Utility Meter Voltage Protection Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility meters fail to effectively protect end-user equipment from service voltage sags and surges, which can cause damage to motors and other systems.
Innovation Solution
An electricity meter with a processing circuit and switch arrangement that detects sustained voltage deviations from the expected range, disconnecting the load from the utility power line to prevent damage and reconnecting only when the voltage stabilizes within acceptable limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the service voltage is monitored and the load is disconnected during voltage sags or surges, then the equipment is protected from voltage-related damage, but the load experiences interruption of power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuit continuously monitors service voltage and predicts potential damage before it occurs. When voltage deviation exceeds thresholds, the circuit proactively opens the switch to prevent equipment damage, rather than waiting for actual damage to occur. This preliminary protective action resolves the contradiction by preventing the harmful effect while accepting controlled power interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of service voltage and dynamically controls the switch state based on real-time conditions. When voltage returns to acceptable ranges, the system automatically reconnects the load, providing feedback-based control that balances equipment protection with power supply continuity. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the protection selective and reversible.
2Reliability
If voltage monitoring and automatic disconnection is implemented, then equipment protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuit performs multiple functions: it continues to execute existing metering operations (energy measurement, billing calculations) while adding voltage monitoring and switch control capabilities. By making the processing circuit multi-functional, the patent improves equipment protection without requiring completely separate dedicated hardware for voltage protection, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the voltage monitoring function, switch control logic, and existing metering operations into a single integrated processing circuit. This merging of functions allows the system to achieve equipment protection while utilizing existing computational resources, thereby reducing the overall device complexity compared to implementing separate dedicated protection hardware.
3Productivity
If the switch is held closed during voltage deviations, then power supply continuity is maintained, but equipment damage occurs from voltage sags or surges
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuit acts as an intermediary between the utility power service and the load equipment. It continuously monitors voltage conditions and intelligently controls the switch state, opening the circuit when voltage deviations threaten equipment and closing it when conditions are safe. This intermediary control resolves the contradiction by mediating between power supply continuity and equipment protection based on real-time voltage assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch state is dynamically adjusted based on real-time voltage monitoring rather than being fixed. The processing circuit continuously evaluates voltage conditions and transitions the switch between open and closed states as needed. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by adapting the power supply continuity to the actual voltage conditions, maintaining power when safe and protecting equipment when dangerous.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for controllably disconnecting a utility power service from a load includes a utility meter housing, a switch and a processing circuit. The utility meter housing includes metrology circuitry configured to generate metering information regarding electrical power provided to the load. The switch is configured to controllably interrupt a connection between the utility power service and the load. The switch has an open state and a closed state. The processing circuit is configured to determine whether a line voltage varies from an expected value by more than a predetermined amount over a predetermined amount of time. The processing circuit is further configured to cause a change in state of the switch based on the determination.