Power line communication over disconnected service lines
First Claim
1. A method performed by an electricity meter comprising a network communication device, a switch, a service switch and a leakage capacitor, the method comprising:
- opening the service switch to disconnect an electricity service provided by a service provider to a site, metered by the electricity meter, by opening a circuit used to provide the electricity service to the site;
setting the switch to a first position;
receiving a power line communication passing through the leakage capacitor sent from a device internal to the site, wherein a first lead of the leakage capacitor is connected through the switch when set in the first position to a first terminal of the service switch that is internal to the site, and a second lead of the leakage capacitor is connected through a power line communication coupler to a neutral conductor, and wherein the leakage capacitor leaks current past the service switch when the switch is in the first position;
setting the switch to a second position; and
sending a second power line communication from a power line communication device connected to the power line communication coupler, wherein the first lead of the leakage capacitor is connected through the switch, when set in the second position, to a second terminal of the service switch that is external to the site.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A network communication device, such as an electricity meter, is configured to communicate with devices on a circuit internal to a site via power line communication (PLC), even when electricity service to the site is disconnected. The network communication device is configured to monitor one or more circuits internal to the site and to receive power line communications from the device(s) coupled to the circuit internal to the site when the site is disconnected from electricity service. A PLC module of the network communication device may include a switch-based or capacitor-based monitor that maintains a PLC coupler electrically connected with the circuit internal to the site even when electricity service to the site is disconnected.
47 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method performed by an electricity meter comprising a network communication device, a switch, a service switch and a leakage capacitor, the method comprising:
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opening the service switch to disconnect an electricity service provided by a service provider to a site, metered by the electricity meter, by opening a circuit used to provide the electricity service to the site; setting the switch to a first position; receiving a power line communication passing through the leakage capacitor sent from a device internal to the site, wherein a first lead of the leakage capacitor is connected through the switch when set in the first position to a first terminal of the service switch that is internal to the site, and a second lead of the leakage capacitor is connected through a power line communication coupler to a neutral conductor, and wherein the leakage capacitor leaks current past the service switch when the switch is in the first position; setting the switch to a second position; and sending a second power line communication from a power line communication device connected to the power line communication coupler, wherein the first lead of the leakage capacitor is connected through the switch, when set in the second position, to a second terminal of the service switch that is external to the site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12)
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9. A network communication device comprising:
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one or more processors; a service switch to selectively connect or disconnect electricity service from a service provider to a site, the service switch comprising a first end connected directly to a downstream node connected to the site and a second end connected directly to an upstream node connected to the electricity service; a leakage capacitor having a first lead connected through a power line communication coupler to a neutral conductor;
a power line communication device connected to the power line communication coupler;a switch having a first side connected to a second lead of the leakage capacitor and a second side that in a first position is connected to a downstream terminal of the service switch within the site, and that in a second position is connected to an upstream terminal of the service switch external to the site; and memory storing logic that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to; determine that the service switch has opened to create an open circuit that disconnects the electricity service from the site; receive a power line communication passing through the leakage capacitor, wherein the receiving is performed while the switch is in the first position, to receive the power line communication through the leakage capacitor; and send a power line communication from the power line communication device, wherein the sending is performed while the switch is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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13. A network communication device comprising:
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one or more processors; a service switch to selectively connect or disconnect electricity service from a service provider to a site, the service switch comprising a first end connected directly to a downstream node connected to the site and a second end connected directly to an upstream node connected to the electricity service, wherein the service switch creates an open circuit between the site and the upstream node when opened to disconnect the electricity service; one or more leakage capacitors, at least one of the one or more leakage capacitors having a first lead connected through a power line communication coupler to a neutral conductor; a power line communication device connected to the power line communication coupler; a switch having a first side connected to a second lead of the leakage capacitor and a second side that in a first position is connected to a downstream terminal of the service switch within the site, and that in a second position is connected to an upstream terminal of the service switch external to the site; and memory storing logic that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to; determine that the service switch has opened to disconnect the electricity service from the site; receive a power line communication while the switch is in the first position, to receive the power line communication through the leakage capacitor; and send a power line communication from the power line communication device while the switch is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification