Patent ID: 6081109
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A current sensing device for slipping on to the plug end of an AC power cord and fitting about the blades thereof, the device comprising in combination with the AC power cord:a) a thin, insulating substrate having a pair of slots therethrough for slipping the device on to the blades of an AC power cord plug, the substrate being sufficiently thin so as not to interfere with the fit of the plug into a wall socket;b) a ferromagnetic loop on said substrate extending about said slots so that opposing currents in the current carrying blades of the AC power cord plug create a magnetic current in said ferromagnetic loop;c) a sensor coil integrated with said ferromagnetic loop for generating an electrical current responsive to a change in current through the blades of the AC power cord plug andd) an AC power cord having a plug end with spaced blades for insertion into a wall socket, the power cord connected to electricity using equipment which provides a change in current flow in operational and nonoperational states.