Patent attributes
A diagnostic device includes electrical connectors, load, power supply, switching circuitry, sensors, and processor. The connectors include first and second sets of terminals for connecting to the conductors of a branch circuit in an upstream and downstream direction, respectively, at an outlet location along the circuit. The switching circuitry can isolate the upstream and downstream sections of the circuit from the outlet location, and selectively connect or disconnect the power supply or the load to the upstream or downstream section. The sensors measure electrical characteristics on the conductors of the circuit to monitor load currents, such as on power, neutral and ground lines, of the upstream and downstream circuit sections. The processor controls the switching circuitry, and obtains diagnostic information corresponding to the monitored load currents on the upstream and downstream sections of the branch circuit, from the measurements performed by the sensors.