 ), and configured to emit light when the switch ( 105 ) is in the allowing position and said at least one conductor ( 101 ) has direct current running through said at least one conductor ( 101 ).

5 . The circuit ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , mounted in a housing ( 3 ) comprising an actuating member ( 5 ) arranged on the housing ( 3 ) by being in mechanical contact with the switch ( 105 ), so as to be able to be maneuvered to drive the switch ( 105 ) into the allowing position.

6 . The circuit ( 100 ) according to claim 4 , wherein the light source ( 107 ) is arranged opposite a region of a housing made of a material that lets through transparent light or translucent light.

7 . The circuit ( 100 ) according to claim 5 , wherein the housing ( 3 ) is separate from the current clamp ( 1 ) and has an opening ( 31 ) around which said at least one conductor ( 101 ) winds inside the housing ( 3 ), and configured to be passed through by the jaw ( 11 ) of the current clamp ( 1 ).

8 . A current clamp ( 1 ) comprising the electrical current-measurement verification circuit ( 100 ) according to claim 1 .

9 . The current clamp ( 1 ) according to claim 8 , further comprising:

two jaws ( 11 ) made of ferromagnetic material, and

a housing made of insulating material, at least a part of which is arranged around the jaws ( 11 ) of said clamp ( 1 ), and wherein

said circuit ( 100 ) is mounted in the housing of said clamp ( 1 ) so that said at least one winding ( 101 a ) of said at least one conductor ( 101 ) is arranged around the ferromagnetic material forming one of the jaws ( 11 ).

10 . A method for verifying the current measurement of a direct-current clamp ( 1 ), by means of an electrical circuit ( 100 ) for verifying current measurements according to claim 1 , comprising the following steps:

positioning said at least one winding ( 101 a ) of said at least one conductor ( 101 ) around a jaw ( 11 ) of the current clamp ( 1 ), if said circuit ( 100 ) is mounted in a housing ( 3 ) distinct from the current clamp ( 1 ),

placing the switch ( 105 ) in the position allowing the direct current to run through said at least one conductor ( 101 ), and

verify, during a verification mode after the calibration mode and before the clamp operation mode, whether the current clamp ( 1 ) is measuring an intensity value representative of the predetermined intensity (I) of the direct current running through said at least one conductor ( 101 ).

11 . The circuit ( 100 ) according to claim 5 , wherein a light source ( 107 ) is arranged opposite a region of the housing ( 3 ) made of a material that lets through, transparent light or translucent light.