Tamper detection apparatus for electrical meters
First Claim
1. Tamper detection apparatus for an electric meter installed at a facility supplied power through an electrical distribution system comprising:
- an electric meter monitoring electricity usage at the facility and including connection means for connecting the meter into a receptacle installed at the facility, electricity delivered to the facility flowing through the meter;
sensing means for sensing movement of the meter more than a predetermined amount with respect to the receptacle when no electricity is flowing through the meter and for producing a tampering signal representative thereof; and
, two-way communication means for transmitting an alert signal from the facility to the system to warn of tampering with the meter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Tamper detection apparatus for an electric meter (M) installed at a facility supplied power through an electrical distribution system, the meter being connected to the facility using a receptacle (K) and monitoring electricity usage at the facility for electricity delivered to the facility flowing through the meter. A sensor (RR) senses movement of the meter more than a predetermined amount with respect to the receptacle, whether or not electricity is flowing through the meter, and produces a tampering signal when this occurs. A second and optional sensor (Z) senses the proximity of the meter to its receptacle with removal of meter from its receptacle producing a tampering signal representative thereof. Generation of a tampering signal results in a tamper alert signal being transmitted to the system through a two-way communications path established between the facility and the system.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. Tamper detection apparatus for an electric meter installed at a facility supplied power through an electrical distribution system comprising:
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an electric meter monitoring electricity usage at the facility and including connection means for connecting the meter into a receptacle installed at the facility, electricity delivered to the facility flowing through the meter;
sensing means for sensing movement of the meter more than a predetermined amount with respect to the receptacle when no electricity is flowing through the meter and for producing a tampering signal representative thereof; and
,two-way communication means for transmitting an alert signal from the facility to the system to warn of tampering with the meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification