CLAMPING APPARATUS AND A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN ELECTRICAL WIRING
A wire diagnostic clamp including a clamp body configured to receive multiple electrical wires is provided. The wire diagnostic clamp also includes a sensor disposed within the clamp body and being configured to detect a defect in the multiple electrical wires. The wire diagnostic clamp further includes a mounting component configured to mount the wire diagnostic clamp to a substrate.
1 . A wire diagnostic clamp, comprising:
a clamp body configured to receive a plurality of electrical wires;
a sensor disposed within the clamp body and being configured to detect a defect in the plurality of electrical wires; and
a mounting component configured to mount the wire diagnostic clamp to a substrate.
2 . The wire diagnostic clamp of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a flexible coil sensor.
3 . The wire diagnostic clamp of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the sensor comprises a range between about 5 mils and about 10 mils.
4 . The wire diagnostic clamp of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed around the plurality of electrical wires within the clamp body.
5 . The wire diagnostic clamp of claim 1 , wherein the clamp body comprises a metal or a plastic.
6 . The wire diagnostic clamp of claim 5 , wherein the metal comprises aluminum or steel.
7 . The wire diagnostic clamp of claim 1 , comprising a connector configured to provide electrical connection to the sensor.
8 . The wire diagnostic clamp of claim 1 , wherein the defect comprises an electrical discharge in the plurality of wires.
9 . The wire diagnostic clamp of claim 1 , comprising a hinge disposed on the clamp body.
10 . A system for detecting defects in electrical wiring, comprising:
a wire diagnostic clamp having a clamp body and being configured to receive a plurality of electrical wires;
a sensor disposed within the clamp body and being configured to detect a defect in the plurality of electrical wires;
a mounting component configured to mount the wire diagnostic clamp to a substrate, and
a connector configured to provide an electrical connection between the sensor and a data acquisition system.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the sensor comprises a flexible coil sensor.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein a thickness of the sensor comprises a range between about 5 mils and about 10 mils.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the sensor is disposed around the plurality of electrical wires within the clamp body.
14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the clamp body comprises a metal or a plastic.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the metal comprises aluminum or steel.
16 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the defect comprises an electrical discharge in the plurality of wires.
17 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising a hinge disposed on the clamp body.
18 . A method for detecting defects in electrical wiring, comprising:
disposing a sensor within a wire diagnostic clamp body of the wire diagnostic clamp and around a plurality of electrical wires within the wire diagnostic clamp;
providing an electrical connection between the sensor and a data acquisition system via a connector; and
mounting the wire diagnostic clamp body to a substrate.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein said providing an electrical connection comprises coupling the sensor with a center conductor of the connector.
20 . The method of claim 18 , comprising monitoring and analyzing an electrical signal from the sensor via the data acquisition system.
21 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising inserting the wire diagnostic clamp around the plurality of electrical wires.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein said inserting the wire diagnostic clamp comprises opening the wire diagnostic clamp via a hinge.