James L Booker

US Patent:

6531880, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

Jul 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/609753

Inventors:

John M. Schneider - Hilliard OH
James R. Booker - Baltimore OH
Edward J. Koegler - Pickerington OH
John D. Mandeville - Baltimore OH

Assignee:

American Electric Power Company, Inc. - Columbus OH

International Classification:

G01R 1506

US Classification:

324539, 324542, 324 72

Abstract:

The present invention is a non-invasive cable tester. The cable tester comprises a sensor for detecting an electric field emitted by a live electric cable. The resulting signal from the sensor is then filtered, amplified, and compared to a threshold value to determine the energization status of the electric cable. A meter can be provided to get a reading of the amplified signal that can be compared to a predetermined threshold value. Also, a detector circuit can be provided that includes a comparator in electrical communication with a light-emitting device such as a light-emitting diode. The detector circuit processes the amplified signal and compares it to a predetermined threshold value. If the electric cable is energized, the output of the comparator either causes the light-emitting device to emit light or not emit light, as desired. This enables an operator to determine the status of the electric cable simply by determining whether the light-emitting device is lit.

US Patent:

6737871, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Jan 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/352289

Inventors:

John M. Schneider - Hilliard OH
James R. Booker - Baltimore OH
Edward J. Koegler - Pickerington OH
John D. Mandeville - Baltimore OH

Assignee:

American Electric Power Co., Inc. - Columbus OH

International Classification:

H04B 346

US Classification:

324539, 324457, 324542, 324133, 324 725

Abstract:

The present invention is a non-invasive cable tester. The cable tester comprises a sensor for detecting an electric field emitted by a live electric cable. The resulting signal from the sensor is then filtered, amplified, and compared to a threshold value to determine the energization status of the electric cable. A meter can be provided to get a reading of the amplified signal that can be compared to a predetermined threshold value. Also, a detector circuit can be provided that includes a comparator in electrical communication with a light-emitting device such as a light-emitting diode. The detector circuit processes the amplified signal and compares it to a predetermined threshold value. If the electric cable is energized, the output of the comparator either causes the light-emitting device to emit light or not emit light, as desired. This enables an operator to determine the status of the electric cable simply by determining whether the light-emitting device is lit.