Detecting Electric Meter Installation Problems Based on Orientation Changes

Abstract

A method for detecting an electric meter installation problem includes determining an initial orientation of the electric meter based on an initial acceleration measurement of an accelerometer disposed within the electric meter. Subsequent acceleration measurements from the accelerometer may be continuously monitored, and the subsequent orientation of the electric meter may be determined based on the subsequent acceleration measurements. A difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation may be determined based on the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurement and compared to a threshold. A notification to a head-end system indicating that the orientation of the electric meter has changed may be generated based on the difference exceeding the threshold.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the subject matter described in this section is not prior art to the claims of this application and is not admitted to become prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0002] Electric meters measure the electricity consumed by an electric utility's customers. Electric meters are plugged into meter sockets that are mounted in enclosures on utility poles, buildings, or other structures. The electrical connection between the electric meter and the socket is made by a series of male connectors, sometimes called "blades." The "blades" are received by a corresponding series of female connectors, also called jaws. When the electric meter is installed at a customer's premises, the electric meter is oriented so that the front of the electric meter is parallel to a vertical mounting surface (e.g., the electric meter is plumb).

[0003] One problem faced by electric utility providers is unreported damage to their assets, one such asset being the electric meter. A further challenge for electric utility providers is that much metering equipment (meter base and load-side wiring) is the property of the energy consumer (e.g., the homeowner or landlord). Damage to metering equipment can occur suddenly, in the case of storm or vehicle damage, or slowly, in the case of years of subsidence or heave, and may go unnoticed or unreported by the energy consumer. Improper orientation can be a sign of damage to the electric meter or electric metering equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A system and method for detecting a change in the orientation of an electricity meter is provided.

[0005] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a method is provided. In some aspects, the method includes determining an initial orientation of the electric meter based on an initial acceleration measurement of an accelerometer disposed within the electric meter, continuously monitoring subsequent acceleration measurements from the accelerometer, determining a subsequent orientation of the electric meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements, determining a difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation based on the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurement, comparing the difference to a threshold, determining that the difference exceeds the threshold, and generating a notification to a head-end system indicating that the orientation of the electric meter has changed based on the difference exceeding the threshold. Further, if the difference exceeds the threshold, a timestamp event may be recorded and an alarm flag may be set.

[0006] In some cases, determining an initial orientation of the electric meter may include executing a firmware procedure to initiate acquisition of initial accelerometer readings of the electric meter during installation. In some cases, determining an initial orientation of the electric meter may include initiating acquisition of initial accelerometer readings from the accelerometer by the electric meter when the electric meter is first registered with a network and transitioned to an operational mode at the installation location.

[0007] The step of continuously monitoring subsequent acceleration measurements from the accelerometer comprises receiving subsequent acceleration measurements from the accelerometer at predetermined time intervals. Multiple This may include receiving an acceleration measurement.

[0008] In some cases, determining a difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation may include determining a difference between an initial acceleration measurement and a subsequent acceleration measurement. In some cases, determining a difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation may include determining an initial tilt angle of the electric meter based on the initial acceleration measurement, determining a subsequent tilt angle of the electric meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurement, and comparing the initial tilt angle to the subsequent tilt angle.

[0009] The method may further include determining a tilt angle difference of the electric meter at predetermined time intervals when the acceleration measurements from the accelerometer are received. The tilt angle of the electric meter may be a front-to-back angle with respect to a front face of the electric meter, a left-to-right angle with respect to a front face of the electric meter, or a rotational angle of the electric meter about a vertical axis.

[0010] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, an electric meter is provided. In some aspects, the electric meter may include an accelerometer and a processor. The accelerometer may be configured to obtain an initial acceleration measurement of the electric meter due to gravity and to obtain subsequent acceleration measurements of the electric meter due to gravity over time.

[0011] The processor may be in communication with the accelerometer; receiving an initial acceleration measurement and subsequent acceleration measurements from an accelerometer; determining an initial orientation of the electricity meter based on the initial acceleration measurement; determining a subsequent orientation of the electric meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements; determining a difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation based on the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurement; Comparing the difference with a threshold; determining whether the difference exceeds a threshold; Based on the difference exceeding a threshold, a notification may be configured to be generated to a head-end system indicating that the orientation of the electric meter has changed. Further, if the difference exceeds a threshold, a timestamp event may be recorded and an alarm flag may be set.

[0012] In some cases, the processor of the electric meter may be configured to determine the difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation by determining the difference between the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurement. determining an initial tilt angle of the electricity meter based on the initial acceleration measurement; determining a subsequent tilt angle of the electricity meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements; Compare the initial tilt angle to the subsequent tilt angle The apparatus may be further configured to determine a difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation by:

[0013] The processor may be configured to receive subsequent acceleration measurements at predetermined time intervals, and the processor may be further configured to determine a tilt angle difference at the predetermined time intervals when the acceleration measurements are received from the accelerometer. The tilt angle of the electric meter may be a forward-to-back angle with respect to a front face of the electric meter, a left-to-right angle with respect to a front face of the electric meter, or a rotational angle of the electric meter about a vertical axis.

[0014] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a system is provided. In some aspects, the system may include a head-end system and an electric meter. The head-end system may include a server, and the electric meter may be in communication with the head-end system. The electric meter may include an accelerometer and a processor. The accelerometer may be configured to obtain an initial acceleration measurement of the electric meter due to gravity and to obtain subsequent acceleration measurements of the electric meter due to gravity over time.

[0015] The processor may be in communication with the accelerometer; receiving an initial acceleration measurement and subsequent acceleration measurements from an accelerometer; determining an initial orientation of the electricity meter based on the initial acceleration measurement; determining a subsequent orientation of the electric meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements; determining a difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation based on the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurement; Comparing the difference with a threshold; determining whether the difference exceeds a threshold; Based on the difference exceeding a threshold, a notification may be configured to be generated to a server of the head-end system indicating that the orientation of the electric meter has changed. Further, if the difference exceeds a threshold, a timestamp event may be recorded and an alarm flag may be set.

[0016] In some cases, the processor may be configured to determine the difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation by determining the difference between the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurement. determining an initial tilt angle of the electricity meter based on the initial acceleration measurement; determining a subsequent tilt angle of the electricity meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements; Compare the initial tilt angle to the subsequent tilt angle The apparatus may be further configured to determine a difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation by:

[0017] The processor may be configured to receive subsequent acceleration measurements at predetermined time intervals, and the processor may be further configured to determine the tilt angle difference at the predetermined time intervals when the acceleration measurements are received from the accelerometer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Aspects and features of various embodiments will become more apparent by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, including the following figures: FIG.

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electric meter and electrical connections to a meter socket in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electricity meter. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating changes in the orientation of an electricity meter in the front-to-rear direction. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating changes in the orientation of an electricity meter in the left-right direction. [Figure 5]10 is a diagram for explaining a change in the orientation of the electricity meter in the direction of rotation around the vertical axis of the electricity meter. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating communication between an electric meter and a head-end system in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for measuring tilt of an electric meter in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] While specific embodiments are described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection. The devices, methods, and systems described herein may be embodied in various other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the exemplary methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the scope of protection.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure may occur in the installation orientation of an electric meter. Multiple Changes in the orientation of an electric meter, such as its tilt, from the original orientation at the time the meter was installed can create safety or power quality issues. For example, a change in the orientation of an electric meter installation can strain electrical conductors or connectors or expose electrical conductors, creating a shock or fire hazard. Multiple Detecting the changes can prevent loss of life as well as damage to structures and electrical equipment.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electric meter and electrical connections to a meter socket. The meter and meter socket are installed at a customer's premises. The meter measures and controls the electricity supplied to the customer's premises through an electric power distribution system (i.e., the power grid). The meter may be coupled with a communications module to enable the meter to communicate with other meters and the electric utility. As shown in FIG. 1 , power from an electric power grid 110 (i.e., the power distribution system) is supplied to a meter socket 120 via electrical wires L1 and L2. The electrical wires L1 and L2 may supply power from two phases of the electric power grid. A neutral conductor N, sometimes referred to as ground, is connected between the electric power grid 110 and an electric service 140, for example, at an electrical service panel in a residential or commercial customer premises. In some installations, the neutral conductor N may not have a connection within the meter socket. In other installations, the neutral conductor N may be connected within the meter socket.

[0023] Electric service 140 is connected to meter socket 120 via corresponding electrical wiring L1 and L2. Meter socket 120 includes an electrical connector that provides an electrical connection to meter 130 when meter 130 is plugged into meter socket 120. An electrical connection between power grid 110 and electric service 140 is made through meter 130 when meter 130 is plugged into meter socket 120. Within meter 130, the voltage and current supplied by power grid 110 to electric service 140 are measured or metered by measurement device 135, for example, by a voltage transformer and a current transformer. The power supplied to electric service 140 may be calculated based on the voltage and current measurements.

[0024] 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electric meter according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, an electric meter 210 may include a processor 220, a memory 230, an accelerometer 250, and a communication module 240.

[0025] Processor 220 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device. Processor 220 may be in electronic communication with accelerometer 250, memory 230, and communication module 240 and may control the overall operation of electric meter 210. Processor 220 may receive data generated by various sensors of electric meter 210, including, but not limited to, data generated by accelerometer 250, and may perform operations on or processing of the data. In some embodiments, the data generated by accelerometer 250 may be time-stamped by accelerometer 250 or processor 220. In some embodiments, the accelerometer data may not include a timestamp.

[0026] Memory 230 may be a storage device such as a solid-state storage device or other storage device, and may be a combination of volatile and non-volatile storage or memory. In some embodiments, a portion of the memory may be included in processor 220. Memory 230 may be configured to store instructions executable by processor 220 and data generated by various sensors of electric meter 210, including, but not limited to, data generated by accelerometer 250.

[0027] According to aspects of the present disclosure, when electric meter 210 is installed in a meter socket, accelerometer 250 may monitor vibrations experienced by electric meter 210. Processor 220 may receive time-stamped data from accelerometer 250 or may receive and time-stamp the accelerometer data. In some examples, processor 220 may store the time-stamped accelerometer data, for example, in memory 230 or other storage device. The accelerometer data may be stored for a particular period of time.

[0028] The communication module 240 may be a wired or wireless transceiver operable to communicate via various wired or wireless protocols as known in the art. The communication module 240 enables the electric meter 210 to communicate with other meters, with a utility provider, for example, with a head-end system. The communication module may be, for example, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a head-end system, other electric meters, and devices in a communication network. Many technologies are available for RF communication, including, but not limited to, Cat-M, Cat-1, NB-IoT, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-SUN, cellular, and proprietary protocols, and these technologies may use many different frequencies.

[0029] The head-end system may be, for example, a server located at a utility provider's office location. The head-end system may communicate with electric meters and collect meter identification information, such as serial numbers, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) identifiers, other utility-specific identifiers, as well as data generated by the electric meters, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, voltage and current data, accelerometer data, and notifications. The communications module 240 may send data and alert signals to the utility provider's head-end system and receive either updated program instructions, firmware updates, other setting updates, or other communications.

[0030] Accelerometer 250 may be a two-axis accelerometer, a three-axis accelerometer, or other accelerometer. Accelerometer 250 may be operable to detect static acceleration due to gravity. By measuring the amount of static acceleration due to gravity, accelerometer 250 or processor 220 can determine the angle at which electric meter 210 is tilted with respect to the Earth. In some embodiments, accelerometer 250 may be operable to detect vibrations in the range of a few hertz to several hundred hertz. Thus, accelerometer 250 can detect vibrations caused by the insertion and removal of an electric meter.

[0031] When an electric meter is installed on a customer's premises on a vertical mounting surface, such as a pole or the side of a building, the electric meter is oriented so that the front of the electric meter is substantially parallel to the vertical mounting surface (e.g., the electric meter is vertical). Thus, the electric meter is considered to be installed vertically. Readings from an accelerometer located within the electric meter, such as accelerometer 250, may be used to determine the orientation of the electric meter relative to gravity when the electric meter was installed.

[0032] In some exemplary embodiments, the initial orientation measurement may be obtained from the accelerometer by having the electric meter execute a firmware procedure. The firmware procedure may be initiated by a technician or may cause the accelerometer to perform a static acceleration measurement, and the initial orientation determination may be performed by the accelerometer and / or processor of the electric meter based on the accelerometer signal. In some embodiments, the initial orientation measurement may be initiated by the electric meter when it registers with the utility provider network and transitions to an operational mode at the installation location.

[0033] Acceleration measurements obtained when the electric meter is installed may be stored as a reference orientation, for example, in the memory 230 of the electric meter. Alternatively, or initially, the reference orientation may be communicated by the electric meter's processor to the head-end system via the communications module. The reference accelerometer measurements may be compared to subsequently obtained accelerometer measurements to determine whether the electric meter's orientation has changed. In some cases, the reference accelerometer measurements may be directly compared to subsequently obtained accelerometer measurements. In other cases, the tilt angle of the electric meter determined based on the reference accelerometer measurements may be compared to the tilt angle of the electric meter determined based on subsequently obtained accelerometer measurements.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating changes in the orientation of an electric meter in the fore-and-aft direction. Referring to FIG. 3, at initial installation 320, an electric meter 310 may be installed in a substantially vertical orientation. Measurements may be obtained from an accelerometer disposed within the electric meter to define a reference orientation of the electric meter in the fore-and-aft (e.g., pitch) direction relative to the front of the electric meter. In some examples, a processor of the electric meter may receive the accelerometer measurements and determine a reference orientation of the electric meter in the fore-and-aft direction. In some examples, the accelerometer may determine a reference orientation of the electric meter in the fore-and-aft direction from the obtained measurements and communicate the reference orientation to the processor.

[0035] The orientation of the electric meter in the fore-aft direction may be determined as the tilt angle α of the electric meter (e.g., the angle difference from strictly vertical). The reference fore-aft orientation measurement may be stored, for example, in a memory of the electric meter. Alternatively, or in addition, the processor may cause the communication module to communicate the reference fore-aft orientation measurement to the head-end system.

[0036] In some exemplary embodiments, the accelerometer may continuously measure the front-to-back orientation of the electric meter and communicate the measurements or the determined front-to-back orientation to the processor. In some exemplary embodiments, the accelerometer may measure the front-to-back orientation of the electric meter at predetermined time intervals, e.g., seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc., and communicate the measurements or the front-to-back orientation of the electric meter to the processor.

[0037] Various external conditions, such as high winds, structural deterioration, vehicle collisions, land subsidence, etc., can cause the orientation of the electric meter to tilt in a forward direction 330 or a backward direction 340 relative to the reference frame of the electric meter 310. In some instances, the change in orientation can occur suddenly, for example, as a result of a vehicle crashing into a pole or wall to which the electric meter 310 is mounted. In some instances, the change in orientation can occur over a period of time, for example, as the land around the electric meter 310 subsides. An accelerometer located within the electric meter 310 can detect the change in orientation by determining a change in the magnitude of the gravity vector measured along the appropriate axis.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating changes in the left-right orientation of an electric meter. Referring to FIG. 4, at initial installation 420, an electric meter 410 may be installed in a substantially vertical orientation. Measurements may be obtained from an accelerometer disposed within the electric meter to define a reference orientation of the electric meter in a left-right (e.g., roll) direction relative to the front of the electric meter. In some examples, a processor of the electric meter may receive the accelerometer measurements and determine the reference orientation of the electric meter in a left-right direction. In some examples, the accelerometer may determine the reference orientation of the electric meter in a left-right direction from the obtained measurements and communicate the reference orientation to the processor.

[0039] The orientation of the electric meter in the left-right direction may be determined as the tilt angle β of the electric meter (e.g., the angle difference from strictly vertical). The reference left-right orientation measurement may be stored, for example, in a memory of the electric meter. Alternatively, or in addition, the processor may cause the communication module to communicate the reference left-right orientation measurement to the head-end system.

[0040] In some exemplary embodiments, the accelerometer may continuously measure the left-right orientation of the electric meter and communicate the measured value or the determined left-right orientation to the processor. In some exemplary embodiments, the accelerometer may measure the left-right orientation of the electric meter at predetermined time intervals, e.g., seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc., and communicate the measured value or the left-right orientation of the electric meter to the processor.

[0041] Various external conditions, such as high winds, structural deterioration, vehicle collisions, land subsidence, etc., can cause the orientation of the electric meter to tilt to the left 430 or right 440 relative to the reference frame of the electric meter 410. In some instances, the change in orientation can occur suddenly, for example, as a result of a vehicle crashing into a pole or wall to which the electric meter 410 is mounted. In some instances, the change in orientation can occur over a period of time, for example, as the land around the electric meter 410 subsides. Measurements from an accelerometer located within the electric meter 410 can detect the change in orientation by determining a change in the magnitude of the gravity vector measured along the appropriate axis.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a change in the rotational orientation of an electric meter about a vertical axis. Referring to FIG. 5, at initial installation 520, an electric meter 510 may be installed in a substantially vertical orientation. Measurements may be obtained from an accelerometer disposed within the electric meter to define a reference orientation of the electric meter in a rotational (e.g., yaw) direction about the vertical axis of the electric meter. In some examples, a processor of the electric meter may receive the accelerometer measurements and determine a reference orientation of the electric meter in a rotational direction. In some examples, the accelerometer may determine a reference orientation of the electric meter in a rotational direction from the obtained measurements and communicate the reference orientation to the processor.

[0043] The orientation of the electric meter in the rotational direction may be determined as a tilt angle γ of the electric meter. The tilt angle γ may be set to an angle of 0 degrees rotation about the vertical axis of the electric meter. The reference rotational orientation measurement may be stored, for example, in a memory of the electric meter. Alternatively, or in addition, the processor may cause the communication module to communicate the reference rotational orientation measurement to the head-end system.

[0044] In some exemplary embodiments, the accelerometer may continuously measure the rotational orientation of the electric meter and communicate the measured or determined rotational orientation to the processor.

[0045] Various external conditions, such as high winds, structural deterioration, vehicle collisions, land subsidence, etc., can cause the orientation of the electric meter to tilt in a left rotational direction 530 or a right rotational direction 540 relative to the reference frame of the electric meter 510. In some instances, the change in orientation can occur suddenly, for example, as a result of a vehicle crashing into a pole or wall to which the electric meter 510 is mounted. In some instances, the change in orientation can occur over a period of time, for example, as the land around the electric meter 510 subsides. Measurements from an accelerometer located within the electric meter 510 can detect the change in orientation by determining a change in the magnitude of the gravity vector measured along the appropriate axis.

[0046] According to aspects of the present disclosure, changes in the electric meter's orientation detected by accelerometer measurements may be compared to thresholds. For example, a processor in the electric meter may receive the accelerometer signal and calculate the longitudinal tilt angle α, the lateral tilt angle β, or the rotational tilt angle γ, or tilt angles in all three directions, relative to a reference orientation of the electric meter. In some embodiments, the thresholds may be specified as positive values, and the absolute values ​​of the tilt angles may be used for comparison. In other embodiments, the thresholds may be specified as signed values ​​(e.g., ±15 degrees), and tilt angles may be compared according to these signed values. If the value of the longitudinal tilt angle α, the lateral tilt angle β, or the rotational tilt angle γ exceeds a threshold value, such as 15 degrees or another angle, from the reference orientation of the electric meter, the processor may cause the communication module to generate a notification to the head-end system. The notification may include a timestamp event recorded in a location in memory (e.g., memory 230) or a register in a processor (e.g., processor 220), and an alarm flag may be set in the memory location or register in the processor. Once a notification is generated, a technician may be dispatched to investigate the cause of the notification.

[0047] In some instances, the accelerometer signal may indicate vibrations caused, for example, by the pole on which the electric meter is mounted being swayed in high winds. The vibrations detected by the accelerometer may be an indication that the electric wire connected to the pole may be experiencing excessive strain that could ultimately result in a sagging wire or other fault condition. In some embodiments, the electric meter may apply a filter (not shown) to detect and filter out transient vibrations due to normal wind conditions.

[0048] Although Figures 3-5 illustrate a pole-mounted electric meter, other mountings, such as, for example, a wall of a building, may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating communication between an electric meter and a head-end system according to some aspects of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, electric meters 610, 620, and 630 may communicate with a head-end system 640 via a communication link 650 and with each other via a communication link 660. The head-end system 640 may include a server 645 configured to communicate with the electric meters 610, 620, and 630 via a network, such as an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network. Each electric meter 610, 620, and 630 may communicate meter information and data with other electric meters and with the server 645 in the head-end system 640. In some cases, an electric meter, such as electric meter 620, may be too far from the head-end system 640 to communicate directly. In such cases, the electric meter 620 may communicate with the head-end system 640 via another electric meter, such as electric meter 610.

[0050] In some cases, communication between the electricity meter and the head-end system may occur via an additional network (not shown). Additionally or alternatively, the electricity meter may communicate with one or more edge processing devices that are topologically closer to the electricity meter than the head-end system. The edge processing devices may have greater processing capabilities than the electricity meter and may provide some of the functionality typically provided by the head-end system.

[0051] Electric meters 610, 620, and 630 may communicate with each other via communication link 660 to exchange meter information and data. For example, if electric meter 610 experiences a loss of line voltage, electric meter 610 may communicate with electric meters 620 and 630 to determine whether the fault is local to electric meter 610 or whether the fault is a more widespread fault caused by a common condition. A common condition may be, for example, a sagging power line due to a storm. The common condition may be reported by one or more electric meters to a head-end system. Additionally or alternatively, an edge processing device may receive data from the electric meters and determine whether the data indicates a common condition affecting the electric meters.

[0052] 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method 700 for measuring the tilt of an electric meter according to some aspects of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7, at block 710, an electric meter may be installed at a customer's premises. For example, the electric meter may be installed on a pole or wall of a building or other structure. The electric meter may be installed in a substantially vertical orientation such that a front surface of the electric meter is substantially parallel to a vertical mounting surface (e.g., the electric meter is plumb). Thus, the electric meter is considered to be mounted in a vertical orientation.

[0053] At block 720, a reference orientation of the electric meter may be defined. An accelerometer disposed within the electric meter may be operable to detect static acceleration of the electric meter due to gravity. By measuring the amount of static acceleration due to gravity, the angle at which the electric meter would be tilted relative to the Earth when the electric meter is installed at a customer's premises can be determined. For example, accelerometer measurements may be received by a processor of the electric meter, and the processor may perform calculations to determine the tilt angle. Alternatively, the accelerometer may perform calculations to determine the tilt angle based on the measurements and communicate the tilt angle to the processor of the electric meter.

[0054] The accelerometer measurements or tilt angle, or both, obtained during installation of the electric meter may be stored in the memory of the electric meter as a reference orientation. Alternatively, or initially, the reference orientation may be communicated by the processor of the electric meter to the head-end system via the communications module. The reference orientation may be defined in the forward-backward (e.g., pitch), left-right (e.g., roll), and rotational (e.g., yaw) directions of the electric meter, as shown in and described with respect to FIGS. 3-5.

[0055] At block 730, acceleration of the electric meter due to gravity may continue to be measured. After installation, an accelerometer located within the electric meter may continue to measure acceleration of the electric meter due to gravity in the forward / backward (e.g., pitch), left / right (e.g., roll), and rotational (e.g., yaw) directions. In some exemplary embodiments, the accelerometer may continuously measure acceleration of the electric meter due to gravity. In some exemplary embodiments, the accelerometer may measure acceleration of the electric meter due to gravity over a predetermined time interval, e.g., seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc. The accelerometer may communicate the measurements to a processor of the electric meter.

[0056] At block 740, a subsequent orientation of the electric meter may be determined. The subsequent orientation of the electric meter may be determined based on subsequent acceleration measurements. The accelerometer measurements may be received by a processor of the electric meter, and the processor may perform calculations to determine the tilt angle of the electric meter. Alternatively, the accelerometer may perform calculations to determine the tilt angle based on the measurements and communicate the tilt angle to the processor of the electric meter. The tilt angle may be determined in the forward / backward, left / right, and rotational directions of the electric meter.

[0057] In block 750, a difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation of the electric meter may be determined. In some exemplary embodiments, the processor may compare the tilt angle based on the subsequent accelerometer measurements to the tilt angle of a reference orientation (e.g., the forward / backward, left / right, and rotational tilt angles at the time of installation of the electric meter). In some exemplary embodiments, the processor of the electric meter may compare the subsequent accelerometer measurements to the accelerometer measurements taken at the time of installation of the electric meter without calculating the tilt angle.

[0058] In block 760, Multiple Inclination angle or Multiple Acceleration measurements are Multiple The electric meter may compare the tilt angle to a threshold value. The processor of the electric meter may determine whether the difference in the front-to-back tilt angle (e.g., angle α in FIG. 3 ), the difference in the left-to-right tilt angle (e.g., angle β in FIG. 4 ), the rotational tilt angle (e.g., angle γ in FIG. 5 ), or the absolute value of all of the tilt angles exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value may be, for example, a difference of 15 degrees or another angle from a reference orientation. The threshold values ​​for the front-to-back, left-to-right, and rotational orientation directions of the electric meter may be the same or different. In some examples, the threshold value may be specified as a positive value, and the absolute value of the tilt angle may be used for comparison. In other examples, the threshold value may be specified as a signed value (e.g., ±15 degrees), and the tilt angles may be compared according to these signed values. In some embodiments, the processor may compare subsequent accelerometer measurements with initial accelerometer measurements obtained upon installation of the electric meter without calculating the tilt angle. The threshold value may be specified in terms of the difference in accelerometer measurements rather than in terms of the tilt angle.

[0059] If it is determined that the tilt angle or acceleration measurement does not exceed the threshold (760-N), the method may continue with block 730. If it is determined that the tilt angle or acceleration measurement exceeds the threshold (760-Y), a notification may be generated to the head-end system at block 770. The notification may be an alarm signal or other indication that the orientation of the electric meter has changed beyond acceptable limits. The notification may include a time-stamped event recorded at a location in memory (e.g., memory 230) or in a register in a processor (e.g., processor 220), and an alarm flag is set in the memory location or in a register in the processor.

[0060] Of course, the specific steps illustrated in FIG. 7 provide a particular method for measuring the tilt of an electricity meter installation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Other sequences of steps may be performed according to alternative embodiments. For example, alternative embodiments may perform the steps outlined above in a different order. Furthermore, individual steps illustrated in FIG. 7 may include multiple sub-steps, and the sub-steps may be performed in various orders appropriate to the individual step. Furthermore, additional steps may be added or deleted depending on the particular application. Those skilled in the art will recognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

[0061] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, changes in electric meter orientation based on accelerometer measurements can be used to detect electric meter tampering. For example, in some cases, an electric meter may be powered down, carefully removed from its socket, and powered back on so that a typical accelerometer signal signature is not detectable. This situation may occur, for example, when an electric meter is powered back on while on a workbench in an attempt to tamper with the electric meter. In such cases, changes in electric meter orientation detected in accordance with the present disclosure may be notified to a utility provider. For example, a change in tilt angle beyond a threshold, accompanied by a loss of voltage, may indicate that the electric meter has been removed. The stored energy of the electric meter may provide sufficient power to send a notification to a head-end system that the meter has been removed.

[0062] The examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Various modifications or changes in light thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. These are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of this application and the appended claims which follow thereafter.

Claims

1. determining an initial orientation of the electric meter based on an initial acceleration measurement of an accelerometer disposed within the electric meter; continuously monitoring subsequent acceleration measurements from the accelerometer; determining a plurality of subsequent orientations of the electric meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements received at predetermined time intervals; determining a plurality of differences between the initial orientation and the plurality of subsequent orientations based on the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurements received at predetermined time intervals; determining that the subsequent acceleration measurement corresponds to a vibration of the electricity meter; applying a filter to the subsequent acceleration measurements to generate filtered acceleration measurements, thereby removing acceleration measurements corresponding to wind conditions; comparing the differences corresponding to the filtered acceleration measurements to a plurality of thresholds; determining when the differences corresponding to the filtered acceleration measurements exceed the thresholds; generating a notification to a head-end system indicating a change in orientation of the electric meter based on the plurality of differences corresponding to the filtered acceleration measurements exceeding the plurality of thresholds; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the initial orientation of the electric meter comprises executing a firmware procedure to initiate taking the initial acceleration measurements of the electric meter during installation.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the initial orientation of the electric meter includes initiating acquisition of the initial acceleration measurements from the accelerometer by the electric meter when the electric meter is first registered with a network and transitions to an operational mode at an installed location.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of continuously monitoring subsequent acceleration measurements from the accelerometer comprises receiving acceleration measurements from the accelerometer at predetermined time intervals.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the plurality of differences between the initial orientation and the plurality of subsequent orientations comprises determining differences between the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurement.

6. Determining a plurality of differences between the initial orientation and the plurality of subsequent orientations comprises: determining an initial tilt angle of the electricity meter based on the initial acceleration measurement; determining a plurality of subsequent tilt angles of the electricity meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements; comparing the initial tilt angle to the plurality of subsequent tilt angles. The method of claim 1.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining a plurality of tilt angle differences of the electric meter at predetermined time intervals when the subsequent acceleration measurements from the accelerometer are received.

8. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the tilt angle of the electricity meter is an angle in the front-to-back direction relative to the front surface of the electricity meter, an angle in the left-to-right direction relative to the front surface of the electricity meter, or an angle in the rotation direction of the electricity meter about a vertical axis.

9. an accelerometer; a processor in communication with the accelerometer, The accelerometer obtaining an initial acceleration measurement of the electricity meter due to gravity; obtaining subsequent acceleration measurements of said electricity meter due to gravity over time; It is configured as follows: The processor: receiving the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurement from the accelerometer; determining an initial orientation of the electricity meter based on the initial acceleration measurements; determining a plurality of subsequent orientations of the electric meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements received at predetermined time intervals; determining a plurality of differences between the initial orientation and the plurality of subsequent orientations based on the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurements received at predetermined time intervals; determining that the subsequent acceleration measurement corresponds to a vibration of the electricity meter; applying a filter to the subsequent acceleration measurements to generate filtered acceleration measurements, thereby removing acceleration measurements corresponding to wind conditions; comparing the differences corresponding to the filtered acceleration measurements to a plurality of thresholds; determining that the differences corresponding to the filtered acceleration measurements exceed the thresholds; generating a notification to a head-end system indicating a change in orientation of the electric meter based on the plurality of differences corresponding to the filtered acceleration measurements exceeding the plurality of thresholds; It was configured as follows: Electricity meter.

10. 10. The electric meter of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a plurality of differences between the initial orientation and the plurality of subsequent orientations by determining a plurality of differences between the initial acceleration measurement and the plurality of subsequent acceleration measurements.

11. The processor: determining an initial tilt angle of the electricity meter based on the initial acceleration measurement; determining a plurality of subsequent tilt angles of the electricity meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements; Comparing the initial tilt angle to the plurality of subsequent tilt angles and determining a plurality of differences between the initial orientation and the plurality of subsequent orientations by 10. The electricity meter of claim 9.

12. The electric meter of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive the subsequent acceleration measurements at predetermined time intervals.

13. 13. The electric meter of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a plurality of tilt angle differences at the predetermined time interval when the subsequent acceleration measurements are received from the accelerometer.

14. The electricity meter according to claim 11 , wherein the tilt angle of the electricity meter is an angle in the front-to-rear direction relative to the front surface of the electricity meter, or an angle in the left-to-right direction relative to the front surface of the electricity meter.

15. The electricity meter according to claim 11, wherein the tilt angle of the electricity meter is an angle in a rotational direction of the electricity meter about a vertical axis.

16. a headend system including a server; an electricity meter in communication with the headend system; A system comprising: the electricity meter comprises an accelerometer and a processor in communication with the accelerometer; The accelerometer obtaining an initial acceleration measurement of the electricity meter due to gravity; obtaining subsequent acceleration measurements of said electricity meter due to gravity over time; It is configured as follows: The processor: receiving the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurement from the accelerometer; determining an initial orientation of the electricity meter based on the initial acceleration measurement; determining a plurality of subsequent orientations of the electric meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements received at predetermined time intervals; determining a plurality of differences between the initial orientation and the plurality of subsequent orientations based on the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurements received at predetermined time intervals; determining that the subsequent acceleration measurement corresponds to a vibration of the electricity meter; applying a filter to the subsequent acceleration measurements to generate filtered acceleration measurements, thereby removing acceleration measurements corresponding to wind conditions; comparing the differences corresponding to the filtered acceleration measurements to a plurality of thresholds; determining that the differences corresponding to the filtered acceleration measurements exceed the thresholds; generating a notification to the server of the head-end system indicating that an orientation of the electric meter has changed based on the plurality of differences corresponding to the filtered acceleration measurements exceeding the plurality of thresholds; It was configured as follows: system.

17. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the plurality of differences between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation by determining a difference between the initial acceleration measurement and the subsequent acceleration measurement.

18. The processor: determining an initial tilt angle of the electricity meter based on the initial acceleration measurement; determining a plurality of subsequent tilt angles of the electricity meter based on the subsequent acceleration measurements; Comparing the initial tilt angle to the plurality of subsequent tilt angles and determining the plurality of differences between the initial orientation and the plurality of subsequent orientations by 17. The system of claim 16.

19. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to receive the subsequent acceleration measurements at predetermined time intervals.

20. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a plurality of tilt angle differences at the predetermined time interval when the subsequent acceleration measurements from the accelerometer are received.

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