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Method and system for sensing removal of a utility meter from its socket

  • US 5,523,559 A
  • Filed: 12/21/1994
  • Issued: 06/04/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A device for detecting tampering of a connection between an electricity meter of the type having a rear surface which includes mounting and electrical connections thereon and an external power supply system, said device comprising:

  • (a) an electricity meter having a rear surface, there being an optically reflecting portion on said rear surface of said electricity meter;

    (b) a housing, separate from said meter, said housing, including means for mounting said electricity meter and for connecting said electricity meter to said external power supply system;

    (c) a base, within said housing, for mounting said meter, said housing being light tight when said meter is mounted to said base, said base providing electrical connections between said external power supply system and said meter when said meter is connected to said base, said base including;

    (i) light emitting means for emitting light pulses toward said optically reflecting portion on said rear surface of said meter;

    (ii) sensing means for sensing light from said light emitting means which has been reflected from said optically reflecting portion on said rear surface of said meter and for generating a bilevel voltage, one of said levels correponding to a relatively bright sensed light condition and the other one of said levels corresponding to a relatively dark sensed condition; and

    (iii) detecting means for detecting the presence of light when no pulse is being emitted by said light emitting means or the absence of light when a pulse is being emitted by said light emitting means, either of which causes said detecting means to generate a meter tampering condition.

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