ELECTRIC METER AND CONTACT ARCING DETECTOR, AND ARCING DETECTOR THEREFOR

摘要

An electric meter contact arc detector is mountable to an electric meter base and may comprise: a de-tuned resonant tank circuit configured to receive a magnetic field and/or an electric field from an electrical arc at a stab contact; an electrical detector detecting signals generated in the de-tuned resonant tank circuit responsive to the electrical arc at the stab contact; and an output device indicating detection of an electrical arc. A disconnect device responsive to the electrical detector and configured to interrupt an electrical connection to the stab contact, may be provided. An electrical arc at the stab contact may thus be detected and may cause an electrical connection to the stab contact to be interrupted.

主权项

1. An electric meter and contact arc detector comprising:
an electric meter base formed of an electrically insulating material and having a plurality of stab contacts configured for making electrical connection to plural contacts of an electric meter socket; a metering device supported by said electric meter base; and a contact arc detector supported by said electric meter base, said contact arc detector comprising:
a de-tuned resonant tank circuit configured to receive a magnetic field and/or an electric field generated by an electrical arc at a series connection including one or more of the plurality of stab contacts when the magnetic field and/or the electric field impinges upon said resonant tank circuit;an electrical detector to which said de-tuned resonant tank circuit is coupled for detecting signals generated in said de-tuned resonant tank circuit responsive to the magnetic field and/or an electric field generated by an electrical arc at one or more of the plurality of stab contacts; anda disconnect device responsive directly or indirectly to said electrical detector and configured to interrupt an electrical connection to one or more of the plurality of stab contacts, whereby an electrical arc at one or more of the plurality of stab contacts is detected and causes the interruption of an electrical connection to one or more of the plurality of stab contacts.