METER SOCKET VOLTAGE RECORDER UNIT

• US 3,714,516 A
• Filed: 01/26/1972
• Issued: 01/30/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philip T. Howe
• Original Assignee: Philip T. Howe
• Inventors: Howe, Philip T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilkinson, Richard B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Witkowski, Stanley J.
• Application Number:
  US05/220,999
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 317/104-111 324/156
• US Class Current: 361/663
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 11/04 Housings; Supporting racks; Arrangements of terminals

Abstract

The invention pertains to apparatus for monitoring metered electrical voltage to determine the possible existence of voltage fluctuations in electrical power supplied to customers by electric utility companies. The voltage recorder unit consists of a housing having an exteriorly projecting adapter receivable within a conventional electric meter socket upon removal of the meter therefrom, and the unit includes a meter socket into which the removed meter is inserted. A voltage recorder is located within the housing electrically connected to a circuit interconnecting the housing adapter and meter socket for sensing the voltage being metered. All conductors and electric terminals are located within the recorder unit housing, or the meter box or housing upon which the unit is supported, and an opening is defined in the unit housing through which the meter extends for reading purposes.

Claims

1. A voltage recorder unit for use with an electric watthour meter socket comprising, in combination, a housing having a rear wall and defining an interior chamber, meter socket adapter means adapted to be received within an electric meter socket mounted on said housing projecting from said rear wall including first and second sets of electrical terminals, meter socket means adapted to receive an electric meter mounted on said housing including third and fourth sets of electrical terminals, first electrical conductor means interconnecting said first and third sets of terminals and second electrical conductor means interconnecting said second and fourth sets of terminals, and voltage recording means mounted within said housing chamber having input conductors electrically connected to said fourth set of terminals sensing the voltage potential at said fourth set of terminals, said first set of terminals constituting the voltage input into the unit, said second set of terminals constituting the voltage output of the unit, whereby an electric meter mounted upon said meter socket means interconnects said terminals of said third set to said terminals of said fourth set.

2. In a voltage recorder unit as in claim 1 wherein said meter socket means is mounted on said housing within said chamber.

3. In a voltage recorder unit as in claim 2, a cover defined on said housing having a meter receiving opening defined therein, said meter socket means being in alignment with said opening whereby an electric watthour meter mounted upon said socket means projects from said housing through said opening, and electric watthour meter mounting means mounted upon said housing adjacent said cover and opening.

4. In a voltage recorder unit as in claim 1, a support member mounted upon said housing having an inner end portion located within said housing and an outer end portion exteriorly extending from said housing rear wall, said meter adapter being defined on said support member outer end portion and said meter socket means being defined on said support member inner end portion.

5. In a voltage recorder unit as in claim 4 wherein said first and second electrical conductor means comprise substantially rigid bus bars integrally defining said first and third sets of terminals and said second and fourth sets of terminals, respectively.

6. A voltage recorder unit for use with an electric watthour meter socket comprising, in combination, a housing having a rear wall, side walls and a removable front cover disposed in opposed relation to said rear wall defining an interior chamber, meteR adapter means adapted to be received within an electric meter socket means mounted on said housing projecting from said rear wall, meter socket means mounted on said housing located within said chamber, first and second sets of blade terminals supported upon said adapter means, third and fourth sets of socket terminals supported upon said meter socket means, electrical conductors interconnecting said first and third sets of terminals and said second and fourth sets of terminals, respectively, defining an interconnecting circuit between said meter adapter means and said meter socket means, voltage recording means mounted within said housing chamber having input conductors electrically connected to said interconnecting circuit sensing the voltage thereof, and a meter receiving opening defined in said front cover in alignment with said meter socket means whereby an electrical watthour meter mounted on said socket means extends from said cover through said opening.

7. In a voltage recorder unit as in claim 6, meter mounting means mounted on said housing within said chamber adjacent said meter socket means and said opening.

8. In a voltage recorder unit as in claim 6, a support member mounted upon said housing having an inner end portion located within said housing and an outer end portion exteriorly extending from said housing rear wall, said meter adapter being defined on said support member outer end portion and said meter socket means being defined on said support member inner end portion.

9. In a voltage recorder unit as in claim 8 wherein said electrical conductors defining an interconnecting circuit comprise substantially rigid bus bars integrally forming said first and third sets of terminals and said second and fourth sets of terminals, respectively.