Patent · US Expired

Electricity meters

US4420721A · kind A · utility

27Cited by
1References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 9, 1981
Grant dateDec 13, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 9, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG08B29/08
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An electricity meter for metering the amount of electrical energy supplied by a power supplier to a power consumer is provided with fraud detection means for detecting the presence of an external shunt which has been connected to by-pass its internal current sensing means. The detection means, which comprises a differential current sensor for sensing the difference between the respective currents flowing to and from the consumer via the meter and a multiplier for multiplying this current difference by a signal derived from the supply voltage, is arranged to operate a circuit breaker, and/or to compensate the energy measurement of the meter, and/or to provide a warning to the supplier. The differential current sensor also senses when current is being taken between the live wire and earth on the consumer's side of the meter.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.