Patent ID: 7279654

Claim:
A current sensor for installation on a conductor without breaking the conductor, the current sensor comprising: an insulating base having a conductor supporting portion and a conductive coil disposed within an outer surface of the insulating base, a magnetically permeable conductor retaining member, the retaining member being secured to the insulating base, passing through the coil and having a conductor receiving aperture portion, the aperture portion being disposed adjacent the conductor supporting portion of the insulating base, the conductor retaining member thereby being such that with a conductor positioned within the aperture portion, the conductor is secured by the retaining member to the conductor receiving portion of the insulating base and a substantially continuous permeable path is formed by the conductor retaining member about the conductor, the retaining member comprising a permeable strap, the insulating base formed to include an aperture for receiving the permeable strap and engaging the strap with the insulating base, the permeable strap having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end overlappingly engaged to form a substantially continuous loop.