Cable cap with power indicator
OwnerSteve Kuhlinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cable cap for a heating cable, and a heating cable assembly including a heating cable and a cable cap, in which the cable cap includes a power indicator that illuminates when sufficient power is supplied to the distal end of the heating cable. The indicator gives an installer or a user an indication that the heating cable is functioning properly the entire length of the heating cable. The cable cap may further include a connection feature, such as an aperture, that provides a connection point for a cable pulling device such as a fish tape.
Claims18
A cable cap for a heating cable comprising:
- a power indicator, connectable to a distal end of a heating cable, that illuminates when the heating cable has been connected to a power source at a proximal end of the heating cable, the cable cap having a cross-section that is shaped and sized to substantially match a cross-section of the heating cable to which it is to be attached such that the cable cap does not present a hinderance when the heating cable, with the cable cap connected, is routed through obstacles during installation.
A heating cable assembly comprising:
- a length of heating cable between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connectable to a power source;
- a cable cap covering the distal end and having a cross-sectional shape that substantially matches a cross-sectional shape of the heating cable, and including:
- a power indicator that illuminates when the proximal end of the heating cable is connected to a power source.
A method of preventing ice accumulation on a roof comprising:
- routing a heating cable, having an end cap at a distal end thereof, in a pattern on a roof;
- providing power to the heating cable at a proximal end thereof, thereby activating a power indicator of the end cap if an entire length of the heating cable is operating properly;
- and, verifying whether the heating cable is fully operational by checking the indicator;
- wherein the heating cable is a self-regulating heating cable that increases or decreases an amount of power being drawn from a power source to meet the demands of weather conditions and temperature variations encountered by the heating cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.