Abstract: A method for harvesting an energy from a power cord is disclosed. The method includes mounting two electrodes around the power cord. The electrodes have a first conductive part being partially cylindrical around an axis, and a plurality of spikes, originating from the first conductive part, directed towards the axis, and inserted in an insulating envelope of the power cord, so as to increase the capacitive coupling to the wires inside the power cord and to increase the amount of harvested energy by the two electrodes. A device such as for example a wireless RFID tag is advantageously powered by the energy harvested by the two electrodes.

Abstract: A method for harvesting an energy from a power cord is disclosed. A salient idea of the present principles is to adapt the antenna of a wireless tag device, so as to harvest an energy from a power cord and to power the wireless tag with the harvested energy. The disclosed principles propose to combine in a single antenna a classical antenna function of radio frequency signals reception to a new function of energy harvesting from a power cord. The harvested energy is used to power the wireless tag device or to boost the range performances of the wireless tag, through the powering of its communication circuitry.