Meter Collar Wiring for Standard DER Meter Socket Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for connecting distributed energy resource (DER) devices to the grid are complicated and result in unaesthetic installations, requiring non-standard meter sockets and invasive procedures at customer premises.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an electric meter collar that provides multiple connection paths and mating connectors to facilitate electrical connections between DER meters, neutral wires, and output voltage wirings, allowing for seamless integration with standard meter sockets and DER devices, enabling advanced metering and load management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a non-standard meter socket is used to receive electrical inputs from both the grid and the DER device, then the DER meter can be connected to both sources, but the installation becomes invasive and complicated with unaesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a collar device as an intermediary component that interfaces between the standard meter socket and the DER meter. This collar provides additional connection points and wiring paths without requiring modification of the existing standard socket, thereby enabling dual input capability while maintaining the simplicity and aesthetics of standard installations
Solution Approach 2:
The collar device is nested within the existing standard meter socket structure, fitting inside the socket housing without replacing it. This nested approach allows the DER meter to connect to both grid and DER device inputs through the collar's internal wiring paths, preserving the external appearance of a standard installation
2Measurement precision
If a separate meter is mounted on the customer's wall for DER device metering, then metering functionality is provided, but the installation becomes more complicated and unaesthetic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the DER device metering function with the existing meter socket infrastructure by installing a collar inside the socket. This integration allows the DER meter to be connected and metered through the same wall mounting point as the standard meter, eliminating the need for separate wall-mounted metering devices and reducing installation complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A meter collar includes a connection path to form an electrical connection between a distributed energy resource (DER) meter and line voltage wirings of an electric distribution system and a second connection path to form an electrical connection between the DER meter and neutral wires of the electric distribution system, a DER device, and a load. Further, the meter collar includes a third connection path within the meter collar to form an electrical connection between the DER meter and output voltage wirings of the DER device. Furthermore, the meter collar includes mating connectors electrically connected to a first end of a corresponding connection path to accept mating connectors of the DER meter. The meter collar also includes mating connectors electrically connected to a second end of the corresponding connection path to mate with the line voltage wirings, the neutral wires, and the output voltage wirings.