An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes at least one circuit path, a three phase service switch, and a three phase monitoring unit. The at least one circuit path operably couples a source of electrical energy to a load. The service switch is operably coupled to the at least one circuit path and is configurable in an open state and a closed state. The monitoring unit is operably coupled to the at least one circuit path between the load and the service switch and is configured to detect a presence and an absence of line voltage on the load. The monitoring unit is further configured (i) to generate an open circuit signal responsive to the detection of the absence of line voltage on the load, and (ii) to generate a closed circuit signal responsive to the detection of the presence of line voltage on the load.
G01R 22/00 - Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
G01R 35/02 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass of auxiliary devices, e.g. of instrument transformers according to prescribed transformation ratio, phase angle, or wattage rating
G01R 35/04 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass of instruments for measuring time integral of power or current
An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes at least one circuit path, a three phase service switch, and a three phase monitoring unit. The at least one circuit path operably couples a source of electrical energy to a load. The service switch is operably coupled to the at least one circuit path and is configurable in an open state and a closed state. The monitoring unit is operably coupled to the at least one circuit path between the load and the service switch and is configured to detect a presence and an absence of line voltage on the load. The monitoring unit is further configured (i) to generate an open circuit signal responsive to the detection of the absence of line voltage on the load, and (ii) to generate a closed circuit signal responsive to the detection of the presence of line voltage on the load.
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.
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.
A tamper detection system for an electricity meter includes an antenna, an RF signal level circuit, and a controller. The antenna is configured to receive an RF signal. The RF signal level circuit is supported within an electricity meter housing and is operatively connected to the antenna. The RF signal level circuit is configured to detect the RF signal received by the antenna and to provide a strength signal corresponding to a magnitude of the RF signal. The controller is supported within the electricity meter housing, and is operatively connected to the RF signal level circuit. The controller is configured to generate an RF signal strength value based at least in part on the strength signal, and to generate a tamper flag responsive at least in part to a determination that the RF signal strength value exceeds a threshold value.
An arrangement for use in a utility meter (10) includes a sensor (18) and a processing circuit (14) supported by a base of the meter (10), and a magnetic element (24) carried by the cover (22) of the meter, in which the cover (22) is removably mounted to the base. The sensor (18) includes at least two magnetizable elements (102,103), such as inductors, that are magnetized at opposite polarities when the meter (10) is closed and operable. The magnetizable elements (102,103) are positioned in very close proximity so that as cover (22) is removed the magnetic element (24) passes the elements (102,103) to cause the magnetizable elements (102,103) to assume the same polarity. The processing circuit (14) continuously polls the magnetizable elements (102,103) to evaluate their respective polarities and is configured to issue a tamper indication when the detected polarities are the same.
An arrangement for use in a utility meter (10) includes a sensor (18) and a processing circuit (14) supported by a base of the meter (10), and a magnetic element (24) carried by the cover (22) of the meter, in which the cover (22) is removably mounted to the base. The sensor (18) includes at least two magnetizable elements (102,103), such as inductors, that are magnetized at opposite polarities when the meter (10) is closed and operable. The magnetizable elements (102,103) are positioned in very close proximity so that as cover (22) is removed the magnetic element (24) passes the elements (102,103) to cause the magnetizable elements (102,103) to assume the same polarity. The processing circuit (14) continuously polls the magnetizable elements (102,103) to evaluate their respective polarities and is configured to issue a tamper indication when the detected polarities are the same.
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.
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.
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 IA, IB, IC and/or IN, and VA, VB, VC. The processing circuit is further configured to determine at least ICB sample values based on three of the current samples of IA, IB, IC, and IN, and determine a VA value based at least in part on ICB. 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.
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.
A circuit arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a mechanical switch, a processor device, and a latch circuit. The mechanical switch has a closed position and an open position, and is supported by a meter housing. The mechanical switch is operably coupled to generate a close signal when the mechanical switch is in the closed position. The processor device has a first processor input and a second processor input. The first processor input is operably coupled to receive the close signal. The latch circuit is operably coupled to receive the close signal and generate a latched signal responsive thereto. The latch circuit is configured to latch the latched signal for a predetermined time, the predetermined time corresponding to a wake-up time of the processor device. The latch circuit is operably coupled to provide the latched signal to the second processor input.
An arrangement for controllably disconnecting a utility power service from a load (25) includes a utility meter housing (105), a switch (104) and a processing circuit (110). The utility meter housing (105) includes metrology circuitry (102) configured to generate metering information regarding electrical power provided to the load (25). The switch (104) is configured to controllably interrupt a connection between the utility power service and the load (25). The switch (104) has an open state and a closed state. The processing circuit (110) is configured to determine whether a line voltage varies from an expected value by more than a predetermined amount over a predetermined amount of time. The processing circuit (110) is further configured to cause a change in state of the switch (104) based on the determination.
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the networkCircuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
G01R 22/06 - Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters by electronic methods
14.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACTIVELY MANAGING CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLIED BY ONE OR MORE ELECTRIC UTILITIES
A system manages consumption of power supplied by at least one electric utility to multiple power consuming devices. Power flow to the power consuming devices is enabled and disabled by controllable devices controlled by one or more client devices. According to one embodiment, a group of one or more client devices to which to communicate a power control message is determined. The power control message indicates at least one of an amount of electric power to be reduced and an identification of one or more controllable devices to be instructed to disable a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices. The power control message is communicated to the determined group of client devices to initiate a power reduction event. Subsequent to initiation of the power reduction event, a determination is made that at least one controllable device has prematurely exited the power reduction event.
H04L 12/12 - Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
H04L 29/10 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by an interface, e.g. the interface between the data link level and the physical level
15.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AND PROVIDING DISPATCHABLE OPERATING RESERVE ENERGY CAPACITY THROUGH USE OF ACTIVE LOAD MANAGEMENT
A utility employs an active load management system (ALMS) to estimate available operating reserve for possible dispatch to the utility or another requesting entity (e.g., an independent system operator). According to one embodiment, the ALMS determines amounts of electric power stored in power storage devices, such as electric or hybrid electric vehicles, distributed throughout the utility's service area. The ALMS stores the stored power data in a repository. Responsive to receiving a request for operating reserve, the ALMS determines whether the stored power data alone or in combination with projected energy savings from a control event is sufficient to meet the operating reserve requirement. If so, the ALMS dispatches power from the power storage devices to the power grid to meet the operating reserve need. The need for operating reserve may also be communicated to mobile power storage devices to allow them to provide operating reserve as market conditions require.
An active load management system (ALMS) controllably restarts electrical service to service points in a utility service area after a power outage. The ALMS includes client devices installed at the service points and a central controller. In one embodiment, the controller associates numbers with the service points and stores the associations. Each service point may be associated with a unique number or a group of service points may share a number. After receiving notification that power is available, the controller determines a number and communicates the number to one or more of the client devices. Where the number was determined randomly, the client devices associated with the number may restart electrical service upon receipt of the number. Where the number was determined sequentially, a client device may determine its own random number and compare it to the received number. If a match occurs, electrical service can be restarted.
G01R 31/00 - Arrangements for testing electric propertiesArrangements for locating electric faultsArrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
17.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COMMUNICATIONS TO AND FROM UTILITY SERVICE POINTS
An apparatus and method control transmission of messages over a fixed bandwidth link from fixed position communication devices to a central controller in a load management system. The messages include information relating to electric power consumption by power consuming devices located at service points that include the communication devices. In one embodiment, the central controller determines an identifier associated with each communication device, a reporting period during which the messages are to be transmitted by the communication devices, and transmission increments within the reporting period. The controller allocates each transmission increment to a respective group of communication devices. The controller then determines a transmission time for a message from a particular communication device based on the identifier for the particular device, a duration of a transmission increment allocated to a group of communication devices that includes the particular device, and a quantity of communication devices in the particular device's group.
A load management system controller employs a method for determining carbon credits earned as a result of a control event in which power is reduced to at least one service point serviced by a utility. The controller is located remotely from the service point(s) and determines power consumed over time by at least one device located at the service point(s) to produce power consumption data. The controller stores the power consumption data. At some later point in time, the controller initiates a control event and determines an amount of power reduced during the control event based on the stored power consumption data. The controller also determines a generation mix for power that would have been supplied to the service point(s) if the control event had not occurred. The controller then determines a quantity of carbon credits earned based at least on the amount of power reduced and the generation mix.
A system and method for selective disconnection of electrical service to a customer via commands transmitted on a communications network between a server in communication with an electric utility and a client device at a customer service point. A customer profile is generated including at least connection information for a plurality of controllable devices within the service point. A request is received from the electric utility to generate a selective disconnect event at the service point based on the customer profile. The selective disconnect event is communicated to the client device at the service point. The selective disconnect event is sent to at least one controllable device at the service point.
A control system and method to create an Internet Protocol (IP) enabled automatic gain control loop for encasing a desired cost value in a utility derived consumer controlled pricing envelope. A customer uses a web browser to view billing estimates for the current month as well as related months. The customer can set limits on the actual billing amount for the upcoming month and make adjustments to this amount if it seems unrealistic in the coming month. Control event actions are carried out to limit power usage within preferences set by the customer.
Methods for prioritizing load management messages on IP-based networks utilizing an Active Load Directory and IP capable two-way gateway. The messages being received from, or sent to, the ISP through the gateway contain a blend of regulated and unregulated data. The regulated data is high-priority utility load management data such as, equipment status and load control instructions. The unregulated data consists of Internet messages such as email and web site data. These methods process all regulatory data before unregulated data within strict time limits, providing the greatest possible load management control and energy savings. The methods emulate dedicated network processor memory in a manner that permits the rules for prioritizing, scheduling, and routing to remain the same across both hardware and software implementations.
A utility employs a method for estimating available operating reserve. Electric power consumption by at least one device serviced by the utility is determined during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data. The power consumption data is stored in a repository. A determination is made that a control event is to occur during which power is to be reduced to one or more devices. Prior to the control event and under an assumption that it is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of the device(s) is estimated for a time period during which the control event is expected to occur based on the stored power consumption data. Additionally, prior to the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event are determined based on the devices' estimated power consumption behavior. An amount of available operating reserve is determined based on the projected energy savings.
A system and method for creating and making use of customer profiles, including energy consumption patterns. Devices within a service point, using the active load director, may be subject to control events, often based on customer preferences. These control events cause the service point to use less power. Data associated with these control events, as well as related environment data, are used to create an energy consumption profile for each service point. This can be used by the utility to determine which service points are the best targets for energy consumption. In addition, an intelligent load rotation algorithm determines how to prevent the same service points from being picked first each time the utility wants to conserve power.
A system for managing consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to power consuming devices includes at least one client device and a server. Each client device operates at least partially responsive to control messages received from the server and controls operation of one or more controllable devices. Each controllable device selectively enables and disables a flow of power to one or more of the consuming devices. The server stores information, on a per client device basis, relating to power consumed by the consuming devices. When a power reduction is requested by the utility, the server selects, based on client device information stored in the database, at least one client device to which to issue a power reduction message that indicates at least one of an amount of power to be reduced and an identification of a controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of power.
A method and apparatus for virtually generating electricity for use by electric utilities provide a virtual electric utility. In one embodiment, a non-power generating electric utility enters into a supply agreement to acquire electric power from an electric power generating entity. During a term of the agreement, the non-power generating utility intentionally refrains from receiving at least some of the electric power to which it is entitled under the agreement to produce deferred electric power. The non-power generating utility offers to supply the deferred electric power to third party, such as an electric power supplier or an electric power consumer. The power deferment is preferably achieved through issuance of power control commands to a load management system. In another embodiment, an independent third party controls the load management system to function as an alternative energy supplier by virtually supplying deferred electric power back to a power grid.
G06Q 50/00 - Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
A utility meter comprises a measurement circuit configured to measure consumption data, a memory configured to store meter data including the consumption data, and a receiver configured to receive a priority message from a source external to the utility meter. A meter display on the meter comprises a plurality of display segments. The meter display is configured to display the meter data according to a standard meter display routine. The meter display is further configured to display the priority message on at least a first portion of the plurality of display segments such that meter data normally displayed during the standard meter display routine is not displayed on the first portion of the plurality of display segments. A meter controller is configured to determine whether the standard meter display routine should be interrupted or overridden in order to display the remote message.
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