System and method for metering electricity supplied to a customer

• US 20040189488A1
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TMR Metering, Inc., Whitby Hydro Energy Corporation
• Original Assignee: TMR Metering, Inc., Whitby Hydro Energy Services Corporation
• Inventors: Elliott, Paul, Conte, Frank
• Application Number:
  US10/395,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20040189488A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/133 by using digital technique
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/066 Arrangements for avoiding or indicating fraudulent use

Abstract

A system and method for metering electricity supplied to a customer is described. The system includes a source of electricity at a primary voltage, and a transformer unit for decreasing the primary voltage of the electricity before supplying the electricity at a decreased voltage to the customer. The system also includes a metering apparatus for metering the electricity supplied to the customer. The metering apparatus includes a metering control unit that is near the transformer unit.

Claims

1. A system for metering electricity supplied to a customer, the system comprising

a source of electricity at a primary voltage;

a transformer unit for decreasing the primary voltage of the electricity before supplying the electricity at a decreased voltage to the customer; and

a metering apparatus for metering the electricity supplied to the customer, the metering apparatus containing a metering control unit that includes at least one of

a processor for determining an amount of electrical energy supplied to the customer;

a datalogger for storing data that is indicative of the amount of electrical energy supplied to the customer;

a display for displaying the amount of electrical energy supplied to the customer; and

a communication link for transmitting the data to a remote site, wherein the distance from the metering control unit to the transformer unit is less than forty-two centimeters.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary voltage is between about 4000V and about 27,600 V.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transformer unit contains a step-down module that includes

a primary coil through which the electricity at the primary voltage flows;

and

a secondary coil through which the electricity at the reduced voltage flows before being supplied to the customer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transformer unit includes a support for supporting the step-down module.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the support includes a concrete vault.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the concrete vault is partially buried below ground level.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the metering control unit is affixed to the support.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the reduced voltage is greater than or equal to about 120V and less than or equal to about 240 V.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the metering apparatus includes a sensor to produce an electrical signal for determining the amount of electrical energy used by the customer.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor includes at least one of a current transformer, a potential transformer and a watt transformer.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor is connected to the metering control unit by a metering conductor.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the metering apparatus further includes a potential fuse for protecting the metering apparatus from a short circuit or overload.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the metering control unit includes

a datalogger for storing data indicative of the amount of electrical energy used by the customer;

and

a display for displaying the amount of electrical energy supplied to the customer.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the datalogger includes

recording means for recording the data;

and

a databank for saving the data.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the transformer unit has a surface on which the metering control unit is affixed.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a security barrier to restrict access to the system.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the security barrier includes a fence or locked cabinet.

18. A method for metering electricity supplied to a customer, the method comprising

providing electricity at a primary voltage;

decreasing the primary voltage of the electricity with a transformer unit;

supplying the electricity at a decreased voltage to the customer; and

metering the electricity supplied to the customer with a metering apparatus that includes a metering control unit for at least one of

determining an amount of electrical energy supplied to the customer;

storing data that is indicative of the amount of electrical energy supplied to the customer;

displaying the amount of electrical energy supplied to the customer; and

transmitting the data to a remote site, wherein the distance from the metering control unit to the transformer unit is less than forty-two centimeters.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the primary voltage is between about 4000V and about 27,600V.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of decreasing includes

providing a primary coil through which the electricity at the primary voltage flows;

and

providing a secondary coil through which the electricity at the reduced voltage flows before the step of supplying to the customer.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising supporting the step-down module with a support.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the support includes a concrete vault.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the concrete vault is partially buried below ground level.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising affixing the metering control unit to the support.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the reduced voltage is greater than or equal to about 120V and less than or equal to about 600 V.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of metering includes determining the amount of electrical energy supplied to the customer with a sensor.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the sensor includes at least one of a current transformer, a potential transformer and a watt transformer.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising connecting the sensor to the metering control unit with a metering conductor.

29. The method of claim 18, further comprising

protecting the metering apparatus from a short circuit or overload with a potential fuse;

and

remotely switching a particular load on and off with a relay.

30. The method of claim 18, further comprising

storing data indicative of the amount of electrical energy supplied to the customer with a datalogger in the metering control unit;

and

displaying the amount of electrical energy supplied to the customer.

31. The method of claim 18, further comprising affixing the metering control unit to a surface of the transformer unit.

32. The method of claim 18, further comprising restricting access to the system with a security barrier.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the security barrier includes a fence.