Bias technique for electric utility meter
First Claim
1. An electrical power meter having electronic components, wherein the electrical power meter receives alternating current (AC) voltage from an electrical power line, the meter comprising:
- a power supply for converting the AC voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for powering the electronic components, wherein the AC voltage provides an electrical reference potential for the electronic components; and
a DC power source in parallel circuit configuration with the AC voltage, wherein the DC power source provides a DC bias voltage to the AC voltage, and wherein the DC bias voltage maintains the AC voltage above a predetermined voltage level acceptable to the power supply.
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Abstract
The invention contemplates an electrical power meter and method of operating the same, where the meter has electronic components (e.g., a power supply and a voltage sensing circuit) and receives alternating current (AC) voltage from an electrical power line. The inventive meter includes a power supply that converting the AC voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for powering the electronic components. Also, the AC voltage provides an electrical reference potential for the electronic components. The inventive meter further includes a DC power source (e.g., a diode and/or a resistor in series connection) in a parallel circuit configuration with the AC voltage. The DC power source provides a DC bias voltage to the AC voltage. The AC voltage may create a relatively small voltage across the diode device.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electrical power meter having electronic components, wherein the electrical power meter receives alternating current (AC) voltage from an electrical power line, the meter comprising:
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a power supply for converting the AC voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for powering the electronic components, wherein the AC voltage provides an electrical reference potential for the electronic components; and a DC power source in parallel circuit configuration with the AC voltage, wherein the DC power source provides a DC bias voltage to the AC voltage, and wherein the DC bias voltage maintains the AC voltage above a predetermined voltage level acceptable to the power supply. - 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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Specification