Abstract: An improvement to conventional electrical wiring that provides a visible indication of wear abrasion before an electrical hazard is created in high wear, high abrasion cable applications is disclosed. The improvement to conventional wiring cable construction is the use of contrasting colors between the extruded insulator and the outer jacket materials in the cable. When the outer jacket of the cable is worn down, cut or damaged, the underlying insulator of a contrasting color becomes visible against the outer jacket thereby indicating a hazard condition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a clamp for retaining a fluid hose and/or electrical cable on a robot arm assembly. The clamp includes a base adapted to mount to the robot arm assembly and a top. The base and arm cooperate to allow the top to hinge or swing into an open and closed position to retain the welder. A grommet is preferably retained by the opening defined by the arcuate portions of the top and base. The base may be mounted to the robot arm assembly by a spring assembly or otherwise. A spring mount assembly utilizes a compression spring to provide coupling between the clamp and a mounting plate. Threaded studs are received into the ends of the spring which creates axial elongation for a radially inward force to retain the stud.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed that allows for relative twisting movement between cables or cords coupled thereto by absorbing any such twisting movement in shunts disposed internal to the connector. The shunts as well provide the communication between oppositely disposed prongs that extend from the connector housing in order to provide electrical continuity. In one form, the shunts coil around themselves internal to the connector housing as the shunts connect one side's prong to the other.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing resistance welding cable and method for monitoring the relative increase in cable resistance while a cable is in use, without disconnecting the cable. The cable incorporates a reference resistor in one of the terminals in thermal communication with the cable, such that a comparison in resistance variation between the cable and reference resistor cancels the effects of temperature variation on resistance change. The reference resistor is connected in series with the cable in an electrical test circuit. The test data is sampled each time the welding machine is cycled, and the data is updated and processed by a computer on a continuous basis. The system also monitors the actual temperature of the cable and the flow of coolant through the cable. Multiplexer circuits are used to monitor multiple welding cables with the same computer.