AU2011201640B2 - S to A watthour meter socket adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

[0050] An A base bottom connected watthour meter socket adapter includes a one piece base having a rear wall surrounded by a raised frame. A cover plate is affixed to the frame to cover the rear wall and supports a watthour meter. Blade terminals are mounted in apertures in the rear wall of the base and are connected to one end of electrical conductors. The conductors pass between the cover plate and a discontinuity in the frame for connection to a watthour meter. Seal tabs are carried on the base to receive a seal also passing through a base mounting fastener adjacent the tabs. c0M ccc

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): Ekstrom Industries, Inc., Invention Title: S TO A WATTHOUR METER SOCKET ADAPTER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: S TO A WATTHOUR METER SOCKET ADAPTER BACKGROUND Field of the Invention: [0001] The present invention relates, in general, to electrical watthour meters and, more specifically to watthour meter socket adapters. Description of the Art: [0002] In the electric utility industry, watthour meters are commonly employed to measure electrical power consumption at a residential or commercial building establishment. A cabinet is typically mounted on a wall of the residence or building and contains a meter socket having pairs of line and load terminals which are connected to electric power line conductors extending from the utility power network and electric load conductors connected to the residential or building establishment power distribution network. The line and load terminals are connected to the watthour meter in the socket to complete an electric circuit through the watthour meter between the line and load terminals mounted in the socket for the measurement of electrical power consumption. [0003] S-type, socket-type, plug-in watthour meters have replaced older A base bottom connected meters in many applications. An S-type watthour meter has outwardly extending blade terminals. In order to mount such an "S" type meter in watthour meter socket, a plug in socket containing multiple jaw contacts is mounted in a meter socket enclosure or housing. The jaw contacts in the socket are connected by electrical conductors to terminals in the socket which receive the line and load power conductors. The S-type watthour meter can be simply plugged in and removed from the jaw contacts for installation and removal. [0004] However, certain utilities have decided to return to the older A-base bottom connected watthour meter. Rather than completely replace the entire socket, it would be desirable to provide an adapter which can plug into the existing jaw contacts in the meter socket while providing electrical connection and a mount for an A base bottom connected watthour meter. 1 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141.AU.1 DENISET SUMMARY [0005] A socket adapter for a bottom connected watthour meter socket adapter, comprising a one piece base including a rear wall with a plurality of apertures in standard watthour meter connection positions, at least one blade terminals mounted in the apertures in the rear wall, at least one electrical conductors having a first end and second ends, the first end of the at least one electrical conductor connected to the at least one blade terminal. Each conductor extends from the first end to a connection to a watthour meter. A raised frame extends above and surrounds the rear wall of the base. A cover plate is fixable to the frame and defining a front surface covering the connection between the first end of the at least one electrical conductor and the at least one blade terminal on the rear wall, the front surface of the cover plate defining a mounting surface for affixing a watthour meter to the socket adapted. A bottom connected watthour meter can be mounted on the cover plate. A discontinuity is formed between the rear wall and the cover plate, the conductors passing from a connection to the blade terminals through the discontinuity to a connection to a watthour meter mounted on the cover plate [0006] The socket adapter can also have apertures in the base for receiving fasteners to fix the base in a stationary mounting position. [0007] At least one apertured tab can be carried on the base adjacent each aperture in the base. A seal can be coupled through the tab and a fastener mounted in the aperture to secure the base on a socket wall and provide an indication of tampering. A pair of apertured tabs may be disposed about each aperture on the base. [0008] The socket adapter may have terminals fixed on at least one or more electrical conductors which are electrically and mechanically connectible to a blade terminal or other end connector. [0009] The socket adapter may have a lug affixed to each blade terminal. [0010] Apertures formed in the cover plate can be alignable with bores in the base and receive fasteners for affixing the cover plate to the base. 2 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141.AU.1 DENISET [0011] The socket adapter has a discontinuity formed between the rear wall and the cover plate. The conductors pass from a connection to the blade terminals through the discontinuity to a connection to a watthour meter mounted on the cover plate. [0012] Additional apertures may be preformed or formed on the cover plate in situ at the location of the meter socket for receiving mounting fasteners carried by the watthour meter to affix the watthour meter to the cover plate. The additional apertures may be provided in numbers and locations corresponding to a specific watthour meter configuration or in a number of different locations to enable multiple different configured watthour meters to be mounted on the same cover plate. [0013] The socket adapter may have a recess in the base over the rear wall. The cover plate mounted in the recess and be substantially flush with adjacent portions of the base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The various features, advantages of other uses of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and non limiting drawing in which: [0015] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an S to A watthour meter socket adapter, with the watthour meter shown in phantom; [0016] Fig. 2. is a bottom perspective view of the socket adapter and watthour meter shown in Fig. 1, with the watthour meter terminal cover removed; [0016] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the socket adapter shown in Fig. 1, with the watthour meter and watthour meter terminal cover removed; [0017] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the socket adapter shown in Fig. 3 in a disassembled state; [0018] Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the socket adapter shown in Fig. 4; [0019] Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view generally taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 3; [0020] Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection of one electrical wire shown in Fig. 4 to one blade terminal; [0021] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another aspect of a socket adapter using wire compression lugs; and 3 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141.AU.1 DENISET [0022] Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective showing the interconnection of one lug to one blade terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0023] Referring now to the drawing, and to Figs. 1-9 in particular, there is depicted an S to A watthour meter socket adapter 20 suited for mounting and connecting an A base bottom connected watthour meter 22 to contacts mounted in a meter socket, not shown. [0024] By way of example, only since the watthour meter 22 does not form part of embodiments of the invention, the A base bottom connected to a base watthour meter 22 has a general cubicle shape with a plurality of bores 22 in a bottom wall which allow access to terminals mounted within the interior of the watthour meter 22. This enables conductors, as described hereafter, from the socket adapter 20 to be connected to the terminals in the watthour meter 22. [0025] After the conductors are connected, as shown in Fig. 2, a terminal cover 26 can be attached, such as by screw or snap on connections, to the watthour meter 22 to cover the conductors. [0026] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the watthour meter socket adapter 20 includes a base 30 and a cover plate 32. The base 30 has a one piece construction, typically formed of a molded plastic. The base 30 includes a peripheral flange 34 extending around a complete periphery of the base 30. Enlarged diametrically opposed corners 36 and 38 are formed on two corners of the peripheral flange 34. A frame 40 extends from the flange 34 and surrounds a recessed rear wall 42. The frame 40 includes two opposed side channels 44 and 46 and interconnecting opposed front top wall 48 and front bottom wall 50. The side channels 44 and 46 and the front top wall 48 have substantially the same height with respect to the peripheral flange 34 except that the front wall portion 48 is recessed a slight distance below the top edge of the side channels 44 and 46 to provide a recess for receiving the cover plate 32, as described hereafter. [0027] Further, the front top wall portion 48 extends a greater distance or height from the edge of the peripheral flange 34 or the corner pieces 36 and 38 than the opposed front bottom wall portion 50. This height discrepancy forms a discontinuity the inner surfaces of the side channels 44 and 46 and the surface of the front bottom wall 50, when the cover plate 32 is 4 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141.AU.1 DENISET affixed to the frame 40, as described hereafter, to allow electrical conductors, with three electrical conductors 52, 54, and 56 being illustrated by way of example only for a single phase service, to wrap around a bottom edge 58 of the cover plate 32 for connection to the terminals within the watthour meter 22 as shown in Fig. 2. [0028] The recessed rear wall 42 includes a plurality of apertures, typically in the form of slots all denoted by reference number 60. The slots 60 are located in predetermined standard watthour meter terminal positions for single phase, three phase or other electrical power service configurations. [0029] As shown in Fig. 4, the opposed side channels 44 and 46 respectively have inner walls 64 and 66 which form a continuous inner wall portion above the rear wall 42 in conjunction with an inner wall 68 of the front top wall 48 and an inner wall 70 of the front bottom wall 50. The inner walls 64, 66, 68 and 70, in conjunction with the rear wall 42 and the cover plate 32, form an interior cavity within the socket adapter 20 which encompasses the connections between the blade terminals, described hereafter, and the electrical conductors 52, 54 and 56. [0030] In the single phase electrical service application shown in Fig. 4, at least one or each conductor 52, 54, and 56 has a terminal 70 crimped to a first end. As shown in detail in Figs 5, 6 and 7, each terminal 70 has an aperture 72 which cooperates with an aperture 74 in one leg 76 of an L-shaped blade terminal 78. The longer leg of the blade terminal 78 is configured for snap in connection to a socket jaw contact. [0031] The aligned apertures 72 and 74 in the terminal 70 and the blade terminal 78 receive a suitable fastener, such as nut and bolt, threaded screw, etc., to fixedly connect the first end of each conductor, such as conductor 52, to one blade terminal 78. [0032] The conductors 52 and 54, which are the positive and negative power conductors, maybe formed as solid or stranded conductors. The conductors 52 and 54 may be preformed to the illustrated shape for easy connection to the blade terminals within the interior of the socket adapter base 30 for slide in connection at a second end to the terminals within the watthour meter 22. Other conductors may also be provided with blade terminal or other end connections. 5 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141.AU.1 DENISET [0033] A plurality of hollow collars 80, with three collars 80 shown by way of example only, are formed in the frame 40. One collar 82 is formed in the front top wall 48. The other two collars 80 may be formed in the front bottom wall 50. The hollow collars 80 mate with apertures 82 formed in complimentary positions on the cover plate 32 and receive fasteners 83, such as threaded screws, self-tapping screws, etc., to fixedly, yet removably attach the cover plate 32 to the base 30 after the conductors 52, 54, and 56 have been attached at their first ends to the respective blade terminals 78. [0034] The cover plate 32, after attachment to the base 30 forms a front surface 33. The front surface 33 is suited for use as a mounting surface for the watthour meter 22. [0035] A projection, hook, or one of the fasteners used to attach the cover plate 32 to the base 30 formed as a shouldered screw, can be used as a mount to engage the hanger to mount the watthour meter 22 on the cover plate 32. [0036] Additional apertures may be formed in the cover plate 32 at the watthour meter fastener locations to enable attachment of the watthour meter 22 to the cover plate 32. The additional apertures in the cover plate 32 may be drilled into the cover plate 32 at the location of the meter socket in order to conform the position and number of the apertures in the cover plate 32 to the number and location of the mounting fasteners in the watthour meter 22 which is to be mounted on the cover plate 32. [0037] Alternately, the additional apertures may be preformed in the cover plate 32 at the locations of the mounting fasteners for the particular watthour meter 22 which is to be mounted on the cover plate 32. [0038] Alternately, the plurality of additional apertures may be preformed in the cover plate 32 to match the mounting fastener locations of different size and shape watthour meters. This forms the cover plate 32 as a universal adapter which enables different watthour meters to be mounted on the same cover plate 32. [0039] It should also be noted that once the watthour meter 22 is mounted on the cover plate 32, the watthour meter 22 and terminal cover 26, as shown in Fig. 1 cover the fasteners used to attach the cover plate 32 to the frame 40. 6 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141.AU.1 DENISET [0040] Referring again to Fig. 4, wire or plastic seal tabs are provided on the base 30. In the illustrated example the tabs are integrally formed as unitary part of the one piece formed base 30. A bore 90 is formed in each corner piece 36 and 38. The bore 90 may extend through a raised collar or sleeve carried on each corner piece 36 and 38. [0041] At least one and, for example, two apertured tabs 92 and 94 extend between one of the side channels 44 or 46 and one corner piece 36 or 38, on opposite sides of each bore 90. Apertures 96 are formed in each tab 92 and 94. The apertures 96 receive a wire or plastic seal 93, only shown in Fig. 2, which extends through a bore 96 formed in a threaded fastener 95 mounted in the bore 90 and used to affix the entire base 30 to an electrical enclosure or socket wall or other suitable mounting surface. This enables a secure tamper evident, mounting of the adapter 20 in a socket enclosure. [0042] Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, there is depicted another aspect of the base 30 in which the terminals 70 are replaced by just the bare ends of the conductors 52, 54 and 56. Lugs 100 are affixed by fastener to the short leg 76 of each blade terminal 78. The lugs 100 typically have a threaded screw 102 which extends through a bore in the lug 100 transverse to a through bore 104. The throughbore 104 is positioned to receive the bare end of one conductor 52, 54, and 56 before the threaded screw 102 is tightened to fixedly and securely electrically connect the conductor 52, 54, and 56 to one of the lugs 100. The lugs 100 allow for easy field wiring of the socket adapter 20. [0043] Alternately, the rear wall 42 may be provided with tapped holes at the position of each blade terminal 78 to allow for connection of a suitable electrical connector to the rear wall 42 to attach one end of each conductor 52, 54, 56 to one blade terminal 78. [0044] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. [0045] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive 7 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141.AU.1 DENISET sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 8 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141.AU.1 DENISET

Claims (13)

1. A bottom connected watthour meter socket adapter comprising: a one piece base including; a rear wall with a plurality of apertures in standard watthour meter connection positions; at least one blade terminal mounted in the apertures in the rear wall; at least one electrical conductor having first and second ends, the first end of the at least one electrical conductor connected to the at least one blade terminal, the at least one electrical conductor extending from the first end for connection to a watthour meter; a raised frame extending above and surrounding the rear wall of the base; a cover plate fixable to the frame and defining a front surface covering the connection between the first end of the at least one electrical conductor and the at least one blade terminal on the rear wall, the front surface of the cover plate defining a mounting surface for affixing a watthour meter to the socket adapted; and a discontinuity formed between the rear wall and the cover plate, the conductors passing from a connection to the blade terminals through the discontinuity to a connection to a watthour meter mounted on the cover plate.

2. The socket adapter of claim 1 wherein: the rear wall and the frame of the base are formed as a unitary, one-piece member.

3. The socket adapter of claim 1 or 2 further comprising: a mount carried on the front surface of the cover plate for mounting a watthour meter on the front surface.

4. The socket adapter of any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising: a plurality of apertures formable in the cover plate for receiving watthour meter mounting fasteners to affix the watthour meter to the front surface of the cover plate. 9 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141.AU.1 DENISET

5. The socket adapter of any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising: apertures in the base for receiving fasteners to fix the base in a stationary mounting position.

6. The socket adapter of claim 5 further comprising: at least one apertured tab carried on the base adjacent each aperture, the apertured tab adapted to receive a seal coupled through the apertured tab and a fastener mounted in the aperture in the base.

7. The socket adapter of claim 6 further comprising: a pair of aperture tabs disposed about each aperture on the base.

8. The socket adapter of any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising: terminals fixed on the at least one electrical conductor and connectible to the at least one blade terminal.

9. The socket adapter of any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising: a lug affixed to each blade terminal, one conductor secured to each lug.

10. The socket adapter of any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising: bores formed in the base; apertures framed in the cover plate; the bores and apertures aligned and adapted to receive fasteners for affixing the cover plate to the base.

11. The socket adapter of any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising: a recess in the base over the rear wall; the cover plate mounted in the recess substantially flush with adjacent portions of the base. 10 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141.AU.1 DENISET

12. The socket adapter of any one of claims 1 to 11 further comprising: a plurality of first apertures in the cover plate for receiving fasteners to fix the cover plate to the base.

13. The socket adapter of claim 12 wherein: a plurality of second apertures in the cover plate for receiving watthour meter mounting fasteners oriented such that substantially all of the first apertures and the fasteners mounted in the first apertures are covered by the watthour meter when the watthour meter is mounted to the cover plate. 11 6743429_1 (GHMatters) P84141 .AU.1 DENISET