System and method utilizing virtual switching for electrical panel metering

• US 20060020405A1
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EI Electronics LLC (Hubbell, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Electro Industries/Gaugetech
• Inventors: Kagan, Erran
• Granted Patent: US 7,155,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/61
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/002 Switches for altering the measuring range or for multitesters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/133 by using digital technique
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/1335 Tariff switching circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/10 using digital techniques

Abstract

A system and method utilizing virtual switching in an electrical panel meter. The virtual switching enables the meter to be upgraded or downgraded through a switching signal, by activating or deactivating the metering functions that are to be performed in the meter. Accordingly, when the upgrade or downgrade is necessary, the meter does not have to be replaced.

Claims

1. An electrical metering device capable of performing multiple metering functions comprising:

a virtual switching unit including a plurality of virtual switches for selectively activating and deactivating the virtual switches according to a received switching signal; and

a function operating unit for performing the multiple metering functions that are activated by the virtual switches.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory for storing readings of the multiple metering functions; and

a display for displaying the readings of the multiple metering functions.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the display comprises a touch screen.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the virtual switching unit is provided with software operative to selectively activate and deactivate the multiple metering functions in response to the switching signal.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the virtual switching unit is provided with hardware operative to activate and deactivate the multiple metering functions in response to the switching signal.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the multiple metering functions are selected from the group consisting of measuring voltage, current, watts, vars, frequency, power, watt-hours, var/hours, demand, harmonics and a combination thereof.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the switching signal includes a unique code associated with each of the multiple functions.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the switching signal includes a unique code associated with the device.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the switching signal includes a unique code associated with each of the multiple functions and a unique code associated with the device.

10. A method of performing multiple metering functions comprising:

selectively activating and deactivating virtual switches according to a received switching signal; and

performing the multiple metering functions that are activated by the virtual switches.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

storing readings of the multiple metering functions; and

displaying the readings of the multiple metering functions

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the readings are displayed on a touch screen.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of selectively activating and deactivating virtual switches according to the received switching signal is performed by software.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of selectively activating and deactivating virtual switches according to the received switching signal is performed by hardware.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the multiple metering functions are selected from the group consisting of measuring voltage, current, watts, vars, frequency, power, watt-hours, var/hours, demand, harmonics and a combination thereof.

16. A method for providing meter service comprising:

providing a user with a meter that is capable of performing multiple metering functions;

activating and deactivating virtual switches included in the meter according to a received switching signal; and

charging the user based upon a number of the multiple metering functions that are activated.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

storing readings of the multiple metering functions; and

displaying the readings of the multiple metering functions.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the switching signal is entered directly into the meter.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the switching signal is transmitted to the meter.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the switching signal is transmitted to the meter via one of the internet, a telephone line, a direct communication line, and wireless transmission.