Modular Electric Power Meter Segmentation for Independent Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power meters are built in an integrated fashion, requiring the entire unit to be disassembled, resealed, and recertified for component replacements, leading to significant time and cost inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A modular electric power meter design where modules such as the measuring, communications, and power supply modules can be replaced independently without affecting the others, allowing for seamless integration and reduced certification requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electric power meters are built in an integrated fashion, then structural simplicity and manufacturing ease are improved, but maintenance time and recertification costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The power meter is divided into separate functional modules including a measuring module, communications module, and power supply module. Each module can be independently replaced without affecting the others, eliminating the need to disassemble and recertify the entire integrated unit when performing maintenance on individual components.
2Device complexity
If electric power meters are built in an integrated fashion, then device complexity is reduced, but recertification costs and operational downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power meter is divided into separate functional modules including a measuring module, communications module, and power supply module. Each module can be independently replaced without affecting the others, eliminating the need to disassemble and recertify the entire integrated unit when performing maintenance on individual components.
3Loss of time
If modules are designed to be replaced independently, then maintenance cost and time are reduced, but device complexity and assembly requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power meter is divided into separate functional modules including a measuring module, communications module, and power supply module. Each module can be independently replaced without affecting the others, eliminating the need to disassemble and recertify the entire integrated unit when performing maintenance on individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design uses standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms that allow different functional modules to be universally interchangeable. This universality simplifies the assembly process despite the increased modularity, as each module follows the same connection and mounting protocol.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power meter comprising modules coupled to each other. The modules include a sealed measuring module, and a module different from the measuring module; and the modules configured to enable any module to be replaced independently of the measuring module. A method for an electric power meter including modules coupled to each other. The modules include a sealed measuring module, and a module different from the measuring module. The method includes configuring the modules to be replaced independently of the measuring module. A system for communications with multiple meters. The meters are coupled to a gateway via a network. Each of the meters communicates using one protocol. The network includes nodes coupled to the gateway. Each of the nodes corresponds to one of the protocols; and at least some of the meters is coupled to each of the nodes based on the protocol used by each of the meters.