Abstract

A method identifies a duration of power interruptions in an electrical monitoring system. The method includes receiving, with an external monitoring system, a load profile from an electric meter that includes at least one of an accumulated frequency measurement and an accumulated number of zero crossing events that the electric meter records in an AC power signal during a predetermined monitoring period, and identifying a total duration of at least one power interruption during the predetermined monitoring period based on at least one of a deviation of the accumulated frequency measurement in the load profile from a predetermined accumulated frequency value or a deviation of the accumulated number of zero crossing events in the load profile from a predetermined number of zero crossing events during the predetermined monitoring period.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 31/42 - AC power supplies

Abstract

An electric meter that is configured to regenerate meter state data after a power loss includes a memory with at least one volatile and non-volatile memory device and a processor connected to the memory. The processor is configured to retrieve a backup copy of meter state data and a plurality of meter input data samples that were generated after the backup copy of the meter state data and prior to the power loss from a nonvolatile memory device. The processor is configured to regenerate meter state data by updating the backup copy of meter state data with the plurality of meter input data samples to regenerate the meter state data at the time of a final meter input data sample prior to the power loss.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 22/10 - Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters by electronic methods using digital techniques

Abstract

A power conversion arrangement includes first and an optional second power conversion stages. The first stage has an input configured to receive an input voltage, an output having a first output voltage, a controller, a variable resistance, and a feedback node having a feedback voltage. The feedback node is coupled to the output by a first impedance. The controller receives the feedback voltage, and drives the output such that the feedback voltage is substantially at a predetermined value. The variable resistance is coupled between the feedback node and a reference voltage (e.g., ground). The variable resistance has a resistance value that varies as a function of the input voltage. The second stage has an input operably coupled to receive the first output voltage. The second stage is configured to generate an output voltage having a level that is substantially constant independent of the level of the first output voltage.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02M 3/156 - Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
• H02M 1/00 - APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF - Details of apparatus for conversion

Abstract

An arrangement for use in a utility meter comprises a transformer, a voltage source, a sensor, and a processor. The transformer includes a primary winding, a first secondary winding, and a second secondary winding. The voltage source is operably connected to generate a voltage signal and to provide the voltage signal to the first secondary winding. The generated voltage signal has a corresponding current formed at least in part by an impedance defined in part by a permeability of the transformer. The sensor is operably connected to generate a permeability signal indicative of the corresponding current. The processor is operably connected to the sensor and is configured to generate a hot socket detection signal responsive to the permeability signal indicating that the permeability of the transformer has fallen below a threshold value.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01D 4/02 - Tariff metering apparatus - Details
• G01D 4/00 - Tariff metering apparatus

Abstract

A utility meter configured for connection to an AC power line includes a meter housing with a plurality of electronic components arranged within the meter housing and configured to provide consumption data. A power supply is also arranged within the meter housing. The power supply is configured to receive an AC voltage from the AC power line and supply a DC voltage to the electronic components. An AC line voltage booster is positioned connected to the power supply. The AC line voltage booster is configured to increase the voltage from the AC power line received by the power supply.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 21/06 - Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor by measuring current and voltage
• G01R 19/165 - Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values
• G01R 22/06 - Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters by electronic methods

Abstract

A method is used in a utility meter having an arm bit and a seal bit. The method includes changing a state of the arm bit to a first state in response to a first set of conditions. The method also includes removing electrical power from the meter. Upon subsequently applying electrical power to the meter, a first signal in a meter processing circuit indicates whether a meter cover is installed or the meter cover is removed. The processing circuit changes the seal bit to a first state responsive to a condition in which the arm bit is in the first state and the first signal indicates that the meter cover is installed. The processing circuit changes the seal bit to a second state responsive to a condition in which the seal bit is in the first state and the first signal indicates that the meter cover is removed.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 22/00 - Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters

Abstract

A method of detecting a magnetic coupling in a meter includes obtaining in an electricity meter information representative of power consumption as measured within the meter of a plurality of lines (103) of an electrical service. The method also includes obtaining from a magnetic sensor (108) information representative of a magnetic field within an electricity meter (100). A processing circuit (112) then determines whether a first condition exists wherein the magnetic field exceeds a first threshold and the information representative of the power consumption indicates a load imbalance on the plurality of lines such that the load imbalance exceeds an imbalance threshold. The method further includes performing a processing step responsive to a determination that the first condition exists.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 22/06 - Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters by electronic methods
• G01D 4/00 - Tariff metering apparatus

Abstract

A method measures a resistance of an element (120a, 120b) that is operably coupled to receive an AC line voltage. The method includes obtaining a first voltage measurement value V1A from a first side of the element at a first time, and obtaining a second voltage measurement value V2A from a second side of the element at the first time. The method also includes obtaining a first current measurement value IA through the element at the first time, and obtaining a second current measurement value IB through the element at the second time. The method further includes obtaining a third voltage measurement value VIB from the first side of the element at a second time, and obtaining a fourth voltage measurement value V2B from the second side of the element at the second time. A processing device (118) determines the resistance at least in part based on the values V1A,V2A V1B, V2B, IA and IB. The determination is based on an adjusted difference of V2B and V2A.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 31/327 - Testing of circuit interrupters, switches or circuit-breakers
• G01R 27/20 - Measuring earth resistance; Measuring contact resistance of earth connections, e.g. plates

Abstract

A method for storing information within a utility meter includes generating in a processing circuit first information regarding a metered quantity delivered to a load corresponding to a first period of time. The method also includes obtaining a first value associated with one of a plurality of predetermined ranges of values in which the first information falls. The method further includes generating in a processing circuit a second value representative of a numerical position of the first information within the one of the plurality of predetermined ranges of values. The first value and the second value are stored in a memory.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01D 4/00 - Tariff metering apparatus
• G01D 9/02 - Producing one or more recordings of the values of a single variable
• G01D 15/00 - Component parts of recorders for measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable

Abstract

An arrangement includes an A/D converter and a processing circuit. The A/D converter is configured to generate digital samples of voltage and current waveforms in a polyphase electrical system. The processing circuit is operably coupled to receive the digital samples from the A/D converter. The processing circuit configured is to obtain contemporaneous phase current and voltage samples I A , I B , I C and/or I N , and V A , V B , V C . The processing circuit is further configured to determine at least I CB sample values based on three of the current samples of I A , I B , I C , and I N , and determine a VA value based at least in part on I CB . The processing circuit is further configured to provide information representative of the VA calculation to one of a group consisting of a display, a communication circuit, a memory and a billing calculation unit.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 21/06 - Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor by measuring current and voltage
• G01R 21/00 - Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor