Tamper detection apparatus for electrical meters
US7432823B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2005 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S20/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Tamper detection apparatus for an electric meter (M) installed at a facility supplied power through an electrical distribution system, the meter being connected to the facility using a receptacle (K) and monitoring electricity usage at the facility for electricity delivered to the facility flowing through the meter. A sensor (RR) senses movement of the meter more than a predetermined amount with respect to the receptacle, whether or not electricity is flowing through the meter, and produces a tampering signal when this occurs. A second and optional sensor (Z) senses the proximity of the meter to its receptacle with removal of meter from its receptacle producing a tampering signal representative thereof. Generation of a tampering signal results in a tamper alert signal being transmitted to the system through a two-way communications path established between the facility and the system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.