DETECTION AND INTERACTION OF MAGNETIC FIELDS

MX434843BActive Publication Date: 2026-06-12ACLARA TECHNOLOGIES LLC

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office: MX · MX
Patent Type: Patents
Current Assignee / Owner: ACLARA TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Filing Date: 2022-08-04
Publication Date: 2026-06-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Electric service meters are susceptible to tampering through magnetic field saturation, leading to inaccurate energy consumption measurements and revenue loss for utility providers.

Method used

Incorporation of a three-axis Hall effect sensor in electric service meters to detect magnetic fields in multiple directions, coupled with a controller to monitor and record abnormal magnetic field conditions exceeding predefined thresholds, thereby identifying tampering events.

Benefits of technology

Effectively detects and records magnetic field tampering, reducing false alarms and ensuring accurate energy consumption measurements by triggering alerts and logging tampering events.

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Abstract

An electric utility meter includes a three-axis Hall effect sensor configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two or more directions surrounding the meter. The electric utility meter also includes a controller with an electronic processor. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the three-axis Hall effect sensor indicating an abnormal magnetic field near the meter, determine the duration of the abnormal magnetic field detection, and record a magnetic field tampering event in an event log when the duration of the abnormal magnetic field detection exceeds a threshold.

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Description

DETECTION AND INTERACTION OF MAGNETIC FIELDS RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62 / 970,973, filed on February 6, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference. FIELD The modalities refer to the detection and interaction of magnetic fields in relation to the measurement of electrical service. COMPENDIUM Electric utility meters can be susceptible to tampering, which can lead to inaccuracies in energy consumption measurements recorded by utility providers. For example, tampering with electric utility meters through magnetic field saturation is a common method used to reduce energy consumption measurements recorded by these meters, resulting in lost revenue for the associated utility providers. Placing an external magnet near an electric utility meter can cause the current transformers inside the meter to saturate, thus reducing the kilowatt-hour measurements recorded by the meter. In one aspect, the application provides an electric service meter that includes a three-axis Hall effect sensor configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two or more directions surrounding the electric service meter. The electric service meter also includes a controller that has an electronic processor. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicating an abnormal magnetic field near the electric service meter from the three-axis Hall effect sensor, determine the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected, and record a magnetic field tampering event in an event log when the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected exceeds a threshold. In another aspect, the application provides a method for detecting an abnormality in a magnetic field near an electric utility meter. The method includes detecting, using a three-axis Hall effect sensor configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two or more directions surrounding the electric utility meter, the magnetic field near the electric utility meter, and receiving, via a controller having an electronic processor, a signal indicating an abnormality in the magnetic field near the electric utility meter from the three-axis Hall effect sensor. The method also includes determining, through the controller, the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected and recording, through the controller, a magnetic field tampering event in an event log when the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected exceeds a threshold. In another aspect, the application provides an electric service meter that includes a three-axis Hall effect sensor configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two or more directions surrounding the electric service meter. The electric service meter also includes a controller with an electronic processor. The controller is configured to receive one or more signals from the three-axis Hall effect sensor indicating a magnetic field near the electric service meter, determine a magnitude indicating the strength of the magnetic field near the electric service meter based on one or more received signals, determine if the magnitude exceeds a first threshold value, and record a magnetic field tampering event in an event log when the magnitude exceeds the first threshold value. Before explaining the modalities in detail, it should be understood that their application is not limited to the configuration and arrangement details of the components described below or illustrated in the accompanying figures. The modalities can be implemented or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, the phraseology and terminology used herein are descriptive and should not be interpreted as exhaustive. The use of terms such as "includes," "comprises," or "has" and their variations is intended to encompass the items listed below and their equivalents, as well as additional items. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled," and variations thereof, are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. It should also be understood that the modalities may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules, which, for the purposes of this description, can be illustrated and described as if most components were implemented solely in hardware. However, a person skilled in the art, upon reading this detailed description, will recognize that in at least one modality, the electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on a non-transient, computer-readable medium) executable by one or more processing units, such as a microprocessor and / or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). As such, it is worth noting that multiple hardware- and software-based devices, as well as multiple different structural components, can be used to implement the modalities. Examples include servers, computing devices, controllers, processors, and so on.The components described in the descriptive memory may include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable media modules, one or more input / output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) that connect the components. Those skilled in the art will understand that relative terminology, such as, for example, around, approximately, substantially, etc., used in connection with a quantity or condition, includes the stated value and has the meaning established by the context (for example, the term includes at least the degree of error associated with the accuracy of the measurement, the tolerances [for example, manufacturing, assembly, use, etc.] associated with the particular value, etc.). Such terminology should be regarded as describing the interval defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression "approximately 2 to approximately 4" also describes the interval from 2 to 4. Relative terminology may refer to plus or minus a percentage (for example, 1%, 5%, 10%, or more) of a stated value. Functionality described herein as being performed by a component can be performed by multiple components in a distributed manner. Likewise, functionality performed by multiple components can be consolidated and performed by a single component. Similarly, a component described as performing a particular function can also perform additional functionality not described herein. For example, a device or structure configured in a certain way is configured at least in that way, but can also be configured in ways not explicitly listed. Other aspects of the description will become evident when considering the detailed description and accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an electric service distribution system that includes an electric service meter according to some modalities. Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the electric service meter of Figure 1 according to some modalities. Figure 3 is a block diagram of an electric service meter control system from Figure 1 according to some modalities. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process or operation of the electric service meter in Figure 1 according to some modalities. Figure 5 is a flowchart that illustrates the process or operation of the electric service meter in Figure 1 according to some modalities. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before any embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the construction details and component arrangement indicated in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may give rise to other embodiments and may be implemented or carried out in various ways. Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an electrical service distribution system 100 according to one modality. The electrical service distribution system 100 includes an electrical service meter 110 configured to measure a quantity of electrical energy (for example, kilowatt-hours (kWh)) supplied by the distribution line 120 to a load. In some modalities, the distribution line 120 supplies energy to a residential load. In other modalities, the distribution line 120 supplies energy to a commercial or industrial load. The energy consumed by the load is measured by the metering electronics 130 included in the electrical service meter 110.The metering electronics 130 can be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and may include a current transformer 132 that measures (for example, indirectly) a primary current supplied, through the distribution line 120, to the load by producing a small, isolated secondary current proportional to the primary current. The secondary current, proportional to the primary current, is produced in a winding wire surrounding a ferromagnetic core of the current transformer 132. The secondary current is measured by an ammeter and passed through a small resistor, creating a voltage signal that is converted into a digital signal by the meter electronics 130. The controller 134 included in the electric service meter 110 determines the energy consumed by the load, for example, by multiplying the digital voltage signal by the secondary current value. As mentioned previously, current transformers can be susceptible to magnetic tampering, a method used by electric utility consumers to reduce the energy readings of their utility meters. Referring to Figure 1, placing external magnets 140 near the utility meter 110 can saturate the ferromagnetic core of the current transformer 132, rendering it unable to accurately measure the energy consumed by the load. These external magnets 140 can be, but are not limited to, neodymium magnets. Neodymium magnets are readily available and generate magnetic fields strong enough to interfere with the current transformer 132's ability to accurately measure energy consumption. The utility meter 110 also includes a three-axis Hall effect sensor 150, which can be centrally mounted on the PCB.The 150 three-axis Hall effect sensor is configured to detect the presence of external magnetic fields within a 360-degree area surrounding the 110 electric service meter. For example, with respect to the degree markings on the circumference of the electric service meter 110, the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 is configured to detect the presence of the magnetic field 141a generated by the external magnet 140a positioned at 0 degrees and the magnetic field 141b generated by the external magnet 141b positioned at 90 degrees. In addition, the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 is configured to detect the presence of the magnetic field 141c generated by the external magnet 140c positioned at 180 degrees and the magnetic field 141d generated by the external magnet 140d positioned at 270 degrees. It should be understood that the positions of the external magnets 140 are selected for illustrative purposes only and may be placed elsewhere. Furthermore, the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 is capable of detecting the presence of a magnetic field generated by an external magnet positioned at any point surrounding the electric service meter 110.Furthermore, although Figure 1 illustrates that the external magnets 140 are located in the XY plane of the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150, it should be understood that the three-axis Hall effect sensor is capable of detecting the presence of magnetic fields generated by external magnets that are located at a distance from the electric service meter on the Z axis as well as the XY plane, as illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the electric service meter 110 according to some embodiments. The electric service meter 110 includes a housing 160 configured to protect the working components of the electric service meter 110, such as the meter electronics 130 and the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150. Housing 160 includes a backplate 161, from which a sidewall 162 extends vertically to the frontplate 163 (Fig. 3). The three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 (located centrally within housing 160) is capable of detecting the presence of magnetic fields generated by external magnets 140 located at positions 1, 2, 3, and / or 4, where each position varies in distance along the sidewall 162 of housing 160. In some embodiments, the three-axis Hall effect sensor is configured to detect the presence of magnetic fields within a hemisphere surrounding the meter. Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a control system 200 for the electric utility meter 110 according to some embodiments. The control system 200 includes the controller 134.Controller 134 connects electrically and / or communicatively to a variety of electric service meter modules or components 110. For example, controller 134 connects to meter electronics 130, the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150, a communication interface 205, and a user interface 210. The 205 communication interface is configured to provide communication between the 110 electric service meter and an external device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.). In some modes, the communication interface The 205 of the 110 electric service meter is configured to communicate with external devices operated by a utility provider and / or a utility customer. In this mode, the 110 electric service meter can communicate with one or more external devices via a network. The network is, for example, a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., the Internet, a TCP / IP-based network, a cellular network such as, for example, a Global System for Mobile Communications [GSM] network, a General Packet Radio Service [GPRS] network, a Code Division Multiple Access [CDMA] network, an EvolutionData Optimized [EV-DO] network, an Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution [EDGE] network, a 3GSM network, a 4GSM network, a Digitally Enhanced Wireless Telecommunications [DECT] network, a Digital AMPS [IS136 / TDMA] network, or an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network [iDEN] network, etc.).In other configurations, the network is, for example, a local area network (LAN), a neighborhood area network (NAN), a home area network (HAN), or a personal area network (PAN) that employs any of a variety of communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. In yet another configuration, the network includes one or more of a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a neighborhood area network (NAN), a home area network (HAN), or a personal area network (PAN). The 210 user interface can be configured to receive input information from a service technician and / or output information to a customer or service technician regarding the 110 electric service meter. In some configurations, the 210 user interface includes a display (e.g., a primary display, a secondary display, etc.) and / or input devices (e.g., touchscreens, a plurality of knobs, dials, switches, buttons, etc.). The display may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED display (OLED), an electroluminescent display (ELD), a surface conduction electron emission display (SED), a field emission display (FED), a thin-film transistor (TFT) LCD, etc. In some embodiments, the controller 134 includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller 134 and / or the electric service meter 110. For example, the controller 134 includes, among other things, an electronic processor 220 (for example, a microprocessor or other suitable programmable device) and a memory 225. Memory 225 includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) and random-access memory (RAM). Various non-transient, computer-readable media can be used, such as magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory. The electronic processor 220 is communicatively coupled to memory 225 and executes software instructions stored in memory 225 or on another non-transient, computer-readable medium, such as another memory or a disk. The software may include one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. In some configurations, the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 is configured to continuously and / or periodically detect the magnetic field near the electric utility meter 110. The three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 can be configured to detect magnetic field data such as, but not limited to, magnetic field strength, magnetic field direction, the angle of incidence at which the magnetic field passes through the electric utility meter 110, and a frequency associated with the magnetic field. The three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 transmits the detected magnetic field data to the controller 134. In some configurations, each transmission of magnetic field data from the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 to the controller 134 includes a timestamp.Controller 134 is configured to continuously and / or periodically monitor magnetic field strength data received from the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 for the occurrence of an abnormality indicating magnetic field manipulation in the magnetic field near electric service meter 110. For example, controller 134 is configured to determine that a magnetic field abnormality near electric service meter 110 has occurred when the magnitude of the magnetic field strength exceeds a first magnetic field strength threshold value. The first magnetic field strength threshold value is user-defined and / or configurable. Other, non-limiting examples of magnetic field abnormalities near electric service meter 110 may include a detected rapid change in the direction of the magnetic field or an abnormal frequency associated with the magnetic field.In some modes, under normal operating conditions where no external magnets are present, a weak 60 Hz magnetic field generated by the distribution line 120 is present near the electric service meter 110. In such modes, the controller 134 is configured to detect the presence of an abnormality when the frequency of the magnetic field near the electric service meter 110 differs from 60 Hz by a predetermined threshold amount. In some configurations, upon detecting an abnormality in the electric service meter near magnetic field 110, controller 134 is configured to initiate a fault timer. Additionally, upon detecting an abnormality in the magnetic field near electric service meter 110, the controller can be further configured to record an abnormality detection event in an event log stored in memory 225. When the detected abnormality persists for a predetermined period (for example, approximately one minute), controller 134 is configured to determine that magnetic tampering is occurring and to add a magnetic field tampering event to the event log. However, if the detected abnormality persists for a period shorter than the predetermined time, controller 134 will not add a magnetic field tampering event to the event log. In some configurations, when controller 134 no longer detects the abnormality, it is further configured to record an abnormality clearance event in the event log. Therefore, controller 134 is configured to prevent false alarms associated with magnetic field tampering on the electric utility meter.The data included in the event log can be accessed and / or provided to one or more external devices operated by a utility provider and / or a utility customer. For example, controller 134 can be configured to transmit, via communication interface 205, data included in the event log to one or more external devices. Consequently, users of the one or more external devices can use the data in the event log to determine whether magnetic tampering has occurred. In some configurations, controller 134 is set to determine that an abnormality detected in the electric service meter near magnetic field 110 is no longer present when the magnitude of the magnetic field strength near electric service meter 110 decreases below a set magnetic field threshold value or second magnetic field threshold value. In some configurations, the second magnetic field threshold value is chosen to be a magnetic field strength value that is less than (for example, approximately 10% less than) the first magnetic field threshold value used to initially detect the presence of a magnetic field abnormality. In such configurations, the second magnetic field threshold value is chosen to be less than the first magnetic field threshold value to accommodate changes occurring in the magnetic field near electric service meter 110.Similar to the first magnetic field strength threshold value, the second magnetic field strength threshold value can also be configured and / or defined by the user. Controller 134 can also be configured to generate an alert in response to the detection of a magnetic field abnormality near electric utility meter 110. In some configurations, when the detected magnetic field abnormality persists for a predetermined period, controller 134 is configured to transmit an alert signal to an external device (for example, an external device located at or associated with the utility provider). For instance, controller 134 can send a text message or email, via communication interface 205, indicating the occurrence of magnetic field tampering to the external device associated with the utility provider.Similarly, when the magnetic field abnormality near the electric utility meter 110 is no longer detected, the controller 134 can send a text message or email, via the communication interface 205, indicating that magnetic field tampering is no longer occurring at the external device associated with the utility provider. In some configurations, the controller 134 is further configured to send an alarm message to the user interface display 210 when the detected magnetic field abnormality persists for a predetermined period of time. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process or operation 400 for detecting magnetic field tampering in the electric utility meter 110. It should be understood that additional steps may be added, and not all steps may be required. Furthermore, although illustrated as occurring sequentially, some steps may be performed in parallel. The three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 is configured to detect the magnetic field in two or more directions (in some configurations, all directions) surrounding the electric utility meter 110 and transmit the detected magnetic field data to the controller 134 (block 405). The controller 134 determines whether an abnormal condition is present within the electric utility meter near the magnetic field 110 (block 410).When an abnormal condition is present, controller 134 determines the time period during which the abnormal condition has been present (block 415). When the abnormal condition has been present for a predetermined time period, controller 134 adds a magnetic tamper event to an event log (block 420). In some modes, controller 134 generates an alert when the abnormal condition has been present for a predetermined time period. In some embodiments, the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 includes three separate Hall effect elements oriented in different directions, for example, one oriented in the x-direction along the x-axis, one oriented in the y-direction along the y-axis, and one oriented in the z-direction along the z-axis. Accordingly, the Hall effect element oriented in the x-direction measures the magnetic field in the x-direction with respect to the electrical service meter 110, the Hall effect element oriented in the y-direction measures the magnetic field in the y-direction with respect to the electrical service meter 110, and the Hall effect element oriented in the z-direction measures the magnetic field in the z-direction with respect to the electrical service meter 110. The measurements taken by each of the Hall effect elements in the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 can be processed individually by the controller 134. In other words, controller 134 can be configured to receive a measurement of the x-axis component of the magnetic field near utility meter 110, a measurement of the y-axis component of the magnetic field near utility meter 110, and a measurement of the z-axis component of the magnetic field near utility meter 110. Upon receiving these three separate magnetic field measurements, controller 134 can be further configured to calculate a vector magnitude using the three received measurements. The calculated vector magnitude can be indicative of the total magnetic field strength near utility meter 110. In some configurations, controller 134 is configured to calculate the angle of the vector associated with the received magnetic field measurements.In such modalities, the calculated angle and magnitude of the vector are compared with a range of angles and magnitudes, which may be representative of fixed magnets placed around the electric service meter 110. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating another process or operation 500 for detecting magnetic field tampering at the electric utility meter 110. It should be understood that additional steps may be added, and not all steps may be required. Furthermore, although illustrated as occurring sequentially, some steps can be performed in parallel. The three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 detects, via its three Hall effect elements, the magnetic field along the x, y, and z axes near the electric utility meter 110 and transmits the detected magnetic field measurements to the controller 134 (block 505). The controller 134 calculates a vector magnitude from the three-axis magnetic field measurements received from the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 (block 510).Controller 134 calculates a vector angle from the three-axis magnetic field measurements received from the three-axis Hall effect sensor 150 (block 515). Controller 134 determines whether the calculated vector magnitude and angle values are within an acceptable range (block 520). When the calculated vector magnitude and angle values are determined to be within an acceptable range, return to (block 505). When the calculated vector magnitude or angle value is determined to be outside an acceptable range, controller 134 determines whether the calculated vector magnitude exceeds a first configurable threshold (block 525). When controller 134 determines that the calculated vector magnitude exceeds the configurable threshold in block 525, process 500 proceeds to block 530. In block 530, controller 134 determines whether the threshold indicator is set, where the threshold indicator indicates the detection of an abnormality (for example, an increase in magnetic field strength) in the magnetic field. When the threshold indicator is not set in block 530, controller 134 sets the threshold indicator and saves the current time in block 535. In some modes, setting the threshold indicator includes logging an abnormality detection event to the event log. After setting the threshold indicator and saving the current time in block 535, process 500 proceeds to block 570.When the threshold indicator is set to (block 530), controller 134 determines the difference between the current time and the time at which the indicator was set (block 540). When the difference between the current time and the time at which the indicator was set exceeds a period defined in (block 540), controller 134 determines that a magnetic field tampering event has occurred and logs a magnetic field tampering event in the event log (block 545). In some modes, in addition to or instead of logging the magnetic field tampering event, the controller triggers an alarm associated with the magnetic field tampering event. In some modes, in addition to or instead of logging a magnetic field tampering event, the controller generates an alert.Generating the alert may include transmitting an electronic message, such as a text message and / or email, indicating the occurrence of magnetic tampering to an external device associated with the electric service provider. In (block 550) controller 134 stores the magnetic field measurements of the axes and the time at which the magnetic field manipulation event occurred, and process 500 proceeds to (block 565). When the difference between the current time and the time at which the indicator was set does not exceed a period defined in (block 540), process 500 proceeds to (block 570). When controller 134 determines that the calculated vector magnitude value does not exceed the first configurable threshold in (block 525), process 500 proceeds to (block 555). In (block 555), controller 134 determines whether to set the threshold indicator (block 555). When the threshold indicator is not set to (block 555), process 500 proceeds to (block 570). When the threshold indicator is set to (block 555), controller 134 determines whether the calculated vector magnitude exceeds a second configurable threshold, the second configurable threshold being less than the first configurable threshold (block 560). When controller 134 determines that the calculated vector magnitude does not exceed the second configurable threshold (block 560), controller 134 clears the threshold indicator (block 560), and process 500 proceeds to (block 570). In some modes, clearing the threshold indicator also includes logging an abnormality clearance event, indicating that the abnormal magnetic field is no longer near electric service meter 110, in the event log.In some embodiments, the removal of the threshold indicator also includes recording a magnetic field tampering removal event, indicating that magnetic tampering no longer occurs near the electric utility meter 110, in the event log. When the controller 134 determines that the calculated vector magnitude exceeds the second configurable threshold in (block 560), process 500 proceeds to (block 570). In (block 570), process 500 is delayed for a configurable amount of time before returning to (block 505). Therefore, the description provides, among other things, a system and method for detecting magnetic field tampering on an electric utility meter. Various features and advantages of the various embodiments described herein are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An electric service meter comprising: a three-axis Hall effect sensor configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two or more directions surrounding the electric service meter; a controller having an electronic processor, the controller configured to: receive a signal indicating an abnormal magnetic field near the electric service meter from the three-axis Hall effect sensor; determine an amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected; and record a magnetic field tampering event in an event log when the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected exceeds a threshold.

2. The electric service meter of claim 1, wherein the abnormal magnetic field is generated by an external magnet located approximately in one selected from a group consisting in front of the electric service meter and to one side of the electric service meter.

3. The electric service meter of claim 1, wherein the three-axis Hall effect sensor is further configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field in a hemisphere surrounding the electric service meter.

4. The electric service meter of claim 1, wherein the three-axis Hall effect sensor is centrally located on a printed circuit board within an electric service meter housing.

5. The electric service meter of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to record an abnormality detection event in the event log in response to the reception of the signal indicative of the abnormal magnetic field.

6. The electric service meter of claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to record an abnormality clearance event in the event log when the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected does not exceed the threshold.

7. The electric service meter of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to generate an alert when the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected exceeds the threshold.

8. The electric service meter of claim 7, wherein the alert is an electronic message indicative of magnetic tampering provided to an external device associated with a utility provider.

9. A method for detecting an abnormality in a magnetic field near an electric utility meter, wherein the method comprises: detecting, by means of a three-axis Hall effect sensor configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two or more directions surrounding the electric utility meter, the magnetic field near the electric utility meter; receiving, by means of a controller having an electronic processor, a signal indicating an abnormality in the magnetic field near the electric utility meter from the three-axis Hall effect sensor; determining, by means of the controller, the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected; and recording, by means of the controller, a magnetic field tampering event in an event log when the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected exceeds a threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the abnormality in the magnetic field is generated by an external magnet located approximately in one selected from a group consisting in front of the electric service meter and to one side of the electric service meter.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the three-axis Hall effect sensor is further configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field in a hemisphere surrounding the electric service meter.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the three-axis Hall effect sensor is centrally located on a printed circuit board within an electric service meter housing.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising: recording, by means of the controller, an abnormality detection event in the event recorder in response to the reception of the signal indicative of the abnormality in the magnetic field.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising: recording, by means of the controller, an abnormality removal event in the event log when the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected does not exceed the threshold.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising: generating, by means of the controller, an alert when the amount of time during which the abnormal magnetic field has been detected exceeds a threshold.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: transmitting, by means of the controller, the alert to an external device associated with a public service provider.

17. An electric service meter comprising: a three-axis Hall effect sensor configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two or more directions surrounding the electric service meter; a controller having an electronic processor, the controller configured to: receive one or more signals indicating a magnetic field near the electric service meter from the three-axis Hall effect sensor; determine a magnitude indicating a magnetic field strength near the electric service meter based on one or more signals; determine if the magnitude exceeds a first threshold value; and record a magnetic field tampering event in an event recorder when the magnitude exceeds the first threshold value.

18. The electric service meter of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine if the magnitude exceeds a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is less than the first threshold value; and record a magnetic tamper elimination event in the event log when the magnitude does not exceed the second threshold value.

19. The electric service meter of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine a quantity of time during which the magnitude exceeds the first threshold value; and generate an alert when the quantity of time exceeds a third threshold value.

20. The electric service meter of claim 16, wherein the magnitude is a vector quantity indicating a first magnetic field intensity in a first direction with respect to the electric service meter, a second magnetic field intensity in a second direction with respect to the electric service meter, and a third magnetic field intensity in a third direction with respect to the electric service meter.