ELECTRIC SERVICE LOAD LIMITER

摘要

An electric service load limiter limits the level of current a consumer receives from an electric utility power line. An electronically controlled power relay switch, connectable between the utility power line and the consumer's electric power circuit, couples electric current to the consumer's power circuit and interrupts the flow of current through the consumer's power circuit when the level of current flow exceeds a predetermined maximum level. A sensor produces a sensor signal which is proportional to the amount of current flowing through the consumer's power circuit and is coupled to a logic circuit. The logic circuit compares the resulting sensor signal to a signal representing the maximum current level of the consumer's electric power circuit, as preselected by the consumer's electric utility company. If the sensor signal reflects a level of current greater th an the preselected maximum level, the logic circuit causes the automated power switch to disconnect the consumer's electric power circuit from the utility power line, thereby disrupting electrical service to the consumer. A reset switch circuit is coupled to the power rela y switch. The reset switch may be either manually or automatically operated, and causes a reset circuit to produce a single reset signal each time the reset switch is operated. The reset signal causes the automated power switch to couple current from the utility power line to the consumer's electric power circuit and restore electric service to the consumer.