Conveyor belt with microcoil springwire sensor

The invention relates to conveyor belts having electrical conductors, which are sensor loops embedded therein, and more particularly to belts having signal inverting type sensor loops. A conveyor belt with a microcoil springwire sensor, a method for manufacturing same, and a conveyor belt rip detection system incorporating same for monitoring the integrity of the conveyor belt. The system employs an external transmitter and an external receiver, the microcoil sensor configured substantially in a signal inverting configuration residing substantially in a single plane within the conveyor belt, said microcoil springwire sensor having loops coupled to the external transmitter, and to the external receiver. The microcoil springwire crosses through itself in at least one place such that the microcoil springwire resides substantially in a single plane throughout the sensor including the crossing places. Means may be provided to prevent short-circuiting of the conductor at the crossing places, the means including: adhesive, insulation coating the conductor, a tee having two grooves, and a tee having a first, second, third and fourth cylindrical dowel. Adhesive is also used to secure the conductor to the tees.