Electrical Meter Hot Socket Detection via Sensor Alert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical meter inspection methods for detecting poor socket connections are often scheduled and may miss or prolong the presence of hot sockets, leading to potential electrical arcing issues.
Innovation Solution
An electrical meter with a sensor and controller system that detects electrical characteristics to determine the presence of a hot socket, outputting an alert and potentially disconnecting power to prevent arcing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scheduled inspection methods are used to detect poor socket connections, then inspection coverage is provided, but detection timeliness deteriorates and hot sockets may be present for long durations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scheduled inspection system with an automated sensor-based detection system. Sensors continuously monitor electrical characteristics (current, voltage, temperature) and acoustic characteristics (arcing sounds) to automatically detect hot sockets in real-time, eliminating the time delay inherent in scheduled manual inspections.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical meter performs self-diagnosis by using its own sensors and controller to monitor its own operating conditions. The system automatically detects poor socket connections and generates alerts without requiring external inspection, enabling the device to serve its own monitoring needs continuously.
2Loss of energy
If scheduled inspection methods are used, then resource usage is controlled, but detection completeness deteriorates and hot sockets may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of electrical and acoustic characteristics rather than periodic scheduled inspections. The sensors operate continuously to detect hot sockets at any time they occur, ensuring complete detection coverage while using energy only when monitoring is needed, not during idle periods between inspections.
3Loss of time
If real-time detection is implemented, then detection timeliness improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electrical meter multi-functional by integrating arc detection capabilities into the existing meter structure. The same controller that manages power measurement also processes sensor data for arc detection, and the housing serves both as protection for electrical components and as an acoustic sensing chamber, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple detection functions (electrical parameter monitoring and acoustic arc detection) into a single integrated system. The controller processes both electrical signals from measurement circuits and acoustic signals from arc sensors, merging data processing and alert generation functions to minimize additional 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
The system effectively detects hot sockets in real-time, reducing the duration of poor connections and preventing electrical arcing, thereby enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to sense a characteristic of the electrical meter
Implementation Method 2
The electronic processor is configured to receive, from the sensor, a signal indicative of the electrical characteristic, determine, based on the signal, presence of a hot socket
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical meter including a housing including a socket interface operable to connect to a facility. The meter further including a sensor configured to sense a characteristic of the electrical meter. The meter further including a controller having an electronic processor and a memory. The electronic processor is configured to receive, from the sensor, a signal indicative of the electrical characteristic, determine, based on the signal, presence of a hot socket, and output an alert based on determining presence of the hot socket.