U of S engineering grads invention could be a winter game-changer

The days of seeing Saskatoon streets covered in snake-like cords in the winter could be coming to an end thanks to a local engineer.

It has been a long, seven-year journey, but soon William Topping will see the VoltSafe magnetic block heater cord on store shelves.

It’s a cord with a magnetic end that you plug into the block heater on your vehicle, then use another magnetic cord to plug into an electrical outlet. The ability to magnetically disconnect, prevents the cord from being torn off of the vehicle’s block heater.

It won’t only keep people from driving off with their cords still plugged in — it will also be a huge help for people with disabilities or mobility issues.

Topping’s friend had a stroke, and he said she was actually having to use her teeth as a “second hand” to plug her cord in.

“So for people in Bronwyn’s situation, she can now do that with one hand. She doesn’t have to try to grab both sides of the plug,” said Topping.

“It was life-changing. The person most affected, though, is I’m sure her dad. He no longer has to get up at 6 a.m. to help her out.”

Topping said a big part of the waiting game has been the certification process because of the nature of the product.

“We had to convince a guy in Boston at the certification board that plugging in a block heater is a real problem. They don’t understand it down there,” said Topping.

VoltSafe magnetic block heater cords should be in Co-op stores by the middle of December.