Ekstrom Industries, Inc.

Meter Devices Company, Inc.

John T Shincovich

Darrell A Robinson

Allen V Pruehs

Robert O Learmont

Michael E Lewis

Thomas J Archer

Jan K Michalek

Robert Goozen

Albert K Langdon

John Williams

Gary C Schaffert

Timothy M Chilton

Ebrahim Shahrodi

Norman C Baldwin

A method and apparatus for detecting a tamper event in an electrical power metering apparatus having power distribution and power service conductors connected to jaw contacts in a socket housing, the jaw contacts receiving blade terminals of an electrical service meter apparatus. A tamper event signature is detected based on a time relationship between separation of the ground circuit between the electrical power metering apparatus and the socket and the separation of at least one of the power distribution and power service blade terminals from the socket jaw contacts due to removal of the electrical service apparatus from the socket.

Electric energy service apparatus with tamper detection

A test switch apparatus for an electrical device includes identical modules each carrying at least one switch thereon and terminals coupled to the switch and receiving electrical conductors. Complimentary interconnecting members are formed on each base and opposed barrier walls of each module for releasably interconnecting two modules in a side-by-side arrangement. Lock elements are optionally formed on each module for locking two adjacent switch modules together, preferably after the two modules are substantially joined by the interconnected members. End pieces are interconnected by interconnecting members to endmost modules. A cover is releaseably attachable to the end pieces.

Meter test switch

Instantaneous current and voltage values are digitized at each of a plurality of electrical utility customer sites and integrated by a processor to calculate electrical power consumed at each customer site. A communication interface couples the processor at each customer site to a central processor in a central utility site to communicate the power consumed values of each customer site to the central utility site. In a preferred embodiment, the automatic meter reader apparatus is mounted in an electrical watthour meter socket adapter which plugs into a watthour meter socket at each customer site. Telephone modem circuitry mounted in the socket adapter connects to telephone lines to communicate calculated power values from each customer site to the central utility site.

Remote automatic meter reading apparatus

A hardened metallic ring is mounted over the exterior sidewall of the shell portion of a watthour meter socket adapter. The ring has overlapped ends which are welded together to form a circular ring with a diameter approximate the diameter of the shell. In another embodiment, a radially outward flange is formed on one annular edge of the ring to cover a peripheral edge flange of the base of the socket adapter.

Watthour meter socket adapter with tamper resistant ring

This invention relates to a safety cover assembly for a meter socket having a plurality of electrically-energizable contacts adapted to receive the rearwardly-projecting contact blades or terminals of various types of electrical meters including those used for measuring both commerical and residential power consumption. The socket normally has a substantial number of electrical contact elements in suitable spaced-apart alignment to receive the projecting contact terminals of various types of meters to energize one or more electrical circuits within the meter to determine both the accuracy and efficiency of the meter. The cover assembly is preferably formed of transparent plastic insulating material having high dielectric constant including an outer apertured cover plate to provide an essentially dead front to the meter socket when energized, both when a meter is mounted in and demounted from the meter socket. The components of the meter cover assembly are preferably comprised of durable transparent insulating material for visual inspection of the wiring, internal electrical contacts and connections, the socket being designed for both laboratory and field applications.

Safety cover for meter socket

A cover for an electric meter socket has a planar base and a plurality of blades extending from one surface of the base for releasable engagement with the jaw terminals in the meter socket. Ribs are connected between the base and the blades to support the blades from sideways movement. One rib on at least one and, preferably, all of the blades has an extendable height so as to contact a jaw terminal in the meter socket when the cover is mounted in the meter socket to prevent deflection and movement of the cover with respect to the meter socket.

Bladed meter socket cover

A watthour meter socket adapter includes a housing with electrical contacts which receive the terminals of a watthour meter and terminals which are insertable into the contacts of an electrical watthour meter socket. First and second seal connectors sealingly connect the adapter housing to the socket and a watthour meter to the adapter housing to control access to the socket, adapter and watthour meter. The interface connection includes an electrical connector mounted in an enclosure and connected to the contacts in the adapter housing to provide electrical power to an external interface. A third seal is connected and attached to the enclosure to control access to the electrical connections housed therein. In one embodiment, the enclosure is separate from and mounted on the adapter housing. In another embodiment, the enclosure is in the form of a sleeve mounted internally within the adapter housing with an open end allowing connection to an external electrical device. A body housing a voltage convertor is removably insertable into the sleeve in the socket adapter housing to convert the electrical power provided to the electrical power connector from AC to DC and to a different voltage level.

Growing community of inventors

North Canton, OH, United States of America

John T Shincovich