Patent ID: 6531880
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A device for detecting energization of an electric conductor, said device comprising:a sensor comprising: a capacitor having a first plate and a second plate; a first layer of dielectric material affixed to a first surface of said first plate of said capacitor, said first layer of dielectric material provided to prevent direct contact of said first plate with a live conductor; a second layer of dielectric material affixed between and connecting a second surface of said first plate and a first surface of said second plate of said capacitor; a third layer of dielectric material affixed to a second surface of said second plate of said capacitor, said third layer of dielectric material provided to prevent direct contact of said second plate with a live conductor; and a shield operative to prevent the inadvertent detection of extraneous electric fields by said sensor; wherein said sensor is configured such that said sensor can be engaged with said conductor from a single direction that is substantially transverse to the length of said conductor, whereafter said sensor at least partially encircles said conductor; and wherein said sensor is adapted to produce a signal when said sensor encounters an electric field emanating from said conductor; an amplifier in electrical communication with said sensor, said amplifier adapted to amplify said signal a desired amount; a detector circuit having at least one comparator in electrical communication with said amplifier, said detector circuit adapted to compare an output of said amplifier to a threshold value; and at least one indicator in electrical communication with said at least one comparator, said indicator energized by the output of said at least one comparator to indicate the energization state of said conductor.