Meter Collar Load Management for Residential Overcurrent Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems into residential power systems poses challenges in managing electrical loads to avoid overcurrent conditions, which can overload the residential power system and require effective overcurrent protection.
Innovation Solution
A meter collar adapter with a load management device that includes an adjustable electrical switch and an energy management unit to monitor and control electrical loads, providing overcurrent protection by disconnecting or adjusting load to maintain within service ratings, and incorporating a microgrid interconnection device for bidirectional energy flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If distributed energy resources are integrated into residential power systems, then energy efficiency and renewable energy utilization are improved, but electrical load management complexity increases and overcurrent protection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The load management device is nested within the meter collar adapter, which itself is installed within the existing meter socket infrastructure. This nested arrangement allows the complex load management functionality to be integrated into the existing power system without requiring separate external control systems or complex wiring modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The meter collar adapter serves as an intermediary device between the utility meter and the residential electrical system. It mediates the electrical connection and provides the load management interface, simplifying the integration of DERs by acting as a controlled connection point that manages power flow without requiring direct modification of the utility meter or complex panel modifications.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electrical load to co-located electric equipment is increased, then energy utilization is improved, but overcurrent conditions occur that can overload the residential power system
Solution Approach 1:
The load management device performs preliminary assessment of electrical load requirements before allowing equipment operation. It calculates the total load, compares it against the service rating, and pre-determines whether the load can be accommodated. This preliminary action prevents overcurrent conditions by blocking unauthorized high-load operations before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors electrical load through current sensors and provides real-time feedback to the load management device. This feedback loop enables dynamic control where the system can detect approaching load limits and take corrective action (such as disconnecting non-critical loads) to maintain operation within safe current limits, thus preventing overcurrent conditions.
3Reliability
If an adjustable electrical switch is added to control electrical load, then overcurrent protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable electrical switch is merged with the meter collar adapter assembly, combining the protective switching function with the existing load management and metering infrastructure. This integration allows overcurrent protection to be provided without adding separate external disconnect devices or complex control systems, as the switch is incorporated into the same housing that contains the load management electronics.
Data Source
AI summary
A meter collar adapter including a housing, a plurality of contacts to electrically connect the meter collar adapter to a meter socket and to a utility meter, a load management device within the housing to manage electrical load to an interface circuit with external, co-located electric equipment, and an overcurrent protection device electrically connected in series with an interface circuit. The load management device includes the interface circuit to electrically connect to either the line side or load side of an electrical service via the utility meter an external, co-located electric equipment. An interface contact to electrically connect the co-located electric equipment to the interface circuit, an adjustable electrical switch electrically configured to control electric load, and an energy management unit to control, monitor, and/or report a position of the adjustable electrical switch to manage the electrical loads.