GB2379992A

GB2379992A - Improvements in or relating to Electricity Meters

Info

Publication number: GB2379992A
Application number: GB0123030A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Paxton-White
Original assignee: Siemens Metering Ltd
Current assignee: Siemens Metering Ltd
Priority date: 2001-09-25
Filing date: 2001-09-25
Publication date: 2003-03-26
Also published as: GB0123030D0

Abstract

A cost effective electric utility metering arrangement for a premises and method of metering, whereby multiple meters 32, 34, 36, 38 functioning as sub-meters are integrated into a single unit, to meter one or more circuits 14, 16, 18, 20. This enables electrical energy consumption of different sources to be monitored separately to identify those with a higher rate of consumption. The arrangement consists of a housing having sockets to receive fuse carriers, whereby an input electric supply is connected to one terminal, and one or more outputs forming supply circuits for the premises 14, 16, 18, 20 are connected to another terminal. Embodiments are described where meters 32, 34, 36, 38 are mounted within the housing 30 between respective fuse 22, 24, 26, 28 and either input 13 or output supply circuits, forming an integrated fuse meter. In another embodiment the fuse cater and meter unit are connected to a fuse socket of the fuse box.

Description

Improvements In or Relating to Electricity Meters Field of the Invention This invention relates to electricity consumption meters, and in particular relates to electricity consumption meters which facilitate the economical use of an electricity supply and/or determination of circuits which tend to consume more electricity.

Background the Invention The cost and supply of electrical energy is known to fluctuate and can be a problem, not only for those on low incomes, but also for those running large offices where the control of costs of running a department can be considerable. At times it is necessary to reduce consumption in an aim to conserve the supply and also to reduce costs. Nevertheless, the excessive use of electricity is of concern to all, with large numbers of the population becoming increasingly concerned with the issue of global warming. There are many ways to reduce electrical energy consumption in areas where excessive consumption is being made.

However, it is not always easy to determine where the electricity consumption is taking place and so efforts to make savings can be difficult to quantify and resolve.

Domestic or Industrial premises are often supplied with a source of electrical energy for various pieces of equipment such as lighting, heating or to operate mechanical devices. At a point of entry to the premises a charge is made for the amount of electrical energy supplied and this is very often calculated from a consumption record obtained from an electricity meter.

Known electricity meters provide a consumption record for the whole of the premises and do not discriminate between different consumption areas or equipment within the premises. Although this data could be used to monitor the energy consumption patterns for the whole premises on say a daily or hourly basis, it is not able to provide indication of whereabouts the energy is being consumed. In practice, of course, it would be difficult to conduct such a monitoring process since meters only provide a very simple indication of the rate of consumption, by means of a flashing light emitting diode, rotating ring with index mark or similar. The rate of actual usage can be extremely difficult to quantify. Without being able to refine the data to show in more detail where the consumption is taking piace it is very difficult to make savings.

In flats and apartments, of course, there will be provided a number of meters, which could be considered as'sub-meters'. There will be many separate electricity meters fitted within each block of flats and each one wired to different circuits or equipment to record the consumption in each. This allows metering to a flat-occupier level but does not assist in the resolution of supply usage to record and monitor to help pinpoint any source of consumption. In any event, one disadvantage of this is that the cost of the known meters and the installation make it prohibitive to all but the larger energy consumers.

Object of the Invention The present invention seeks to provide an improved utility consumption meter. The present invention further seeks to provide an improved electricity consumption meter. The present invention further seeks to provide a system to assist in the settlement and reconciliation of utility consumption and an associated method.

Statement of the Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an electric utility metering arrangement for a premises, the arrangement comprising: a housing; a plurality of fuse carriers, at least one meter, an electric supply input and a plurality of supply outputs; wherein the housing is provided with sockets operable to receive fuse carriers, each socket being connected at a first terminal to the electric supply input, and at a second terminal to one or more supply outputs to provide electric supply circuits for the premises: the plurality of fuse carriers being operable to receive fuses: and wherein at least one meter is arranged to meter at least one electric supply circuit.

Thus it is possible to monitor electric consumption of a particular electrical circuit or circuits associated with a premises.

Preferably one or more meters are operable to meter one or more electric supply circuits.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the meters are mounted within the housing, between a respective fuse and one or more electric supply circuits.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the meters are mounted outside the housing, associated with a fuse carrier assembly.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the meters are mounted within the housing, between a respective fuse and an input electric supply circuit.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using an electric utility metering arrangement for a premises comprising: a housing; a plurality of fuse carriers, at least one meter, an electric supply input and a plurality of supply outputs; wherein the housing is provided with sockets operable to receive fuse carriers, each socket being connected at a first terminal to the electric supply input, and at a second terminal to one or more supply outputs to provide electric supply circuits for the premises: the plurality of fuse carriers being operable to receive fuses: and wherein at least one meter is arranged to meter at least one electric supply circuit, the method comprising the step of comparing the rate of usage of electricity according to a particular sub-meter and another meter whereby to help determine the source of electrical energy consumption in only one circuit.

The present invention enables electrical energy consumption monitoring without the cost of traditional separate metering equipment. The equipment described would be simple and sufficiently cost effective to be installed in domestic or industrial premises.

Brief Description of the Figures The invention may be understood more readily, and various other aspects and features of the invention may become apparent from consideration of the following description and the figure as shown in the accompanying drawing sheet, wherein: Figure 1 shows a typical prior art metered system; Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a first schematic layout of the invention, and; Figure 4 shows a second schematic layout of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention There will now be described, by way of example, the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set out in order to provide a complete understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be put into practise with variations of this specific.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a typical prior art domestic electricity arrangement in outline. Supply to a meter from an electric utility is provided by cable 11. An isolating switch is not shown for purposes of clarity. The meter is provided by the utility and data therefor is accessed, for example on a quarterly basis. An output cable 13 from the meter is received by a fusebox housing 12. The cable provides power to the domestic circuits via separate fuses 22,24, 26, and 28. Typically the power sockets 18 operate on one or more circuits, as is the case for the lighting circuits 16. Nevertheless, certain high current applications, such as hot water/shower facilities, and cooking facilities are provided with dedicated power supplies.

The Figure 1 shows how a number of different energy uses are connected to separate fused circuits. In this way protection via a fuse is given to the other circuits should there be a fault in any one circuit. The supply to the fusebox is measured using a single electricity meter that typically belongs to the company supplying the energy and is used for cost billing to the premises. It can be seen from this figure that it is not possible to measure the electrical energy consumption for an individual fused circuit in the premises.

By incorporating multiple electricity meters into a fuse panel or fuse box produces a system of sub-metering at a very low cost. For new or existing installations, the fuse box would be replaced with an enclosure of similar dimensions, this would incorporate both the functionality of the fuse box and also multiple electricity meters. For each fused circuit in the box, there would be a separate electricity meter. In this way it is possible to simply meter and record energy consumption for each of the circuits. For example, in a domestic application it is common that the lights are on a separate fuse circuit to the heating, cooker or plug sockets. Using this invention each of the circuits is metered separately and so analysis of consumption for each one wouid show where the energy consumption was being made. With the use of the energy consumption for each circuit, relevant changes could be made to make the appropriate energy reductions. As is known, premises should be rewired at intervals due to degradation of the plastic cables that are subject to heat ageing and other environmental effects. At the time of rewiring a premises, an arrangement in accordance with the present invention could be installed.

Figure 2 illustrates a first aspect of the invention in a similar installation to Figure 1, where there is provided a primary meter 10 receiving an electric supply from a utility via cable11. Cable 13 from the meter 10 provides a supply to fuses 22,24, 26 and 28, via meters 32, 34,36 and 38. The meters may display information via a display 40 which can conveniently be a liquid-crystal-digital (LCD) display or of another type. It would also be possible to provide separate displays for each meter. The information displayed may be alpha-numeric or comprise rate of consumption indicators. The circuits supplied, indicated by reference numerals 14,16, 18 and 20, represent the same

circuits as shown in Figure 1 but are not limited thereto. With this system is can be seen that the electrical energy consumption for each fused circuit can be measured individually. The electricity meter owned by the supplier of the electricity is retained for billing purposes, though it would be possible to use the measurements from the fusebox meters for billing.

Figure 3 shows one possible realisation 50 of an integrated fuse meter in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention. A live supply is provided on bus-bar 52 from input supply cable 13, together with neutral line 54. Measuring elements 56,58, 60 and 60 measure over respective shunts 67,66, 68 and 70, said shunts being in series connection between the bushbar and respective fuse carrier 22,24, 26 and 28. The measuring elements are linked to a display 40 and, optionally, may be connected via a communication unit 72 and a processing unit 74. As is known, shunt measurement systems determine current, but other methods of measurement are possible. A power supply 15 for the measuring elements can be provided by a transformer-rectifier-capacitor arrangement, as is known.

Figure 4 shows one possible realisation 80 of a detachable fuse carrier and meter arrangement. Live supply is received on fuse carrier blade 82 which connects with fuse 84 and then to measuring element 86 in series connection with power supply 88 to live out fuse carrier blade 90. The measuring element 86 provides measurement signals to a measuring/integrating circuit which, in turn, provides signals to a display drive 94 which outputs signals to display 96, where the measured values are displayed. The power supply 88 is different to the power supply of the first embodiment and conveniently provides a voltage drop access, one or more semi-conductor junctions or a current

transformer. In a still further embodiment, the fuse carrier and meter unit may be connected by a cable to a plug for insertion in a fuse socket of the fuse box. Whilst this may require a further earth lead for protection, this may be suitable for certain low voltage applications This invention thus provides a system and a method whereby electrical energy consumption may be reduced by the use of a submetering facility whereby to assist in the identification of a particular source of electricity consumption. One advantage of this invention is that it is built into a piece of equipment of similar size to a traditional fuse box, therefore not taking up any more space than would have normaiiy been utilised. Additionally as the multiple meters are designed and integrated into a singie unit, it can be manufactured at a iower cost than the same number of individual meters. With the cost for the invention reduced, it becomes more attractive to those premises for which multiple sub-meters would be prohibitive because of the installation cost.

Additionally, with the integration of the meters into a single fuse box unit it is possible to add further functionality in the form of remote meter reading, whereby the meter could be read without having to visit the fuse box. The method of remote reading could for example be by radio or simple wired connection to a meter reader or other dedicated equipment.

A still further advantage is that the utility bill could show data relating to usage of particular circuits of the sub-meters connected to the utility operated meter if such meter had appropriate functionalities. It would be possible for the utility concerned to charge for such information.

Claims

Claims 1 An electric utility metering arrangement for a premises, the arrangement comprising: a housing; a plurality of fuse carriers, at least one meter, an electric supply input and a plurality of supply outputs; wherein the housing is provided with sockets operable to receive fuse carriers, each socket being connected at a first terminal to the electric supply input, and at a second terminal to one or more supply outputs to provide electric supply circuits for the premises: the plurality of fuse carriers are operable to receive fuses: and wherein at least one meter is arranged to meter at least one electric supply circuit.
2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein one or more meters are operable to meter one or more electric supply circuits.
3. An arrangement according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the meters are mounted within the housing, between a respective fuse and one or more electric supply circuits.
4. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein fuse carriers and meters are combined in an integrated unit.
5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the integrated fuse and meter unit has a cable and plug, the plug being operable to connect with a fuse socket of the housing.
6. An integrated fuse and meter unit being operable to connect with a fuse socket of a fuse meter housing.
7. A method of using an electric utility metering arrangement for a premises comprising: a housing; a plurality of fuse carriers, at

<Desc/Clms Page number 10>

least one meter, an electric supply input and a plurality of supply outputs; wherein the housing is provided with sockets operable to receive fuse carriers, each socket being connected at a first terminal to the electric supply input, and at a second terminal to one or more supply outputs to provide electric supply circuits for the premises: the plurality of fuse carriers being operable to receive fuses: and wherein at least one meter is arranged to meter at least one electric supply circuit, the method comprising the step of comparing the rate of usage of electricity according to a particular sub-meter and another meter whereby to help determine the source of electrical energy consumption in only one circuit.