Capacitive moisture detection apparatus

An apparatus for detecting and measuring a volume of water in a cable, comprising:

• means for measuring electrical capacitance along the cable, said measuring means being formed of two joinable, symmetric encasements which form a sleeve when joined and the cable being disposed so as to movably pass through the sleeve at a predetermined rate;
• each of said encasements comprising i) a curved electrical conducting plate disposed in an arc of less than 180.degree. about said cable, said conduction plate being electrically connected to a displaying means, and ii) cylindrical means for shielding said curved conducting plate from electrical interference, said cylindrical means disposed in an arc of 180.degree. about said curved conducting plate;
• said cylindrical means comprising i) a clyindrical brass shell encasing said curved conducting plate, said brass shell being at an electrical ground potential, and ii) non-conducting material interposed between said curved conducting plate and said cylindrical brass shell;
• means for determining a position along the cable corresponding to said measured electrical capacitance;
• and
• said display means for displaying said measured electrical capacitance at said position wherein said measured electrical capacitance is indicative of the volume of water in the cable at said position.