Watt-hour meter with fiber optics tamper detector
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for indicating the occurrence of tampering with an electrical energy meter installation, the apparatus comprising:
- watt-hour meter means having a protective cover;
mounting means for receiving the meter means and for electrically connecting the meter means to an associated electrical circuit being monitored;
means for securing the protective cover to the mounting means;
a fiber optic link connected to the securing means such that operation of the securing means sufficient to permit relative movement between the cover and the mounting means is operative to cause severance of the fiber optic link;
electronic means electrically connected to the meter means for performing energy measurement and control functions in association with the meter means; and
the electronic means having an input terminal connected to the fiber optic link such that severance of the link generates a signal within the electronic means to indicate the occurrence of tampering said signal being retainable within said apparatus.
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Abstract
A watt-hour meter tamper detector characterized by a fiber optic link that extends between a microprocessor of a load management terminal and mounting means for maintaining a watt-hour meter cover intact, and which fiber optic link signals an attempted opening of the mounting ring to the microprocessor when the fiber optic link is severed.
47 Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus for indicating the occurrence of tampering with an electrical energy meter installation, the apparatus comprising:
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watt-hour meter means having a protective cover; mounting means for receiving the meter means and for electrically connecting the meter means to an associated electrical circuit being monitored; means for securing the protective cover to the mounting means; a fiber optic link connected to the securing means such that operation of the securing means sufficient to permit relative movement between the cover and the mounting means is operative to cause severance of the fiber optic link; electronic means electrically connected to the meter means for performing energy measurement and control functions in association with the meter means; and the electronic means having an input terminal connected to the fiber optic link such that severance of the link generates a signal within the electronic means to indicate the occurrence of tampering said signal being retainable within said apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification