Method and apparatus for operating an electricity meter

摘要

A method and apparatus that monitors and controls the operation of an electricity meter, and modifies at least one temperature threshold for determining when an alarm message should be transmitted or an electrical connection in the meter should be disconnected. The method and apparatus includes a plurality of sensors that detect temperatures in various locations within the electricity meter. The method and apparatus compares at least one detected temperature to at least one threshold, and operates an alarm or a switch when the detected temperature exceeds the threshold. The method and apparatus determines an average rate of change for at least one temperature according to a short-term temperature average over a first number of samples of the temperature, and a long term-term temperature average over a second number of samples of the temperature. The second number of samples is different from the first number of samples. The method and apparatus reduces the threshold when the average rate of change exceeds a predetermined amount.

主权项

1. A method of monitoring and controlling an operation of a meter electrically connected between a power source and a load, comprising:
periodically detecting a first temperature of a first location with a first sensor and detecting a second temperature of a second location with a second sensor; processing the first temperature and the second temperature; comparing at least one of the first temperature and the second temperature to a first threshold for transmitting an alarm and a second threshold for operating a remote disconnect switch to disconnect an electrical connection of the power source; comparing the first temperature and the second temperature to determine a first temperature difference; determining a short-term temperature average of at least one of the first temperature and the second temperature over a first number of samples; determining a long-term temperature average of the at least one of the first temperature and the second temperature over a second number of samples; determining an average rate of change based on the short-term temperature average and the long-term temperature average; and modifying at least one of the first threshold and the second threshold when it is determined the first temperature difference is equal to or greater than a third threshold and the average rate of change is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold.