Current inputs interface for an electrical device

• US 7,271,996 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2004
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EI Electronics LLC (Hubbell, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Electro Industries/Gaugetech
• Inventors: Kagan, Erran, Banhegyesi, Tibor, Cohen, Avi
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERVINSKY, BORIS LEO
• Application Number:
  US11/003,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20060120028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 361/659
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/065 related to mechanical aspects

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical power meter, is disclosed. The electrical power meter includes a housing for containing electrical circuitry therein, the housing including at least one of voltage and current inputs, the housing including passages extending entirely therethrough, wherein the passages are configured to receive a CT lead therethrough, and wherein the CT leads are not electrically connected to the electrical circuitry therein; and a face plate operatively supported on a surface of the housing, wherein the face plate includes at least one of displays, indicators and buttons. It is envisioned that the through passages are located along a side of the housing.

Claims

1. An electrical device for measuring power usage, comprising:

a housing for containing electrical circuitry for measuring power usage therein, the housing including at least one of voltage and current inputs, the housing including passages extending entirely therethrough, wherein the passages are configured to receive a CT lead therethrough, said at least one CT lead either extending through said housing or terminating on at least one conductive surface un-connected to any electrical component of said electrical circuitry for measuring power usage for said electrical device for measuring power usage.

2. The electrical device according to claim 1, further comprising at last one elongate, electrically conductive plate configured for selective positioning within the passages of the housing, wherein each plate included a first end and a second end extending from the passages of the housing when the plates are positioned therein.

3. The electrical device according to claim 2, wherein the plates are fabricated nickel plated brass.

4. The electrical device according to claim 2, wherein the electrical device has at least some apertures configured for mounting by a rail shaped support member and at least some apertures configured for mounting by an L shaped support member.

5. The electrical device according to claim 2, wherein the through passages are located along a side of the housing.

6. The electrical device according to claim 2, wherein the electrical device is configured for connection as at least one of a three-phase, four-wire system wye with direct voltage, 3 element;

a three-phase, four-wire system wye with direct voltage, 2.5 element;

a three-phase, four-wire wye with PTs, 3 element;

a three-phase, four-wire wye with PTs, 2.5 element;

a three-phase, three-wire delta with direct voltage; and

a three-phase, three-wire delta with PTs.

7. The electrical device according to claim 2, wherein each end of the plate is configured for selective connection of a lug of a CT lead thereto.

8. The electrical device according to claim 2, wherein each end of the plate is configured for selective connection of a friction fit connector of a CT lead thereto.

9. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the housing is configured to selectively receive a mounting bracket.

10. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the CT leads are not electrically connected to the electrical circuitry within the housing.

11. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the face plate includes at least one of displays, indicators and buttons.

12. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a face plate operatively supported on a surface of the housing.

13. The device according to claim 1 wherein said conductive surface is at least one conductive plate.

14. The device according to claim, 1 wherein said at least one CT lead passes entirely through said passage.

15. The device according to claim 1 wherein said conductive surface is removable.

16. An electrical power meter, comprising:

a housing for containing electrical circuitry for measuring power usage therein, the housing including at least one voltage and current inputs, the housing including passages extending entirely therethrough, wherein the passages are configured to receive at least one CT lead therethrough, and wherein said at least one CT lead either extends through said housing or terminates on at least one conductive surface un-connected to any electrical component of said electrical circuitry for measuring power usage for said electrical device for measuring power usage and a face plate operatively supported on a surface of the housing, wherein the face plate includes at least one of displays, indicators and buttons.

17. The electrical power meter according to claim 16, further comprising at least one elongate, electrically conductive plate configured for selective positioning within the passages of the housing, wherein each plate includes a first end and a second end extending from the passages of the housing when the plates are positioned therein.

18. The electrical power meter according to claim 17, wherein the plates are fabricated from nickel plated brass.

19. The electrical power meter according to claim 17, wherein the electrical power meter has at least some apertures configured for mounting by a rail shaped support member and has at least some apertures configured for mounting by an L shaped support member.

20. The electrical power meter according to claim 17, wherein the through passages are located along a side of the housing.

21. The electrical power meter according to claim 17, wherein the electrical power meter is configured for connection as at least one of a three-phase, four-wire system wye with direct voltage, 3 element;

a three-phase, four-wire system wye with direct voltage, 2.5 element;

a three-phase, four-wire wye with PTs, 3 element;

a three-phase, four-wire wye with PTs, 2.5 element;

a three-phase, three-wire delta with direct voltage; and

a three-phase, three-wire delta with PTs.

22. The electrical power meter according to claim 17, wherein each end of the plate is configured for selective connection of a lug of a CT lead thereto.

23. The electrical power meter according to claim 17, wherein each end of the plate is configured for selective connection of a friction fit connector of a CT lead thereto.

24. The electrical power meter according to claim 16, wherein at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the housing is configured to selectively receive a mounting bracket.

25. A method of installing an electrical power meter to a panel comprising the steps of:

providing an electrical power meter including;

a housing for containing electrical circuitry for measuring power usage therein, the housing including at least one of voltage and current inputs, the housing including passage extending entirely therethrough, wherein the passages are configured to receive at least one CT lead therethrough and wherein said at least one CT lead either extending through said housing or terminating on at least one conductive surface un-connected to any electrical component of said electrical circuitry for measuring power usage for said electrical power meter,

the housing has at least some apertures configured for mounting by a rail shaped support member and at least some apertures for mounting by an L shaped support member;

a face plate operatively supported on a surface of the housing, wherein the face plate includes at least one of displays, indicators and buttons; and

mounting means operatively associated with the electrical power meter for securing the electrical power meter to panel;

inserting a rear end of the housing into and aperture formed in a panel;

at least one of passing CT leads through the passages formed in the housing and terminating CT leads to conductive plates disposed in the passages of the housing; and

securing the mounting means of the electrical power meter to the panel.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the electrical power meter includes at least one elongate, electrically conductive plate configured for selective positioning within the passage of the housing, wherein each plate includes a first end a second end extending from the passages of the housing when the plates are positioned therein and configured for selective engagement with said at least one CT lead.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the mounting means of the electrical meter includes threaded rods extending from the face plate and positioned for insertion into corresponding holes formed in the panel.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the mounting means includes brackets selectively engagable with the housing of the electrical meter.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the electrical power meter is configured for connection as at least one of a three-phase, four-wire system with direct voltage, 3 element;

a three-phase, four-wire system wye with direct voltage, 2.5 element;

a three-phase, four-wire wye with PTs, 3 element;

a three-phase, four-wire wye with PTs, 2.5 element;

a three-phase, three-wire delta with direct voltage; and

a three-phase, three-wire delta with PTs.