Reducing power consumption of electrical meters
First Claim
1. An electrical power meter having electronic components, comprising:
- a power supply for converting alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for powering the electronic components; and
an optical diode in series with the power supply.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention contemplates an electrical power meter and method of operating the electrical power meter. The inventive power meter includes a power supply for converting alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for powering the electronic components, and an optical diode in series with the power supply. The meter may also include an optical communications port in communication with the optical diode and/or a switch (e.g., a transistor) in communication with the optical diode. The switch may be in parallel with the optical diode, and allow DC current to bypass the optical diode when a request for communication is received by the meter. The DC current provided to the optical diode represents communication of data with an optical communications port. The switch may be controlled by a microprocessor device.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An electrical power meter having electronic components, comprising:
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a power supply for converting alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for powering the electronic components; and
an optical diode in series with the power supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of reducing power consumed by an electronic utility power meter having electronic components, comprising:
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receiving AC power from an electric power line;
converting the AC power to a DC power;
providing the DC power to the electronic components; and
reducing the DC power provided to an optical diode in series. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification