Field-connectable cable cap with power indicator

Abstract

A field-connectable cable cap for a heating cable 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power indicator cap for a heating cable comprising:
 a power indicator that illuminates when connected to a distal end of a heating cable that has been connected to a power source at a proximal end of the heating cable;   an attachment mechanism that allows the power indicator to be electrically connected to the distal end of the heating cable;   a connection feature configured to interact with a corresponding connection feature of a cable pulling device.   
     
     
         2 . The power indicator cap of  claim 1  wherein the power indicator comprises an LED. 
     
     
         3 . The power indicator cap of  claim 1  further comprising a female component and a male component. 
     
     
         4 . The power indicator cap of  claim 1  wherein the connection feature comprises an aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The power indicator cap of  claim 4  wherein the aperture extends through the cable cap. 
     
     
         6 . The power indicator cap of  claim 3  wherein the female component comprises at least one receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The power indicator cap of  claim 3  wherein the male component comprises at least one lead. 
     
     
         8 . The power indicator cap of  claim 6  further including a crimp sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The power indicator cap of  claim 1  further comprising a hinged body shaped to receive the distal end of the heating cable and having two spikes that penetrate the heating cable when crimped to form an electrical connection with corresponding conductor wires within the heating cable, the spikes transferring power from the conductor wires of the heating cable to the power indicator. 
     
     
         10 . A method of verifying electrical power is being supplied to a distal end of a heating cable comprising:
 connecting a power indicator cap to a distal end of a length of heating cable between a proximal end and a distal end;   routing the heating cable from a power supply to a desired location using an aperture formed in the power indicator cap to connect the heating cable to a cable pulling device;   connecting the heating cable to the power supply;   verifying electrical power is reaching the power indicating cap by observing illumination of an indicator light on the power indicator cap.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein connecting a power indicator cap to the distal end of the length of heating cable comprises placing conductors of the heating cable into corresponding connectors of the power indicator cap. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising crimping the power indicator cap onto the distal end of the length of heating cable. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein connecting a power indicator cap to the distal end of the length of heating cable comprises placing conductors of the heating cable into corresponding connectors of a female component of a power indicator cap. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising plugging a male component into the female component. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein connecting a power indicator cap to the distal end of the length of heating cable comprises placing conductors of the heating cable into corresponding connectors of a female component of a power indicator cap.