Claims
- 1. An apparatus for use in detecting signals on a pair of conductors, comprising:
- a) capacitive probe means for collecting an electrical signal, said probe means being thin so as to allows its insertion between a pair of conductors;
- b) means for amplifying said collected signal, said amplifier means having differential inputs that are connected to said probe means, wherein said apparatus discriminates between a first electrical signal carried by and uncoupled to said conductor pair and a second electrical signal that has been electrically coupled to said conductor pair.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said probe means is balanced and said differential inputs into said amplifier means are balanced.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said probe means has high impedance, wherein a carrier signal on said conductor pair will not be disrupted.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said probe means has high impedance, wherein a carrier signal on said conductor pair will not be disrupted.
- 5. A sensing probe for use in detecting signals on a pair of conductors, comprising:
- a) a pair of conductive plates, said conductive plates being generally parallel to each other and being spaced close to each other, said conductive plates being separated from each other by a layer of insulating material, said conductive plates being thin so as to allow their insertion between said conductors of said pair;
- b) said conductive plates being connected to a differential input of an amplifier means, wherein said probe discriminates between signals carried by said pair and signals coupled to said pair by crosstalk.
- 6. A method of distinguishing between first and second electrical signals carried by a pair of conductors, said first signals being carried by said conductor pair, and said second signals being electrically coupled to said conductor pair, comprising the steps of:
- a) inserting capacitive probe means for collecting an electrical signal between the conductors of said pair;
- b) collecting a portion of a signal on said conductor pair with said capacitive probe means;
- c) providing said collected signal to differential inputs of an amplifier means;
- d) producing an output from said amplifier means, and determining from said output whether said collected signal is one of said first signals or one of said second signals.
- 7. A method of distinguishing between a valid signal and a crosstalk signal on a pair of conductors, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a capacitive probe made up of a pair of conductive plates that are separated from each other;
- b) connecting said probe plates to inputs of a balanced amplifier;
- c) inserting said probe between the conductors of said pair;
- d) collecting a portion of said signal from said pair with said probe;
- e) producing an output from said amplifier of said collected signal, and determining from said output whether a valid signal or a crosstalk signal is on said pair, wherein a valid signal produces a stronger output than a crosstalk signal.
- 8. The sensing probe of claim 5 wherein said differential input of said amplifier means is balanced.
- 9. A method of locating a pair of conductors that are in service, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a capacitive probe coupled to a differential amplifier;
- b) inserting said capacitive probe between said conductors;
- c) discriminating between uncoupled and coupled signals on said pair of detecting an output of said differential amplifier.
- 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a human recognizable output from said amplifier after said probe has been inserted between said conductors.
Parent Case Info
This is a divisional application of pending application Ser. No. 07/635,294, filed Dec. 28, 1990 U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,614.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
635294 |
Dec 1990 |
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