Shore power cord set

Abstract

A shore power cord includes a power supply connector electrically connected to a vehicle connector. In some cases, the vehicle connector includes features to selectively secure the vehicle connector to a vehicle power receptacle inlet. In some cases, the shore power cord includes a test module that evaluates the condition of the cord set and a power supply when the cord set is connected to the power supply.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An electrical cord set for electrically connecting a power supply to a vehicle, comprising:
 a power supply connector including a plurality of electrical contacts configured to engage and thereby electrically connect the power supply to the power supply connector;   a vehicle connector including a plurality of electrical contacts configured to engage and thereby electrically connect the vehicle to the vehicle connector, the vehicle connector including a flashlight illuminated by the power supply;   a test module electrically connecting the power supply connector and the vehicle connector, the test module having an electrical circuit, and when the power supply connector is connected to the power supply the electrical circuit performs at least one of the tests selected from the following group:   tests a voltage of the power supply and provides an indication if the voltage is outside of a normal operating range; and   tests a polarity of the power supply and provides an indication if the polarity of the power supply is reversed.   
     
     
         2 . The electrical cord set of  claim 1 , wherein the test module tests for grounding of the power supply and provides an indication if grounding is not present, and tests for current leakage and provides an indication if current leakage is present. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical cord set of  claim 1 , wherein the cord set includes a light for each test that is illuminated to provide the indication if the test fails. 
     
     
         4 . The electrical cord set of  claim 1 , wherein the flashlight comprises a light-emitting 
     
     
         5 . An electrical cord set for electrically connecting a power supply to a vehicle, comprising:
 a power supply connector including a plurality of electrical contacts configured to engage and thereby electrically connect the power supply to the power supply connector;   a vehicle connector including a plurality of electrical contacts configured to engage and thereby electrically connect the vehicle to the vehicle connector;   a test module electrically connecting the power supply connector and the vehicle connector, the test module having an electrical circuit, and when the power supply connector is connected to the power supply, the electrical circuit is configured to:
 test a voltage of the power supply and to provide an indication if the voltage is outside of a normal operating range; 
 test a polarity of the power supply and to provide an indication if the polarity of the power supply is reversed; 
 test for grounding of the power supply and to provide an indication if grounding is not present. 
   
     
     
         6 . The electrical cord set of  claim 5 , wherein the test module further tests for current leakage and provide an indication if current leakage is present. 
     
     
         7 . The electrical cord set of  claim 5 , wherein the cord set includes a light for each test that is illuminated to provide the indication if the test fails. 
     
     
         8 . The electrical cord set of  claim 5 , wherein the test module further comprises:
 a first light that is illuminated to provide the indication if the voltage is outside of the normal operating range;   a second light that is illuminated to provide the indication if the polarity of the power supply is reversed; and   a third light that is illuminated to provide the indication if grounding is not present.   
     
     
         9 . The electrical cord set of  claim 5 , wherein the vehicle connector includes a flashlight illuminated by the power supply. 
     
     
         10 . A method for electrically connecting a power supply to a vehicle with an electrical cord set, comprising:
 engaging a power supply connector including a plurality of electrical contacts thereby with the power supply of the vehicle;   electrically connecting the vehicle to the vehicle connector, the vehicle connector including a plurality of electrical contacts configured to engage and thereby;   electrically connecting the power supply connector and the vehicle connector with a test module, the test module having an electrical circuit, and when the power supply connector is connected to the power supply the electrical circuit performs the steps of:
 testing for current leakage and providing an indication if current leakage is present; 
 testing a voltage of the power supply and providing an indication if the voltage is outside of a normal operating range; 
 testing a polarity of the power supply and providing an indication if the polarity of the power supply is reversed; and 
 testing for grounding of the power supply and providing an indication if grounding is not present. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 illuminating a first light to indicate if the voltage is outside of the normal operating range;   illuminating a second light when the power supply is reversed; and   illuminating a third light to provide the indication if grounding is not present.