Patent ID: 8536857

Claim:
A power line monitoring method comprising: (a) clamping a body to an electrical power distribution line by linear movement of sections of the body between an open state, where the power line is moveable from a position that is not between the body sections to a position that is between the body sections, and a closed state where the power line is clamped between the body sections; (b) by way of means for generating supported by the body clamped to the power line, generating direct current from alternating current flowing in the power line; (c) by way of means for sensing supported by the body clamped to the power line that receives direct current for the operation thereof from the means for generating, sensing one or more values related to an electrical current flowing in a power line; and (d) by way of means for wirelessly communicating supported by the body clamped to the power line that receives direct current for the operation thereof from the means for generating, wirelessly communicating data regarding the one or more sensed values.