Electric Meter Voltage Modification for Multi-Voltage Qualification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric meters require extensive re-qualification for each specific power supply requirement, which is costly and time-consuming, especially for industrial applications with varying voltage ranges, and lack effective protection against high voltage transients.
Innovation Solution
A voltage-modifying device integrated with the electric meter, comprising surge protection, EMI filtering, overvoltage detection, and voltage regulation modules, enabling the meter to operate within a wide range of power supply requirements and protect against transient voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric meter is designed for specific power supply requirements, then the meter operates reliably under those conditions, but extensive re-qualification is required for each new power supply requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage-modifying device enables a single electric meter design to operate across multiple power supply requirements (e.g., 120V, 277V, 480V) by incorporating voltage conversion and regulation capabilities. This universal design eliminates the need for separate meter qualifications for each voltage level while maintaining reliable operation under different power supply conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically adjusts voltage parameters through conversion and regulation modules that can modify the input voltage to match the meter's predetermined operating requirements. This parameter change capability allows the same meter hardware to adapt to different power supply voltages without physical modification or re-qualification.
2Reliability
If the electric meter is designed for specific power supply requirements, then the meter operates reliably under those conditions, but re-qualification costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By designing the meter with integrated voltage-modifying capabilities, the same meter can serve multiple power supply requirements, eliminating the need to manufacture and qualify separate meter versions for each voltage level. This reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable operation across different power supply conditions.
3Power
If the electric meter operates at higher voltage levels, then the meter can handle more power, but the meter becomes vulnerable to high voltage transients
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage-modifying device incorporates protection circuits that detect and limit high voltage transients before they can damage the meter. These protective measures are built into the device architecture, providing beforehand cushioning against voltage spikes and transients that could otherwise harm the meter during high power operation.
4Area of stationary object
If the voltage-modifying device is integrated within the meter housing, then the device occupies less external space, but the meter housing must accommodate additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage-modifying device is merged with the electric meter housing, integrating the voltage conversion, regulation, and protection functions into the existing meter structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external devices while the housing is designed to accommodate the integrated components, balancing space efficiency with structural feasibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the invention provide for qualifying a new meter (30) with specific power supply (10) requirements. In one embodiment, aspects of the invention include a system (100), including: an electric meter (30) having a housing; and a voltage-modifying device (20) connected to the electric meter (30) for modifying a received voltage, such that the electric meter (30) operates in accordance with a predetermined power supply (10) requirement, wherein the voltage-modifying device (20) is located within the electric meter (30) housing or external to the electric meter (30) housing.