Patent ID: 8860580
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: G06F,G08B,H02G,H02H

Abstract:
1. A method of protecting against theft of an elongate object formed of electrically conductive material, said method comprising the steps of: providing a source of electrical power; at a first selected location on said elongate object connecting said elongate object to said source of electrical power to electrically energize said elongate object; at a second location on said elongate object spaced from said first location connecting a voltage detection unit including a voltage sensor and a signal transmitter to said elongate object; employing said voltage sensor to sense the voltage of said elongate object; and activating said signal transmitter to send a signal responsive to said voltage sensor sensing a change in voltage of said elongate object, said elongate object comprising wiring used for distribution of electricity received from said source of electrical power, said voltage detection unit being one of a plurality of voltage detection units, each of said plurality of voltage detection units including a voltage sensor and a signal transmitter, said method including the additional steps of connecting the voltage detection units to said wiring at spaced locations along said wiring whereby segments of said wiring are formed between adjacent voltage detection units and providing a signal receiver and employing the signal transmitters of said voltage detection units to transmit signals to said signal receiver, the signals transmitted to said signal receiver indicating change of voltage of the wiring at each of said voltage detection units and also identifying the voltage detection unit from which each signal is being sent.