GB2300719A

GB2300719A - Improvements in or relating to electricity meters

Info

Publication number: GB2300719A
Application number: GB9509279A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Warwick
Original assignee: Siemens Measurements Ltd
Current assignee: Siemens Metering Ltd
Priority date: 1995-05-06
Filing date: 1995-05-06
Publication date: 1996-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-06
Also published as: GB9509279D0; GB2300719B

Abstract

A modulised electricity meter for use in association with a non-modular meter comprising, a dummy basic meter module and the 'add-on' module having housings including mutually engageable parts which mechanically couple the modules in interlocked relationship, so that the dummy basic meter module serves as a substantially rigid mounting platform for the 'add-on' module, input and output pairs of electricity terminals in the dummy basic meter module, and a two part electrical connector, the parts being positioned and arranged one in each module such that they mutually engage consequent upon mutual engagement of the modules.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ELECTRICITY METERS This invention relates to electricity meters and more especially it relates to modulised electricity meters.

Such meters are the subject our co-pending patent application numbers 9424461.3, 9501771.1, 9501772.9, (F21091) and (F21096), to which attention is hereby directed.

Modulised electricity meters comprise a basic meter module to which 'add-on' modules can be fitted to extend functionality.

This has the advantage that the basic parts required for metering can be included in the basic meter module, the 'add-on' module being arranged to include only those parts necessary for the additional functions required, e.g. a prepayment function, or a radio tele-meter function.

Although modulised meters are ideal for total replacement of existing meter systems, there is a requirement to supplement the functionality of an existing non-modular meter. This requirement cannot economically be satisfied with existing modular metering equipment because the necessary 'add-on' module for extending functionality (e.g. for conversion of a credit meter to a prepayment meter), will not fit an existing nonmodular meter and thus special provisions must be made which tend to be uneconomic.

According to the present invention, a modulised electricity meter for use in association with a non-modular meter comprises a dummy basic meter module which is adapted for fixture in the premises of a consumer, an 'add-on' module which is adapted to be received by the dummy basic meter module, the dummy basic meter module and the 'add-on' module each having a housing, which housings include mutually engageable parts which serve mechanically to couple the two modules in interlocked relationship, so that the dummy basic meter module serves as a substantially rigid mounting platform for the 'add-on' module, two pairs of electricity terminals in the dummy basic meter module which serve as input terminals and output terminals respectively, and a two part electrical connector, one part of which is provided in the dummy basic meter module, and the other part of which is provided in the 'add-on' meter module, the two parts of the electrical connector being positioned and arranged such that they mutually engage consequent upon mutual engagement of the dummy basic meter module and the 'add-on' module, thereby electrically to couple the 'add-on' module to the dummy basic meter module.

The dummy basic meter module may optionally include a switch which is arranged to be operated by a mechanical actuator in the 'add-on' module.

In use the dummy basic meter module may be coupled via the input terminals to receive electricity from an existing electricity meter and any necessary additional functionality may be provided by the 'add-on' module.

Thus, by using a dummy basic meter module which serves basically as a mounting platform for the 'add-on' module, a particularlv versatile arrangement is provided, whereby an existing meter can continue to be used whilst enabling the benefits of new technology embodied in the 'add-on' unit to be enjoyed without the attendant cost of total meter replacement.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, FIGURE 1 is a generally schematic circuit block diagram of a standard non-modular two-rate meter connected in operative association with a modulised meter, and wherein, FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the modulised meter, the circuit block diagram for which forms part of Figure 1.

Refening now to Figure 1 and Figure 2, wherein corresponding parts bear the same numerical designations, a modulised meter comprising an 'add-on' module 1 and a dummy basic meter module 2, is connected via lines 3, 4 and 5 to an existing standard two-rate meter 6. The two-rate meter 6 comprises a meter 7 which is connected in series with the line 4 which is a metered live line and a line 8 which is a mains supply conductor from the utility. The meter 7 is coupled to two registers 9 and 10 which operate to register consumption at different tariff rates. Thus, one or other of the registers 9 or 10 will be operative in accordance with the rate which for the time being obtains, rate selection being effected via the line 3.

Generation of a rate selection signal is normally effected using a radio tele-switch. With the introduction of modulised meters however if the radio tele-switch fails and spares are no longer available for replacement, the existing standard two-rate meter 6, which might be working perfectly satisfactorily, would normally need to be scrapped, and replaced by a new modular meter which would be required to provide all the functions necessary. In order to avoid this expensive replacement procedure, the dummy module 2 is used, which permits the 'add-on' module 1 to be used (to provide the tele-switch function only) in operative association with the existing two rate meter 6.

The dummy module 2 includes a housing 11 in which are formed fixing holes 12 and mounting spacer pads 13 which facilitate fixture of the housing 11 to a flat surface in the premises of a consumer. Terminals 14, 15 and 16 are provided in the dummy module 2 for lines 3, 4 and 5 respectively and an additional terminal 17 is provided for an output line 18 which provides electricity to a consumer. The line 4, in the present arrangement, is connected to the line 18 via an isolating switch 19 which is optionally provided and arranged to be actuated, in dependence upon meter functionality, by a mechanical actuator 19a in the 'add-on' module 1.The lines 3, 4, 5 and 18 are coupled via the dummy module 2 to one part 20a of an electrical plug and socket connector 20, the other part 20b of which forms a part of the 'add-on' module 1 and is arranged to embody the mechanical actuator 19a. Thus, if the 'add-on' unit were to provide the functionality of a prepayment meter, for example, the mechanical actuator 19a would be arranged (in accordance with one embodiment) to operate when a consumer's credit runs out, thereby to disconnect the electricity supply.

The lines 3, 4, 5 and 18 are coupled via the electrical connector 20 to lines 21, 22, 23 and 24 in the 'add-on' module.

The line 24, which is a live line, feeds switches 25, 26 and 27, which are used to connect controlled live supply lines 28, 29 and 30 respectively, for 2 Amp, 25 Amp and 100 Amp supplies respectively. The switches 25, 26 and 27 are controlled by signals from a message decoder 31, which is arranged to receive signals from a radio receiver/timer 32. The radio receiver/timer 32 may either be arranged to operate in a radio tele-switch mode, in accordance with received radio signals, or alternatively it may be arranged to operate under the control of a clock in a timer mode.

Thus, the switches 25, 26 and 27 may be operated either in accordance with a predetermined time controlled programme, or in accordance with received radio signals. The message decoder is primed from a CPU and store 33 whereby alternative switch programme options may be afforded according to a particular functionality required.

As shown in Figure 2, the 'add-on' module 1 comprises a housing 34 in which the part 20b of the two part electrical connector 20 is fitted, which part 20b is provided with a locating pin 20c which co-operates with a complementary locating aperture (not shown) in the part 20a of the connector 20, the housing 34 being provided with tongues 35, arranged to cooperate with a complementary groove 36 in the dummy module 2 so that when the tongues 35 are engaged with the groove 36, the housings 34 and 11 can be pushed together in sliding engagement until the two parts 20a, 20b of the electrical connector 20 are fully engaged. In this position the housings 11 and 34 will also be fully engaged, the 'add-on' module 1 being securely supported by the dummy module 2. Although not shown in the drawing, the two modules 1, 2, are held together in the fully engaged position by means of a locking screw (not shown) which is adapted to be sealed in position so as to prevent unauthorised tampering. By utilising a dummy module, which serves in effect as a mounting platform, costs are minimised and use of existing meter parts is facilitated.

Various modifications may be made to the arrangements shown without departing from the scope of the invention, and for example, any other additional functionality may be afforded by means of an 'add-on' module, and any existing electricity meter may be provided with additional functionality as hereinbefore described.

Claims

1. A modulised electricity meter for use in association with a non-modular meter comprising, a dummy basic meter module which is adapted for fixture in the premises of a consumer, an 'add-on' module which is adapted to be received by the dummy basic meter module, the dummy basic meter module and the 'addon' module each having a housing, which housings include mutually engageable parts which serve mechanically to couple the two modules in interlocked relationship, so that the dummy basic meter module serves as a substantially rigid mounting platform for the 'add-on' module, two pairs of electricity terminals in the dummy basic meter module which serve as input terminals and output terminals respectively, and a two part electrical connector, one part of which is provided in the dummy basic meter module, and the other part of which is provided in the 'add-on' meter module, the two parts of the electrical connector being positioned and arranged such that they mutually engage consequent upon mutual engagement of the dummy basic meter module and the 'add-on' module, thereby electrically to couple the 'add-on' module to the dummy basic meter module.

2. A modulised electricity meter as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the dummy basic meter module includes a switch which is arranged to be operated by a mechanical actuator in the 'add-on' module.

3. A modulised electricity meter as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the mechanical actuator is operated in dependence upon meter functionality .

4. A modulised electricity meter as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the dummy basic meter module is coupled via the input terminals to receive electricity from an existing electricity meter.

5. A modulised electricity meter as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the mutually engageable parts of the said housings comprise a tongue in one housing which is arranged slidingly to co-operate with complementary grooves in the other housing.

6. A modulised electricity meter as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.