ARC DETECTION ANTENNA

Description

1 / 32 ARC DETECTION ANTENNA Field

[001] The description refers, in general, to the field of safety in electrical utility systems and, more specifically, refers to an arc detection antenna installed on an electric meter for detecting electric arcs between electrical measuring components included in a utility box at a location. Fundamentals of the Invention

[002] All residential and commercial premises include electric meters to allow utility companies to monitor electricity consumption at the premises. To do this, an electric meter is electrically connected to a meter socket, which is usually located in a utility box positioned on an exterior wall of the premises. The electric meter may include meter blades, which are received in the meter socket and held in place by a voltage force applied to the blades by the meter socket.

[003] In some cases, installing a new meter to replace an old meter, if not installed properly, can create a phenomenon known as “arc formation,” in which an electric arc is formed in a gap between a meter blade and a corresponding socket jaw of the meter socket as the Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 25 / 69 2 / 32 of a meter is installed. Arcing can also occur randomly after installation. For example, if the socket voltage is reduced, this will cause the contact resistance to increase, subsequently increasing heat at contact points and progressing to corrosion and spacing, leading to arcing. Spacing provides an environment conducive to arcing. The presence of arcing in any electrical system can cause high heat and, in some cases, a fire that can cause significant damage to electrical system components, premises, and can also injure humans, such as workers assisting in meter replacement. Therefore, it is important to detect arcing conditions before any damage or impairment occurs.

[004] In other cases, arcing may occur elsewhere in the electricity network near the meter, for example, inside premises, and / or in the vicinity of high-voltage supply lines to the premises. As in the case of arcing described above, it is important to detect these arcing conditions so that action can be taken by an applicable authority before any further damage or impairment occurs.

[005] To detect arcing conditions, an electrical meter can be configured with a component Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 26 / 69 3 / 32 of arc detection. However, due to the high voltage condition near the location where arc formation occurs, the arc detection component is typically placed in a location on the meter that is distant from the meter blades and meter sockets and away from the high-voltage line entering the meter. The large distance between the arc detection component and the location of arc formation can lead to inaccurate arc detection.

[006] WO2021 / 154728 proposes an electric meter in a utility box that is capable of detecting arcing conditions at the meter socket at one location or at any point along the power transmission line if the RF noise generated by arcing is strong enough to be detected. The arc detection component is placed in a confined space near the AC power connection on the meter. Summary

[007] In general terms, the present description improves arc detection accuracy by providing a multilayer circuit board that has (i) a first layer that hosts a first arc detection antenna that is connected to a high-voltage line from an electric meter, and (ii) a second layer electrically isolated from the first layer and that hosts a second arc detection antenna that is connected to an arc detection circuit. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 27 / 69 4 / 32

[008] Arc-forming conditions typically result in disturbances on the high-voltage line that manifest as radio frequency (RF) noise. However, known electrical meters typically position circuitry that includes arc detection functionality as far away as possible from high-voltage lines and / or behind high-voltage protection systems and circuits to try to minimize the risk of damage to the circuitry from the vicinity of high-voltage conditions. This results in disturbances on the high-voltage line from arc-forming conditions becoming attenuated when picked up by the arc detection circuit. The ability of such configurations to accurately detect arc formation is thus reduced.

[009] In contrast, in the present description, the high-voltage line is routed directly to the meter circuit assembly, specifically to the first layer of the multilayer circuit board and to an antenna hosted thereon. The antenna is thus directly electrically connected to the high-voltage line and thereby transmits a signal corresponding to any signal that is present on the high-voltage line.

[0010] The second layer of the multilayer circuit board has a corresponding antenna on it that is connected to the arc detection circuitry of the, Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 28 / 69 5 / 32 and which captures the signal transmitted by the antenna in the first layer. The first and second layers are separated and electrically isolated from each other so that there is no direct connection of the high-voltage line in the layer with the rest of the circuit assembly of the multilayer circuit board.

[0011] If arc formation conditions cause a disturbance in the high-voltage line, the disturbance manifests itself in the signal transmitted by the first antenna and picked up by the second antenna, and this can be detected by the arc detection circuitry. Because the high-voltage line and the arc detection circuitry are separated only by the space between the antennas, the disturbance signal is not substantially attenuated, and thus the accuracy of arc detection is substantially improved compared to configurations such as those shown in WO2021 / 154728.

[0012] Thus, it will be perceived that the present description is, in general, related to an arc detection circuit coupled to the AC line input of the meter, providing high AC isolation for the detection circuit, yet it will not degrade the RF noise generated by the arc formation to be detected by the circuit.

[0013] Thus, according to one aspect of the present description, an electric meter is provided for detecting the formation of electric arcs. The electric meter comprises a base plate assembly comprising: a conductor Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 29 / 69 6 / 32 electrical connecting meter blades, each of the meter blades configured to be positioned in a corresponding jaw of the socket of a meter socket in a utility box that is connected to a power line to electrically connect the electric meter to the meter socket; and a housing assembly configured to be coupled to the base plate assembly, the housing assembly comprising: a multilayer circuit board comprising: a first layer hosting a first arc detection antenna for emitting a signal indicative of the formation of electric arcs; and a second layer hosting a second arc detection antenna for receiving the signal, wherein the first and second layers are electrically isolated from each other.

[0014] Advantageously, in the manner described above, providing two separate layers, each with an antenna, facilitates the detection of an arc detection signal with a stronger signal-to-noise ratio than is possible using known arc detection systems.

[0015] Optionally, the multilayer circuit board comprises a third layer between the first and second layers comprising an insulating material.

[0016] Advantageously, the third layer further isolates the first layer, which is coupled to the high-voltage line, from the second layer that hosts the assembly of Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 30 / 69 7 / 32 circuits to increase the breakdown voltage between the first and second layers to avoid the risk of the circuit assembly in the second layer being damaged by being in close proximity to the high voltage in the first layer. Optionally, the insulation material may comprise an FR4 material. It will be understood that FR4 is a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material that increases the breakdown voltage but does not block or otherwise affect the RF noise coupling between the arc detection antennas.

[0017] Optionally, the electric meter comprises a bypass line configured to bypass to electrically couple the first layer of the multilayer circuit board in a circuit that includes the power line through the meter socket.

[0018] Advantageously, routing a high-voltage circuit line that includes the power line directly to be in close proximity to the arc detection circuit in a way that bypasses the high-voltage protection of the other meter components ensures that any signal that is indicative of arc formation is not attenuated by the other meter components, thereby ensuring that the signal-to-noise ratio is better than in known arc detection systems.

[0019] Optionally, the first antenna is configured to emit the signal indicating the formation of electric arcs. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 31 / 69 8 / 32 when the formation of electric arcs occurs in a circuit with a bypass line.

[0020] Optionally, the first arc detection antenna is configured to emit a signal responsive to a voltage pulse on the bypass line indicating the formation of electric arcs.

[0021] Advantageously, when arc formation occurs, this typically results in a pulse in the circuit voltage. The bypass line advantageously feeds the pulse to the first arc detection antenna where it can be emitted, captured and analyzed to detect arc formation throughout the vicinity of the multilayer printed circuit boards without risk of any interference or attenuation by the other components of the meter.

[0022] Optionally, the bypass line is electrically coupled to the first antenna via a surge protection element.

[0023] Optionally, the surge protection element comprises a metal oxide varistor and / or a resistor.

[0024] Advantageously, surge protection facilitates the provision of high voltage from the bypass line to the multilayer printed circuit board in a way that is safe, since the varistor is configured to increase the responsive resistance to a sudden surge. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 32 / 69 9 / 32

[0025] Optionally, the first layer and the second layer are spatially separated from each other.

[0026] Advantageously, since there is spatial and / or electrical separation between the high voltage in the first layer and in the second layer, which may house the operational circuitry, such as microprocessors and other components, the operational circuitry is protected from a risk of damage that may, under other circumstances, have been caused by proximity to a high voltage circuit.

[0027] Optionally, the electric meter comprises a current transformer structure comprising: a current transformer support and a current transformer cover forming a confined space; a current transformer configured to measure a current supplied to the electric meter and positioned in the confined space and inductively coupled to the electric conductor, wherein the first arc detection antenna and the second arc detection antenna are external to, and spaced from, the current transformer structure.

[0028] Advantageously, separating the current transformer structure and the current transformers ensures a strong signal-to-noise ratio of the arc detection signal since any noise and / or attenuation from these components is mitigated.

[0029] Optionally, the first and / or second antennas Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 33 / 69 10 / 32 arc detection systems comprise one or more curved elements.

[0030] Optionally, a curvature of one or more curved elements is a 90-degree curvature.

[0031] Optionally, one or more curved elements have a length between 6 and 7 cm.

[0032] Advantageously, providing an antenna with one or more curved elements allows the full length of the antenna element to be provided in a smaller space, thereby reducing the antenna space requirements on the printed circuit board and thus miniaturizing the arc detection system in an integrated manner.

[0033] Optionally, the measuring blades are current blades, the electrical conductor is configured to connect the voltage of the measuring blades to the multilayer circuit board, and the number of said measuring blades is 4 or 8.

[0034] According to a second aspect of the present description, an arc detection circuit is provided for an electric meter, the electric meter comprising a base plate assembly comprising an electrical conductor connecting meter blades, each of the meter blades configured to be positioned in a corresponding jaw of the socket of a meter socket in a utility box that is connected to a power line to electrically connect the electric meter to the socket of Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 34 / 69 11 / 32 meter; and a housing assembly configured to be coupled to the base plate assembly, the arc detection circuit comprising: a multilayer circuit board comprising: a first layer hosting a first arc detection antenna for emitting a signal indicative of the formation of electric arcs; and a second layer hosting a second arc detection antenna for receiving the signal.

[0035] The advantages described in connection with the first aspect apply equally to the corresponding characteristics in the second aspect.

[0036] According to a third aspect of the present description, a method is provided for detecting the formation of electric arcs between an electric meter and a meter socket in a utility box that is connected to a power line, the electric meter comprising: a base plate assembly comprising: an electrical conductor connecting two meter blades, each of the meter blades configured to be positioned in a corresponding socket jaw of the meter socket to electrically connect the electric meter to the meter socket; and a housing assembly configured to be coupled to the base plate assembly, the housing assembly comprising: a multilayer circuit board comprising: a first layer housing a first Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 35 / 69 12 / 32 arc detection antenna; and a second layer hosting a second arc detection antenna, the method comprising: emitting, with the first arc detection antenna, a signal indicative of the formation of electric arcs; receiving, with the second arc detection antenna, the signal indicative of the formation of electric arcs; and detecting, with an arc detection circuit, the formation of electric arcs.

[0037] The advantages described in connection with the first aspect apply equally to the corresponding characteristics in the third aspect. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038] These and other aspects will now be described in relation to the following figures, in which: Figures 1A and 1B are block diagrams representing examples of an electric meter, a utility box, and a meter socket according to the present description.

[0039] Figure 2 is a block diagram representing a simplified example of the components contained in an electrical meter capable of detecting arcing conditions present in a utility box, according to the present description.

[0040] Figure 3 is a block diagram that represents a simplified example of the components contained in a Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 36 / 69 13 / 32 electrical meter capable of detecting arcing conditions present in a utility box, according to the present description.

[0041] Figure 4 shows a side view in section of an electrical meter capable of detecting arcing conditions present in a utility box, according to the present description.

[0042] Figure 5A illustrates a part of a circuit diagram according to the present description.

[0043] Figure 5B illustrates a part of a circuit diagram according to the present description. Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0044] Figures 1A and 1B show block diagrams of an electric meter, a utility box, and a meter socket. Figure 1A is a diagram representing an electric meter 102 that includes one or more blades, such as blades 103, for example, 4 blades (2 input and 2 output) or 8 blades (4 input and 4 output) and so on. Figure 1A also shows a utility box 100 that includes a meter socket 104. The meter socket 104 includes receptacles 105, also referred to as “socket jaws” 105, inside which the blades 103 can be positioned or fitted. The socket jaws 105 include utility-side socket jaws 105A and socket-side socket jaws. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 37 / 69 14 / 32 dependencies 105B. The electric meter 102 may be installed inside the meter socket 104, as indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 1A, in such a way that the blades 103 are positioned in the jaws of the socket 105. The positioning of the blades 103 in the jaws of the socket 105 electrically connects the electric meter 102 to the meter socket 104. The meter socket 104 may include springs or other means to provide a tension force on the blades to maintain the position of the blades in the socket jaws of the meter socket 104. Each of the meter socket 104 and blades may include one or more surfaces made of a conductive material to allow electricity to flow between the meter socket 104 and the blades.

[0045] Blades 103 and socket jaws 105 can be configured in such a way that electrical signals are transmitted between one side of the utility socket of the meter 104 and the electric meter 102, and between the electric meter 102 and one side of the premises of the meter socket 104. For example, electrical signals received from the utility company can be transmitted to the electric meter 102 by means of the socket jaws on the utility side 105 A and the blades (not visible in Figure 1 A) on the utility side of the electric meter 102. Furthermore, electrical signals can be transmitted to the premises by Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 38 / 69 15 / 32 between blades 103 on the utility side of the electrical meter 102 and socket jaws on the utility side 105B. The electrical meter 102 can perform operations as electrical signals are transmitted between the utility side and the utility side, including generating voltage sense or current sense signals, determining measurements, and other operations. Furthermore, the electrical meter 102 can also be configured to detect arcing conditions near blades 103 and socket jaws 105.

[0046] Figure 1B is a diagram representing an example configuration of utility box 100 with electric meter 102 installed. Electric meter 102 can be installed by being positioned in the meter socket 104 (not visible in Figure 1B). Utility box 100 can be positioned near premises 180 that receive power from a utility company. Power lines 190 can be electrically connected to utility box 100 to supply power to the utility company premises 180. Power from the power lines 190 can be routed through the meter socket 104 included in utility box 100, as well as transmitted between the meter socket jaws on the utility side and the premises side via electric meter 102. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 39 / 69 16 / 32 installed. The installed electric meter 102 can measure various aspects of the energy supplied through the power lines 190, such as determining overall energy usage by the premises 180. As will be described below, the installed electric meter 102 can also detect arcing conditions between the electric meter 102 and the meter socket 104 in the utility box 100. The detected arcing conditions can be used to determine whether to disconnect the electric meter 102 from the meter socket 104, thereby disconnecting the electric meter 102 from the power line 190, or to instruct the electric meter 102 to open one or more disconnect switches on the electric meter 102.

[0047] Figure 2 is a block diagram representing a simplified example of the components contained in an electric meter 102 capable of detecting an electric arc between the electric meter 102 and the meter socket 104, according to the present description. The electric meter 102 shown in Figure 2 includes a meter base 220, a metrology circuit 250 and a communication component 208 which are supported by, and at least partially contained in, an electric meter housing 102.

[0048] The base of the 220 meter includes two pairs of terminals 224A / 228A and 224B / 128B (such as the meter blades 103 shown in figure 1) which are electrically Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 40 / 69 17 / 32 are connected together by electrical conductors 226A and 226B, respectively. Each of the terminals 224A, 224B, 228A, and 228B extends from the electrical meter housing 102 to fit a meter socket (e.g., meter socket 104 shown in Figure 1) which is connected to a power line (e.g., power line 192 shown in Figure 1). Each of the terminal pairs 224A / 228A and 124B / 128B is configured to connect in line with a conductor on the power line, wherein all electrical signals passing through the power line from a power source to a load pass through the terminal pairs 224A / 228A and 224B / 228B to the load. The terminal pairs 224A / 228A and 224B / 228B and the electrical conductors 226A and 226B effectively become part of the power line connected between the generation source and the load when the electrical meter 102 is connected to the meter socket.

[0049] The base of meter 220 additionally includes current transformers 232A and 232B which are inductively coupled to electrical conductors 226A and 226B, respectively. Current transformers 232A and 232B are electrically connected in a measuring circuit 210 of metrology circuits 250. Alternating current waveforms in electrical conductors 226A and 226B induce a current in current transformers 232A and 232B, respectively. The current can be used to Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 41 / 69 18 / 32 monitor the electrical current levels in the power line, such as by a current sensing circuit in the measuring circuit 210. The measuring circuit 210 may include other circuits for measuring purposes, such as a voltage sensing circuit to measure the power line voltage. The voltage sensing circuit may be connected to terminals 224A, 228A, 124B, and 128B to measure the voltage. Voltage sensing signals and current sensing signals generated by the voltage sensing circuit and the current sensing circuit, respectively, may be routed to a processing device (not shown in Figure 2) of the metrology circuits 250, for example, to determine the energy consumed by the premises.Although two current transformers 232A and 232B are described in this document, it is envisioned that any number may be provided, depending, for example, on the type of meter, such as whether it is a single-phase, two-phase or three-phase service meter.

[0050] To detect arc formation conditions, the electric meter 102 comprises a bypass line 238A, 238B directly coupled in a circuit that has the power line and a corresponding pair of blades in the same to feed the high voltage signal from the power line directly into the vicinity of the metrology circuits 250, specifically, in a first arc detection antenna. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 42 / 69 19 / 32 234A. The first arc detection antenna 234A is not directly electrically connected to the arc detection circuit 262 of the metrology circuits 250 but, instead, is positioned adjacent to a second arc detection antenna 234B. The second arc detection antenna 234B is directly electrically connected to the arc detection circuit 262. The first arc detection antenna 234A provides and emits signals that are picked up by the second arc detection antenna 234B and fed from the second arc detection antenna 234B to the arc detection circuit 262 for detection of arc formation conditions between terminals 224A and 228A and the corresponding socket jaws in the meter socket. Although not shown in Figure 2, a corresponding arrangement may be provided for terminals 224B and 228B and their corresponding socket jaws in the meter socket.For example, the arc detection circuit 262 can analyze the signals received from an arc detection antenna by filtering the received signals to focus on the signal in a certain frequency band to detect arc formation conditions. The first and second arc detection antennas 234A, 234B are thus spatially separated from the base components of the meter 220, including the current transformer 232A (or 232B) and any confined structure in which the transformers are confined, in the present document. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 43 / 69 20 / 32 referred to as a current transformer structure 236A (or 236B). The bypass lines 238A and 238B provided with surge protection 244, 242, for example, in the form of a metal oxide varistor (MOV) installation 244 and / or resistor 242 configured to increase the responsive resistance to a sudden voltage surge that may pass into the interior of the antenna and potentially risk a rupture of the first layer of the multilayer circuit board to the second layer that hosts the arc detection and / or other set of circuits.

[0051] The electric meter 102 can be communicatively coupled to a remote device (not shown in Figure 2) via a communication component 208. In some respects, the communication component 208 may include one or more communication devices, such as an antenna and a communication radio, to send and receive message signals over a network between the electric meter 102 and the remote device. For example, the electric meter 102 may send a message containing the measured energy consumption or other data to the remote device. The remote device may be communicatively coupled to multiple meters and may communicate the message over a network to a central system, such as a central system associated with an energy utility operator. In some respects, the communication component 108 Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 44 / 69 21 / 32 can also transmit a message indicating an arcing condition in utility box 100. The central system can process the message and, in response, transmit a signal instructing electric meter 102 to disconnect power to the premises when arcing occurs.

[0052] The 102 electrical meter can disconnect the power to the premises by opening the disconnect switches 240A and / or 240B, as shown in Figure 2. Each of the disconnect switches 240A and 240B moves between a closed and an open position. In the closed position, the disconnect switches 240A and 240B establish an electrical connection between the terminal pairs 224A / 228A and 224B / 228B, respectively. In the open position, the disconnect switches 240A and 240B disconnect the terminal pairs 224A / 228A and 224B / 228B, respectively. Disconnect switches 240A and 240B move between the closed and open positions based on control signals from metrology circuits 250. For example, metrology circuits 250 may include a disconnect circuit 222 which may include an actuating device or other means to control disconnect switches 240A and 240B to move between the closed and open positions.

[0053] Figure 3 is a block diagram representing the arc detection circuit 262 and the antenna 234A, 234B of Figure 2. It will be noticed that Figure 3 is simplified and, Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 45 / 69 Figure 22 / 32, in this manner, does not show other circuit components, such as those described in the arc detection circuit of WO2021 / 154728. However, these other components are conceived as being present, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. As shown in Figure 3, the arc detection circuit comprises a multilayer circuit board comprising at least two layers 318A, 318B spatially separated from each other by a distance of 319. The first layer 318A hosts a first arc detection antenna 234A. The first layer 318 is electrically coupled via the bypass line 238A, 238B in the high-voltage circuit, i.e., a circuit that directly includes the power line and not behind a MELF or other high-voltage protection system or other meter components.It will be observed that the bypass line 238A, 238B may comprise one or more conductors, such as insulated conductors, cables, or wires capable of safely supporting the typical voltages present in a power line. The bypass line 238A, 238B in Figure 3 connects to the first layer 318A at one or more points. Surge protection 323, such as a MOV and / or a resistor and / or other components, is provided to ensure that there can be safe protection against any surges through the bypass line 238A, 238B.

[0054] As described above, the first layer 318A Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 46 / 69 23 / 32 houses the first arc detection antenna 234A which is coupled to the surge protection with conductive traces 324. When arc formation occurs and an indicative signal of arc formation is present in the circuit that includes the bypass line 238A, 238B, for example, a voltage pulse is present, the pulse causes the first arc detection antenna 234A to emit an electromagnetic wave signal corresponding to the pulse.

[0055] The second layer 318B, which is spatially and electrically isolated from the first layer 318A, hosts a second arc detection antenna 234B. The dashed lines in Figure 3 indicate that the corresponding component is hidden behind the first layer 318A in Figure 3. The second arc detection antenna 234B is coupled to one or more operational components 262A of the arc detection circuit 262, including, for example, resistors, diodes, capacitors, microprocessors, and / or any other components required to amplify and detect arc-forming signals, such as those described in WO2021 / 154728. These components are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. Skilled in the art will perceive other ways of implementing an arc detection circuit.

[0056] In the manner described above, when arc formation occurs, a signal is emitted by the first detection antenna. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 47 / 6924 / 32 arc detection 234A. The signal is picked up by the second arc detection antenna 234B and fed into the operational components 262A of the arc detection circuit 262, allowing arc formation to be detected. Specifically, as the first and second layers 318A, 318B are spatially separated and electrically isolated from each other, when the first layer 318A, in which the first arc detection antenna 234A is hosted, is directly coupled to the high-voltage power line circuit via the bypass line 238A, 238B, there is spatial and electrical separation between the high voltage in the first layer 318A and the rest of the metrology circuits 250 in the second layer 318B.In this way, the operational components 262A of the arc detection circuit 262, such as microprocessors and other components, and the metrology circuit components 250 on the printed circuit boards are protected from a risk of damage that may, under other circumstances, have been caused by proximity to a high-voltage circuit. At the same time, any pulsed signal in the high-voltage circuit indicative of arc formation remains strong (i.e., a lower signal-to-noise ratio compared to known systems) and unattenuated.

[0057] Figure 4 shows a side view in section of an electric meter 300 capable of detecting conditions of Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 48 / 69 25 / 32 arc formation in a utility box according to the present description. As shown in Figure 4, the electric meter 300 includes a base plate assembly 302 and a housing assembly 304. The various components of the meter base 220 discussed previously in relation to Figure 2 are installed in the base plate assembly 302. For example, in Figure 4, two measuring blades 312 and 310 are connected by an electrical conductor 314 that passes through the ring formed by a current transformer structure 306. The measuring blades 312 and 310 extend from the outside of a base plate 320 of the base plate assembly 302, so that they can be positioned inside the socket jaws of the meter socket when installed inside the utility box.

[0058] In Figure 4, the housing assembly 304 of the electric meter 300 includes a register cover 308, at least two printed circuit boards 318, and other components. When the register cover 308 is connected to the base plate 320, it confines the printed circuit boards 318. In some examples, the printed circuit boards 318 are installed at the front end of the housing assembly 304, that is, the end that is away from the base plate 320. In some examples, the measuring circuit 210 and the arc detection circuit 262 discussed earlier in relation to Figure 2 are placed in a Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 49 / 69 26 / 32 printed circuit board 318. In other examples, the measuring circuit 210 and the arc detection circuit 262 may be placed on separate printed circuit boards 318.

[0059] Although the details of the printed circuit boards 318 are not shown in the view of Figure 4, it is conceived that the first arc detection antenna 234A of Figure 2 and Figure 3 is hosted in a first of the 318A layers and the second arc detection antenna 234B of Figure 2 is hosted in a second of the 318B layers. In the manner described above, the operational components of the arc detection circuit 262, such as microprocessors and other components, and the components of the metrology circuits 250 on the printed circuit boards remain protected from damage that could, under other circumstances, have been caused by proximity to a high-voltage circuit, while at the same time any pulsed signal in the high-voltage circuit indicative of arc formation remains strong (i.e., a lower signal-to-noise ratio compared to known systems) and unattenuated.Specifically, when compared to a system such as that provided in WO2021 / 154728, the signal analyzed by the arc detection circuit has a much higher signal-to-noise ratio due to: (i) the spatial and electrical isolation of the antenna from the meter box and its. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 50 / 69 27 / 32 components means that the noise that may have occurred if the arc detection antennas were in close proximity to, or on the same circuits as, the meter base components, such as transformers 232A, 232B, is reduced, and (ii) the signal is not attenuated by the meter housing's high-voltage protection systems, such as MELF resistors. As a result, the meter housing of the present description provides more accurate arc detection compared to the system of WO2021 / 154728.

[0060] Figure 5A shows a detailed illustrative example of part of a circuit diagram 500 according to the present description, which shows a wide-range switched-mode power supply (SMPS) for the electric meter. The circuit diagram illustrates two sections: a high-voltage section 501 and a low-voltage section 502, separated by a transformer, such as transformers 232A or 232B of Figure 2.

[0061] The high-voltage section 501 comprises the bypass lines 238A, 238B, labeled VA_Line and Neutral, which are directly connected to the supply voltage source (i.e., the high-voltage power line). The circuit diagram additionally shows resistor 242 and MOV 244 corresponding to those in Figure 2, which represent the front terminal protection of the SMPS. When high surge voltages appear, such as during discharges Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 51 / 69 At 28 / 32 atmospheric pressures, MOV 244 limits the surge voltage to ~800-1000 V, and resistor 242 will limit the surge current in MOV 244 to protect it.

[0062] The circuit diagram further shows the arc detection antenna 234A connected to the bypass lines 238A, 238B between resistor 242 and MOV 244, as well as to one or more other components of the high voltage section, in such a way that, in the event of a surge, the voltage on the arc detection antenna 234A is limited and, in this way, any breakdown arising from the antenna is limited.

[0063] The low voltage section 502 comprises the set of circuits separated from the high voltage section by the various components of the high voltage section 501 and the transformer 232A.

[0064] At least antenna 234A is provided in the above-described first layer of the multilayer circuit board.

[0065] Figure 5B shows a detailed illustrative example of a part of a circuit diagram 503 according to the present description, showing a part of an arc detection circuit 262, such as that of Figure 2, which is provided at least partially in a second layer of the multilayer circuit board. The circuit diagram 503 shows a second antenna 234B that is in close proximity to the first antenna 234A in Figure 5A. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 52-69 29 / 32 As described above, the first antenna 234A and the second antenna 234B are electrically isolated from each other, for example, by a layer of FR4 material.

[0066] In the event of arc formation at the meter socket, the meter, within the premises or at any location along the transmission line that may generate sufficient RF noise to be picked up by the first antenna 234A, the noise is coupled to the second antenna 234B. An average RF noise detector circuit 246 is provided in the arc detection circuit 262. Specifically, when there is sufficiently high RF noise, the detected average voltage will be high enough to bias a transistor 248 of the arc detection circuit 262, thereby activating it and, together with the rest of the circuit around transistor 250, resulting in square pulses being generated. These pulses can be converted into a digital signal and counted, as well as used to drive an LED 252 of the arc detection circuit 262 to provide a visual indication of arc formation.

[0067] It should be understood that, although the figures shown represent a two-phase solution for the electric meter in which two current transformer structures are installed in one electric meter, the technique presented can be applied to other types of electric meters. For example, a single-phase electric meter may include Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 53 / 69 30 / 32 The current transformer structure presented in this document is used to detect arc formation occurring in a single-phase line. Similarly, a three-phase electrical meter may include three of the current transformer structures presented in this document to detect arc formation conditions in the respective phases.

[0068] Although the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific aspects, it will be perceived that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily produce modifications, variations, and equivalents to such aspects. Thus, it is understood that the present description is presented for purposes of example rather than limitation, and does not preclude the inclusion of such modifications, variations, or additions to the present subject matter, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the methods and systems described herein may be incorporated in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present description. It is intended that the appended claims and their equivalents cover such forms or modifications that will fall within the scope of the present description. List of Reference Numbers Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 54 / 69 31 / 32 100 utility boxes 102 electric meter 103 blades 104 meter socket 105A, 105B socket jaws 180 dependencies 190 power lines 208 communication component 210 measurement circuit 220 meter base 222 disconnect circuit 224A, 224B terminal pairs; 226A, 226B electrical conductors; 228A, 228B terminals; 232A, 232B current transformers; 234B arc detection antenna; 236A, 236B current transformer structure; 238A, 238B bypass line; 240A, 240B disconnect switches. 250 metrology circuits 262 arc detection circuit 262A operational components 300 electric meter 302 base plate assembly 304 housing assembly Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 55 / 69 32 / 32 306 current transformer structure 308 register cover 310 blade 312 blade 318A, 318B layers of multilayer circuit boards 319 separation distance 320 base plate 323 Surge protection 324 guiding trail Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 56 / 69

Claims

1 / 6 CLAIMS 1. An electric meter for detecting the formation of electric arcs, the electric meter characterized in that it comprises: a base plate assembly comprising: an electrical conductor connecting two measuring blades, each of the measuring blades configured to be positioned in a corresponding jaw of the socket of a meter socket in a utility box that is connected to a power line to electrically connect the electric meter to the meter socket; and a housing assembly configured to be coupled to the base plate assembly, the housing assembly comprising: a multilayer circuit board comprising: a first layer hosting a first arc detection antenna for emitting a signal indicative of the formation of electric arcs; and a second layer hosting a second arc detection antenna for receiving the signal.

2. An electric meter, according to claim 1, characterized in that the multilayer circuit board comprises a third layer between the first and second layers comprising an insulating material.

3. Electric meter, according to claim 1 or Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 57 / 69 2 / 6 2, characterized in that the multilayer circuit board is spatially separated from the baseboard assembly.

4. An electric meter, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a bypass line configured to electrically couple the first layer of the multilayer circuit board in a circuit that includes the power line through the meter socket.

5. An electric meter, according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the first antenna is configured to emit a signal indicating the formation of electric arcs when the formation of electric arcs occurs in a circuit with a deflection line.

6. An electric meter, according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the first arc detection antenna is configured to emit a signal responsive to a voltage pulse on the bypass line, indicative of the formation of electric arcs.

7. An electric meter, according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the bypass line is electrically coupled to the first antenna through a surge protection element.

8. Electric meter, according to claim 7, characterized in that the surge protection element comprises a metal oxide varistor (MOV) and / or a resistor.

9. An electric meter, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a current transformer structure comprising: a current transformer support and a current transformer cover forming a confined space; a current transformer configured to measure a current supplied to the electric meter and positioned in the confined space and inductively coupled to the electric conductor, wherein the first arc detection antenna and the second arc detection antenna are external to, and spaced from, the current transformer structure.

10. An electric meter, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or second arc detection antennas comprise one or more curved elements.

11. An electric meter, according to claim 10, characterized in that one or more curved elements have a curvature of 90 degrees.

12. Electric meter, according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that one or more curved elements have a length between 6 and 7 cm.

13. Electric meter, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring blades are current blades, wherein the electrical conductor is configured to connect the voltage of the measuring blades to the multilayer circuit board, and wherein the number of said measuring blades is 4 or 8.

14. Arc detection circuit for an electric meter, the electric meter characterized in that it comprises a base plate assembly comprising an electrical conductor connecting meter blades, each of the meter blades configured to be positioned in a corresponding jaw of the socket of a meter socket in a utility box that is connected to a power line to electrically connect the electric meter to the meter socket; and a housing assembly configured to be coupled to the base plate assembly, the arc detection circuit comprising: a multilayer circuit board comprising: a first layer hosting a first arc detection antenna for emitting a signal indicative of the formation of electric arcs; and a second layer hosting a second arc detection antenna for receiving the signal.

15. Method for detecting the formation of electric arcs between an electric meter and a meter socket in a utility box that is connected to a power line, the electric meter characterized in that it comprises: a base plate assembly comprising: an electrical conductor connecting meter blades, each of the meter blades configured to be positioned in a corresponding socket jaw of the meter socket to electrically connect the electric meter to the meter socket; and a housing assembly configured to be coupled to the base plate assembly, the housing assembly comprising a multilayer circuit board comprising: a first layer hosting a first arc detection antenna;and a second layer that hosts a second arc detection antenna, the method comprising: emitting, with the first arc detection antenna, a signal indicative of the formation of electric arcs; receiving, with the second arc detection antenna, the signal indicative of the formation of electric arcs; and detecting, with an arc detection circuit, the formation of electric arcs.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the multilayer circuit board comprises a third layer between the first and second layers comprising an insulating material.

17. Method, according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the multilayer circuit board is spatially separated from the baseboard assembly. Petition 870250083961, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 61 / 69

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