Patent ID: 7366584

Claim:
A power tool system comprising: an electrically powered portable power tool; a stationary programmable control unit; and a cable assembly interconnecting the power tool and the control unit for communicating electric power to the power tool and for communicating operation related signals between the power tool and the control unit; wherein the cable assembly comprises: a multi-core cable; two connection pieces attached to opposite ends of the multi-core cable for connecting the cable assembly to the power tool and the control unit; a memory module, which is provided in one of the two connection pieces, and which stores: (i) identification data of the cable assembly, (ii) an accumulated number of power tool operation cycles performed via the cable assembly and corresponding to mechanical wear of the cable assembly, and (iii) an acceptable number of tool operation cycles for a tool application, wherein the memory module indicates when the accumulated number of power tool operation cycles equals said acceptable number of tool operation cycles; and a data communication line, extending throughout a length of the cable assembly, for communicating data between the memory module and at least one of the power tool and the control unit.