How to tell a wire is plugged in?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods to determine if a wire is "turned on" without utilizing traditional voltage or current sensors. Participants explore various sensor options and theoretical approaches, including capacitance sensors and non-contact methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using a capacitance sensor or sending a small signal to detect if a wire is active.
  • Another participant inquires if the goal is to detect electricity without physical contact, hinting at the existence of non-contact current sensors.
  • A different participant emphasizes the ambiguity of "turned on," noting that the interpretation varies depending on whether the wire is connected to a power network or a phone line.
  • Commercial circuit tracers are mentioned as available solutions for detecting electrical connections.
  • One participant raises a theoretical aspect, proposing the idea of ensuring a good physical connection or using advanced methods like a quantum oscillator to measure tunneling without electron flow.
  • A later reply humorously questions the level of "arousal" intended to be detected, adding a light-hearted tone to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints and suggestions, but there is no consensus on a specific method or definition of "turned on." The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing ideas presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully defined the parameters of the problem, leading to ambiguity in the term "turned on." There are also unresolved assumptions regarding the types of wires and contexts being discussed.

gyrgi
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I need to use a sensor to determine if a wire is turned on without using a voltage or current sensor.

I've been playing with using a capacitance sensor or sending a small signal
 
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Welcome to PF!

Is this for homework?

If so what is the full problem description?

Are you trying to detect if the wire is conducting electricity without actually touching it in any way?
 
...and if so, are you aware that there are non-contact current sensors?
 
gyrgi said:
I need to use a sensor to determine if a wire is turned on without using a voltage or current sensor.
What do you mean, "turned on"? If you mean "connected to the power network" the answer is quite different from what you will get if you mean "connected to the phone line".
 
And there are commercial circuit tracers available to purchase.
 
How to tell if there's an electrical connection without using electricity? An interesting question.

Hopefully your practical problem is easier than the theoretical one. There have already been several good suggestions posted that might help.

For the pedantic problem I can only think of making sure there's a good physical connection. Perhaps a spring loaded connector with an actuator/transducer? Maybe some sort of quantum oscillator for measuring tunneling between the two wires without actual electron flow?
 
gyrgi said:
I need to use a sensor to determine if a wire is turned on
?

Just what level of arousal are you hoping to detect ?
 
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