Smart Meter Loose Wire Detection via Machine Learning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical meters fail to detect loose or insecure connections to power supplies, which can lead to electrical surges and fires, as they do not effectively differentiate between normal fluctuations and potential threats.
Innovation Solution
A meter device equipped with a behavior component that processes electrical data using machine learning algorithms to identify patterns indicative of potential electrical threats, such as loose connections, and generates an alarm signal for immediate notification to customers or utility providers, without requiring network intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrical meters are used to measure power consumption, then basic electrical measurement is achieved, but loose wire detection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditional electrical measurement functions with advanced loose wire detection capabilities into a single integrated meter device. The behavior component merges pattern recognition algorithms with existing metering infrastructure, allowing the device to perform both basic power consumption measurement and sophisticated electrical threat detection without requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a behavior component as an intermediary layer between the electrical measurement sensors and the decision-making system. This component processes raw electrical data, identifies patterns indicative of loose wires, and generates alerts, thereby enabling detection capability while maintaining a modular architecture that doesn't overly complicate the overall device structure.
2Measurement precision
If machine learning algorithms are implemented for pattern recognition, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring and analyzing electrical patterns in real-time as data is collected, rather than processing large datasets after collection. The behavior component continuously compares incoming electrical data against known loose wire patterns, enabling rapid detection and alert generation without requiring extensive post-processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual analysis systems with optimized computational algorithms. The behavior component uses streamlined machine learning models that can quickly identify loose wire patterns through electrical data analysis, significantly reducing processing time compared to traditional manual inspection or simpler detection methods while maintaining high accuracy.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring of electrical patterns is performed, then loose wire detection capability is improved, but energy consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the behavior component to efficiently process only the electrical data necessary for loose wire detection using existing metering infrastructure. The system analyzes patterns in the electrical consumption data that is already being collected for billing purposes, rather than requiring additional dedicated monitoring hardware, thereby minimizing additional energy consumption while maintaining reliable detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for determining a potential electrical threat by a utility meter are described herein. A metrology unit of the meter is configured to receive electrical data associated with electrical usage at a location The meter is configured to determine, based on the electrical usage at the location and/or previous electrical data, abnormalities indicative of an unstable connection, such as a loose wire connecting a load to a power supply. The meter may employ a machine learned model or other algorithm to identify the loose wire or unstable connection and is configured to disconnect power to the location and/or send a message to an alarm device at the location and/or to a computing device remote from the location. In this way, the metrology unit can be used to mitigate potential electrical threats, such as fire, due to an unstable connection such as a loose connection.