Patent ID: 6218647
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: E04D,H01Q,H02H,H05B

Abstract:
An ice and snow melting system, comprising:at least one sensor, each said sensor being configured for sensing one of temperature and moisture associated with an ambient environment and providing a signal indicative thereof;a heater for melting the ice and snow, said heater including a heater wire, a layer of insulation substantially surrounding said heater wire, and a conductive shield substantially surrounding said layer of insulation;a ground fault circuit interrupter, said ground fault circuit interrupter coupled with said shield of said heater, said ground fault circuit interrupter detecting a ground fault condition between said heater wire and said conductive shield and providing a signal indicative thereof;a DC power supply configured for applying a DC voltage to said conductive shield one of directly and via said ground fault circuit interrupter; andan automatic controller connected to said at least one sensor, said controller including heater control circuitry receiving each of said sensor signal and said ground fault circuit interrupter signal and selectively controlling operation of said heater dependent upon said sensor signal and said ground fault circuit interrupter signal.