Showing papers on "Electricity meter published in 1997"

Power meter for determining parameters of multi-phase power lines

Abstract: A power meter is disclosed for determining power parameters for power lines having periodic 3-phase voltage and current signals distributed to a plurality of power equipment. The 3-phase voltage and current signals have a fundamental frequency. The power lines are connected to at least one transducer which generates analog signals representing the voltage and current signals. The power meter includes receiving circuitry which can be connected to the at least one transducer to receive the analog signals. An analog to digital converter receives the output signal from the receiving circuitry and converts the voltage and current signals to digital data representing the analog signals. A processor receives the digital data and includes logic for calculating the power parameters. The power meter compensates for errors caused by not sampling synchronous to the fundamental frequency of the signals.

Energy meter with multiple protocols for communication with local and wide area networks

Abstract: A solid state electrical meter incorporates the ability to support two-way radio, dialback telephone and CEBus personal LAN These three communications media require different protocols to meet their respective requirements Embedding multiple protocols within the meter controller makes the device extremely flexible for current and future applications

Security system and method for revenue class electricity meter

Abstract: A security system for programmable revenue class electricity meters. Each programmable revenue class electricity meter includes a metering portion or stage that couples to a power line. The metering portion is responsive to and senses the electricity in the power line and provides a digital output. The programmable revenue class electricity meter includes a processor that runs programming that records, calculates, and/or stores data relating to the electricity sensed by the metering portion. In particular, the programming records, calculates, and/or stores revenue-related data that can be used for calculating charges for the electricity. The programming can be changed by authorized persons to modify the types of data that can be measured, calculated, recorded, displayed, communicated, and/or stored for any desired purpose and in particular for revenue-related purposes. Modification of the programming and access to information is limited to authorized persons by means of the security system. The security system includes security system programming in the meter that checks for a code word that is required to be input prior to any changes to the revenue-related programming can be effected. The security system programming compares the input code word to a code word stored in the meter and unlocks restrictions on modification of the revenue-related programming if the input code word matches the stored code word.

Electric meter tamper detection circuit for sensing electric meter removal

Abstract: An electric meter tamper detection system for sensing removal of an electric meter from a corresponding meter socket and for generating a tamper signal is disclosed. In this system, the tamper signal is relayed to a headend when the electric meter--connected in series with and monitoring current flow through at least one conductor--has been removed from the meter socket. At least one resistor is electrically connected to the line-side of the conductor. A light emitting diode is electrically coupled to the resistor and to the load-side of the conductor. A transistor receives the tamper signal from the light emitting diode when the electric meter is removed from the meter socket. A microprocessor is coupled to the transistor, receives the tamper signal from the transistor, and relays the tamper signal to said headend. Thus, the headend is immediately notified if and when the electric meter is removed from its meter socket. A modular meter based utility gateway enclosure which resides between a power meter and a meter socket of a residence or other building supports multiple interchangeable local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) interface cards is also disclosed.

Demand meter having load profile recording capabilities

Abstract: A demand electronic electricity meter having load profile recording capabilities is presented. Load profile recording requires memory for storing the recorded information, whereby either on-board memory or external memory is required. Load profile parameters include the number of channels (e.g., 1, 2 or more channels), interval size (e.g., 1, 5, 10, 15, 30 or 60 minutes), quantities to be recorded (e.g., kWh and kvarh, kVAh, or Qh) and channel scalar/divisor (e.g., for each channel, a 2 byte divisor and a 2 byte scalar). With two channels, only two quantities are available for recording, kWh and the one other quantity that the meter has been configured to record, (e.g., kvarh, KVAh, or kQh). For each quantity selected, snapshots of the corresponding total accumulator; (i.e. total kWh and total kvarh, kVAh or kQh) are automatically maintained.

Optical power meter for detecting loss factors in fiber optic communications

Abstract: An optical power meter for a fiber optic link includes a photodetector that generates a current proportional to the energy of the light transmission in the fiber optic, a current-to-voltage converter that converts the current to a proportional voltage, and a voltage-to-frequency converter that converts the voltage to a digital pulse train proportional to the amplitude of the voltage. The digital pulse train increments a counter, which is read periodically by a microprocessor. The value read by the microprocessor corresponds to the average power in the light transmission. This digital value is converted to a power value in dBm and stored on a mass storage device and displayed on a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display shows the power level over time so that losses due to intrinsic and extrinsic loss factors can be quickly and easily identified. The power meter also includes software executed by the microprocessor that allows the user to input a range within which the power can fluctuate. If the measured power falls outside of that range, however, the power meter sets off an audible or visual warning signal to indicate a perturbation to the fiber optic link such as a mechanical stress, connector misalignment, or a security breach.

Utility meter and display system

Abstract: A new Utility Meter and Display System for reading and displaying utility usage information within a building structure. The inventive device includes an encasement, a microprocessor within the encasement, a display, a keypad, and a printer within the encasement for printing selected information for the user. The microprocessor is electronically connected to a water meter, an electric meter, a gas meter and a telephone for reading the usage of the various utilities. The printer is electronically connected to the microprocessor for printing out selected screens on the display. The inventive device preferably includes a modem within for receiving billing information from the utility companies for determining the current rates.

Electricity meter to measure electrical physical magnitudes which are parameters or functions of measured voltages and/or currents

Abstract: An electricity meter contains analog/digital converters to transform input analog voltages and currents into sampled digital values. A first high speed processor derives auxiliary magnitudes from the sampled digital values without intermediate storage. The auxiliary magnitudes, which do not have any direct physical significance, are provided to a lower speed second processor, which utilizes the auxiliary magnitudes to determine various desired parameters and functions of the input voltages and currents.

New remote control and telecommunication method

Abstract: The method utilizes lines carrying periodically changed information, esp AC power lines for remote control and telecommunication. By using the line-inherent data as synchronous data, signal with definite phase or period, concentrated energy, short duration and high amplitude is transmitted. The present invention has high reliability, high noise immunity, low power consumption and less technological difficulty, and it is esp suitable for using power line for transmitting data of electric meter, water meter and gas meter.

A two-element energy meter having systems for automatic service type detection

Abstract: A 2-element, three voltage connection electronic energy meter is disclosed for measuring 3-phase electrical energy supplied by a 4-wire delta service without external potential transformers. The meter employs non-isolating voltage sensors for sensing the line voltages and includes and an automatic service type detector and isolation detector. The meter generates voltage and phase angle measurements for each of the two voltages sensed by the meter. The service type detector compares the phase angles to automatically determine the service type supplying the electrical energy to the meter. The isolation detector compares the two voltages to automatically determine whether or not the installation includes external potential transformers. If the service type is a 4-wire delta service and no external potential transformers are used at the installation for isolating the voltage signals, the meter doubles the voltage measured over the first of the two elements when generating power measurements.

Electronic electricity meter configurable to operate in a plurality of meter forms and ratings

Abstract: An electricity meter which, in one embodiment, includes a digital signal processor configurable for generating energy measurements for a plurality of meter form types and connections is described. In the one embodiment, the meter includes voltage and current sensor for generating signals representative of current and voltage at a load, and the digital signal processor (DSP) is coupled to the voltage and current sensors. The DSP includes a memory, and a plurality of selectable instruction sets corresponding to respective meter form types are stored in the DSP memory. The form types includes meter ANSI form 9 and meter ANSI form 16 type forms, and the instruction sets include processing steps to be executed to determine line voltages and line currents for respective meter form types. The meter also includes a microcomputer coupled to the DSP for receiving data generated by the DSP. The microcomputer is operable transmit a selection command to the DSP to control selection of one of the instruction sets stored in the DSP memory. An optical port may be electrically coupled to the microcomputer, and the microcomputer is configured to receive a control command from the optical port. The microcomputer uses the control command to generate the selection command.

From theory to practice: the development and implementation of PowerNet(R)-an advanced power line carrier system for AMR, DSM, DA and non-utility applications

Abstract: This paper describes a new power line carrier AMR (automatic meter reading) system which is currently being tested in several major pilot schemes. The system is believed to be unique in offering data rates of up to 19,200 bps over both LV and MV (11 kV) distribution networks. Novel, low cost, noninvasive inductive signal coupling techniques have been developed to facilitate cost-effective communications over underground and overhead MV networks. A programmable electricity meter has been developed in order to demonstrate a wide range of system benefits, including AMR, tariff and load management, tokenless prepayment, quality monitoring and load research. (5 pages)

Electricity meter data source identification circuit

Abstract: An electricity meter which, in one embodiment, includes a detection circuit, or unit, coupled to the meter microcomputer and supplies a detection signal to the microcomputer indicative of the data source is described. Using the signal supplied by the detection unit, the microcomputer can determine whether to allow access to metering data and other data stored in the meter. In an exemplary embodiment, the detection unit has three different modes, or states, of operation. These states of operation are sometimes referred to as the steady state, the optical port data transmit state, and the option board connector transmit state. The steady state refers to the condition of the unit when no data is being transmitted to the meter microcomputer from either optical port or the option board. In the steady state, the detection signal supplied to the microcomputer is high. In the optical port data transmit state, the detection signal transitions, as least momentarily, from a high state to a low state. In the option board connector transmit state, the detection signal remains in the high state even though data is being communicated to the microcomputer. The microcomputer, by detecting the state of the detection signal as well as the presence of data on the data supply line, can determine the source of the data. The microcomputer can the respond as appropriate.

Electricity meter using fuzzy logic circuit

Abstract: An electricity meter includes a first current probe, a first voltage probe and a display unit memorizing its contents. This meter comprises a fuzzy logic processor having a fuzzy logic decision-making computer with a non-volatile memory available to store membership functions corresponding to the first voltage and current probes and to store decision rules. The computer takes a decision, according to the rules, that is weighted by the membership functions and is aimed at incrementing the contents of the display unit. This meter has the particular feature, among others, by which it can be recalibrated on site.

Power converting apparatus

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively supply power from a solar battery, system and battery, supply power to electric apparatuses and systems, feed the power to electric apparatuses, and charge the power to a battery by supervising the running condition of each apparatus and determining the connecting condition of the switching means depending on the condition. SOLUTION: A centralized supervisory control apparatus 18 supervises each apparatus (PV inverter 12, converter 15, power meter 16 and home electric apparatus 19) and switches the connecting condition. Here, power generation means supply of power via the PV inverter 12 from a solar battery 11, charging means the charging of the battery 14 to operate a converter 15 in the converter mode and power feeding means supply of power from a battery 14 to drive the converter 15 in the inverter mode. The centralized supervisory apparatus 18 selects any one of the connecting conditions and gives a switching instruction to the AC switch 13 to switch the connecting condition. Thereby, drop of the power consumption of electric apparatus can be prevented. COPYRIGHT: (C)1998,JPO

Electricity meter connection block with means to bridge out the meter

Abstract: Meter socket connector has a connector block (1), for contact with an electricity meter (2), that has plug in rods for connecting to, and a device (1A) that permits a short circuiting of the connectors to and from the electricity supply to permit connection or removal of the electricity meter. A device (1B) enables the meter (2) to be connected so that the input side and neutral phase contacts are connected to the electricity supply network, while the output phase is separate from the network. The device (1B) is fixed in the meter connection block (1) or in a connector junction (6).

Energy meter with power quality monitoring and diagnostic systems

Abstract: An electronic meter (10) which automatically detects the service type and voltage to which the meter (10) is installed and which either automatically continues its own programming to the detected service is disclosed. An electronic energy meter (10) that permits the addition of new measurements or testing capabilities without requiring factory modifications to effect such functionality changes is also disclosed. The meter (10) includes firmware which measures the characteristics of electrical energy supplied to the meter and which generates characteristic signals reflective of the measured characteirstics of the electrical energy. A processor (16) is connected to receive and process the characteristic signals. The processing of the characteristic signals includes selecting and manipulating certain of the characteristic signals and generating characteristic information in response to the selection and generating additional characteristic information in response to the manipulation. It is preferred for the meter (10) to include a memory (35) having reference information stored therein. In such an embodiment, the manipulation of characteristic signals includes retrieving certain of the reference information and generating the characteristic information in response to the selected signals and the reference information.

Electricity metering arrangement with integral cut-out means

Abstract: An electricity metering arrangement 10 comprises an electricity meter 32 and cut-out means 30 integrally formed as a unit 12 The cut-out means 30 may be a fuse or circuit breaker The metering arrangement 10 may include base members 14, 20 with contacts members 18, 24, 26 into which contacts members of the meter and fuse unit 12 can be plugged to connect the meter and fuse unit 12 to live 22, 28 and neutral 16 power supply cables The base member 20 may be a conventional fuse base The meter 32 may monitor the cut-out means 30 and transmit data via data transmission means The data transmission means may include a radio transmitter, modem or power cable telemetry means The meter may include an adjustable display unit and an anti-tamper seal may be formed between the base members 14, 20 and the meter and fuse unit 12 The arrangement 10 may be used for single or multiple phase power supplies and may allow the meter and fuse unit 12 to be easily removed for maintenance or replacement

Method for synchronously metering three-phase/single-phase fundamental electrical energy and harmonic electrical energy and electric meter thereof

Abstract: The present invention is composed of hardware portion and software portion. Its hardware portion includes signal conversion circuit, analog-to-digital conversion circuit, monolithic computer circuit and display circuit, etc.. Its software portion includes three-phase voltage and three-phase current fundamental component abstract algorithm, plesiochronous algorithm, lag accumulation and abnormal data discrimination and processing algorithm, and fundamental power and harmonic power batching algorithm, and fundamental power and harmonic power batching algorithm. Said invention is a convenient, accurate and reliable electric power metering method for metering electric energy used by non-linear power user.

Measuring appliance for electricity meter

Abstract: The measurement device which connects to electricity meter circuit has a shunt with first and second connection terminals (6,7) arranged on a shunt board for supply of a voltage equal to that of the electricity supply across the shunt. The shunt section (5) between terminals (6,7) is effectively flat and the laminar type support plate (11) which supports the terminals has two connection wires (19,20) connected to the terminals (6,7). The output connections from the terminals are separated from the input connections as they are mounted on a separate board of the laminar support (11) and connect to the meter circuit. A third terminal provides a supply voltage for the meter.

Optical metering using modem and power lines

Abstract: An apparatus for reading an electricity meter (1) comprises an optical head (2) and a modem for transmitting electricity consumption data. The optical head (2) has a source which illuminates a rotating indicator and a detector which detects reflected light. Processing means in the optical head detects passage of a mark on the indicator by detecting a change in the level of reflected light and measures the electricity consumption data. The electricity consumption data is transmitted to a electricity utility by the mains wiring and telephone/radio.

Visual alarm gauge

Abstract: A panel meter having an integrated warning light activated by an abnormal operating condition. The meter embodies a conventional electrical meter movement having dial and pointer. The pointer, connected to an armature, is rotatable by the interaction of a magnetic armature with a varying magnetic field generated by varying a sender current in wound coils. Integrated into the meter and on a surface mount printed circuit board between the dial and coils are the components and wiring traces of a dual comparator circuit that activates a light emitting diode signal lamp when a high or low limit operating condition is reached. The signal lamp is fully integrated and mounted on the circuit board and viewable through an aperture in the dial. The same circuit board is usable for high and low limit sensing devices by choosing the position of a resistor located between the comparator collector and the light emitting diode.

Plug-in connection for electricity meter

Abstract: The connection uses a termination block (1) incorporated in the electricity meter (2) and a cooperating termination block (3) at the meter fixing location, which has a number of parallel projecting contact pins (5) , received in respective contact sleeves (4) provided by the termination block incorporated in the electricity meter. The contact sleeves are provided with clamping screws (7) for securing the inserted contact pins, the latter formed integral with the terminal clamps for securing the electrical conductors.

Audio impedance/calculated power meter

Abstract: For audio professionals, sound contractors, installers and the like, a hand-held electronic instrument facilitates analyzing and optimizing speaker systems or portions thereof which may include anything from a single speaker to transmission lines of a field-installed distributed system. The instrument measures and displays impedance in ohms on a numeric readout and additionally calculates power based on a designated audio line voltage, as user-selected by a panel switch, e.g. from 25, 50, 70 or 100 volts, and displays the calculated power in watts, based on measured load current at a constant applied. The test frequency can be user-selected by a panel switch, e.g. to 100, 330, 1k or 10k Hz.

Electric meter transmitting consumption data via cellular radio

Abstract: An electric meter transmits energy consumption data via a cellular radio network when requested to do so by a caller. Other meters, for example gas or water can be connected to, the electric meter via an external connection point 35. An external remote aerial may be connected using connection point 14. Data may be stored relating to the quantity of energy used at different times of the day. Data may be transmitted by the caller to the meter to update parameters such as off peak times.

Meter accuracy device

Abstract: A device (2) for monitoring the accuracy of an electricity meter (8) which includes a meter interface (3), a central processing unit (4), and a load sensor (7). The load sensor senses changes in loads (9) metered and the processing unit, with appropriate programming and data, compares this load change against a present load change for each load. The acceptable value of any variation in the change of any load can also be preset and the device (2) arranged so that the meter owner is alerted to any unacceptable variation in the accuracy of the meter (8).

Managing system for power meter network

Abstract: A networking manage system for killowatt-hour meters features that a full-automatic manage network for bidirectional 4-stage communication and control is composed of central computers running user manage program in foreground and communication program in background, intelligent killowatt-hour neters/killowatthour terminals, and transmission controllers for municipal telephone line, power line andradio Duplex computer control technique and 4 communication techniques are used to realize automatic manage of electric consumptions in a municipal range

Digital power consumption meter esp. electricity meter

Abstract: The counter includes a centralised control receiver section and a signal processing section e.g. a signal processor. Also provided is a switching circuit (3) and a demodulator (4). The switching logic circuit, using a monitoring device, monitors the phases of the connected three-phase AC network to check for discontinuity. The signal processing section processes signals from an analogue to digital modulator which digitises the voltage signals from the AC network. When there is a break in voltage, the logic circuit switches the demodulator to a fault-free phase. The counter is pref. an electricity meter. The modulator is a sigma-delta modulator.