Transient voltage protection and ground status monitoring apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of providing power integrity at a watt-hour meter, the method comprising the steps of:
- suppressing transient voltages at the input to the watt-hour meter;
monitoring the resistance of an earth ground conductor in circuit communication with the watt-hour meter;
monitoring the current of the earth ground conductor of the watt-hour meter;
monitoring the voltage of the earth ground conductor of the watt-hour meter; and
displaying the results of the suppressing and monitoring steps on a status display.
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Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided whereby the transient voltages presented at the input to a watt-hour meter are suppressed to prevent damage to the watt-hour meter and to the electronic devices that are powered through the watt-hour meter. In addition to transient voltage protection, the method of the present invention also provides monitoring of the earth ground resistance, voltage and current of the earth ground conductor associated with the watt-hour meter. As such, voltage transients are suppressed when presented at the watt-hour meter through the power line input, ground resistance of the earth ground conductor in continuously monitored and the current and voltage conditions existing on the ground conductor are continuously monitored. Visual and audible indicators are provided to indicate quality issues with the grounding system and the effectiveness of the surge suppressor/arrestor.
41 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method of providing power integrity at a watt-hour meter, the method comprising the steps of:
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suppressing transient voltages at the input to the watt-hour meter; monitoring the resistance of an earth ground conductor in circuit communication with the watt-hour meter; monitoring the current of the earth ground conductor of the watt-hour meter; monitoring the voltage of the earth ground conductor of the watt-hour meter; and displaying the results of the suppressing and monitoring steps on a status display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A watt-hour meter protection device comprising:
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a transient voltage suppression circuit to provide protection from transient conditions at the input to the watt-hour meter; an earth ground resistance monitor to monitor the resistance of an earth ground conductor of the watt-hour meter; an earth ground current monitor to monitor the presence of current on the earth ground conductor of the watt-hour meter; an earth ground voltage monitor to monitor the presence of voltage on the earth ground conductor of the watt-hour meter; a status display, the status display in circuit communication with the transient voltage suppression circuit, the resistance monitor, the voltage monitor and the current monitor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A watt-hour meter protection device comprising:
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a transient voltage suppression circuit to provide protection from transient conditions at the input to the watt-hour meter; an earth ground resistance monitor to monitor the resistance of an earth ground conductor of the watt-hour meter; an earth ground current monitor to monitor the presence of current on the earth ground conductor of the watt-hour meter; an earth ground voltage monitor to monitor the presence of voltage on the earth ground conductor of the watt-hour meter; a metal ground probe, the probe positioned in the ground in close proximity to the watt-hour meter, the metal ground probe in circuit communication with a neutral line of the watt-hour meter; a status monitor display, the status monitor display in circuit communication with the transient voltage suppression circuit, the resistance monitor, the voltage monitor and the current monitor.
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Specification