AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT AND SENSOR FOR DETECTING ARCING AND A TRANSPARENCY HAVING THE CIRCUIT AND SENSOR

An electrical system responsive to overheating and/or electric arcing of an electrically conductive member, e.g. a heating member of an aircraft windshield, includes a first switch in a first current path, and a second switch in a second current path. The first current path is from an electrical power supply through the first switch, through an arc sensor to the heating member to the power supply. The second current path is from a temperature sensor monitoring the temperature of the heating member through the second switch to a temperature controller. When the temperature of the heating member is at or above a predetermined value, the temperature controller causes the first switch to open. When there is arcing, the second switch is moved to the open position. The temperature controller senses that the second switch is open and causes the first switch to open.