Device and method for providing electric service
First Claim
1. A device to provide electric service to a construction site, the device comprising:
- a meter receptacle having a supply side and a load side, the meter receptacle operable to electrically connect between a power source at the supply side and a facility at the load side, the meter receptacle operable to receive a meter to measure the electrical energy provided by the power source through the meter receptacle;
a switch electrically connected to the meter receptacle, the switch being operable to position in at least a construction power position and a permanent power position, the switch being operable to disconnect the electrical connection between the facility and the meter receptacle while in the construction power position, and the switch being operable to electrically connect the facility and the meter receptacle while in the permanent power position; and
one or more electrical outlets operable to electrically connect to the power source at least when the switch is in the construction power position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exemplary device and method for providing electric service are disclosed. The exemplary method for providing construction power during the construction of a facility and providing permanent power at the facility thereafter, includes installing an electric service device of the present invention at a construction site that, when energized, is operable to provide metered construction power through an electrical outlet at the device during construction of the facility and to provide metered permanent power at the facility thereafter. The method includes obtaining inspection approval of the installation of the device, and locking the device to provide metered construction power when energized. The method further includes installing a meter in the device to measure energy consumption of metered construction power and metered permanent power, and energizing the device to provide metered construction power at the construction site. Finally, the exemplary method includes obtaining inspection approval of the facility, and unlocking the device to provide metered permanent power.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A device to provide electric service to a construction site, the device comprising:
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a meter receptacle having a supply side and a load side, the meter receptacle operable to electrically connect between a power source at the supply side and a facility at the load side, the meter receptacle operable to receive a meter to measure the electrical energy provided by the power source through the meter receptacle;
a switch electrically connected to the meter receptacle, the switch being operable to position in at least a construction power position and a permanent power position, the switch being operable to disconnect the electrical connection between the facility and the meter receptacle while in the construction power position, and the switch being operable to electrically connect the facility and the meter receptacle while in the permanent power position; and
one or more electrical outlets operable to electrically connect to the power source at least when the switch is in the construction power position. - 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, 25)
a ground fault circuit interrupter breaker and a line current breaker operable to electrically disconnect at least one of the one or more electrical outlets from the power source when either a ground fault is detected at the electrical outlet or a current to the electrical outlet is exceeded.
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9. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical outlets comprise:
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at least one first electrical outlet operable to provide electrical power from the power source at a first peak voltage;
at least one second electrical outlet operable to provide electrical power from the power source at a second peak voltage.
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10. The device of claim 9, wherein alternating current is provided through the at least one first electrical outlet and the at least one second electrical outlet, and the first peak voltage is over 100 volts, and the second peak voltage is over 200 volts.
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11. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source is a single phase power source.
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12. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source is a three phase power source.
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13. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a fused connection between the switch and the meter receptacle such that the fused connection will open when a specified current is exceeded through the electrical connection between the switch and the meter receptacle when the switch is in the permanent power position.
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14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a meter electrically connected to the meter receptacle to bridge the supply side and the load side and to measure the electrical power provided through the meter receptacle.
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15. The device of claim 1, wherein the facility is a residential structure.
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16. The device of claim 1, wherein the facility is a commercial structure.
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17. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source is provided from an electrical distribution system through an underground connection.
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18. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source is provided from an electrical distribution system through an overhead connection.
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19. The device of claim 1, wherein the meter receptacle and the one or more electrical outlets are provided in one or more housings.
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20. The device of claim 19, wherein at least one of the one or more housings is mounted to a freestanding support.
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21. The device of claim 19, wherein at least one of the one or more housings is mounted to the facility.
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22. The device of claim 1, wherein the meter receptacle is provided in a first housing, and the one or more electrical outlets are provided in a second housing.
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23. The device of claim 1, wherein the meter receptacle and the switch are provided in a first housing, and the one or more electrical outlets are provided in a second housing.
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24. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical outlets are electrically connected to the load side of the meter receptacle.
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25. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical outlets are electrically connected to the supply side of the meter receptacle.
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26. A detachable device to provide electric service to a construction site, the device comprising:
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a permanent unit comprising;
a means for receiving electric power lines to couple with a power source, a means for receiving electric power lines to couple with a facility, a meter receptacle having a supply side and a load side, the meter receptacle operable to electrically connect between the power source at the supply side and the facility at the load side, the meter receptacle operable to receive a meter to measure the electrical energy provided by the power source through the meter receptacle, a permanent unit connector electrically connected to the meter receptacle, and a mechanism operable to open and close the electrical connection between the facility and the meter receptacle of the permanent unit, wherein the permanent unit connector remains electrically connected to the meter receptacle at least when the electrical connection between the facility and the meter receptacle is open; and
a detachable unit comprising;
a detachable unit connector operable to electrically couple with the permanent unit connector, and one or more electrical outlets operable to electrically connect to the power source through the detachable unit connector, permanent unit connector and the meter receptacle to provide construction power. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for providing construction power during the construction of a facility and providing permanent power at the facility thereafter, the method comprising:
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installing a device at a construction site that, when energized, is operable to provide metered construction power through an electrical outlet at the device during construction of the facility and to provide metered permanent power at the facility thereafter;
obtaining inspection approval of the installation of the device;
locking the device to provide metered construction power when energized;
installing a meter in the device to measure energy consumption of metered construction power and metered permanent power;
energizing the device to provide metered construction power at the construction site;
obtaining inspection approval of the facility; and
unlocking the device to provide metered permanent power. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
selecting a retail electric provider before obtaining inspection approval of the installation of the device.
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41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:
obtaining an electric service delivery point reference number before installing a meter in the device.
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42. The method of claim 41, wherein obtaining an electric service delivery point reference number includes requesting an electric service delivery point reference number from the retail electric provider.
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43. The method of claim 41, wherein obtaining an electric service delivery point reference number includes requesting an electric service delivery point reference number from a transmission distribution service provider.
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44. The method of claim 41, wherein the electric service delivery point reference number is issued by an independent system operator.
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45. The method of claim 39, further comprising:
selecting a second retail electric provider to provide metered permanent power.
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46. The method of claim 39, further comprising:
contacting the retail electric provider to transfer electric service into the name of the facility'"'"'s owner.
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47. The method of claim 39, further comprising:
completing construction of the facility after obtaining inspection approval of the facility.
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48. The method of claim 47, wherein the device is not unlocked until construction of the facility is completed.
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49. The method of claim 39, wherein the electrical outlet provides power during both metered construction power and metered permanent power.
Specification