MXPA98004038A - Modular low-performance income meter - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic meter for an electricity company that includes a sensor module and a removable measurement module. The sensor module is connected to the electrical system of an installation, and includes voltage and current sensors. The voltage and current sensors are operable to receive the voltage and current signals from the electrical system, and generate the measurement signals from them. The sensor module further includes an electrically secure interconnection. The removable measurement module includes an operable measuring circuit for receiving the measurement signals, and generating the energy consumption data therefrom. The measurement module also includes a device for communicating information related to energy consumption data. The electrically secure interconnection of the sensor module operably connects the voltage and current sensors to the measurement circuit, and also prevents the physical contact of a human operator with the current and voltage signals received from the electrical system, when the measurement module is removed of the sens circuit

Description

MODULAR LOW PROFILE INCOME METER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The pjesante. In nc on, it is used in general terms for the measurement devices, and in particular, the meters or income counters of electricity companies. The income meters of electricity companies. or simply meters (counted is) of income "* are devices that, among other things, measure electric power or energy for a residence, factory, etc., is the commercial extension of such facilities. . Electrical comps trust e.n. the A. revenue meters for many purposes, including the ..f cturation to jLos p t ^ y. I rastr o of ia. demand for energy elé-ctriaa. A common form of doctor: of income comprises an inductive drive that rotates a rotatorip disc. at an angular velocity: proportional to the amount of energy that is, being consumed. The rotating disc accionjia the mechanical contadpres that provide an indication of the energy consumed over time. REF: 27507 In recent years, electronic meters have been developed that are replacing the design of the rotating disk meter in various applications. Electronic meters use electronic circuits to measure, quantify and visually display energy consumption information. In general, electronic meters can be divided into two portions, a sensor portion and a measurement portion. the poreió-n senaora in lu.ye the sensor devices that are connected to the electrical system of an installation, and more particularly, to the power lines. The sejso.res generating devices indicate that they are indicators of the voltage and current in the power lines. In general, the senspra portion of an income meter operates with high IQS voltages and currents that are present in the energy lines. The measurement portion of an electronic meter uses the signals generated by the sensing portion to determine the watt-hours, VA, VAR and other information that quantifies the energy consumed by the installation. The measurement portion also typically includes a screen to visually display the energy consumption information.

By contrast . to the sensing portion, the measurement circuit operates at reduced or attenuated voltage and current signals which are compatible with electronic devices, and in particular, electronic, digital devices. Occasionally, the meters, of ingresaa. they can work in jnal or suffer damage through external forces and require repair or replacement ... The repair or replacement of many me $ res.- of commonly used revenues currently require an interruption in electric power $. Xa installation that is being measured. In general, energy service interruptions are extremely undesirable from the perspective of electrical installations, because they reduce customer satisfaction. Consequently, there is a need for an income meter that can be repaired or replaced without interrupting the energy service to the facility, which is being measured. • Another problem that has arisen due to the advent of electronic meters (meters) belongs to improvements or improvements in the service. In general, electronic meters offer a wide variety of features that are facilitated by digital electronic devices. These characteristics may include the periodic verification of the energy demand, the communications, and the. power line. and meter diagnostics. Because these features are facilitated by the digital circuit assembly in the measurement portion of the meter, the services or functions available in an electronic-type revenue meter can be altered by replacing the components of digital circuits in the measuring portion of the meter. For example., consider an electricity or utility company that installs several electronic meters without periodically checking the energy demand, because it is considered unnecessary at the time of installation. A year later, this electricity company can determine that it would be desirable to have the ability to periodically verify the demand for energy in those facilities. The installed electronic editors can, in theory, be perfected to perfect that capacity, typically by replacing the portions of the electronic portion. The components of the sensor portion. they may not need ß er replaced. As a matter of fact, practical, however, it is often more convenient to replace the entire meter instead of the individual buffers. the digital circuits. Consequently, the improvement of measurement capabilities often requires the replacement of the entire meter. The replacement of the complete meter, however, undesirably creates waste by forcing the replacement of the sensorajs, relatively comatose components, and. perfectly operable A meter introduced by Asea Bover & Brown ("ABB") addresses this problem by providing a modular meter that includes a sensor portion and a removable measurement portion. The measurement portion can be removed from the sensor and replaced with another measurement portion that has functionality improved The ABB meter, however, has significant drawbacks. For example, the measuring portion of the ABB meter can not be replaced while the. sensor portion is connected to an electrical system of a facility, because the removal of the. Measurement portion could expose extremely hazardous voltages and currents to a human operator or technician. In this way, although the core design allows improvements or improvements, the. eneróla to the installation must not obatante a.er interrupted to perform such meramients, for security purposes. An additional problem with the ABB meter arises because of its *, volume. The sensing portion of the ABB meter is enclosed in the housing and the measurement portion is enclosed in another housing. Both housings, include large areas of esjpacip. np used that increase the volume of the meter .. EJ. volume undesirably increases shipping and shipping costs. -in the storage d meters as they are mounted or in * SU5 modulate components .. There is a need., therefore, ..for a modular meter that has modular components that can be removed or replaced without interruption of service of electrical energy to the installation to which the meter is connected. There is also a need for an income meter that has reduced volume.

BRIEF - £ DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the above-stated needs, as well as others, by providing a security meter, modular »comprising a sensor module, a measurement module and an electrically safe interconnection» Electrically secure interconnection allows the measurement module to be removed of the sensor module without exposure a. Dangerous electric voltages * The present invention also provides a novel configuration of circuit components that increase the thickness or volume of the meter. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an electric meter for an utility or utility company, comprising a sensor module and a removable measuring module "The sensor module connects to the electrical system of * an installation, said sensor module Includes lps m god voltage and current sensors. The voltage and current sensing means are operable to receive voltage and current signals from the electrical system, and generate measurement signals from it. The sensor module further includes the first interconnection means, which includes an electrically secure interconnection. The removable measuring module includes an operable measuring circuit, for receiving the measurement signals and general data for the consumption of energy from them. The module of. Measurement also includes a screen to display visualmente.e ... information related to the data. of the energy consumption »The measurement module also includes the second means of interconnection.

The first interconnection means and the second interconnection means cooperate to connect the measurement circuit to the sensor means of. voltage and current, in. wherein the first means of interconnection includes means for preventing physical contact of a human operator with the voltage and current sensing means. The characteristics and advantages discussed above, as well as others, may be easily ascertained by those of ordinary experience in the art, "by reference to the. following detailed description and attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -7 Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of an income meter according to the present invention; The Figure shows a bottom or bottom structure, optional, for the meter of Figure 1; Figure 2. shows an installation configuration that includes the meter of Figure 1 and one of. meter "comprising a housing and a cover. , Figure 3 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the sensor module of the exemplary embodiment of the income meter of Figure lj The L File shows an exemplary measurement circuit and the associated display, for use on the printed circuit board in the measurement module of Figure 1) - and Figure 5 shows. a sight . lateral cut in the exemplary mode of the income meter of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an exemplary income meter 10 according to the present invention. The revenue meter 10 includes a sensor module 12 and a measurement module 14. The revenue meter 10 is constructed as described below, such that the measurement module 14 is removable from the sensor module 12. The revenue meter 10, exemplary, it is a type of meter known in the income measurement industry as a form of 12S meter. The shape of the meter is related to the application of the meter installation, for example, if it is single phase or polyphase. In any case, it will be noted that the present invention is not limited to applications involving the 12S meter forms, but can be easily incorporated into 2S, 8S / 9S and other forms of meter well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. . The sensor module 12 includes the voltage and current sensing means, which according to the exemplary embodiment described herein, include first and second transformers 1a and 1b, respectively, first and second current coils 18a and 18b, respectively, and one or more neutral blades 20. The first current coil 18a includes first and second ends defining the first and second current blades 22a and 24a, respectively, to be received by the jaws of a compatible female meter plug. (See Figure 2). The second current coil 18b similarly includes first and second ends defining first and second current blades 22b and 24b, respectively, to be received by the jaws of the compatible meter socket. (See Figure 2). The first and second current transformers 1a and 1b, respectively, are preferably toroidal transformers having a substantially circular shape defined by a circular core. In the present embodiment, the first current transformer 1-ßa has a ratio of turns of NI, and the second current transformer has a ratio of turns of N2. Using such toroidal current transformers, the first current coil 18a, when mounted, passes through the interior of the toroid of the first current transformer 1a. Preferably, the current transformer 1 is accommodated such that the axial dimension of the current transformer is substantially parallel to the axial dimension of the sensor module 12. In other words, the current transformer 1 is horizontally positioned within the sensor module 12. The second current transformer 1- € b and the second current coil 18 b are preferably similarly accommodated within the sensor module 12. Consequently, the second current transformer lb b is also horizontally positioned within the sensor module 12. The use of Horizontally placed toroidal current transformers reduce the thickness and thus also reduce the total volume of the meter 10. The sensor module 12 also includes an electrically safe 2ß interconnection. The electrically secure interconnection 2ß comprises a first interconnection means for connecting to the measurement module 14. The electrically secure interconnection 26 also includes the means for preventing physical contact of a human operator with the potentially dangerous electrical signals present on at least a portion of the the voltage and current sensor means 15. The levels of signals that are considered potentially harmful are well known. There are also different levels of potential danger. For example, signals capable of generating shock current in excess of 70 mimics are possible burn hazards, while signals generating shock currents of the order of 300 milliamperes can constitute life-threatening hazards. In addition, signals that generate shock currents as low as 0.5 to 5 milliamperes are known to cause a shock reaction, startle. In the revenue meters, including the meter 10 of the present invention, at least some of the sensing devices carry such potentially dangerous electrical signals, specifically, any portion of the sensor module 12 which is electrically connected to the voltage and current signals coming from the power line is a life-threatening hazard, and must be isolated from human contact by electrically safe 2ß interconnection. In the present embodiment, the current coils 18a and 18b are directly connected to the power line of the installation, and therefore must be isolated. In contrast, the current transformers lßa and lßb do not necessarily carry life-threatening currents, so that, as discussed below, the current transformers 1a and 16b are not directly coupled to the power lines of the installation. In consecuense, depending on the highest level of expected current flowing through the current transformers lßa and lßb, the current transformers lßa and lßb may or may not carry potentially dangerous electrical signals. In any case, however, the electrically secure interconnection 26 preferably prevents human contact with the full voltage and current density means 15, as a safety measure. In the present embodiment, the means for preventing physical contact include a top plate 28, and a plurality of sockets 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f and 30g. Each of the plugs 30a to 30g defines an opening in the upper plate 28. Apart from the openings defined by the plugs 30a to 30g, the upper plate 28 preferably forms a barrier or complete wall from the measuring module 14 for the medium 15 voltage and current sensor.

Alternatively, to a minimum, the upper plate 28 operates to prevent human contact with the portions of the voltage and current sensing means 15, which directly contact the power lines of the installation, and in particular, the coils of current 18a and 18b. In order to provide a complete barrier, the top plate 28 cooperates with the meter mounting device or an alternative bottom structure enclosing the voltage and current sensor means 15 from the side and bottom. The Figure shows an exemplary background structure 100 which can be used to cooperate with the top plate 28 of Figure 1, to enclose the sensor means 15 of voltage and current. Figure 2, discussed below describes an exemplary meter mounting device that can be used to cooperate with the top plate 28 to enclose the voltage and current sensor means 15. In another alternative embodiment, the top plate 28 may be integral with a side structure or with the side and bottom structure that completely encloses the voltage and current sensor means.

Referring again to Figure 1, the sockets 30a to 30g and their corresponding openings are preferably configured to prevent a human operator from physically contacting the electrically conductive portions of the plug. In particular, the openings defined by the 3-Oa to 30g sockets have sufficiently small portions to prevent contact of a standard test finger with the electrically conductive portions of the sockets 30a to 30g. A standard test finger is a mechanical device used in the electrical industry to determine if an electrical connection socket is safe against accidental contact by a human finger. A standard test finger is described in Underwriter's Laboratory, Inc., Standard for Safety of Information Technology Equipment Including Electrical equipment-Business UL-1950 (February 26, 1993). In the present embodiment, the openings defined by the female plugs 30a to 30g preferably have a first dimension, for example, the length, and a second dimension, for example, the width, wherein the first dimension is at least the same size as the second dimension, and the second dimension is less than 3.1 mm (1/8 of an inch) with which the substantial access of a human operator through the openings is prevented. The measurement module 14 comprises a front cover 32, a printed circuit board 34, and a package 36. The printed circuit board 34 includes a screen 38, and a measuring circuit in Figure 4, discussed below, shows a schematic diagram of a measurement circuit 42 which can easily be used as the measuring circuit on the printed circuit board 34 of Figure 1. The measurement circuit is operable to receive the measurement signals and generate the energy consumption data from them. The measurement circuit is operably connected to provide the energy consumption data to the display 38. The measurement module 14 further includes the second interconnection means operable to cooperate with the first interconnect means (on the sensor module 12) for connecting the measurement circuit of the board 34 of printed circuits to the sensor means 15 of voltage and current. For example, in the present embodiment, the measurement module 14 includes a plurality of plugs or male plugs 40a to 40g which are received by the corresponding plurality of plugs 3Da at 30g. Lua plurality of male plugs 40a to 4Qg, when mounted ^, are electrically connected to the measurement circuit as described below in relation to Figure 4, and physically connected to the board 34 of printed circuits. the . F, figure 2 shows a configuration, of installation that includes the meter 10 and a box 13 of the meter, which comprises a housing 16 and a cover 18. The housing 16 is structurally shaped, having an opening for receiving the cover 18 and an opening 24 for wiring, to receive the power lines of the electrical system being measured, not shown It will be appreciated that the housing 16 need not be of a box-like structure, and that it may be used in any other suitable manner, as long as there is an opening for receiving a cooperative cover of the meter housing, and an opening for the housing. cabling. The housing 16 further includes an interior 20. Within the interior 20 are located a plurality of jaws 22 constructed of electrically conductive material.

When installed within an installation, the plurality of jaws 22 are electrically connected to the electrical system of the installation., Or shown. The plurality of jaws 22 receives and provides the electrical connection to the blades of the current coils, 22a, 24a, 22b and 24b (see Figure 1) as well as the neutral blade or the blades 20. The ratio of the jaws and the blades 22a, 24a, 22b and 24b also define the alignment of the sensor module 12 within the housing 16. Once the blades 22a, 24a, 22b and 24b (see Figure 1) are coupled with the plurality of jaws 22 (Figure 2), then the sensor module 12 is installed inside the interior 20 of the housing 16 »Lß. cover 18 is then installed on the housing 16. The cover 18 includes an opening 25 of the meter which. has a perimeter defined by the perimeter of the sensor module 1 ?. Preferably, the perimeter of the opening 25 of the meter has substantially the same shape and is slightly smaller than the perimeter of the sensor module 12, such that the sensor module 12 np can be removed when the cover 18 is engaged with the accommodation 16.

• An e that the cover 18 is installed, the measuring module 14. in the present mode, is placed in coupling with the sensor mpdμlo 12 ß. through the gauge 25 of the cover meter 18 of the meter box. When this is in engagement, the male plugs 40a-40g of the measuring module JL 4 are electrically connected to the female plugs 30a to 30g, respectively, of the sensor module 12-- (See Figure 1). Once the measurement module 14, the cover 18, the sensor module 12 and the housing l.β are all set as described above, the meter 10 (for example, the sensor module 12 and the measuring module 14) performs measurements of energy consumption on the electrical system of the installation. The configuration of the box .13 of the meter of the .. Figure 2 is a standard mounting device known as a type assembly device without ring. It will be noted that the meter 10 can be easily adapted for use in a ring-type mounting device. The ring-type mounting device differs from the box 13 of the meter in Figure 2, in that the sensor module 12 could be installed after the cover 18 of the meter housing is mounted on housing lß. An annular ring could then be used to secure the sensor module 12 to the cover 18 of the meter housing. For this purpose, the standard cover of l. The meter box, for use in a ring-type mounting device, includes a feature or element, annularly positioned around the opening 25, which cooperates with the annular ring for coupling and securing the JL 2 sensor to this. Figure 3 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the sensor module 12 of the mode shown in Figure 1. According to the present embodiment, the plugs hempr? 3Pa and 30b provide a connection to the first current transformer Ißa, the sockets 30e and 30f provide a connection to the second current transformer 1 6Jo, the socket 30c provides a connection to the first current coil 18a, the socket 30b provides a connection to the second, current coil 18b, and the socket 30g provides a connection to one or more of the neutral blades 20; Further details regarding the physical configuration of the female plugs 30a to 30g, as well as the configuration of the upper plate 28, are discussed hereinafter in relation to Figure 5. Figure 4 shows a small circle. of measurement-exemplary 42 and the ^. associated screen 3-8 for use on the board 34 of printed circuits in the measurement-module 14 of Figure 1. The measurement circuit 42 includes a first integrated circuit of measurement of the watts ("IC") 4.4, a second IC 46 for measuring the yatios, a microprocessor .48..and .. a non-volatile memory 50. The plugs or male plugs 40a, 40b and 40c are each connected to the first IC 44. de-wattage measurement. The first watt measurement IC 44 is a device that receives the measurement signals representative of the voltage and current signals in an electrical system and generates a pulse energy signal and a polarity pulse signal from the same »the pulse signal Energy is a pulse current in which the frequency of the pulses is higher than the measured watt-hours. The polarity pulse signal contains the information related to the polarity of the phase A measurement signal. The first IC 44 watt measurement is operably connected to provide the pulse energy signals and the polarity pulse signals. to the microprocessor 48.

Suitable circuits for carrying out the functions of the first IC 44 for measuring watts are well known. The mac.ho 4 Od, 40e and 40f plugs are connected to the second 1C 43 watt measurement, e.l the second watt meter ^ is a. device substantially similar to the first IC 44 of measuring yatios. The second IC 46 ci watt measurement is, operably connected to provide the energy pulse signals and signals. Polarity pulse to the microprocessor 48. The microprocessor 48 is also connected to the memory 5 £ > and ß. the screen ^ 38. In the operation of the me.didpr exemplary ID. and the meter box configuration described above in relation to Figures 1, 2, 3,, and 4, energy consumption measurements are carried out in the following manner. As discussed above, the present embodiment is intended for use with a form of meter 12S which is generally associated with a network configuration of three wires. A three-wire network configuration, as is well known in the art, includes a fasp A power line, a line d.e 'phase C energy, and a neutral line. The present invention / however, is in no way limited to the use in a three-wire configuration. The described concepts can be easily used in the meters used in other configurations including the simple phase configurations and other polyphase configuration. In operation, the plurality of jaws 22 (FIG. 2) p.ropojrpipna the signal of the phase A energy line, in other words, the voltage and current of phase i, through the blades 22a and 24a of the first ^ current coil 18a, and the line signal, power. phase C through the blades 22b and 24b of the second current coil 18b (Figure 1.) .. With reference to Figure J3, the phase A current flows from the blade 2.4aa through the first coil of current, 18a to the blade 22a The first current coil-18a imparts a scaled version of the current, referred to heras the phase A current measurement signal, to the first current transformer l- 6a The phase current measurement signal A is equal to the current flowing to the current coil 18a formed to scale by a factor of NI, where NI is the ratio of turns of the current transformer 1. The current measurement signal of phase A is provided to the sockets 3Da and 30Jb The first current coil 18a is also operably connected to the socket 30c for the purpose of providing the phase voltage A to it Similar to the phase A current, the corrie The phase C flows from the blade 24b of the second current coil 18b to the blade 22b. The phase current C is imposed on the second current transformer 16b, which generates a phase current measurement signal C. Analogous The signal from the current measurement of phase C is the phase current C formed to scale by a factor of N2, where N2 is the ratio of turns of the second current transformer 16b .. The turns proportions NI and N2 of the current transformers 16a _ and 16b, respectively, are typically substantially similar, and preferably equal. However, tolerances in manufacturing may result in slight differences in the proportions of vu.eltas. NI and JÍST2. In any case, the second current transducer 16b provides the phase current measurement signal C to the sockets 30e and 30f. The second current coil 18b is operably connected to the socket 30d for purposes of providing the phase voltage C thereto. The neutral blade 20 is connected to provide a connection between the neutral line and the socket 30g. It is noted that potentially dangerous electrical signals reside in one or more of the female plugs 30a to 30g. In particular, the 30c and 30d plugs provide a direct connection to the external power line or the utility company, and. therefore they are potentially extremely dangerous. In addition, the sockets 30a, 30b, 30e and 30f include all current measurement signals that are potentially dangerous to humans, depending somewhat on the total energy consumption of the installation being measured and the turn ratios NI and N2 . Consequently, the relatively small size flsicp of the female plugs 30a to 30g and their corresponding openings inhibit in. greatly measure or prevent human contact with the connections to the socket. Continuing with the general operation of the meter 10 of Figure 1, the female plugs 30a and 30b (Figure 3) provide the phase A current measurement signal to the male plugs 40a .. and 40b, respectively, of the measuring module (Figure 4). Similarly, the female enghufes 30a and 30f, (Figure 3) provide the phase C current measurement signal to the male plugs 40 and 40f respectively of the measurement module (Figure 4). The sockets 30c and 30d (Figure 3) provide, respectively, the phase voltage measurement signal f. and the phase voltage measurement signal C >; to male 40c and 40d plugs (Figure 4). The male 30g neutral plug (Figure 3) is operably connected to the 40g male plug of Figure 4. Referring to Figure 4, the male plugs 40a and 40b provide the phase A current measurement signal to the first IC 44 watt measurement. Preferably, a shunt resistor RSHA is connected through the 4-Oa and 40o plugs, in order to convert the phase measurement signal A to a voltage signal which has a magnitude and phase which is representative of the corymeter. of phase To measure. The phase current measurement signal A, of the converter, is provided to the first IC 44 of watt measurement. The socket 40c provides the phase voltage measurement signal A through a VDNA yolk divider network to the first watt measurement IC 44. The vdlt divider network VDNA reduces the magnitude p, in other words, decreases the scale of the voltage magnitude signal of phase A before it is simply introduced to the first IC 44 of watt measurement. It is noted gμe the divider network. Voltage VDNA can alternatively be located in the sensor module 12, as opposed to the measurement module 1 »The sockets 40e and 4Q1, analogous to the hup 40a and 40b plugs, provide the first phase current measurement signal C a - through a drift resistor BH.SC. To the second IC 46 measuring watts. The socket 40d provides the phase voltage measurement signal C through a voltage divider network VDNC to the second watt measurement circuit 4.6. The female plug 4Qd further provides the signal "measuring voltage of phase C to the power supply 60. The power supply 60 is also connected to the neutral line and operates to provide a bias voltage to each of the circuits -Functional block in the measuring module 14.

The first 44-watt measurement IC 44 receives the voltage and current measurement signals from phase A, or simply, the phase measurement signals AA and generates a pulse energy signal from. phase A from these. For this purpose, the first IC 44 watt measurement can suitably include an analog-to-digital ("A / D") converter and a digital signal processing circuit. In such a configuration, the A / D converter could take samples of the phase A measurement signals and provide the digitized phase A measurement signals to the digital signal processing circuit. The digital signal processing circuit could then multiply each phase A voltage measurement sample for each phase A current measurement sample, and accumulate the remaining products over time to obtain a power measurement in watt-hours. When enough watt-hours are accumulated, P in other words, when the accumulated watt-hour measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold, pulse code, the digital signal processing circuit generates a pulse as an output, with which the pulse signal of phase energy A is created. The cumulative watt-hour measurement is then readjusted to zero. 1 < 1 d measuring watt provides the pulse energy signal from phase A to process 48. The frequency of the pulses in the phase A energy pulse signal is proportional to the amount of energy that is consumed. For example, if a relatively large amount of energy is being consumed, then the phase A current measurement signal will have a relatively large magnitude. As a result of such a large current measurement signal, the products of the sample multiplication of current and voltage will be relatively large, whereby the pulsp threshold is caused to be reached in a shorter amount of time. Consequently, when a large amount of energy is being consumed, the first IC 44 watt measurement will generate the pulses more rapidly, or in other words, at a higher frequency. J51 first IC 44 -d.e watt measurement gen-era > then a phase A energy polarity signal. The phase polarity energy signal A consists of a sign of the average value of the product • of the phase A measurement signal and of the current measurement signal. Phase A, The second JC 4ß of watt measurement operates in a substantially similar manner as the first IC 44 of measurement pe watts. Specifically, the second IC 4.6 of watt measurement receives the phase C voltage and current measurement signals, or simply, the phase C measurement signals, and generates a pulse phase energy signal .C and a signal of phase C energy polarity from it. For this, the. Second IC 46 Watt measurement can be properly constructed and operate substantially in the same way as the first IC-44 IC watt measurement. It will be appreciated that the above descriptions of the operation of the first and second ICs 44 and 46 of watt measurement, respectively, are given by way of example only. Other energy measurement methods that use voltage and current measurement signals are well known and can be easily incorporated to suit. the needs of the particular measurement application. For example, a simple watt measurement IC can be used for phase A and phase C. In addition, the vatip measurement circuit does not need to be integrated into a simple semiconductor substrate, but rather can comprise discrete components . Those of ordinary skill in the art can easily design their own watt measurement circuit to suit their particular design criteria. The processor 48 then accumulates the energy pulses from the pulse energy signal to obtain the measurement data. of the energy consumed by the installation to which the meter 10 is connected. The measurement data can then be provided to the screen 38 »Note that in the exemplary mode described in the preset, the meter 10 is a type of meter commonly known in the industry as a self-monitoring meter. In a self-contained meter, the current coils of the meter such as the current coils 18a and 18b of the present invention carry the full current load of the electrical system, Co or result, in up. Typical meter, if the meter is removed for repair or replacement, the current bpins are removed from the jaws of the meter housing, and the power to the installation is interrupted. A distinct advantage of the present invention is that the measuring module 14 can be removed for repair, replacement or improvement without removing the current coils 18a and 18b. As . result, the. installation or experience the interruption of the electrical service during the replacement. Figure 5 shows a view, in side section of the meter 10, in which the measuring module 14 is assembled on the sensor module 12. The front cover 32 of the measuring module 14 includes a cylindrical portion 62 and an annular skirt 64. The upper plate 28 of the sensor module 12 is defined in part by an annular rim 66. The annular rim 66 is received by a space defined between the annular skirt 64 and the cylindrical portion 2 of the cover .32 of the medidpr »The upper plate 2 £ is further defined by a shelf 68 which is substantially flat and limits, in part, with the cylindrical portion 62. The shelf 68 constitutes approximately a middle of the top plate 28. The other half of the top plate 28 consists of a depression 56 defined by a descent or slope 70, a background 72 and. a portion of the annular flange 6.6. The slope 70 defines the change in depth between the anvil 68 and the bottom 72. The depression 5 6 defines a space that allows the large components on the board 34 of printed circuits to extend downwardly from the medulla. 14 14 por e e e o o o o 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14??????? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14 的? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14? 14 的? 14? 14. In the example illustrated, the power supply components 60 extend below the. cylindrical portion 62 to occupy at least a portion of the depression 56. The two-level configuration of the upper plate created by the depression 5 ^ 6 of the sensor module 1-2 more efficiently uses the space inside the meter 10. In In contrast, the modular meters of the prior art included a substantially flat interconnection between the sensor module and the electronic module. which creates wasted space in both models. In. the present invention, by accommodating the bulky components to occupy complementary portions of the meter and using an interconnection including a depression, the space within the meter is more efficiently utilized. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, the current transformer, lbb is accommodated to be positioned horizontally, or in other words, has an axial dimension that is parallel to the axial dimension of the front cover 32. As illustrated in Figure 1, the first current transformer 16a is similarly arranged. The current transformers - l »6a 'and 16Jo horizontally placed, provide advantages of space reduction - signifi.cativp on vertically placed current transformers. In a meter for utility or utility companies, the horizontal footprint or profile, for example, length and width or diameter, is defined predominantly - by the meter's mounting equipment. For example, the plurality of jaws 22 of Figure 2 define at least a minimum length and width, and in this case using a circular meter shape, a minimum diameter. The meter box, such as the box 15 of the meter of Figure 2, can also dictate the minimum diameter. Consequently, the only space reduction that is practical is in the thickness or depth dimension. By placing the current transformer 16b horizontally, the smallest dimension of the current transformer 16b, its axial thickness, is aligned in the only dimension of the meter that can be reduced. Accordingly, the current transformers 16a and 16b horizontally positioned, further reduce the full size of the meter 10.

As discussed above, the upper plate 28 also includes a plurality of openings, illustrated in FIG. 5 by the exemplary opening 5-2d. - the opening 52d corresponds to the female socket 30d, and the similar openings exist, each corresponding to each of the other female plugs 30a, 30b, 30c, 30e, 30f and 30g. (See Figure 1). The opening 52d is preferably slightly conical to allow adjustment in alignment of the male plug 40d during mounting of the measuring module 14 on the senspr 12 module. The female plug 30d, which may suitably be a spring-loaded terminal, is electrically connected to the current J-bus of IS-b for purposes of providing μna-connection to the phase voltage measurement C, as discussed above in connection with the Figure 1. Figure 5 further shows the male plug 40d connected to the circuit board 34, inserted through opening 52d and. Within the female socket 30d- The female inlet 30d is physically coupled to the male plug 52d in such a way as to provide an electrical connection between these. E.1 male plug 40d can suitably be an ordinary conductive pin.

In this way, it can be seen by reference to Figures 1, 2 and 5, that • - the. electrically secure interconnection or the upper plate 28, when fitted to a meter housing, in. cooperation,. provides a substantially solid barrier between a human operator or technician and the current and voltage sensing devices, when the measurement module 14 is removed for repair or replacement. - The only openings are the openings, for example, the opening 52d, corresponding to the h-plugs 30a to 30g, to allow the male plugs 40a to 40g to be connected to the plugs 30a to 30g »Such openings. they are sufficiently small, and the plugs are sufficiently hollowed out within the openings, to prevent an operator from coming into direct contact with dangerous high voltages. It will be appreciated that other means of interconnection may be employed in the sensor module 12 and the measurement module 14 - which will nonetheless provide an electrically secure interconnection. For example, wireless media can be used as the means of interconnection. Such wireless means could provide the voltage and current measurement signals from the sensor module 12 to the measurement module 14. For example, the measurement module 14 could include the sensitive electric, and magnetic field, sensors that obtain the information. of the measurement of yoltaje and current from the electromagnetic radiations coming from the current coils 18a and 18Jb. In the same way, optical communication means can be used to provide the. signal information of. measurement from the sensor module. 12 to the measurement module.-. In any case, electrically secure interconnection could typically include a barrier such as the top plate 28 which prevents physical access by a human operator to the current coils. 18_. and 18b and other dangerous portions of the sensor module 12, when the measurement module 14 is removed. To fully benefit from the modularity, it is necessary to address the problems of calibration in the design of the meter 10. Specifically, the sensor portion 12 of the meter must have a calibration characteristic that allows it to be used in connection with any portion of the meter. proper measurement. In non-modular meters, the measurement circuit is often specifically calibrated for use with a particular voltage and current sensor means. • a reason for the. Specific calibration is that there may be large variations in the signal response of each voltage and current sensor means. In particular, current current sensors, such as current transformers, often have a widely variable signal response. The feedback of the signal from the commonly available current transformers varies widely in magnitude and phase response. The signal response of such current transformers varies to a degree much greater than the measurement accuracy of the meter energy. - In other words, while the response of the current transformer signal can vary as much as 10%, it is required that the full accuracy of the meter be at most 10%. Consequently, the compensation must be made for the variation, or tolerance, of the current sensing devices to ensure that the measurement accuracy of the final energy of the meter is within acceptable tolerances. The compensation is typically carried out. - in the prior art by means of aj-uste or calibration of the measurement circuit during manufacturing, to explain the signal response characteristics of the current sensing devices that will be used in the particular measuring unit. In other words, each measuring circuit is calibrated per custom for each meter. A truly mpdular meter nevertheless, may not require such extensive, specific calibration of. unity. . Rather, modular components must be easily interchangeable. Accordingly, with reference again to Figure 1, the sensor module 12 is pre-calibrated for modularity, such that the sensor module 12 can be coupled with any measurement module 14 without requiring specific unit calibration of that measurement module 14. For this purpose, the sensor module 12-, and specifically the voltage and current sensor means 15 is pre-calibrated such that the senspr dp voltage and current medium has a signal response within a tolerance of a predefined signal response, which is not greater than the tolerance of the energy measurement accuracy of the meter 10. The accuracy or accuracy of energy measurement of the meter 10 is defined as the accuracy of the measured energy consumption with respect to the actual energy consumption of the installation. Thus, if the tolerance of the measuring energy precision of the meter is required to be 0.5%, then the difference between the measured energy consumption and the effective energy consumption will not exceed 0.5%. In such a case, the tolerance of the signal response of the voltage and current sensing means will be no greater than, and typically substantially less than 0.5%. As a result, the measurement module 14 can be easily replaced with another measurement module without requiring specific calibration of the replacement measurement module. The precalculation of the voltage and current sensor means 15 can be achieved using careful manufacturing processes. The primary source of variation in the signal response of the voltage and current sensor means 15 is the signal response of the current transformers lßa and lßb. The current transformers generally available are prone to variation in magnitude and in the response of the phase angle signal. Consequently, - precalibration involves the use of current transformers that are manufactured to operate within the required tolerances. As an initial matter, the current transformers lßa and l * 6b are manufactured using a high permeability core material, which reduces the variation of the phase angle in the signal response. In addition, the current transformers Ißa and 16b are manufactured such that the effective number of turns is tightly controlled. The close control of the manufacture over the number of turns in the current transformers 16a and 16b, produces sufficient consistency in the signal response of the magnitude to allow the exchange capacity. Alternatively, if control of the number of turns during initial fabrication is undesirable for cost reasons, then turns may be added or removed after fabrication to achieve the desired signal response. For example, it may be of lower cost to buy commercially available current transformers of wide tolerance, and to adjust the number of turns to have current transformers of sufficiently narrow tolerance, especially manufactured. In any case, the meter 10 described above in relation to Figures 1 to 5, provides features and advantages for servicing, refining and repairing revenue meters. Accordingly, the present invention includes a method for servicing an electronic meter for an electric utility, in a manner that does not interrupt-the electrical service to the installation being measured. With reference to Figure 2, the method for providing service, described hereinafter, involves servicing the meter 10, which is installed in the box 15 of the meter, which in turn is coupled to the electrical system of the meter. the installation that is being measured, not shown. The types of service that can be carried out by the following method include the replacement of the measurement module 14, the repair of the measurement module 14, and the refinement of the measurement module 14. Because the components of the measurement module 14 have higher complexity, a large proportion of the repair, replacement and refinement activity that is potentially possible with with respect to meter 10, it will only involve the measurement module. Typically, a technician first removes the measurement module 14 from the electronic meter 10 of the utility company, from the sensor module 12, while the cover 18 remains installed on the sensor module 12 and on the housing 16. The measurement module 14 operates having a first level of operation that requires replacement, repair or improvement, to a second level of operation. When the measuring module 14 is withdrawn, the sensor module 12 remains electrically connected to the electrical system of the installation, thereby allowing the electrical energy to be distributed to the installation. The technician then replaces the measurement module 14 with a replacement measurement module that has a second function level. success . The replacement measurement module can suitably be the same measurement module 14 where the technician has performed the operations, such as repair, refinement, or replacement of the component, to create the replacement module having the second level. of operation.

An exemplary improvement or improvement operation includes refining the measuring circuit 4-2 (see Figure 4) to add features or capabilities. Revenue meters are often able to have sophisticated self-diagnosis, on-demand measurement, time-of-use and communication functionality. Sometimes, the owner of the facility that is measured, or the electric company that provides the electric power, wants to improve the capabilities of an existing meter. Capacities can be improved by refining or improving the measuring circuit 42. In such a case, the first operating level defines the original operating capabilities, and the second operating level includes additional capabilities. An exemplary repair operation may include replacement of the components. A few, one or more components of the measuring module 14 will fail, in which case, the first level of operation may be a non-operational level of operation. In such case, the method described above further comprises performing an operation that includes the replacement of at least one non-operational component, to create the replacement module that has a second level of operation. In another exemplary operation, the above method may include replacing the measurement module 14 with a completely different measurement module. If the measurement module 14 requires repair or refinement, it is often desirable to simply replace the measurement module 14 having the first level of operation with another measurement module having the second level of operation. In any of the service scenarios described above, the power to the installation does not need to be interrupted. This provides a significant advantage over the prior art methods of servicing meters requiring an energy service, over the prior art methods of servicing the meters, which require an interruption of the power service to repair or replace the meter components. The above method is not limited to use in relation to the exemplary embodiment described above, but is suitable for use in connection with any modular meter that includes an electrically secure interconnection between the module to be removed, for example, the module measurement, and the module that is not removed, for example, the sensor module. It will be appreciated that the foregoing embodiments are merely exemplary, and that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily perform their own implementations, incorporating the principles of the present invention and falling within the spirit and scope thereof. For example, while the meter 10 includes a screen 38, other means may alternatively be employed to communicate energy consumption data, such as serial or parallel communication lines to an external computer or module, printing devices on a switchboard. , and audible communication devices. Furthermore, the present invention is by no means limited to meters that use current transformers and to current coils as the voltage and current sensing means. The principles and advantages of the present invention are easily incorporated into the meters using the voltage and current sensing means which include the current bypass sensing devices, the devices that collect inductive current and the Hall effect currents, and other well-known voltage and current sensing devices.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (29)

1. An electronic meter or meter for an electricity or utility company, comprising: a) a sensor module for connecting to the electrical system of an installation, the sensor module has an interior that includes a voltage and current sensing means, the medium voltage and current sensor is operable to receive the voltage and current signals coming from the electrical system and generate measurement signals from them, the sensor module also has first interconnection means; b) a measurement module that includes a measurement circuit operable to receive the measurement signals and generate energy consumption data therefrom, said measurement module includes the means for communicating the information related to the consumption data of energy, the measurement module also contains the second means of interconnection; characterized in that the first interconnection means and the second interconnection means cooperate to connect the measurement circuit to the voltage and current sensing means, and wherein the first interconnection means includes the means to prevent physical contact of a human operator with the less a part of the voltage and current sensing means that carries levels of potentially dangerous electrical signals.

2. The electronic meter or meter for an electricity or public utility company according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for preventing physical contact comprises a top plate substantially covering the interior of the sensor module.

3. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 2, characterized in that the second interconnection means includes a plurality of male plugs and the first interconnection means includes a plurality of plugs to receive the plurality of plugs, and wherein the upper plate includes a plurality of openings located in a coordinated relationship with the plurality of female sockets, to allow the plurality of male plugs to be received in the plurality of female plugs, through the plurality of openings.

The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 3, characterized in that the plurality of openings each have a first dimension and a second dimension, the first dimension having at least the same size as the second dimension, and wherein the second dimension is less than 3.1 mm (1/8 inch), whereby the substantial access of a human operator through the openings is anticipated.

5. The electronic meter for an electricity company in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the upper plate includes a plurality of openings located to allow the first interconnecting means and the second interconnecting means to cooperate to connect the measuring circuit to the voltage and current sensing means.

6. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 5, characterized in that the plurality of openings each have a first dimension and a second dimension, the first dimension has at least the same size as the second dimension, and wherein the second dimension is less than 3.1 mm (1/8 inch), thereby preventing substantial access by a human operator through the openings.

7. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor module is operable to be received by a meter case, in cooperation, the meter case having a housing and a meter housing, and the sensor module is further operable to receive a cover of the meter housing, such that the cover of the meter housing and the means to prevent physical contact, cooperate to prevent physical contact to at least a portion of the voltage sensing means. and current.

8. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 1, characterized in that the voltage and current sensing means further comprises a pre-calibrated voltage and current sensor means, which has a signal response, the signal response has a tolerance no greater than a tolerance of an energy meter's measuring accuracy of the electricity company's electronic meter.

9. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 1, characterized in that the voltage and current sensing means includes: a plurality of current coils each having a first and a second end, the first and second ends ending each one in a blade; and a plurality of current transformers in a current sensing relationship for the current coils, wherein the current transformers are electrically connected to the first interconnect means.

10. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 9, characterized in that the sensor module and the measurement module each have an axial dimension, a radial dimension, and wherein the plurality of current transformers each comprise a toroid which has a substantially circular shape, and wherein the axis defined by each toroid is parallel to the axial dimension of the sensor and measurement module.

11. An electronic for an electricity company comprising: a) a sensor module for connecting to the electrical system of an installation, the sensor module includes the voltage and current sensing means, the voltage and current sensing means is operable to receive the signals of voltage and current coming from the electrical system, and generating measurement signals therefrom, said module also comprises an electrically secure interconnection; b) a removable measurement module - which includes an operable measuring circuit for receiving the measurement signals and generating energy consumption data therefrom, the measurement module includes a means for communicating the information related to the data of energy consumption; characterized in that the electrically secure interconnection operably connects the voltage and current sensing means to the measuring circuit, the electrically "secure" interconnection further prevents physical contact of a human operator with the received voltage and current signals from the electrical system, when the Measurement module is removed from the sensor circuit.

12. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 11, characterized in that the electrically secure interconnection includes a top plate that is integral with and substantially covers the interior of the sensor module.

13. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 11, characterized in that the measurement module includes a plurality of plugs connected to the measuring circuit, and the electrically secure interconnection includes a plurality of plugs to receive the plurality of plugs male, the plurality of male plugs eßtá integral with the sensor housing.

14. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 13, characterized in that the electrically secure interconnection includes a top plate that is integral with and substantially covers the interior of the sensor module, and wherein the top plate includes a plurality of openings located in a coordinated relationship with the plurality of female plugs, to allow the plurality of plugs to be received in the plurality of plugs through the plurality of openings.

15. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 14, characterized in that the plurality of openings each have a first dimension and a second dimension, the first dimension has at least the same size as the second dimension, and where the second dimension is less than 3.1 mm (1/8 inch), thereby preventing substantial access by a human operator through the openings.

16. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 11, characterized in that the sensor module is operable to be received by a meter box, in cooperation, the meter box has a housing and a cover of the meter box, and the sensor module is further operable to receive a cover of the meter case, such that the cover of the meter case and the electrically secure interconnection cooperate to prevent physical contact of a human operator with the voltage and current signals received from the meter. electric system.

17. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 11, characterized in that the voltage and current sensing means includes: a plurality of current coils each having a first and a second end, the first and second ends ending each one on a blade; and a plurality of current transformers in a current sensing relationship for the current coils.

18. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 11, characterized in that the voltage and current sensing means further comprises a precalibrated voltage and current sensing means, having a signal response, the signal response has a tolerance not greater than a tolerance of an energy meter's precision measurement of electronic meter for electricity company.

19. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 17, characterized in that - the sensor module and the measuring module each have an axial dimension, a radial dimension, and wherein the plurality of current transformers each comprise a toroid having a substantially circular shape, and wherein the axis defined by each toroid is parallel to the axial dimension of the sensor and measurement module.

20. A method to service an electronic meter for an electricity company, the revenue meter is operably connected to an electrical system of a facility, for purposes of measuring an energy consumption of the installation, the method is characterized in that it comprises: a) the removal of a measuring module from the electronic meter for an electricity company from a sensor module of the electronic meter for the electricity company, while the sensor module is electrically connected to the electrical system, and while said electrical system is providing power to the installation , the sensor module includes the voltage and current sensor module, the voltage and current sensor module is operable to receive voltage and current signals coming from the electrical system and generate measurement signals from them, where the measurement module includes an operable measuring circuit to receive the As measurement signals and generate energy consumption data from them, the measurement module includes a screen to visually display the information related to energy consumption data, the measurement module has a first level of operation; and b) replacement of the measurement module with a replacement module that has a second level of operation.

21. The method according to claim 20, further characterized in that it comprises step c), carried out before step b), of carrying out an operation on the measuring module having a first level of operation, to create the replacement module which has a second level of functioning.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that step c) further comprises carrying out an operation that includes refining or improving the measurement circuit to create the replacement module having a second level of operation.

23. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the measurement module includes at least one non-operative component, and step c) further comprises carrying out an operation that includes the replacement of at least one non-operational component, to create the replacement module that has a second level of operation.

24. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the measurement module has a first level of operation and comprises a first measurement module, and the replacement measurement module comprises a second measurement module, and step b) further comprises the replacement of the first measurement module with the second measurement module.

25. An electronic meter for an electricity company, comprising: a) a sensor module for connecting to the electrical system of an installation, the sensor module has an interior that includes the voltage and current sensor means, the voltage and current sensor means is operable to receive the voltage and current signals coming from the electrical system, and to generate measurement signals from them, the sensor module includes an interconnection; b) a removable measurement module that includes an operable measuring circuit for receiving measurement signals and generating the energy consumption data therefrom, the measurement module includes a screen for visually displaying the information related to the data of energy consumption; characterized in that the interconnection operably connects the measurement circuit to the voltage and current sensing means, said interconnection having a depression defined in part by the configuration of the voltage and current sensing means, this depression forming a recessed space exterior to the sensor module, so as to receive at least a portion of the measurement module.

26. The revenue meter according to claim 25, characterized in that the interconnection further comprises an electrically secure interconnection, the electrically safe interconnection is operable to prevent physical contact of a human operator with the interior of the sensor module, when the measurement module is removed from the sensor circuit,

27. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 25, characterized in that the voltage and current sensing means includes: a plurality of current coils each having a first and a second end; first and second ends end each in a blade; and a plurality of current transformers in a current sensing relationship for the current coils.

28. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 27, characterized in that the sensor module and the measurement module each have an axial dimension, a radial dimension and wherein the plurality of current transformers each comprise a toroid having a substantially circular shape, and wherein the axis defined by each toroid is parallel to the axial dimension of the sensor and measurement module.

29. The electronic meter for an electricity company according to claim 26, characterized in that the sensor module is operable to be received inside a meter box, the meter box has a housing and a cover of the meter box, and the sensor module is further operable to receive a cover of the meter case, such that the cover of the meter case and the electrically safe interconnection cooperate to prevent physical contact by a human operator with the interior of the meter case .