FLUID DETECTION CABLE

A fluid detection cable is described for use in detecting the presence of leaks in areas where a particular fluid is not desired. Sensing leads in the fluid detection cable have a center conductor that may be surrounded with a non-porous conductive polymer coating that protects the conductors from corrosive fluids. A non-conductive polymer at least partially surrounds the sensing leads so that a fluid transmission path allows fluid to contact the conductive polymer. The non-conductive polymer may be porous to provide a fluid transmission path. Fluid transmission paths may also be structurally formed in the non-conductive polymer. The non-conductive polymer protects the sensing leads from false alarms that would occur if the conductive polymer were to be in contact with non-fluid conductive surfaces. The cable may also include monitor leads that are conductors coated with, or embedded in, non-conductive non-porous polymers.