Abstract: A snow-melting apparatus prevents ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building. An outer edge section of the roof extends over and beyond an outside wall of the building in an outward direction. A heat conduction device includes a substantially planar body portion formed of a substantially thermally conductive material and having a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side. The first side has a coating with a high emissivity. The first side transfers heat to an inside surface of at least the outer edge section of the roof. A heat source is attached to the body portion of the heat conduction device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a load in response to a ground fault condition includes measuring a ground fault alternating current flowing from the load. A real part and an imaginary part of the ground fault alternating current is ascertained. Electrical power is removed from the load and/or the ground fault condition is indicated to a user if a magnitude of the real part exceeds a first predetermined threshold and/or a magnitude of the imaginary part exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling a load in response to a ground fault condition includes measuring a ground fault alternating current flowing from the load. A real part and an imaginary part of the ground fault alternating current is ascertained. Electrical power is removed from the load and/or the ground fault condition is indicated to a user if a magnitude of the real part exceeds a first predetermined threshold and/or a magnitude of the imaginary part exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A heated antenna system includes an antenna having a reflecting surface and a heater associated with the reflecting surface. A storage capacitor is connected with and provides power to the heater. An electronic control system is electrically connected to the storage capacitor. The electrical control system charges and monitors the storage capacitor and issues a status signal indicative of a status of the storage capacitor.

Abstract: A heated antenna system includes an antenna having a reflecting surface and a heater associated with the reflecting surface. A heater controller includes a temperature sensor and/or a moisture sensor. The heater controller applies a voltage to the heater dependent upon an output of the temperature sensor and/or moisture sensor. A monitoring unit overrides the heater controller upon an occurrence of at least one predetermined condition.

Abstract: A snow-melting apparatus prevents ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building. An outer edge section of the roof extends over and beyond an outside wall of the building in an outward direction. A heat conduction device includes a substantially planar body portion formed of a substantially thermally conductive material and having a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side. The first side has a coating with a high emissivity. The first side transfers heat to an inside surface of at least the outer edge section of the roof. A heat source is attached to the body portion of the heat conduction device.

Abstract: A method of preventing ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building includes placing a heating device below the roof. At least one of an ambient outside temperature and a presence of ambient moisture is sensed. An air-borne signal is transmitted dependent upon the sensing step. The heating device is operated dependent upon the air-borne signal.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for preventing ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building includes a heating device placed below the roof. An automatic controller includes a ground fault circuit interrupter in communication with the heating device. The ground fault circuit interrupter detects a ground fault condition associated with the heating device. The controller selectively controls operation of the heating device dependent upon the ground fault condition. A transmitter is connected with the controller. The transmitter transmits an air-borne ground fault signal dependent upon the ground fault condition. A remote receiver receives the ground fault signal. The remote receiver provides at least one of a visible indication and an audible indication of the ground fault signal.

Abstract: An ice and snow melting system includes at least one sensor configured for sensing a temperature or moisture associated with an ambient environment and providing a signal indicative thereof. A heater for melting the ice and snow includes a heater wire, a layer of insulation substantially surrounding the heater wire, and a conductive shield substantially surrounding the layer of insulation. A ground fault circuit interrupter is coupled with the shield of the heater. The ground fault circuit interrupter detects a ground fault condition between the heater wire and the conductive shield and provides a signal indicative thereof. An automatic controller is connected to the at least one sensor. The controller includes heater control circuitry receiving each of the sensor signal and the ground fault circuit interrupter signal. The heater control circuitry selectively controls operation of the heater dependent upon the sensor signal and the ground fault circuit interrupter signal.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for preventing ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building includes a heating device placed below the roof. An automatic controller includes a ground fault circuit interrupter in communication with the heating device. The ground fault circuit interrupter detects a ground fault condition associated with the heating device. The controller selectively controls operation of the heating device dependent upon the ground fault condition. A transmitter is connected with the controller. The transmitter transmits an air-borne ground fault signal dependent upon the ground fault condition. A remote receiver receives the ground fault signal. The remote receiver provides at least one of a visible indication and an audible indication of the ground fault signal.

Abstract: A heater tape assembly for heating an object to be heated includes an elongate first tape, an elongate second tape and at least one heater wire. The elongate first tape has a pair of opposing side edges and a first surface extending between the side edges. The first tape also has a plurality of first notches which extend into the first surface from a respective side edge thereof. The elongate second tape has a pair of opposing side edges and a pair of opposing second and third flat surfaces extending between the side edges. The second tape also has a plurality of second notches which extend into the second and third flat surfaces from a respective side edge thereof. The second notches in the second tape are substantially aligned with respective first notches in the first tape. The second flat surface is bonded with the first surface of the first tape. The third flat surface has an adhesive thereon for bonding to the object to be heated.

Abstract: A floor sensor assembly includes a receptacle having at least one first electrical contact and a first substantially flat surface partially defining a floor surface. A sensor device is detachably secured to the receptacle and includes at least one second electrical contact electrically connected to the at least one first electrical contact of the receptacle. At least one of a temperature sensor and a moisture sensor is electrically connected to the at least one second electrical contact. The sensor device also includes a second substantially flat surface partially defining the floor surface. At least one electrical conductor is electrically connected to the at least one first electrical contact of the receptacle.

Abstract: A reflector assembly in a satellite system includes a reflector having a reflecting surface and a back surface. The back surface is opposite the reflecting surface and has a plurality of ribs extending transversely therefrom. The reflector assembly further includes a layer of air-entrapped foam insulation having an inside surface. The inside surface has a plurality of grooves configured to receive the plurality of ribs therein. The reflector assembly further includes a heater assembly attached to the inside surface of the layer of air-entrapped foam insulation. The heater assembly includes a plurality of heater pads, a plurality of jumper wires electrically interconnecting the heater pads in series, and two end wires. Each end wire is connected to a respective end one of the heater pads. Each of the plurality of heater pads is disposed between a corresponding adjacent pair of the grooves.

Abstract: A dish antenna heating assembly includes a dish antenna having a convex rear surface. a heating element associated with at least a portion of the convex rear surface a fabric cover overlying at least that portion of the convex rear surface with which the heating element is associated, and spacer elements disposed between the convex rear surface of the dish antenna and the fabric cover.

Abstract: A gauge assembly holds heater wire adjacent to a surface to be heated. The assembly includes a plurality of elongate elements, with each elongate element having two opposite ends. Each opposite end is pivotably connected to a corresponding opposite end of an adjacent elongate element. At least one of the elongate elements retains at least one corresponding portion of the heater wire.

Abstract: A method prevents ice dams on an outside surface of a slanted roof of a building. The building has an outside wall. The roof extends over and beyond the outside wall in an outward direction. The method includes placing a first heating device between the roof and the outside wall. The heating device extends beyond the outside wall in the outward direction. Heat from the heating device is used to melt frozen precipitation on the outside surface of the roof.

Abstract: A method of controlling a load dependent upon at least one predetermined condition includes determining a presence of the at least one predetermined condition with at least one sensor. A signal is transmitted from the at least one sensor to an electrical processor dependent upon whether the at least one predetermined condition is present. A switch device is controlled with the electrical processor dependent upon the signal from the at least one sensor. The switch device has a first state in which the switch device connects a power source to the load, and a second state in which the switch device connects the power source to the at least one sensor, to the electrical processor and to a rechargeable energy storage device. If the predetermined condition is not present, the switch device is maintained in the second state. If the predetermined condition is present, the switch device is cyclically and continuously switched between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: An antenna reflector assembly includes a reflector having a reflecting surface and an electrical heater for heating the reflecting surface. An ambient condition sensor senses an ambient temperature and/or an ambient moisture associated with an ambient environment and applies electrical power to the heater dependent upon the ambient temperature and/or the ambient moisture. A test device is connected to a source of electrical power. The test device includes a circuit breaker for cutting off an input current to the test device when the input current exceeds a predetermined threshold current. A ground fault circuit interrupter detects a ground fault condition and cuts off an electrical current associated with the ground fault condition. A current indicator senses a current through the heater and provides an indication thereof. At least one voltage indicator senses a voltage and provides an indication thereof.

Abstract: An open circuit failure monitoring apparatus for controlled electrical resistance heaters is disclosed. The heater failure monitoring apparatus allows controlled electrical resistance heaters to be continuously monitored for open circuit failures without applying an operational current flow through the heater, regardless of the operational status of the heater and without significant power consumption during periods when the heater is not operated. The failure monitoring apparatus includes a reactive current limiting element, such as a capacitor, and a current monitoring circuit. The capacitor is connected in parallel with the contact switch used to control line voltage applied to the resistive load. The reactance of the capacitor provides a small but continuous test current capable of being detected by the current sensing component, but not large enough to consume significant power.

Abstract: A heated running board assembly for use with a motor vehicle. The heated running board assembly includes a running board and a heater assembly. The running board has a stepping surface and is attached to a motor vehicle. The heater assembly includes a resistive heating element which is embedded within the running board and heats the stepping surface thereof. The heated running board assembly includes a sensor assembly, a timer, and a controller, and is connected through a switch to the motor vehicle battery.