Abstract:
A meter device for checking the measurements of an electrical meter, such as that used by electrical utilities is provided. The meter device has a base with electrical phase conductors arranged to couple with a meter socket. A housing is attached to the base. Electrical connectors are arranged on the end of the phase conductors within the housing. The electrical connectors are arranged to couple with an electrical meter. One or more lead conductors is also provided. Each lead conductor has a first end coupled to the electrical connector and a second end coupled to the associated phase conductor. Each lead conductor includes a middle portion arranged outside of the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to device for testing electrical service, and in particular to a device for electrical meters that allows the independent testing of electrical measurements made by the electrical meter. 
         [0002]    Electrical meters are used to provide a measurement of the amount of electrical power consumed by a customer. Electrical meters are typically installed by a utility at a customers facility adjacent the location where the electrical power line enters the building. Electrical meters typically have an interface, such as an electronic display or a set of dials for example, that allows both the customer and the utility to review the amount of electrical power measured by the meter. The electrical meters are periodically (e.g. monthly) read by the utility to determine how much the customer should be billed. The meters may be read by sending personnel to each meter to record the measurements, or the data may be transmitted electronically to the utility. It should be appreciated that it is desirable that the electrical meter accurately measure the amount of electrical power consumed. 
         [0003]    Periodically, it is desirable to test the measurements of the electrical meter to ensure that the measurements are accurate. Measurements by the meter could vary for a number of reasons, such as meter component failure, tampering or a broken or cut neutral conductor for example. To make these measurements, the utility typically needs access to the customer&#39;s circuit breaker panel. As a result, the testing needed to be scheduled when the customer was available to allow access to the facility. Often resulting in an inconvenience for the customer and the utility. 
         [0004]    While existing devices and methods for checking the accuracy of electrical meters are suitable for their intended purposes, improvements may be made in allowing testing of the electrical meter location without entering a customer&#39;s facility. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to one aspect of the invention, a meter device is provided having a base. The base includes a first phase conductor and a second phase conductor extending therethrough. A housing is coupled to the base. A first stab is arranged in the housing and is electrically coupled to the first phase conductor. A second stab is arranged in the housing and is electrically coupled to the second phase conductor. A first lead conductor is electrically coupled between the first stab and the first phase conductor. A second lead conductor is electrically coupled between the second stab and the second phase conductor. A first insulation member covers the first lead conductor, the first insulation member having a first gap. A second insulation member covering the second lead conductor, the second insulation member having a second gap. A first cover is movably coupled to the first insulation member. A second cover is movably coupled to the second insulation member. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect of the invention, a meter device is provided having a housing with a wall. A base is coupled to the housing. A first phase leg conductor is coupled to the base. A neutral conductor is coupled to the base. A first lead conductor having a first and second end is electrically coupled to the first phase leg conductor, the first lead conductor having a first loop portion extending through the wall. A first insulation member is disposed over the first lead conductor and extends from a first end to the first loop portion. A second insulation member is disposed over the first lead conductor and extends from a second end to the first loop portion, wherein the first insulation member and the second insulation member define first gap therebetween. A first cover is movably coupled to the first lead conductor. A neutral terminal is coupled to the wall, the neutral terminal being electrically coupled to the neutral conductor. 
         [0007]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of checking a neutral conductor on an electrical meter having at least one phase conductor is provided. The method includes the step of removing the electrical meter from a meter socket. A meter adapter is installed having at least one lead conductor electrically coupled to the at least one phase conductor and a neutral terminal. The electrical meter is installed on the meter adapter. An induction meter is coupled to the at least one lead conductor. A first measurement of electrical power is measured with the induction meter. The neutral terminal is coupled to an external neutral. A second measurement of electrical power is measured with the induction meter. A deviation is determined between the first measurement and the second measurement. 
         [0008]    These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0009]    The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a first perspective view illustration of a meter device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is top plan view illustration of the meter device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a first side view illustration of the meter device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view illustration of the meter device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a second side view illustration of the meter device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a second perspective view illustration of the meter device of  FIG. 1  with covers arranged in a first position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustration of the meter device of  FIG. 1  installed with a load inducer; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is another perspective view illustration of the meter device of  FIG. 1  with an induction meter attached; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is another perspective view illustration of the meter device of  FIG. 1  with an external neutral attached; and, 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram illustration of a method of detecting a severed neutral conductor. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    An exemplary embodiment of a meter device  20  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . The meter device  20  includes a base  22  coupled to a housing  24 . The base  22  includes a first pair of first phase conductors  26 , a second pair of second phase conductors  28  and a neutral conductor  30 . The conductors  26 ,  28 ,  30  extend from a bottom surface  34 . In the exemplary embodiment, the base  22  and conductors  26 ,  28 ,  30  are generally adapted to interface with a standard electrical meter socket  32  ( FIG. 7 ), such as those used by electrical utilities on residential and commercial buildings for example. 
         [0022]    The housing  24  includes a first wall  36 , with a second wall  38  extending about its periphery. The walls  36 ,  38  define an interior portion  40 . A plurality of standoffs  42  extends from the first wall  36  into the interior portion  40 . Each of the standoffs  42  includes an opening  43  to allow wires and conductors to pass through. The conductors  26 ,  28 ,  30  extend through the standoffs  42  into the interior portion  40 . The first phase conductors  26  are coupled to stabs  44 ,  45 . The second phase conductors  28  are coupled to stabs  46 ,  47 . The neutral conductor  30  is coupled to a stab  48 . In the exemplary embodiment, each of the stabs  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48  are adapted to interface with corresponding conductors (not shown) in an electrical meter  50  ( FIG. 7 ). A wire  52  electrically connects the neutral stab  48  to a neutral terminal  54  mounted on the outer surface of the second wall  38 . 
         [0023]    The meter device  20  also includes a first lead conductor  56  and a second lead conductor  58 . As will be discussed in more detail below, the first lead conductor  56  and second lead conductor  58  allow and operator to take measurements of electrical power with the electrical meter  50  installed. The first lead conductor  56  includes a first end  60  electrically coupled to the stab  44 . The first lead conductor  56  extends from the first end  60  through an opening  62  in the second wall  38 . The first lead conductor  56  then loops, forming a first middle portion  64  and reenters the interior portion  40  through a second opening  70  in second wall  38 . A second end  68  of the first lead conductor  56  passes through an opening  43  in the standoffs  42  and connects to the first phase conductor  26  in the base  22  opposite the stab  44 . A first insulation member  72  is disposed over the first lead conductor  56  adjacent the first end  60 . The first insulation member  72  ends through the opening  62  and over a portion of the middle portion  64 . A second insulation member  74  is disposed over the first lead conductor  56  adjacent the second end  68 . The first and second insulation members  72 ,  74  are made from an electrically insulating material. 
         [0024]    The first and second insulation members  72 ,  74  cooperate to define a gap  76  in the middle portion  64 . In one embodiment, an electrically conductive first coil  78  is disposed in the gap  76 . The coil  78  may be made from a suitable electrically conductive material such as copper for example. A first cover member  80  is disposed about the first insulation member  72 . The first cover member  80  is moveable between a first position shown in  FIG. 6  and a second position shown in  FIG. 1 . When arranged in the second position, the first cover member  80  substantially covers the gap  76 . In one embodiment, the first cover member  80  is sized to cover the gap  76  and a portion of the first and second insulation members  72 ,  74  when in the second position. The first cover member  80  is made from an electrically insulating material, such as rubber for example. 
         [0025]    The second lead conductor  58  is arranged in a substantially identical manner as the first lead conductor  56 . The second lead conductor  58  includes a first end  82  electrically coupled to stab  46 . The second lead conductor  58  extends therefrom through an opening  84  in second wall  38  forming a second middle portion  86 . The second lead conductor  58  re-enters the interior portion  40  through an opening  88 . A second end  90  extends through opening  43  in one of the standoffs  42  and is connected to the first phase conductor  26  opposite the stab  46 . Similarly a third insulation member  92  is disposed over the second lead conductor  58  adjacent the first end  82  and a fourth insulation member  94  is disposed over the second lead conductor  58  adjacent the second end  90 . The third and fourth insulation members  92 ,  94  cooperate to define a gap  96  in the middle portion  86 . A second coil  98  is disposed in the gap  96  and a second cover member  100  is movably disposed over the third insulation member  92 . Similar to the first cover member  80 , the second cover member  100  is movable between a first position ( FIG. 6 ) and a second position ( FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, the second cover member  100  is sized to span the gap  96  and a portion of the third insulation member  92  and the fourth insulation member  94  while in the second position. 
         [0026]    It should be appreciated that the lead conductors  56 ,  58  are electrically coupled to the first phase conductor  26  and the second phase conductor  28  and that electrical current flowing through the phase conductors  26 ,  28  also flow through the respective lead conductors  56 ,  58 . This provides advantages in measuring the individual phases separately. It should further be appreciated that while the embodiments described herein refer to a two-phase electrical meter, the claimed invention should not be so limited. A single-phase meter device  20  is also contemplated and would be substantially similar to that described herein however, only a single-phase conductor would be used with a single lead conductor for example. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-8 , one method of operating the meter device  20  is illustrated. It is desirable to test the accuracy of the measurements made by the electrical meter  50  without entering the building or facility that the electrical meter  50  is connected. First, the electrical meter  50  is removed and the meter device  20  installed in the meter socket  32 . The electrical meter  50  is then installed on the meter device  20 . It should be appreciated that since the phase conductors  26 ,  28  provide a direct electrical connection from the electrical meter  50  to the meter socket  32 , the electrical meter  50  may measure the flow of electrical current as if it were installed in the meter socket  32 . 
         [0028]    With the meter device  20  installed, a number of tests may be performed. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a load inducer  102  includes a first cable  106  coupled to the neutral terminal  54  and a second cable  108  coupled to one of the coils  78 ,  98 . To install the second cable  108 , one of the cover members  80 ,  100  is moved from the second position to the first position to expose the underlying coil  78 ,  98 . It should be appreciated that the cover member for the electrical phase not being tested remains in the second position covering the respective coil. In this embodiment, the electrical meter  50  may be electrically isolated from the building or load by placing insulators  104  ( FIG. 4 ) over the phase conductors  26 ,  28 . The load inducer  102  simulates a known quantity of load or flow of electrical current. With the load inducer  102  installed and operating, the operator can test the meter potentials and dial rotation. This provides the advantage of allowing the operator to validate the meter readings and determine if the electrical meter  50  has been tampered with or if there is a malfunction. 
         [0029]    Other tests may also be performed. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the electrical meter  50  is coupled to the customers load such that the electrical meter  50  is measuring the electrical power consumed. An induction meter  110  is coupled to one of the lead conductors  56 ,  58 . Since the lead conductors  56 ,  58  are electrically coupled to the phase conductors  26 ,  28 , the induction meter  110  can measure the electrical current flowing into the connected building. By measuring for a time period, such as with a stopwatch  112  for example, the operator may determine the electrical power consumed and compare this measurement with that measured by the electrical meter  50 . Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the performance of the electrical meter may be validated and tampering or malfunctions determined without requiring the operator to enter the building the electrical meter  50  is connect to. It should be appreciated that the testing could be performed on each electrical phase by connecting the induction meter  110  to each lead conductor  56 ,  58  sequentially. 
         [0030]    One other potential source of errors in the electrical meter  50  occurs when a neutral conductor has been severed or cut within the building to which the electrical meter  50  is connected. Referring now to  FIGS. 9 - 10 , a method  114  of detecting or validating a severed neutral conductor will be described. The method  114  starts in block  116  and proceeds to block  118  where the electrical meter  50  is removed. The meter device  20  is installed in block  120  and the electrical meter  50  installed on the meter device  20  in block  122  in a similar manner to that as described herein above. 
         [0031]    An induction meter  110  is installed on one of the lead conductors  56 ,  58  in block  124 . The electrical current is measured with the induction meter for a time period (as measured with stop watch  112  for example) in block  130 . The amount of electrical power consumed may be determined from knowing the voltage, current and time. Next, in block  132 , an external neutral conductor is connected by attaching an electrical cable  126  to the neutral terminal  54 . The opposite end of the electrical cable  126  is placed in electrical contact with a known ground, such as a pipe  128  for example, to create an external neutral conductor. 
         [0032]    With the external neutral in place, the operator once again measures the electrical current for a period of time in block  134 . Method  114  then proceeds to block  136  where the deviation between the measurements with and without the external neutral connected is determined. In query block  138 , it is determined whether the deviation or error in the measurements is beyond a threshold. If the deviation is greater than the threshold, then method  114  proceeds to block  140  where it is determined that the neutral conductor has been severed. After it has been determined that the neutral conductor was severed, or if query block  138  returns a negative (e.g. the measurements are similar), then the method  113  stops in block  142 . The method  114  may be repeated for each electrical phase by moving the induction meter  110  from the first lead conductor  56  to the second lead conductor  58  and repeating steps described herein. 
         [0033]    While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.