Electricity Meter Controller Failure Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electricity meters fail due to deterioration of electrical connections, leading to excessive heat and potential damage, as they continue to operate despite alerts being sent to utilities.
Innovation Solution
A system with a controller, temperature sensor, and current sensor that monitors the electrical connection and disconnects the power supply before a failure occurs, determining a correction time based on detected conditions and transmitting this information to utilities for timely maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the electricity meter continues to operate after alerts are sent to utilities, then operational continuity is maintained, but the meter is subject to excessive heat and eventual failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary disconnection of power before actual failure occurs by monitoring temperature trends and predicting future failure conditions. The controller disconnects the load when temperature exceeds a second threshold or when the rate of temperature increase indicates imminent failure, preventing the meter from operating in a degraded state that would lead to failure.
2Reliability
If the electricity meter is disconnected when temperature exceeds a threshold, then meter failure is prevented, but operational interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the disconnection threshold based on operating conditions. Instead of using a fixed temperature threshold, the controller monitors the rate of temperature increase and compares it to a reference rate. This allows the system to tolerate higher temperatures when the rate of increase is acceptable while triggering disconnection only when the temperature rise indicates deteriorating connection conditions, thereby reducing unnecessary interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperature and uses this feedback to adjust operational decisions. By comparing the actual temperature increase rate to a reference rate, the controller can distinguish between normal temperature variations and dangerous heating trends, enabling more intelligent disconnection decisions that balance reliability with operational continuity.
3Reliability
If temperature monitoring is implemented, then failure prediction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the electricity meter's existing controller and communication infrastructure to perform monitoring and prediction functions. The controller already present in the meter is utilized to read temperature sensor data, perform calculations, and communicate with utilities, eliminating the need for separate dedicated monitoring hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents damage to electricity meters by proactively disconnecting power when a potential failure is detected, allowing for scheduled maintenance before a predicted failure, thereby extending the meter's lifespan and preventing operational failures.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in a vicinity of the electrical connection
Implementation Method 2
a current sensor for detecting a current through the electrical connection
Implementation Method 3
Deterioration of an electrical connection, including, for example, deterioration of the electricity meter socket, can create a high temperature heat source within an electricity meter
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus that monitors and controls the operation of an electricity meter and prevents a failure of and/or damage to the electricity meter. A potential failure condition of an electrical connection between an electricity meter and a meter socket in an electrical line that provides power from a power supply to an electrical load through the electricity meter, is detected. A correction time may be determined based on a temperature in the vicinity of the electrical connection and a current through the electrical connection. The correction time indicates an amount of time that is available before a predicted failure of the electrical connection will occur. The method determines whether the electricity meter is in an imminent failure condition based on the correction time or the information used to detect the potential failure condition of the electrical connection.