Electric energy meter

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides an electric energy meter. The electric energy meter comprises a detection unit, a switch unit, a test power supply and a control unit. The detection unit comprises a first input end, a second input end and an output end. The first input and the second input may be electrically coupled to a current transformer located outside the energy meter. The switch unit is electrically coupled to the first input end of the detection unit. The switching unit can be switched from an off state to an on state when the output voltage of the output end of the detection unit is zero. The test power supply is electrically coupled to the switching unit. The control unit is electrically coupled to the switch unit and the output end of the detection unit. The control unit can generate an indication signal used for indicating the connection state of the current transformer and the electric energy meter based on the output voltage of the output end of the detection unit when the switch unit is in the on state. By means of the arrangement, the connection state of the current transformer and the electric energy meter can be determined according to the indication signal, manual inspection is not needed, and the working efficiency can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to the field of electrical equipment, and more particularly to an electricity meter. Background Technology

[0002] An electricity meter can acquire the current signal from the working equipment through an external current transformer, and calculate the power consumption after internal processing. This type of electricity meter can reduce interference with the electrical system, making it suitable for applications requiring high-precision metering and convenient maintenance, such as industrial and commercial buildings, power grid companies, and renewable energy systems. Utility Model Content

[0003] This disclosure provides an electricity meter. The electricity meter includes: a detection unit including a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal, the first input terminal and the second input terminal being adapted to be electrically coupled to a current transformer located outside the electricity meter; a switching unit, electrically coupled to the first input terminal of the detection unit, and adapted to switch from an off state to an on state when the output voltage of the output terminal of the detection unit is zero; a test power supply, electrically coupled to the switching unit; and a control unit, electrically coupled to the output terminal of the switching unit and the detection unit, for generating an indication signal based on the output voltage of the output terminal of the detection unit to indicate the connection status of the current transformer and the electricity meter when the switching unit is in the on state.

[0004] In some embodiments, the detection unit includes a programmable gain amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. The programmable gain amplifier includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal, and the analog-to-digital converter is electrically coupled to the programmable gain amplifier and includes an output terminal.

[0005] In some embodiments, the switching unit includes an analog switch.

[0006] In some embodiments, the analog switch includes a single channel, and a first input terminal of the detection unit is electrically coupled to the single channel.

[0007] In some embodiments, the analog switch includes multiple channels, and the energy meter includes multiple detection units, with a first input terminal of each detection unit electrically coupled to a corresponding channel among the multiple channels, and an output terminal of each detection unit electrically coupled to a control unit.

[0008] In some embodiments, the energy meter further includes: a prompting component electrically coupled to the control unit, and adapted to issue a prompting message when an indication signal indicates that the first input terminal and the second input terminal are not electrically connected to the current transformer.

[0009] In some embodiments, the indicator component includes an indicator light.

[0010] In some embodiments, the test power supply includes a low-dropout linear regulated power supply.

[0011] In some embodiments, the energy meter further includes: a housing surrounding a detection unit, a switching unit, a test power supply, and a control unit, and includes a pair of interfaces corresponding to a first input terminal and a second input terminal of the detection unit, respectively, and adapted to be pluggably coupled to a current transformer.

[0012] In some embodiments, the housing also includes identifiers for indicating the location of the paired interfaces.

[0013] In embodiments of this disclosure, the energy meter includes a detection unit, a switching unit, a test power supply, and a control unit. The detection unit includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal. The first and second input terminals of the detection unit are electrically coupled to a current transformer located outside the energy meter. The switching unit is electrically coupled to the first input terminal of the detection unit. The switching unit can switch from an off state to an on state when the output voltage at the output terminal of the detection unit is zero. The test power supply is electrically coupled to the switching unit. The control unit is electrically coupled to both the switching unit and the output terminal of the detection unit. When the switching unit is in the on state, the control unit can generate an indication signal based on the output voltage at the output terminal of the detection unit to indicate the connection status between the current transformer and the energy meter. With this arrangement, when the output voltage at the output terminal of the detection unit is zero, the connection status between the current transformer and the energy meter can be determined based on the indication signal, thereby determining whether the cause of this situation is that the current transformer has disconnected from the energy meter or that there is no current in the line monitored by the current transformer. This eliminates the need for manual inspection of the connection between the current transformer and the energy meter, thus improving work efficiency.

[0014] It should be understood that the content described in this section is not intended to limit the key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to restrict the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 A circuit block diagram of an energy meter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 A circuit block diagram of an energy meter with multiple detection units according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0018] Figure 3 The housing of an electricity meter according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0020] 10. Detection unit; 11. Programmable gain amplifier; 111. First input terminal; 112. Second input terminal; 12. Analog-to-digital converter; 121. Output terminal;

[0021] 20. Switching unit; 21. Channel;

[0022] 30. Test the power supply;

[0023] 40. Control unit;

[0024] 50. Prompt component;

[0025] 60. Housing; 61. Interface; 62. Marking;

[0026] 70. Current transformer. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0028] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein signify open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "one embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc., may refer to different or the same objects.

[0029] In some conventional energy meters with external current transformers, if the output voltage at the detection unit is zero, it cannot be determined whether there is no current in the line monitored by the current transformer or whether there is a problem with the connection between the current transformer and the energy meter. In this situation, operators need to manually check the connection between the current transformer and the energy meter, which significantly impacts work efficiency.

[0030] This disclosure provides an energy meter. The energy meter includes a detection unit, a switching unit, a test power supply, and a control unit. The detection unit includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal. The first and second input terminals of the detection unit can be electrically coupled to a current transformer located outside the energy meter. The switching unit is electrically coupled to the first input terminal of the detection unit. The switching unit can switch from an off state to an on state when the output voltage at the output terminal of the detection unit is zero. The test power supply is electrically coupled to the switching unit. The control unit is electrically coupled to the output terminals of the switching unit and the detection unit. When the switching unit is in the on state, the control unit can generate an indication signal based on the output voltage at the output terminal of the detection unit to indicate the connection status between the current transformer and the energy meter. With this arrangement, when the output voltage at the output terminal of the detection unit is zero, the connection status between the current transformer and the energy meter can be determined based on the indication signal, thereby determining whether the cause of this situation is that the current transformer is disconnected from the energy meter or that there is no current in the line monitored by the current transformer. This eliminates the need for manual inspection of the connection between the current transformer and the energy meter, thus improving work efficiency. The following will describe the connection status in conjunction with... Figures 1 to 3 The principles of this disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the energy meter includes a detection unit 10, a switching unit 20, a test power supply 30, and a control unit 40.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the detection unit 10 includes a first input terminal 111, a second input terminal 112, and an output terminal 121. The first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10 can be electrically coupled to a current transformer 70 located outside the electricity meter, thereby acquiring electrical signals related to electrical energy.

[0033] As an example, the current transformer 70 may include a magnetically coupled primary coil and a secondary coil. The primary coil may be electrically connected to the working device. The secondary coil may be electrically connected to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10. In this way, the current transformer can proportionally convert the large current in the working device into a small current signal suitable for processing by the energy meter, thereby transmitting the current information of the working device to the detection unit 10. After receiving the current signal, the detection unit 10 processes it with the voltage signal to generate an output signal corresponding to the actual power consumption, and transmits it to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 can calculate the power consumption of the working device based on the output signal.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, the switching unit 20 is electrically coupled to the first input terminal 111 of the detection unit 10. The switching unit 20 can switch between an on state and an off state, thereby controlling the flow of current in the circuit. As an example, the switching unit 20 can be an analog switch. The analog switch can switch its state according to the input control signal. When in the on state, the analog switch allows current to flow. When in the off state, the analog switch blocks the flow of current, interrupting the circuit connection. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the switching unit 20 can also be other types of switches, and this disclosure is not intended to limit it.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the control unit 40 is electrically coupled to the output terminal 121 of the switching unit 20 and the detection unit 10. The control unit 40 can output a control signal to switch the switching unit 20 from the off state to the on state. As an example, when the output voltage of the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 is zero, the control unit 40 can switch the switching unit 20 from the off state to the on state.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the test power supply 30 is electrically coupled to the switching unit 20. When the switching unit 20 is in the ON state, the test power supply 30 can supply power to the first input terminal 111 of the detection unit 10. At the same time, the control unit 40 can generate an indication signal for indicating the connection status of the current transformer and the energy meter based on the output voltage of the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 when the switching unit 20 is in the ON state.

[0037] Specifically, when the control unit 40 detects that the output voltage of the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 is zero, the control unit 40 can switch the switching unit 20 from the off state to the on state. When the current transformer 70 is not electrically connected to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10, the connection between the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 is broken. Under the action of the test power supply 30, the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 can output a first voltage. When the current transformer 70 is electrically connected to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10, the secondary coil of the current transformer 70 can form a voltage divider circuit between the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112, which can cause the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 to output a second voltage.

[0038] If the control unit 40 detects the first voltage, it indicates that the current transformer 70 is not electrically connected to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10. At this time, the control unit 40 generates an indication signal indicating that the current transformer 70 is not connected to the energy meter.

[0039] If the control unit 40 detects the second voltage, it indicates that the current transformer 70 is electrically connected to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10. At this time, the control unit 40 generates an indication signal indicating that the current transformer 70 is connected to the energy meter. Simultaneously, this indication signal also indicates that the zero output voltage at the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 is caused by the absence of current in the line monitored by the current transformer 70.

[0040] With this arrangement, when the output voltage of the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 is zero, the connection status between the current transformer and the energy meter can be determined according to the indication signal. This allows us to determine whether the cause of this situation is that the current transformer 70 is disconnected from the energy meter or that there is no current in the line monitored by the current transformer 70. There is no need to manually check whether the current transformer and the energy meter are properly connected, which helps to improve work efficiency.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, when the output voltage of the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 is not zero, the control unit 40 can keep the switching unit 20 in the open state, thereby avoiding affecting the metering accuracy of the energy meter.

[0042] It should be understood that the above detection function is activated only when the output voltage of the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 is zero, and the detection is performed intermittently at specific intervals, which can reduce the power consumption of the system.

[0043] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the control unit 40 can also determine the type of current transformer based on the output voltage. Specifically, when the current transformer is electrically connected to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10, the secondary coil of the current transformer can form a voltage divider circuit between the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112. The resistance value of the secondary coil of a specific type of current transformer is fixed, therefore, different types of current transformers have different resistance values ​​in their secondary coils. When secondary coils with different resistance values ​​are connected to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10, the second voltage output by the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 is also different. Therefore, the control unit 40 can determine the type of current transformer based on the magnitude of the second voltage.

[0044] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1As shown, the detection unit 10 includes a programmable gain amplifier 11 and an analog-to-digital converter 12. The programmable gain amplifier 11 includes a first input terminal 111 and a second input terminal 112. The analog-to-digital converter 12 is electrically coupled to the programmable gain amplifier 11 and includes an output terminal 121. In this way, the programmable gain amplifier 11 can amplify the input analog signal, and the amplification factor can be automatically or manually adjusted according to the signal strength, thereby improving measurement accuracy and adapting to different load conditions. The amplified signal is then sent to the analog-to-digital converter 12. The analog-to-digital converter 12 can convert the continuous analog signal into discrete digital signals, and transmit these digitized current and voltage values ​​to the control unit 40 of the energy meter through the output terminal 121. The control unit 40 processes these digitized current and voltage values ​​to calculate the instantaneous power, thereby completing the measurement of the energy consumption of the working equipment.

[0045] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the analog switch may include a single channel 21. The first input terminal 111 of the detection unit 10 is electrically coupled to the single channel 21. In this way, the energy meter can detect the energy usage of a working device. At the same time, the energy meter can also detect the connection status of a current transformer 70 to the energy meter.

[0046] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the analog switch may include multiple channels 21. The energy meter includes multiple detection units 10. Each detection unit 10 can be electrically connected to a current transformer 70 to detect the power consumption of the corresponding working equipment. Furthermore, the first input terminal 111 of each detection unit 10 is electrically coupled to a corresponding channel 21 among the multiple channels 21, and the output terminal 121 of each detection unit 10 is electrically coupled to the control unit 40. In this way, the control unit 40 can control the different channels 21 of the analog switch to be turned on by sending a time-division signal, thereby reading the output voltage of the output terminal 121 of the corresponding detection unit 10, and thus determining whether the connection between the corresponding current transformer 70 and the detection unit 10 is normal. For example, the control unit 40 can control the first channel 21 to be in the on state, and then the control unit 40 can generate an indication signal indicating the connection status between the first current transformer 70 and the energy meter based on the output voltage of the output terminal 121 of the first detection unit 10.

[0047] After a preset time, the control unit 40 can control the second channel 21 to be in the on state, and then generate an indication signal to indicate the connection status of the second current transformer 70 and the energy meter based on the output voltage of the output terminal 121 of the second detection unit 10.

[0048] With this arrangement, when the output voltage of the output terminal 121 of the detection unit 10 is zero, the operator can determine the connection status of any one of the current transformers and the energy meter based on the indication signal. There is no need to manually check whether the current transformer and the energy meter are properly connected, which helps to improve work efficiency.

[0049] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electricity meter may also include a notification component 50. The notification component 50 is electrically coupled to the control unit 40. In this way, when the current transformer is not electrically connected to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10, the control unit 40 can send an indication signal to the notification component 50 indicating that the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 are not electrically connected to the current transformer. Upon receiving this indication signal, the notification component 50 issues a notification message.

[0050] As an example, the indicator component 50 may include an indicator light, such as an LED light source. In this way, the indicator light will continuously illuminate or flash after receiving an indication signal, thereby prompting the operator to perform timely maintenance and restore the electrical connection between the current transformer 70 and the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10 as soon as possible.

[0051] As another example, the prompting component 50 includes an audible component, such as a speaker or buzzer. Upon receiving an indication signal, the audible component emits a warning sound to alert the operator to perform timely maintenance.

[0052] In some embodiments, the number of prompting components 50 may be one. In this way, the prompting component 50 can issue a prompt message as long as the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of any of the detection units 10 in the energy meter are not electrically connected to the corresponding current transformer 70.

[0053] It should be understood that in other embodiments, the number of prompting components 50 may be consistent with the number of detection units 10. For example, an electricity meter may include ten detection units 10 and ten prompting components 50, with each prompting component 50 corresponding to one detection unit 10. When the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of any detection unit 10 in the electricity meter are not electrically connected to the corresponding current transformer 70, the corresponding prompting component 50 may issue a prompt message. In this way, the operator can not only determine that the current transformer 70 is not electrically connected to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10, but also determine which current transformer 70 is not electrically connected to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10 based on the prompting component 50, making it more convenient to use.

[0054] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the test power supply 30 may include a low-dropout linear regulator. In this way, the low-dropout linear regulator has low power consumption, which can avoid interfering with the accuracy of the electricity meter.

[0055] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the electricity meter also includes a housing 60. The housing 60 surrounds the detection unit 10, the switching unit 20, the test power supply 30, and the control unit 40, and can protect the internal detection unit 10, switching unit 20, test power supply 30, and control unit 40, thereby ensuring the stable operation of each component and protecting them from external environmental interference.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the housing 60 is also provided with paired interfaces 61. The paired interfaces 61 correspond to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the detection unit 10, respectively. The current transformer 70 is pluggably coupled to the paired interfaces 61. In this way, the paired interfaces 61 on the housing 60 can connect or disconnect the current transformer 70 from the energy meter, improving the efficiency of installation and maintenance.

[0057] It should be understood that when the energy meter includes multiple detection units 10, the housing 60 may include multiple pairs of interfaces 61. Each pair of interfaces 61 may correspond to the first input terminal 111 and the second input terminal 112 of the corresponding detection unit 10, thereby connecting the energy meter to multiple current transformers 70.

[0058] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the housing 60 also includes a label 62 for indicating the location of the paired interfaces 61. As an example, label 62 can be a number. As another example, label 62 can be a letter or any other type of label. In this way, when the energy meter has multiple detection units 10, the label 62 can be used to distinguish the connected current transformers 70 and operating devices, thereby avoiding incorrect connections during installation or maintenance and making it more convenient to use.

[0059] The various embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, and are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical application, or technical improvements to the embodiments in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An electricity meter, characterized in that, include: The detection unit (10) includes a first input terminal (111), a second input terminal (112) and an output terminal (121), wherein the first input terminal (111) and the second input terminal (112) are adapted to be electrically coupled to a current transformer (70) located outside the energy meter; A switching unit (20) is electrically coupled to the first input terminal (111) of the detection unit (10) and is adapted to switch from an off state to an on state when the output voltage of the output terminal (121) of the detection unit (10) is zero; Test power supply (30) is electrically coupled to the switching unit (20); as well as The control unit (40) is electrically coupled to the output terminal (121) of the switching unit (20) and the detection unit (10) to generate an indication signal based on the output voltage of the output terminal (121) of the detection unit (10) when the switching unit (20) is in the on state, for indicating the connection status of the current transformer (70) and the energy meter.

2. The electricity meter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection unit (10) includes a programmable gain amplifier (11) and an analog-to-digital converter (12). The programmable gain amplifier (11) includes a first input terminal (111) and a second input terminal (112). The analog-to-digital converter (12) is electrically coupled to the programmable gain amplifier (11) and includes the output terminal (121).

3. The electricity meter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching unit (20) includes an analog switch.

4. The electricity meter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The analog switch includes a single channel (21), and the first input terminal (111) of the detection unit (10) is electrically coupled to the single channel (21).

5. The electricity meter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The analog switch includes multiple channels (21), and the energy meter includes multiple detection units (10). The first input terminal (111) of each detection unit (10) is electrically coupled to a corresponding channel (21) among the multiple channels (21), and the output terminal (121) of each detection unit (10) is electrically coupled to the control unit (40).

6. The electricity meter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Also includes: The prompting component (50) is electrically coupled to the control unit (40) and is adapted to issue a prompting message when the indication signal indicates that the first input terminal (111) and the second input terminal (112) are not electrically connected to the current transformer (70).

7. The electricity meter according to claim 6, characterized in that, The indicator component (50) includes an indicator light.

8. The electricity meter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The test power supply (30) includes a low-dropout linear regulated power supply.

9. The electricity meter according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: A housing (60) surrounds the detection unit (10), the switching unit (20), the test power supply (30), and the control unit (40), and includes a pair of interfaces (61) corresponding to the first input terminal (111) and the second input terminal (112) of the detection unit (10), respectively, and is adapted to be pluggably coupled to the current transformer (70).

10. The electricity meter according to claim 9, characterized in that, The housing (60) also includes a marker (62) for indicating the location of the paired interfaces (61).

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