Patent ID: 8144021

Claim:
A device for detecting the presence of moisture, the device including a detector means including at least two spaced apart electrodes defining an open electrical bridge and each electrode being electrically connectable to a signal generating means via a wire, the electrodes being configured and arranged, in use, to provide a path for electricity to conduct across a predetermined distance or gap between the electrodes when a sufficient amount of moisture bridges the distance or gap between the electrodes, and wherein the conductive electrodes are overmoulded and encased in a flexible non-conductive and water impervious material with each said conductive electrode including at least one protruding exposed conductive element extending beyond the outer surface of the non-conductive material and being separated by the predetermined distance or gap between the respective conductive elements, and wherein the overmoulded non-conductive material bonds with the conductive elements so as to prevent the absorption or ingress of moisture into the device, wherein the conductive electrodes are made of a flexible conductive plastics material that are overmoulded with a suitable flexible non-conductive plastics material, and wherein the conductive plastics material only protrudes through the overmoulded non-conductive plastics material enough to form the exposed conductive elements, and including a signal processing means configured and arranged to detect a change of state across the electrodes and actuate an alarm means, the signal processing means including an arrangement of circuit elements configured and arranged, in use, to prevent current from flowing through the detecting device once the alarm means is activated, including a means for monitoring the state of the electrical bridge of the moisture detecting device to determine whether the state of the bridge is electrically open or closed, a means for generating and processing an alarm signal when the electrical bridge is closed across the electrodes, and a means for isolating the electrical bridge between the electrodes upon detection of a closed electrical bridge.