Abstract: An insulated bucket truck intercom facilitates safe/reliable bucket-to-cab and bucket-to-ground communications during truck operations, while in close proximity to high voltage power sources/lines. A truck-powered cab transceiver and battery-powered bucket transceiver are selectively interconnected by fiber optic cable to maintain high voltage electrical isolation of at least 10 KV/foot. A hands-free bucket transceiver liberates bucket workers from depressing a PTT button to communicate during repair operations. A PTT cab transceiver prevents stray sounds from distracting bucket workers. Bucket elevation through extension of the telescoping boom, with fiber optic cable secured thereto, is accommodated by a self-storing fiber optic reel assembly positioned at each section. Play in the cable and a spring-loaded pulley member accommodates boom articulation.

Abstract: A detection system for remote monitoring of a contact condition comprises first, second, and third impedance means, and four comparators. Each impedance means is selectively coupled between the contact and the comparators. With a known voltage applied at the third impedance means, the three impedances produce a unique signal voltage at the comparators depending on a condition of the contact closure. Each comparator may detect one of the four unique voltages and produce an electrical signal corresponding to the detected condition, which may be converted into an optical signal, and be transmitted in a fiber optic cable to a receiver where it is converted back into an electrical signal. Four detectors are each adapted to detect one of the electrical signals, and trigger a relay and status LEDs, indicating a contact condition consisting of: normally open/closed, and short/open circuited. A fifth detector monitors for broken fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An insulated bucket truck intercom facilitates safe/reliable bucket-to-cab and bucket-to-ground communications during truck operations, while in close proximity to high voltage power sources/lines. A truck-powered cab transceiver and battery-powered bucket transceiver are interconnected by fiber optic cable to maintain high voltage electrical isolation of at least 10 KV/foot. A hands-free bucket transceiver liberates bucket workers from depressing a PTT button to communicate during repair operations. A PTT cab transceiver prevents stray sounds from distracting bucket workers. Bucket elevation through extension of the telescoping boom, with fiber optic cable secured thereto, is accommodated by a self-storing fiber optic reel assembly on each section. Play in the cable and a spring-loaded pulley member accommodates boom articulation.

Abstract: A detection system for remote monitoring of a contact condition comprises first, second, and third impedance means, and four comparators. Each impedance means is selectively coupled between the contact and the comparators. With a known voltage applied at the third impedance means, the three impedances produce a unique signal voltage at the comparators depending on a condition of the contact closure. Each comparator may detect one of the four unique voltages and produce an electrical signal corresponding to the detected condition, which may be converted into an optical signal, and be transmitted in a fiber optic cable to a receiver where it is converted back into an electrical signal. Four detectors are each adapted to detect one of the electrical signals, and trigger a relay and status LEDs, indicating a contact condition consisting of: normally open/closed, and short/open circuited. A fifth detector monitors for broken fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A racking device for arranging various electronic components is described. The rack has a frame for receiving one or more modules that can be positioned in the rack. The modules have a rear wall and a pair of side panels and a top and bottom panel extending from the rear wall. One or more of the modules may have a face plate.