Voltage sensing tool

Abstract

A hand tool ( 10 ) that provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool ( 10 ) comprises a tool head coupled to a handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit including an antenna is provided in the handle of the tool ( 10 ). As the tool ( 10 ) approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage, triggering an alarm circuit that provides a visual or audio signal to the user.

1 . A hand tool, comprising:
 a tool head;   a handle operatively connected to the tool head; and   a non-contact voltage sensing circuit housed in the handle, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit including an antenna extending toward an end of the handle opposite the tool head for detecting an electrical field, and an alarm circuit for generating a human perceptible alarm signal when the hand tool is in an electrical field at an elevated voltage and the antenna detects an electrical field having a voltage level above a predetermined threshold.   
   
   
       2 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the non-contact voltage sensing circuit is electrically insulated from the tool head. 
   
   
       3 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool head comprises a non-conductive material. 
   
   
       4 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is inside of the handle. 
   
   
       5 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the alarm circuit includes at least one of a visual and an audio indicator device for generating the human perceptible alarm signal. 
   
   
       6 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the handle includes a translucent material and the human perceptible alarm circuit is a light indicator provided adjacent the translucent portion of the handle. 
   
   
       7 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the light indicator is provided adjacent an end of the handle opposite the tool head. 
   
   
       8 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the handle is formed to include a cavity for receiving the non-contact voltage sensing circuit. 
   
   
       9 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the handle is formed to include a light indicator at an end opposite the tool head. 
   
   
       10 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool head is at least one of a cable cutter, a wire cutter, a wire stripper, a screwdriver, a wrench, a saw blade, a blade, a crimping head, a nut driver, a conduit bender, and a pliers. 
   
   
       11 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a power circuit for operating the tool head. 
   
   
       12 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool head is pivotally coupled to the handle, and wherein the tool head is moveable between an extended position and a stored position. 
   
   
       13 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool head comprises a plurality of tool heads and includes at least two of a wire cutter, a wire stripper, a screwdriver, a wrench, a blade, and a pliers. 
   
   
       14 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool head includes a connector adapted to receive a plurality of interchangeable tool heads. 
   
   
       15 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool head is a screwdriver and the screwdriver is adapted to accept a plurality of interchangeable bits providing at least a straight blade driver and a Philips head driver. 
   
   
       16 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool head is at least one of an axe head and a pick head. 
   
   
       17 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool head comprises a conduit reamer. 
   
   
       18 . The tool head as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool head comprises a conductive material. 
   
   
       19 . A hand tool, comprising:
 a tool head;   a handle operatively connected to the tool head and including a light indicator at a distal end of the handle opposite the tool head; and   a non-contact voltage sensing circuit housed in the handle, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit including an antenna for detecting an electrical field, and an alarm circuit for activating the light indicator when the hand tool is in an electrical field at an elevated voltage and the antenna detects an electrical field having a voltage level above a predetermined threshold.   
   
   
       20 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the non-contact voltage sensing circuit is electrically insulated from the tool head. 
   
   
       21 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the tool head comprises a non-conductive material. 
   
   
       22 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the antenna is inside of the handle and directed toward the distal end of the handle opposite the tool head. 
   
   
       23 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein at least a portion of the handle includes a translucent material and the light indicator is provided adjacent the translucent portion of the handle. 
   
   
       24 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the handle is formed to include a cavity for receiving the non-contact voltage sensing circuit. 
   
   
       25 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the tool head is at least one of a cable cutter, a wire cutter, a wire stripper, a screwdriver, a wrench, a saw blade, a blade, a crimping head, a nut driver, a conduit bender, and a pliers. 
   
   
       26 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the tool head is pivotally coupled to the handle, and wherein the tool head is moveable between an extended position and a stored position. 
   
   
       27 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the tool head comprises a plurality of tool heads and includes at least two of a wire cutter, a wire stripper, a screwdriver, a wrench, a blade, and a pliers. 
   
   
       28 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the tool head includes a connector adapted to receive a plurality of interchangeable tool heads. 
   
   
       29 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the tool head is a screwdriver and the screwdriver is adapted to accept a plurality of interchangeable bits providing at least a straight blade driver and a Philips head driver. 
   
   
       30 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the tool head is at least one of an axe head and a pick head. 
   
   
       31 . The hand tool as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the tool head comprises a conduit reamer. 
   
   
       32 . The tool head as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the tool head comprises a conductive material. 
   
   
       33 . A hand tool, comprising:
 a tool head;   a handle operatively connected to the tool head and including a light indicator at a distal end opposite the tool head; and   a non-contact voltage sensing circuit housed in the handle, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit being electrically isolated from the tool head and including an antenna provided in the handle adjacent the end of the handle opposite the tool head for detecting an electrical field, and an alarm circuit for activating the light indicator when the hand tool is in an electrical field at an elevated voltage and the antenna detects an electrical field having a voltage level above a predetermined threshold.