Measuring Socket Live Conductor Bridge for Load Circuit Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring sockets only allow energy and power measurement for the load connected to them, requiring additional sockets or units for measuring adjacent loads on the same load circuit, which is costly and disruptive to existing installations.

Innovation Solution

A measuring socket with a live conductor connection forming a measuring bridge downstream of the energy and power measuring device, allowing detection of further loads on the same load circuit via a third connection point, preserving existing wiring and enabling networked measurement and switching functionalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a measuring socket is installed to measure energy and power consumption, then measurement capability is provided for the connected load, but additional measuring sockets are required to measure adjacent loads on the same load circuit, increasing cost and installation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy and power measurement capabilityVSAvoidnumber of measuring sockets required
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single measuring socket by utilizing the existing jumper connection in the load circuit. The measuring socket measures not only the directly connected load but also adjacent loads on the same load circuit through the shared live conductor connection, eliminating the need for separate measuring sockets at each outlet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring socket is designed to perform multiple functions: it measures energy and power consumption for the directly connected load and simultaneously detects measurements for adjacent loads on the same load circuit. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate measuring sockets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If additional measuring sockets are installed to measure adjacent loads, then complete measurement coverage is achieved, but installation cost and disruption to existing wiring increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverage of load circuitVSAvoidinstallation cost and wiring disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring socket utilizes the existing jumper connection and shared live conductor in the load circuit to automatically extend its measurement capability to adjacent outlets. The system serves itself by leveraging the existing electrical infrastructure rather than requiring additional installation work, thereby reducing both cost and disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The shared live conductor and jumper connection act as intermediaries that allow the measuring socket to access and measure the current flow of adjacent loads without requiring direct physical connection to each outlet. This intermediary pathway enables extended measurement coverage while maintaining the existing wiring structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the live conductor connection is made before the measuring device, then standard installation procedure is followed, but adjacent loads on the same load circuit cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandard installation procedureVSAvoiddetection of adjacent loads
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional connection sequence by placing the live conductor connection after the measuring device rather than before. This reversal allows the measuring socket to detect the current flow from adjacent loads through the shared live conductor, enabling extended measurement capability while still following a modified but practical installation procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4372391B1Measuring outlet and network of electrical/electronic installation devices
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 INSTA ELEKTRO GMBH
  • EP4372391B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4372391B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4372391B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

For the purpose of creating a measuring socket S for energy and/or power measurement with respect to a load connected to the socket S, which allows further electrical consumers connected to the same load circuit to be recorded with respect to energy and/or power consumption without connecting another measuring socket S for energy and/or power measurement with a corresponding energy and/or power measuring device ME to the socket S, a measuring socket S for energy and/or power measurement is provided.This includes at least two connection devices each for a live conductor L, a neutral conductor N, and a protective conductor PE, which are connected to a live conductor contact, the neutral conductor contact, and the protective conductor contact of the socket S, as well as an energy and/or power measuring device ME, and a transmitter unit for transmitting the data obtained from the energy and/or power measurement to an evaluation unit. This measuring socket S is characterized by the fact that the connection device for a live conductor L contacts the live conductor L to form a measuring bridge Lslave downstream of the energy and/or power measuring device ME, so that the energy and/or power measuring device ME can detect further loads connected to the measuring socket S on the same load circuit with regard to energy and/or power measurement via the measuring bridge Lslave.