Patent ID: 6531878
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method of detecting a direct current in an electrically conductive member, comprising:(a) providing a receiver having a casing member, a bifurcated tip removably attached to the casing member, a first circuit board and a second circuit board disposed within the casing member, the bifurcated tip having a first leg and a second leg defining a cavity, the first circuit board extending into the first leg and the second circuit board extending into the second leg; (b) providing a transmitter that is connected to a direct current power source having two poles; (c) the transmitter producing a transmitter signal by alternatively connecting the transmitter to and disconnecting the transmitter from a transmitter resistance, the transmitter resistance being electrically connected to the transmitter and the transmitter transmitting the transmitter signal into an electrically conductive member electrically connected to the power source and the transmitter; (d) placing the bifurcated tip immediately adjacent to the electrically conductive member without contacting the electrically conductive member so that the electrically conductive member is placed in the cavity between the first circuit board disposed in the first leg and the second circuit board disposed in the second leg to shield the electrically conductive member with the first and second circuit boards; (e) a sensor, attached to the first circuit board, sensing the transmitter signal in the electrically conductive member; and (f) passing the transmitter signal through the integrated circuit.