Patent Description:
Power systems are used to provide necessary power to a wide variety of building systems such as but not limited to lighting systems, security systems, HVAC systems and general power requirements. In some cases, power meters are used to monitor a power system in order to detect potential problems with the power system. Power meters are also used to measure power consumption for billing purposes. A variety of power meters are known. Improvements in the use and functionality of power meters would be desirable.

Examples of currently used systems can be found in the following:.

The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims. The present disclosure relates generally to power systems and more particularly to power meters used for monitoring power systems. A particular example of the present disclosure may be found in a power monitoring system that includes a current transformer and a power meter. The current transformer includes a winding for sensing a measure of current in a conductor that supplies power to a load and a machine-readable apparatus that is secured relative to the current transformer and that encodes calibration information that is specific to the current transformer. The power meter includes a first input for receiving the measure of current in the conductor from the current transformer and a second input for receiving a measure of voltage of the conductor. A controller is operatively coupled to the first input and the second input and is configured to receive the calibration information encoded in the machine-readable apparatus, calibrate the controller with the current transformer based on the calibration information and determine a number of power monitor parameters based at least in part on the calibration information, the measure of current sensed in the conductor by the current transformer and the measure of voltage of the conductor.

Another example of the present disclosure is a current transformer for sensing a current in a conductor that supplies power to a load. The current transformer includes a winding for sensing a measure of current in the conductor and a machine-readable apparatus that is secured relative to the current transformer. The machine-readable apparatus encodes calibration information specific to the current transformer that can be read and provided to a power meter to calibrate the power meter with the current transformer.

Another example of the present disclosure is a method of configuring a power meter to be used with a particular current transformer. The method includes determining a plurality of calibration parameters for the particular current transformer and providing the particular current transformer with a machine-readable apparatus that includes the determined plurality of calibration parameters. The determined plurality of calibration parameters are read from the machine-readable apparatus and are communicated to the power meter to calibrate the power meter with the particular current transformer.

The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present disclosure and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the disclosure can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, figures, and abstract as a whole.

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description of various examples in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular examples described, as the present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims.

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict examples that are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Although examples are illustrated for the various elements, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized. In this respect the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

It is noted that references in the specification to "an embodiment", "some embodiments", "other embodiments", etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure, or characteristic may be applied to other embodiments whether or not explicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.

The disclosure generally pertains to power meters. Power meters are used to measure and monitor power that is delivered to any number of different power consumption devices, or loads. A power meter may be configured to determine the quantity and quality of the power being delivered to the load, for example. A power meter may be configured to measure the current and voltage being delivered to a load such that a power utility can then bill a customer for the power they have used. In some cases, a power meter may be considered as being a direct power meter, meaning that the power meter is directly spliced into a conductor providing power to the load. In some instances, a power meter may be considered as being an indirect power meter or a CT (current transformer) power meter in which a CT is used to provide an indication of current flowing to a load and a line voltage tap is used to provide an indication of the voltage. It will be appreciated that many of the features discussed herein are equally applicable to direct power meters and to indirect or CT power meters. In some cases, the power meter may provide a measure of power in each of the three phases in a three-phase power line.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative power meter <NUM>. The power meter <NUM> may represent a direct power meter or an indirect or CT power meter. The illustrative power meter <NUM> includes a plurality of terminals <NUM> that may be configured for receiving a measure of power consumption for each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to a load. If the power meter <NUM> is a direct meter, the plurality of terminals <NUM> may be configured to accommodate a LINE IN conductor and a LINE out conductor, with the power meter <NUM> disposed therebetween. If the power meter <NUM> is an indirect meter, the plurality of terminals <NUM> may be configured to accommodate a wire or cable providing a measure of voltage as well as wires or cables extending from a current transformer (CT) or the like that provides a measure of current passing to the load.

In some cases, as will be discussed, the plurality of terminals <NUM> may be considered as being divided into a one or more first terminals <NUM> and a one or more second terminals <NUM>. While the one or more first terminals <NUM> is shown as including a terminal 14a and a terminal 14b, and the one or more second terminals <NUM> is shown as including a terminal 16a and a terminal 16b, it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative. In some cases, the one or more first terminals <NUM> may only include one terminal, or may include three, four or more terminals. Similarly, the one or more second terminals <NUM> may include only one terminal, or may include three, four or more terminals. In some cases, when the power meter <NUM> is an indirect or CT power meter, the plurality of first terminals <NUM> may be configured for receiving a measure of current of each of one or more phases of power that is deli1vered to the load and the plurality of second terminals <NUM> may be configured for receiving a measure of voltage of each of the one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load.

A controller <NUM> may be operably coupled to the plurality of terminals <NUM> and may for example be configured to determine a number of power monitor parameters based on the measure of power consumption for each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load. A user interface <NUM> is operably coupled to the controller <NUM> and is configured to display at least some of the number of power monitor parameters that may be determined by the controller <NUM>. The illustrative power meter <NUM> also includes a first communication port <NUM> that is operably coupled to the controller <NUM> and is configured to communication with an external device (not seen in <FIG>) and a second communication port <NUM> that is operably coupled to the controller <NUM> and is configured to communicate with one or more other power meters.

In some cases, the first communication port <NUM> may be operably coupled with a plurality of control terminals <NUM>. While a total of four control terminals 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d are shown, it will be appreciated that there may be only two or three control terminals <NUM>. In some instances, there may be five, six, seven, eight or more control terminals <NUM>. The control terminals <NUM> are configured to accommodate a plurality of control wires that allow the controller <NUM> to communicate with an external device (shown in <FIG>). In some cases, the control terminals <NUM> may accommodate an Ethernet connection. In some instances, the control terminals <NUM> may instead be accomplished using a wireless protocol. In some instances, the second communication port <NUM> includes a wireless communication protocol for communicating with other power meters. For example, the wireless communication protocol may be Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, and/or WiFi, although other wireless protocols are also contemplated.

As will be discussed in greater detail with respect to <FIG>, the power meter <NUM> may be configured to be selectively used as a master power meter or as a slave power meter. In some cases, the terms master and slave may simply refer to how each power meter communicates with each other, rather than a leader and subordinate situation. For example, when the power meter <NUM> is selected to function as a master power meter, the controller <NUM> may be configured to use the first communication port <NUM> and the second communication port <NUM>. When the power meter <NUM> is selected to function as a slave power meter, the controller <NUM> may be configured to use the second communication port <NUM> but not use the first communication port <NUM>. As another example, when the power meter <NUM> is selected to function as a master power meter, the controller <NUM> may be configured to use the first communication port <NUM> to communicate with the external device and to use the second communication port <NUM> to communicate with one or more slave power meters. When the power meter <NUM> is selected to function as a slave power meter, the controller <NUM> may be configured to use the second communication port <NUM> to communicate with another power meter that is selected to function as a master power meter.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative power meter <NUM>. The illustrative power meter <NUM> includes a plurality of terminals <NUM> that may be considered as including one or more first terminals <NUM> for receiving a measure of current of each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to a load as well as one or more second terminals <NUM> for receiving a measure of voltage of each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load. As illustrated, the one or more first terminals <NUM> includes a terminal 34a and a terminal 34b and the one or more second terminals <NUM> include a terminal 36a and a terminal 36b. In some cases, the one or more first terminals <NUM> may include only one terminal, or may include three, four or more terminals and the one or more second terminals <NUM> may include only one terminal, or may include three, four or more terminals.

The controller <NUM> is operatively coupled to the one or more first terminals <NUM> and the one or more second terminals <NUM> and is configured to determine a number of power monitor parameters based on the measure of current of each of the one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load and/or the measure of voltage of each of the one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load. A wired communication port <NUM> may be operably coupled to the controller <NUM>. A wireless communication port <NUM> may also be operably coupled to the controller <NUM>. In some cases, the controller <NUM> may be configured to communicate with an external wiring bus (shown in <FIG>) via the wired communication port <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to communicate with one or more other power meters via the wireless communication port <NUM>, for example. In some cases, the power meter <NUM> may be configured to receive configuration and/or calibration information via the wireless communication port <NUM>. The power meter <NUM> may be configured to receive configuration and/or calibration information from a master power meter, for example. The power meter <NUM> may be configured to receive configuration and/or calibration information from an application running on a mobile device.

In some cases, the power meter <NUM>, much like the power meter <NUM>, may be configured to be selectively used as either a master power meter or as a slave power meter. When the power meter <NUM> is selected to function as a master power meter, the controller <NUM> may be configured to use the wired communication port <NUM> to communicate with the external wiring bus and to use the wireless communication port <NUM> to communicate with one or more slave power meters. When the power meter <NUM> is selected to function as a slave power meter, the controller <NUM> may be configured to use the wireless communication port <NUM> to communicate with another power meter that is selected to function as a master power meter.

As another example, when the power meter <NUM> is selected to function as a master power meter, the power meter <NUM> may receive instructions from an external device operably coupled to the external wiring bus and may forward at least some of the instructions to one or more slave power meters. The power meter <NUM> may receive operating parameters from the one or more slave power meters and may forward the operating parameters to the external device. When the power meter <NUM> is selected to function as a slave power meter, the power meter <NUM> may receive instructions from a master power meter via the wireless communication port <NUM> and may transmit one or more of the power monitor parameters determined by the power meter <NUM> to the master power meter via the wireless communication port.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing an illustrative power monitoring system <NUM>. The power monitoring system <NUM> includes a master power meter <NUM> which may represent either the power meter <NUM> or the power meter <NUM> being utilized as a master power meter. The power monitoring system <NUM> includes a plurality of slave power meters <NUM> which may each represent either the power meter <NUM> or the power meter <NUM> being utilized as a master power meter. As illustrated, the plurality of slave power meters <NUM> includes a slave power meter 54a, a slave power meter 54b and a slave power meter 54c. This is merely illustrative, as in some cases, there may be a single slave power meter <NUM>, or four, five, ten, twenty, fifty or more slave power meters <NUM>. It will be appreciated that as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the master power meter <NUM> may include the first communication port <NUM> and the second communication port <NUM>, and each of the slave power meters <NUM> may include a communication port (or may include both the first communication port <NUM> and the second communication port <NUM>). In some cases, the first communication port <NUM> of the master power meter <NUM> may be a wired port (such as the wired communication port <NUM> of <FIG>) and the second communication port <NUM> of the master power meter <NUM> may be a wireless port (such as the wireless communication port <NUM> of <FIG>). In some cases, the communication port of each of the slave power meters <NUM> may include a wireless port, and at least some of the slave power meters <NUM> may include a wired port that is not used while the slave power meters <NUM> are functioning as slave power meters.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative power meter <NUM>. The power meter <NUM> includes a plurality of first terminals <NUM> for receiving a measure of current of each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to a load as well as a plurality of second terminals <NUM> for receiving a measure of voltage of each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load. As illustrated, the plurality of first terminals <NUM> includes a terminal 62a, a terminal 62b and a terminal 62c and the plurality of second terminals <NUM> includes a terminal 64a, a terminal 64b and a terminal 64c. This is merely illustrative, as in some cases the plurality of first terminals <NUM> and/or the plurality of second terminals <NUM> may include only two terminals, or may include four, five, six or more terminals. The power meter <NUM> includes an I/O interface <NUM> that is operably coupled to the plurality of first terminals <NUM>, the plurality of second terminals <NUM> and to the I/O interface <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be configured to determine a number of power monitor parameters based on the measure of current of each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load and/or the measure of voltage of each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load and to receive one or more power monitor parameters requests from an external requesting device <NUM> via the I/O interface <NUM>. In some cases, each of the one or more power monitor parameter requests includes an expected address for a requested for one of the one or more power monitor parameters. The controller <NUM> may store a mapping between one or more of the power monitor parameters and one or more of the expected addresses (e.g. addressable storage locations) of the external requesting device, and to transmit the requested one of the one or more power monitor parameters to the external requesting device <NUM> via the I/O interface <NUM> using the stored mapping. In some cases, the controller <NUM> may be configured to allow a user to change the stored mapping between one or more of the power monitor parameters and one or more expected addresses in order to accommodate a different external requesting device. For example, the external requesting device may expect the measured current in phase <NUM> to be stored in a register number <NUM>, and the voltage of phase <NUM> to be stored in a register number <NUM>. A different external requesting device may expect the measured current in phase <NUM> to be stored in a register number <NUM>, and the voltage of phase <NUM> to be stored in a register number <NUM>. It is contemplated that the mapping may be changed to match either external requesting device. This may allow the power meter to replace various power meters that are used in conjunction with a wide variety of different external requesting devices.

The power meter <NUM> may, for example, also include the user interface <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to display one or more of the determined parameters on the user interface <NUM>. In some cases, the user may be allowed to change the stored mapping via the user interface <NUM> of the power meter <NUM>. For example, a menu of different external device protocols may be provided, and the user may select the appropriate external device protocol. In response, the power meter <NUM> may load and use the corresponding mapping. The power meter <NUM> may include a wireless interface <NUM> that can communicate with a mobile device (not shown) that has a mobile device user interface. In some cases, the user may be allowed to change the stored mapping using the user interface of the mobile device. In some cases, the stored mapping may be included in a configuration file, and the user may be allowed to change the stored mapping by providing an updated configuration file. For example, the updated configuration file may be uploaded to the controller <NUM>.

In some cases, the one or more expected addresses of the external requesting device reference addressable register locations of the controller <NUM>, and wherein the mapping maps each of one or more of the power monitor parameters to a corresponding one of the addressable register locations. In some instances, the expected address may reference one or more addressable registers, or one or more byte positions. These are just examples.

In some cases, the controller <NUM> may be configured to use the I/O interface <NUM> to communicate one or more of the power monitor parameters over a network using a configurable mapping that maps the power monitor parameters with corresponding addressable locations. The configurable mapping can be changed to emulate each of two or more different power meters. For example, when the configurable mapping is defined by a configuration file, a first configuration file may be used to emulate a first power meter and a second different configuration file may be used to emulate a second power meter. In some cases, the first power meter may be of a first brand and the second power meter may be of a different brand. In some cases, the I/O interface <NUM> is an M-BUS interface, and the addressable locations correspond to addressable byte positions.

<FIG> is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method of replacing a first power meter with a second power meter. As indicated at block <NUM>, the first power meter may be removed. In response to a request from an external requesting device that references a first addressable location of the first power meter, the first power meter may provide a first power monitor parameter. For example, the first power meter may receive the request from the external requesting device across an M-BUS, and the first addressable location may correspond to an addressable byte position. As indicated at block <NUM>, a second power meter may be installed in place of the first power meter, wherein the second power meter has a configurable mapping between a plurality of power monitor parameters including the first addressable location and a plurality of addressable locations including the first addressable location. As noted at block <NUM>, the configurable mapping of the second power meter may be configured to map the first addressable location to the first power monitor parameter. In some cases, configuring the configurable mapping includes downloading a configuration file to the second power meter. The configuration file may be downloaded from a mobile device via a wireless interface, for example. In some cases, the second power meter may be configured to emulate the first power meter from a perspective of the requesting device.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative power meter <NUM>. The power meter <NUM> includes a plurality of terminals <NUM> that may be configured for receiving a measure of power consumption for each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to a load. If the power meter <NUM> is a direct meter, the plurality of terminals <NUM> may be configured to accommodate a LINE IN conductor and a LINE out conductor, with the power meter <NUM> disposed therebetween. If the power meter <NUM> is an indirect meter, the plurality of terminals <NUM> may be configured to accommodate a wire or cable providing a measure of voltage as well as wires or cables extending from a current transformer (CT) that provides a measure of current passing to the load.

In some cases, as will be discussed, the plurality of terminals <NUM> may be considered as being divided into a plurality of first terminals <NUM> and a plurality of second terminals <NUM>. While the plurality of first terminals <NUM> is shown as including a terminal 94a, a terminal 94b and a terminal 96c and the plurality of second terminals <NUM> is shown as including a terminal 96a, 96b and 96c, it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative. In some cases, the plurality of first terminals <NUM> may only include one terminal or two terminals, or may include four or more terminals. Similarly, the plurality of second terminals <NUM> may include only one terminal or two terminals, or may include four or more terminals.

In some cases, if the power meter <NUM> is a direct power meter, the plurality of first terminals <NUM> may be configured to receive a line input for each of the one or more phases of power and the plurality of second terminals <NUM> may be configured to receive a line output for each of the one or more phases of power. In some cases, when the power meter <NUM> is an indirect or CT power meter, the plurality of first terminals <NUM> may be configured for receiving a measure of current of each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load and the plurality of second terminals <NUM> may be configured for receiving a measure of voltage of each of the one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load.

The power meter <NUM> includes a user interface <NUM>. In some instances, the user interface <NUM> includes a fixed segment display <NUM> that includes a first region <NUM> and a second region <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> also includes a plurality of buttons <NUM>. As illustrated, the plurality of buttons <NUM> includes a button 106a, a button 106b and a button 106c. In some cases, there may be fewer buttons <NUM>, or more buttons <NUM>. For example, there may be two or more buttons <NUM>. In some cases, the user interface <NUM> may include a fixed segment display that is configured to display screens dictated by an interactive menu and the buttons <NUM> include an UP button, a DOWN button and a SET button that a user may use to navigate the interactive menu. In some cases, the user interface <NUM> includes a fixed segment display that is configured to display at least three lines of alphanumeric information, wherein each of the at least three lines of alphanumeric information include a first portion (such as the first region <NUM> of the display <NUM>) that is configured for displaying letters and numbers and a second portion (such as the second region <NUM> of the display <NUM>) that is configured for displaying numbers.

The first region <NUM> of the display <NUM> may be configured to display three or more lines of alphanumeric information, where each of the three or more lines of alphanumeric information of the first region include two or more alphanumeric characters with "M" elongated display segments allocated to each of the two or more alphanumeric characters. The second region <NUM> of the display <NUM> may be configured to display three or more lines of alphanumeric information, where each of the three or more lines of alphanumeric information of the second region include two or more alphanumeric characters with "N" elongated display segments allocated to each of the two or more alphanumeric characters, and wherein M is greater than N. As an illustrative but non-limiting example, M may be equal to <NUM> and N may be equal to <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is operably coupled to the plurality of first terminals <NUM>, the plurality of second terminals <NUM>, and the user interface <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to determine a number of power monitor parameters based on the measure of current of each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load and/or the measure of voltage of each of one or more phases of power that is delivered to the load. The controller <NUM> may be configured to provide an interactive menu including two or more menu screens displayed on the display <NUM> of the user interface <NUM>, wherein one or more of the buttons <NUM> may be used to navigate between the two or more menu screens of the interactive menu. At least one of the buttons <NUM> may, for example, be used to select between two or more selections that are displayed on one or more of the menu screens. In some cases, at least one of the buttons <NUM> may be used to change a value of a setting that is displayed on one or more of the menu screens. At least some of the buttons <NUM> may be touch regions on the display <NUM>. In some cases, the buttons <NUM> may be adjacent to the display <NUM>. In some cases, the buttons <NUM> may include an up button, a down button and a set button.

In some cases, the first region <NUM> of the display <NUM> may be configured to more optimally display letters while the second region <NUM> of the display <NUM> may be configured to display numbers. For example, the first region <NUM> of the display <NUM> may be configured for displaying two or more lines of alphanumeric information (or three or more lines or four or more lines), where each of the two or more lines of alphanumeric information include two or more character positions with each character position including a plurality of elongated display segments arranged substantially horizontally and vertically, and a plurality of elongated display segments arranged at angles other than substantially horizontally and vertically. The second region <NUM> of the display <NUM> may be configured for displaying two or more lines of alphanumeric information, where each of the two or more lines of alphanumeric information include two or more character positions where each character position includes a plurality of elongated display segments arranged substantially horizontally and vertically but free from elongated display segments arranged at angles other than substantially horizontally and vertically.

Each alphanumeric character of the three or more lines of alphanumeric information of the first region <NUM> may be allocated "M" elongated display segments plus a decimal point segment on the display while each alphanumeric character of the three or more lines of alphanumeric information of the second region may be allocated "N" elongated display segments plus a decimal point segment on the display. In some instances, each of the three or more lines of alphanumeric information of the first region includes less alphanumeric characters than each of the three or more lines of the second region. Each of the three or more lines of alphanumeric information of the first region may include seven or less alphanumeric characters and each of the three or more lines of alphanumeric information of the second region may include eight or more alphanumeric characters.

In some cases, the user interface <NUM> may further include one or more fixed segment icons at a predefined location on the display <NUM>. For example, the one or more fixed segment icons may include two or more menu selection icons spaced horizontally from one another. The one or more fixed segment icons may include two or more measurement unit icons that are adjacent to each of the two (or three) or more lines of the second region <NUM>. A selection icon may be adjacent to each of two or more lines of the first region. In some cases, there may be an L1 icon adjacent a first one of the three or more lines of the first region <NUM>, an L2 icon adjacent a second one of the three or more lines of the first region <NUM>, and an L3 icon adjacent a third one of the three or more lines of the first region <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method <NUM>. As indicated at block <NUM>, an interactive menu may be displayed on a fixed segment display of the power meter, wherein the interactive menu includes two or more menu screens, wherein one of the two or more menu screens provides information on energy usage sensed by the power meter, and another of the two or more menu screens is used to change settings of the power meter. As indicated at block <NUM>, input may be accepted from a user via two or more buttons of the power meter to navigate the two or more menu screens of the interactive menu.

<FIG> may be considered as being an example of the user interface <NUM> shown in <FIG>. <FIG> provides an example of the fixed segments that may be included within the fixed segment display <NUM>, with all of the fixed segments illuminated. In some cases, it will be appreciated that the display <NUM> may instead show white segments on a black background, but this is not required in all cases. <FIG> shows a user interface <NUM> that includes a display portion <NUM> and a button portion <NUM>. In some cases, the button portion <NUM> is part of the display, such as a touch sensitive region of the display. In other cases, the button portion <NUM> is separate from the display. As illustrated, the display portion <NUM> accommodates four lines of information including alphanumeric characters as well as special characters.

The display <NUM> includes an upper menu bar <NUM> including an ENERGY icon 126a, a MONITOR icon 126b and a SETUP icon 126c. As will be appreciated, each of these upper menu bar items may cause the controller <NUM> to display additional screens using the available fixed segments that allow a user to drill down. The display <NUM> includes a first region <NUM> that corresponds to the first region <NUM> of <FIG> and a second region <NUM> that corresponds to the second region <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown, the first region <NUM> includes a total of seven character spaces that are separated by decimals, while the second region <NUM> includes a total of eight character spaces that are separated by decimals. The first region <NUM> may be considered as being designed for displaying both numbers and letters while the second region <NUM> may be considered as being designed for displaying numbers. Accordingly, each character space within the first region <NUM> may include a plurality of elongated display segments arranged substantially horizontally and vertically, and a plurality of elongated display segments arranged at angles other than substantially horizontally and vertically while each character space within the second region <NUM> may include a plurality of elongated display segments arranged substantially horizontally and vertically but free from elongated display segments arranged at angles other than substantially horizontally and vertically.

<FIG> provides an enlarged but somewhat schematic view of a character space within the first region <NUM> and <FIG> provides an enlarged but somewhat schematic view of a character space within the second region <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the elongated display segments shown in <FIG> may vary in segment thickness, segment length, whether ends of each segment are square or angles, etc. As can be seen in <FIG>, a character space <NUM> includes a total of fourteen elongated display segments. In particular, the character space <NUM> includes a total of six vertical (in the illustrated orientation) elongated display segments labeled <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, a total of four horizontal (in the illustrated orientation) elongated display segments labeled <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and a total of four elongated display segments that are arranged at an angle relative to the other elongated display segments. The angled elongated display segments are labeled <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The character space <NUM> may be considered as being optimized for displaying either letters or characters. In <FIG>, a character space <NUM> includes a total of seven elongated display segments. In particular, the character space <NUM> includes the vertical elongated display segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and the horizontal elongated display segments <NUM> and <NUM>. The character space <NUM> also includes a horizontal elongated display segment <NUM> (as compared to the character space <NUM>, which includes a pair of horizontal elongated display segments <NUM> and <NUM> at the middle of the character space <NUM>).

Returning to <FIG>, the user interface <NUM> may include a first line <NUM> that includes a summation icon 132a, a second line <NUM> that includes an L1 icon 134a, a third line <NUM> that includes an L2 icon 136a and a fourth line <NUM> that includes an L3 icon <NUM>. These icons may be selectively illuminated to indicate which line of the display corresponds to which power phase (L1, L2 and L3). As can be seen, the button portion <NUM> may include an up button 124a, a down button 124b and a set button 124c. The user interface <NUM> also includes a column of labels <NUM> that provide identification for the data displayable within the second region <NUM>.

<FIG> provides an example of an illustrative screen <NUM> that may be displayed by the controller <NUM> on the user interface <NUM>. This particular screen is within the energy menu, as indicated by the ENERGY icon 126a being illuminated. As can be seen, the first line <NUM> shows a total energy value obtained by summing the values for each of the three phases denoted by L1, L2 and L3.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of a power monitoring system <NUM> that includes a current transformer <NUM> and a power meter <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the power meter <NUM> is an indirect or CT power meter by virtue of the inclusion of the current transformer <NUM>. The current transformer <NUM> includes a winding <NUM> for sensing a measure of current in a conductor that supplies power to a load as well as a machine-readable apparatus <NUM> that is secured relative to the current transformer <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the current transformer <NUM> may be installed such that the conductor extends through the winding <NUM>, with the winding <NUM> surrounding the conductor. In some cases, the current transformer <NUM> may be a split-core transformer. The current transformer <NUM> may be a rope current transformer, in some cases. These are just examples. The machine-readable apparatus <NUM> may be secured to the current transformer <NUM> itself, or the machine-readable apparatus <NUM> may be disposed in the packaging in which the current transformer <NUM> is shipped. This is just an example. In the example shown, the machine-readable apparatus <NUM> encodes calibration information that is specific to the current transformer <NUM>.

The power meter <NUM> includes a first input <NUM> that is configured to receive the measure of current in the conductor from the current transformer <NUM> and a second input <NUM> that is configured to receive a measure of voltage of the conductor. The controller <NUM> is operably coupled to the first input <NUM> and to the second input <NUM> and the controller <NUM> is configured to receive the calibration information that is encoded in the machine-readable apparatus <NUM> and to calibrate the controller <NUM> with the particular current transformer <NUM> based on the calibration information. In some cases, the controller <NUM> is also configured to determine a number of power monitor parameters based at least in part on the calibration information, the measure of current sensed in the conductor by the current transformer <NUM> and the measure of voltage of the conductor. In some cases, the current transformer <NUM> may be paired with the power meter <NUM> in the field, and thus the calibration information that is encoded in the machine-readable apparatus <NUM> maybe used to instruct the power meter <NUM> how to interpret the measure of current that is received from the current transformer <NUM>.

In some cases, the machine-readable apparatus <NUM> includes a sticker with a bar code and/or a QR code that encodes the calibration information specific to the current transformer <NUM>, and the sticker is readable via an application running on a mobile device. The power meter <NUM> may include a wireless receiver <NUM> such that the power meter <NUM> is able to receive the calibration information from the mobile device via a short range wireless communication. For example, the short range wireless communication may include Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Near Field Communication (NFC).

In some cases, the machine-readable apparatus <NUM> may include a passive data store such as an NFC device or even a passive RFID tag. The passive data store may be readable by an application running on a mobile device such as but not limited to a smartphone or a tablet. When the passive data store includes an NFC device, the power meter <NUM> may further include a loop antenna (or the loop antenna may form the wireless receiver <NUM>) such that electromagnetic induction between the NFC device and the loop antenna enables the power meter <NUM> to read the calibration information stored in the NFC device. When the passive data store includes an RFID tag, the power meter <NUM> may further include an RFID reader (or the RFID reader may form or be included within the wireless receiver <NUM>) such that the power meter <NUM> is able to read the calibration information stored in the passive RFID tag.

<FIG> is a diagram of an assembly <NUM> that facilitates obtaining the calibration information from the machine-readable apparatus <NUM> and communicating the information to the power meter <NUM>. In some cases, a mobile device such as a smartphone <NUM> may be used to scan or otherwise obtain the encoded information from the machine-readable apparatus <NUM>. For example, the machine-readable apparatus <NUM> may be an NFC code or a QR code that can be read by an application running on the smartphone <NUM>. Once the encoded information has been obtained by the smartphone <NUM>, the smartphone <NUM> can communicate the encoded information to the power meter <NUM>. In some cases, the smartphone <NUM> may communicate with the power meter <NUM> via BLE. In some cases, as shown, the encoded information read from the machine-readable apparatus <NUM> includes device information 208a as well as calibration data 208b.

<FIG> is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method <NUM> of configuring a power meter to be used with a particular current transformer. As indicated at block <NUM>, the method includes determining a plurality of calibration parameters for the particular current transformer. As indicated at block <NUM>, the particular current transformer may be provided with a machine-readable apparatus that includes the determined plurality of calibration parameters. As indicated at block <NUM>, the determined plurality of calibration parameters may be read from the machine-readable apparatus. As indicated at block <NUM>, the determined plurality of calibration parameters may be communicated to the power meter to calibrate the power meter with the particular current transformer. In some cases, determining the plurality of calibration parameters may occur during manufacturing, and reading and communicating the determined plurality of calibration parameters may occur after manufacturing, such as out in the field.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an illustrative power meter <NUM> with movable terminal blocks. The power meter <NUM> may be considered as being an example of a direct power meter, meaning that the power meter <NUM> may be spliced into each of the conductors providing power to a particular load. The power meter <NUM> may be considered as being an example of, or including features and elements of, any of the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>), the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>), the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>) or the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>). Accordingly, the power meter <NUM> may be considered as including the controller <NUM> described with respect to any of the power meters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The power meter <NUM> includes a user interface <NUM> having, as illustrated, a display <NUM>, an up button <NUM>, a down button <NUM> and a set button <NUM>. It will be understood that the user interface <NUM> may be considered as being an example of, or including features and elements of, any of the user interface <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) or the user interface <NUM> (<FIG>).

The power meter <NUM> includes a power meter housing <NUM>. A bottom terminal block <NUM> is releasably secured to the power meter housing <NUM>. A top terminal block <NUM> is releasably secured to the power meter housing <NUM>. Each of the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> define one or more wiring terminals. As illustrated, the bottom terminal block <NUM> defines three wiring terminals that may be used for LINE IN for each of three power phases (L1, L2, L3, for example). As illustrated, the top terminal block <NUM> defines four wiring terminals that may be used for LINE OUT for each of the three power phases as well as a NEUTRAL wiring terminal. These are just examples. As illustrated, the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> may be considered as being disposed in a first orientation in which the terminals (and terminal screws) face in a first direction towards a front of the power meter <NUM>. The terminals (and terminal screws) will be discussed in greater detail with respect to subsequent Figures.

In some cases, the power meter <NUM> may be mounted in such a way that the power meter <NUM> is secured at the back of the power meter <NUM>. As illustrated, the power meter housing <NUM> includes a track <NUM> that is configured to accommodate mounting the power meter <NUM> to a DIN rail. In some cases, however, the power meter <NUM> may be mounted within a control panel, with the user interface <NUM> extending outwardly through an aperture within the control panel. In such cases, it will be appreciated that this can cause potential difficulties in wiring the power meter <NUM>. Accordingly, the power meter <NUM> may be configured such that the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> may be moved to a second orientation in which the terminals (and terminal screws) face in a second direction, such as towards a back of the power meter <NUM> or a side of the power meter <NUM>. For example, each of the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> may be rotated from the first orientation to the second orientation, sometimes without completely removing the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> from the power meter <NUM> housing. In some cases, the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> may be removed from the power meter housing <NUM> and reinstalled in the second orientation in which the terminals (and terminal screws) face in a second direction towards a back of the power meter <NUM>. In some cases, the bottom terminal block <NUM> may be removed by pulling the bottom terminal block <NUM> in a direction indicated by an arrow <NUM>. The top terminal block <NUM> may be removed by pulling the top terminal block <NUM> in a direction indicated by an arrow <NUM>. The power meter <NUM> may include a control terminal block <NUM> corresponding to the control terminals <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the power meter <NUM> with the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> removed. As can be seen, the power meter <NUM> includes a bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> into which the bottom terminal block <NUM> fits and a top terminal block cavity <NUM> into which the top terminal block <NUM> fits. The bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> includes several features of interest. The bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> includes electrical contacts <NUM> extending from an interior of the power meter <NUM>. Because the bottom terminal block <NUM> includes three terminals, the bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> includes three electrical contacts 328a, 328b and 328c. It will be appreciated that if the bottom terminal block <NUM> included fewer terminals, there would correspondingly be fewer electrical contacts <NUM> extending from an interior of the power meter <NUM>. If the bottom terminal block <NUM> included additional terminals, there would corresponding be additional electrical contacts <NUM> extending from an interior of the power meter <NUM>. It will be appreciated that there are electrical contacts <NUM> extending into the top terminal block cavity <NUM>, with the number of electrical contacts <NUM> corresponding to the number of terminals within the top terminal block <NUM>. In some cases, at least some of the electrical contacts <NUM> may be electrically coupled with at least some of the electrical contacts <NUM>.

The bottom terminal block <NUM> may fit into the bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> via an interference fit, or a snap fit. In some cases, one or more screws or other fasteners may be used to releasably secure the bottom terminal block <NUM>. In some cases, as illustrated, the bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> also includes an engagement feature 332a along one side of the bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> as well as an engagement feature 332b along an opposing side of the bottom terminal block cavity <NUM>. As will be discussed, the bottom terminal block <NUM> may include features that releasably engage the engagement features 332a, 332b. While not visible, it will be appreciated that there are similar engagement features within the top terminal block cavity <NUM> that releasably engage the top terminal block <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views showing the bottom of the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top of the bottom terminal block <NUM>, respectively. The bottom terminal block <NUM> can be seen as including an engagement feature 350a that is configured to releasably engage the engagement feature 332a of the bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> and an engagement feature 350b that is configured to releasably engage the engagement feature 332b of the bottom terminal block cavity <NUM>. In some cases, the engagement feature 350a and 350b each may include one or two (two are illustrated) cantilevered latches <NUM> along either side of a recess <NUM>.

As previously noted, the bottom terminal block <NUM> is shown as having three terminals <NUM>, which are individually labeled as 348a, 348b and 348c. Each terminal <NUM> includes a terminal screw <NUM>, labeled individually as a terminal screw 360a, a terminal screw 360b and a terminal screw 360c. It will be appreciated that it is to ensure access to the terminal screws <NUM> that the bottom terminal block <NUM> (and the top terminal block <NUM>) are configured to be releasably secured in either the first orientation (shown for example in <FIG>) in which the terminals <NUM> face forward and the opposing second orientation in which the terminals <NUM> face rearward. Other orientations are also contemplated. In the example shown, each terminal <NUM> includes a conductive cage <NUM>, which are individually labeled as a conductive cage 362a, a conductive cage 362b and a conductive cage 362c. It will be appreciated that the conductive cages <NUM> are configured to accommodate a conductor inserted into the conductive cage <NUM>. As will be discussed with respect to <FIG>, the terminal screws <NUM> and the conductive cages <NUM> interact with the electrical contacts <NUM> to physically secure each conductor inserted into the conductive cages <NUM> and to ensure electrical contact between the conductors (not shown) and the electrical contacts <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views of a bottom housing section 370a and a top housing section 370b, respectively, that together form a bottom terminal block housing <NUM>. In looking at the bottom housing section 370a, it can be seen that the bottom housing section 370a defines terminal channels <NUM>, which are individually labeled as a terminal channel 372a, a terminal channel 372b and a terminal channel 372c. Each of the terminal channels <NUM> may be seen as including an aperture <NUM> that permits insertion of a conductor into one of the conductive cages <NUM>. The bottom housing section 370a also defines apertures <NUM> that accommodate insertion of a screwdriver or other tool in order to engage the terminal screws <NUM>. In some cases, the apertures <NUM> are sized to be large enough to permit tool insertion but are smaller in diameter than the terminal screws <NUM> in order to retain the terminal screws <NUM>. It can be seen that each of the terminal channels <NUM> include a cutout <NUM> to accommodate each terminal screw <NUM>.

With respect to <FIG>, the top housing section 370b includes a pair of walls <NUM> that are configured to fit into corresponding voids <NUM> that are formed in the bottom housing section 370a. Together, the walls <NUM> and the voids <NUM> interact to help secure the bottom housing section 370a to the top housing section 370b. The top housing section 370b includes apertures <NUM>, individually labeled as an aperture 384a, an aperture 384b and an aperture 384c. The apertures <NUM> are configured to accommodate the electrical contacts <NUM> when the bottom terminal block <NUM> is disposed within the bottom terminal block cavity <NUM>. By virtue of the apertures <NUM> being centered vertically within the top housing section 370b, it will be appreciated that the electrical contacts <NUM> will extend into the apertures <NUM> regardless of whether the bottom terminal block <NUM> is inserted into the bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> in the first orientation or in the second orientation. In some cases, an aperture <NUM> extends through the top housing section 370b in order to accommodate a cantilevered latch <NUM>. As will be discussed, the illustrative cantilevered latch <NUM> is configured to interact with a protective plate.

<FIG> shows the bottom terminal block <NUM> with the bottom housing section 370a removed. As can be seen, the bottom terminal block <NUM> includes a protective plate <NUM> that is movable between a first position, as shown, that permits access to each of the terminal screws <NUM>. By engaging a latch <NUM>, the protective plate <NUM> may be moved in a direction that is indicated by an arrow <NUM> in order to prevent access to each of the terminal screws <NUM>. As shown, the protective plate <NUM> includes apertures 390a and 390b that in the first position permit access to each of the terminal screws <NUM> such that a screwdriver or other tool can engage each of the terminal screws <NUM>. By moving the protective plate <NUM> in the direction indicated by the arrow <NUM>, the apertures 390a and 390b will no longer align with the terminal screws <NUM>, and the protective plate <NUM> may prevent access to the terminal screws <NUM>. The protective plate <NUM> includes a cutout profile <NUM> that engages the cantilevered latch <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the protective plate <NUM> has been removed. Each of the terminal screws <NUM> may be seen as including a tool engagement feature <NUM>. While each tool engagement feature <NUM> is illustrated as being configured to accommodate a Phillips screwdriver, this is not required. For example, there are a variety of different options for the tool engagement feature <NUM>, including a single slot (to accommodate a standard screwdriver) a hex shaped cavity (to accommodate an Allen wrench) and the like. It should be noted that each of the terminal screws <NUM> are threadedly engaged with the corresponding conductive cages <NUM>. By comparing <FIG> with <FIG>, it will be appreciated that the electrical contacts <NUM> extend into the conductive cages <NUM> such that the terminal screws <NUM> engage the electrical contacts <NUM>. As the terminal screws <NUM> are turned, the terminal screws <NUM> cause the conductive cages <NUM> to move up or down, thereby tightening against conductors inserted into the conductive cages <NUM>. Accordingly, the conductors are physically and electrically secured relative to the conductive cages <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the conductive cages <NUM> include a threaded aperture <NUM> that threadedly engage corresponding threads <NUM> formed on the terminal screws <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> provide perspective views of the top and bottom, respectively, of the top terminal block <NUM>. Construction of the top terminal block <NUM> is essentially the same as that described with respect to the bottom terminal block <NUM>. The only difference is that in some cases, as illustrated, the top terminal block <NUM> may have a fourth terminal <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an illustrative power meter <NUM>. The power meter <NUM> may be considered as being an example of an indirect or CT power meter, meaning that the power meter <NUM> includes one or more first terminals that are each configured to accept a conductor providing an indication of line voltage in a corresponding phase of a power line, as well as one or more second terminal pairs that are each configured to accept conductor pairs from a current transformer sensor or the like that provides an indication of current in a corresponding phase of the power line. As an example, the one or more first terminals may include a LINE ONE voltage terminal, a LINE TWO voltage terminal, a LINE THREE voltage terminal and a NEUTRAL terminal. The one or more second terminal pairs may include a LINE ONE S1 and a LINE ONE S2 terminal pair, a LINE TWO S1 and a LINE TWO S2 terminal pair, a LINE THREE S1 and a LINE THREE S2 terminal pair, where for each power phase S1 and S2 correspond to two lines coming from a corresponding current transformer sensor.

The power meter <NUM> may be considered as being an example of, or including features and elements of, any of the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>), the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>), the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>) or the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>). Accordingly, the power meter <NUM> may be considered as including the controller <NUM> described with respect to any of the power meters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The power meter <NUM> includes a user interface <NUM> having, as illustrated, a display <NUM>, an up button <NUM>, a down button <NUM> and a set button <NUM>. It will be understood that the user interface <NUM> may be considered as being an example of, or including features and elements of, any of the user interface <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) or the user interface <NUM> (<FIG>).

The power meter <NUM> includes a power meter housing <NUM>. A bottom terminal block <NUM> is releasably secured to the power meter housing <NUM>. A top terminal block <NUM> is releasably secured to the power meter housing <NUM>. Each of the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> define one or more wiring terminals. As illustrated, the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> may be considered as being disposed in a first orientation in which the terminals (and terminal screws) face in a first direction towards a front of the power meter <NUM>.

In some cases, the power meter <NUM> may be configured such that the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> may be removed from the power meter housing <NUM> and reinstalled in a second orientation in which the terminals (and terminal screws) face in a second direction towards a back of the power meter <NUM>. In some cases, the bottom terminal block <NUM> may be removed by pulling the bottom terminal block <NUM> in a direction indicated by an arrow <NUM>. The top terminal block <NUM> may be removed by pulling the top terminal block <NUM> in a direction indicated by an arrow <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are bottom and top perspective views, respectively, of the power meter <NUM> with the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> removed. As can be seen, the power meter <NUM> includes a bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> into which the bottom terminal block <NUM> fits and a top terminal block cavity <NUM> into which the top terminal block <NUM> fits. The bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> includes electrical contacts <NUM> extending from an interior of the power meter <NUM> and the top terminal block cavity <NUM> includes electrical contacts <NUM> extending from an interior of the power meter <NUM>.

Because the bottom terminal block <NUM> includes four terminals, the bottom terminal block cavity <NUM> includes four electrical contacts 528a, 528b, 528c and 528d. It will be appreciated that if the bottom terminal block <NUM> included fewer terminals, there would correspondingly be fewer electrical contacts <NUM> extending from an interior of the power meter <NUM>. If the bottom terminal block <NUM> included additional terminals, there would corresponding be additional electrical contacts <NUM> extending from an interior of the power meter <NUM>. Similarly, because the top terminal block <NUM> includes six terminals, the top terminal block cavity <NUM> includes six electrical contacts 530a, 530b, 530c, 530d, 530e and 540f. It will be appreciated that if the top terminal block <NUM> included fewer terminals, there would correspondingly be fewer electrical contacts <NUM> extending from an interior of the power meter <NUM>. If the top terminal block <NUM> included additional terminals, there would corresponding be additional electrical contacts <NUM> extending from an interior of the power meter <NUM>.

In the example shown, construction and interior details of the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> are identical, apart from size considerations, to that described with respect to the bottom terminal block <NUM> of the power meter <NUM>. How the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM> are releasably secured to the power meter housing <NUM> is also the same as that described for the bottom terminal block <NUM> and the top terminal block <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the terminal screws <NUM>, the conductive cages <NUM>, and the terminal channels <NUM> may be smaller, depending on how many terminals <NUM> are required. The overall dimensions of the bottom terminal block <NUM> may be similar or identical to the overall dimensions of the bottom terminal block <NUM>. The overall dimensions of the top terminal block <NUM> may be similar or identical to the overall dimensions of the top terminal block <NUM>. Accordingly, if there are more terminals <NUM>, the individual components such as the terminal screws <NUM>, the conductive cages <NUM>, and the terminal channels <NUM> may be correspondingly smaller. In some cases, the conductive cages, terminals and/or screws may be sized to accommodate the expected current that each of the terminals are expected to carry during operation of the power meter. Generally, the larger the electrical components, the less electrical resistance will be introduced into the terminal paths.

<FIG> is a front view of an illustrative power meter <NUM>. The power meter <NUM> may be considered as being an example of, or including features and elements of, any of the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>), the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>), the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>) or the power meter <NUM> (<FIG>). Accordingly, the power meter <NUM> may be considered as including the controller <NUM> described with respect to any of the power meters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The power meter <NUM> may be considered as representing a direct power meter, such as the power meter <NUM>, or an indirect or CT power meter, such as the power meter <NUM>. In <FIG>, it can be seen that a bottom terminal block <NUM> and a top terminal block <NUM> have both been moved from the first orientation in which the terminals <NUM> face forward, to the second orientation in which the terminals <NUM> face backward. The power meter <NUM> is shown as being configured to be secured to a panel in which the user interface <NUM> extends through an aperture in the panel.

<FIG> is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method <NUM> of installing a power meter that includes a power meter housing and a terminal block that is movable relative to the power meter housing. As indicated at block <NUM>, the illustrative method <NUM> includes determining whether the power meter is to be installed in a manner that enables wiring access to a front side of the power meter or in a manner that enables wiring access to a back side of the power meter. In some cases, this includes determining whether the power meter is to be installed on a DIN rail or through an opening in a panel. As indicated at block <NUM>, when the power meter is to be installed in a manner that enables wiring access to the front side of the power meter, the terminal block is attached to the power meter housing such that the terminal block faces forward. As indicated at block <NUM>, when the power meter is to be installed in a manner that enables wiring access to the back of the power meter, the terminal block is attached to the power meter housing such that the terminal block faces forward.

In some instances, the power meters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> described herein may undergo a configuration or commissioning process before they are fully functional. For example, in some cases, the power meter utilizes configuration data for a particular current transformer that will be used with the power meter. A variety of other commissioning parameters may also be useful. A mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet may be used in commissioning a power meter. <FIG> is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method <NUM> in which a mobile device may be used in commissioning a power meter, particularly if the power meter includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication capability.

As indicated at block <NUM>, the mobile device may discover the presence of the power meter by recognizing a signal produced by the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication capability of the power meter. As indicated at block <NUM>, the mobile device may receive a unique identifier for the power meter. In some cases, the mobile device may receive the unique identifier for the power meter from a user via the user interface of the mobile device. Alternatively, the mobile device may receive the unique identifier for the power meter by decoding a QR code that is captured by a camera of the mobile device.

As indicated at block <NUM>, when the received unique identifier matches a unique identifier stored by the power meter, a communication link may be established between the mobile device and the power meter using the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication capability of the power meter. As indicated at block <NUM>, one or more commissioning parameters may be transmitted to the power meter via the established communication link between the mobile device and the power meter. In some cases, the mobile device may receive one or more commissioning parameters for the power meter from a user via the user interface of the mobile device. In some cases, one or more of the commissioning parameters that are transmitted to the power meter may include an automatically generated address for use in subsequently addressing the power meter. As additional examples, one or more of the commissioning parameters that are transmitted to the power meter may include one or more of a power meter type, a power meter location, a power meter name, a power meter frequency setting, a primary ratio of a current transformer that is coupled to the power meter, a secondary ratio of a current transformer that is coupled to the power meter, and a direction of power delivery relative to a current transformer that is coupled to the power meter.

In some cases, the one or more commissioning parameters may be part of a template that is stored in a memory of the mobile device. In some cases, a template may be created using the user interface of the mobile device. Alternatively, a template may be downloaded to the mobile device from an external source. The mobile device may in some cases store two or more templates, and the mobile device may solicit or otherwise receive a selection of a selected template from the two or more templates via the user interface of the mobile device. The mobile device may transmit one or more commissioning parameters from the selected template to the power meter via the established communication link between the mobile device and the power meter.

In some cases, the mobile device may receive input from a user to create a project via the user interface of the mobile device, and to assign one or more templates to the project. The mobile device may also receive input from the user to assign the power meter to the project. A project may serve as a convenient depository for templates, parameters, power meter listings, and/or other information for a particular facility or site. This may allow the various technicians working at the site to share templates and/or other information, speed the commissioning process, and/or help improve uniformity of the commissioning of power meters across the facility or site.

In some cases, the mobile device may read a machine-readable code on or adjacent a particular current transformer, and use information encoded in the machine-readable code to calibrate a particular power meter for use with the particular current transformer. Alternatively, or in addition, the mobile device may download an emulation mapping that maps addressable locations of the power meter to corresponding power monitor parameters, and to communicate the emulation mapping to the power meter so that the power meter can emulate a particular power meter type during use. As another example, a mobile device may organize a plurality of power meters to which a communication link has been established into two or more groups of power meters, where each of the power meters within a particular group can be commissioned together in a single commissioning process.

<FIG> is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method <NUM> of installing a power meter that includes a power meter housing and a terminal block that is movable relative to the power meter housing. As indicated at block <NUM>, one or more screens may be displayed on a user interface of the mobile device that provides a power meter menu that includes a plurality of menu items for interacting with one or more power meters having Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication capability. As indicated at block <NUM>, a selection from a user may be accepted via the user interface of a menu item from the power meter menu. As indicated at block <NUM>, and in response to the accepted selection, one or more subsequent screens may be displayed on the user interface of the mobile device that pertain to the selected menu item. As indicated at block <NUM>, one or more selections and/or data entry may be selected via the user interface of the mobile device via the one or more subsequent screens. As indicated at block <NUM>, the one or more selections and/or data entry may be communicated to the power meter using the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication capability (or other communication capability) of the power meter.

In some cases, the selected menu item may cause the mobile device to display one or more subsequent screens that can be used to establish a BLE (or other) communication link with one or more power meters. The one or more subsequent screens may enable the user to solicit entry into, for example, one or more of a power meter setup menu, a power meter monitoring menu and a current transformer replacement menu.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of a mobile device <NUM> that is configured to communicate with a power meter having Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) (or other) communication capability. The illustrative mobile device <NUM> includes a user interface <NUM> having a display screen <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may be configured to permit display of information on the display screen <NUM> as well as to accept inputs from a user via the user interface <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may be a touch screen display, for example. The mobile device <NUM> includes a BLE transceiver <NUM> and a memory <NUM> that stores an executable application that, when executed, enables the mobile device <NUM> to establish BLE communication with a power meter and to communicate information between the mobile device <NUM> and the power meter. A controller <NUM> may be operably coupled with the user interface <NUM>, the BLE transceiver <NUM> and the memory <NUM> and may be configured to execute the executable application that is stored within the memory <NUM>. In some cases, executing the executable application, such as by the controller <NUM>, causes the mobile device <NUM> to display one or more screens on the user interface <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> that provide a power meter menu that includes a plurality of menu items for interacting with one or more power meters having BLE communication capability. The mobile device <NUM> may accept a user selection of a menu item from the power meter menu and in response, may display one or more subsequent screens on the user interface <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM>, the one or more subsequent screens pertaining to the selected menu item. In some cases, one or more selections and/or data entry may be accepted via the user interface <NUM> of the mobile device 680via the one or more subsequent screens. In some instances, the one or more selections and/or data entry may be communicated to the power meter using the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication capability of the power meter.

<FIG> is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method <NUM> of using a mobile device to identify, establish communication with, and commission one or more power meters that are equipped with a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) (or other) communication capability. This may include any of the power meters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> described herein. The method <NUM> begins at a starting point <NUM>, and initially proceeds to a decision block <NUM> at which a determination is made whether the mobile device is to communicate with the power meters using only BLE, or if a QR code or other method of quickly reading identification data is available. If BLE only, which may be slower, the mobile device proceeds down a path <NUM>. If a QR code or other source of mobile device-readable data is available in addition to BLE, the mobile device proceeds down a path <NUM>.

The path <NUM> begins with the mobile device establishing BLE communication with a power meter, as indicated at block <NUM>. This may include, for example, selecting a particular power meter that may be listed on a list of nearby BLE-enabled devices including power meters. In some cases, a power meter may include a pin code, such as printed on a sticker or otherwise printed on the power meter, or perhaps displayed by a display of the power meter. The user may then enter the pin code on the mobile device to establish a BLE connection between the mobile device and a particular power meter. Once a BLE connection has been established, control passes to block <NUM>, which may include displaying a list of BLE-connected power meters, and allowing connections to be made to additional power meter. In some cases, and as noted at block <NUM>, a template may be selected to facilitate commissioning of a particular power meter or a group of power meters. The power meters may be automatically assigned addresses rather than the user having to manually input an address for each power meter, as noted at block <NUM>. Control passes to block <NUM>, at which point commissioning is complete.

The path <NUM> begins with the mobile device establishing BLE communication with a power meter by scanning the QR code, as indicated at block <NUM>. Once a BLE connection has been established, control passes to block <NUM>, which may include displaying a list of BLE-connected power meters, and allowing connections to be made to additional power meter. In some cases, and as noted at block <NUM>, a template may be selected to facilitate commissioning a particular power meter or a group of power meters. The power meters may be automatically assigned addresses, as noted at block <NUM>. Control passes to block <NUM>, at which point commissioning is complete.

<FIG> are illustrative screen shots showing screens that may be displayed by a mobile device when using the mobile device to commission one or more power meters. Starting at <FIG>, a home screen <NUM> is displayed. The home screen <NUM> may be displayed by a mobile device after a user logs into the application running on the mobile device. It will be appreciated that the home screen <NUM> provides several options for the user to select from, including a Projects icon <NUM>, an Import Projects icon <NUM>, a Templates icon <NUM> and a Settings icon <NUM>. Depending on which icon is selected, the mobile device will display an appropriate screen or series of screens on the user interface of the mobile device. If the user selects the Templates icon <NUM>, for example, the mobile device will display a screen <NUM> such as shown in <FIG>.

The screen <NUM> provides the user with a number of different templates to choose from. In some cases, for example, the available templates may be organized into Full Templates <NUM>, Communication Templates <NUM> and Scheduler Templates <NUM>, with several templates organized under each of the identified types of templates. The user can decide to minimize or otherwise hide the templates listed under a particular identified type of templates by pressing a minimize arrow <NUM>. The user can scroll through templates and can select one of the listed templates. In some cases, if they desire, the user can create a new template by pressing the New Templates icon <NUM>. Sometimes a new templated may be created by modifying an existing template and saving the modified template as a new template.

Returning briefly to the screen <NUM> shown in <FIG>, if the user selects the Settings icon <NUM>, the mobile device may display a screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> lists a plurality of different settings, which are generically listed on the screen <NUM>. In some cases, one of the listed settings may be selected, which may cause the mobile device to display one or more subsequent screens.

Returning briefly to the screen <NUM> shown in <FIG>, if the user selects the Projects icon <NUM>, the mobile device may display a screen <NUM> such as shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> provides a list of projects. As shown, the list of projects includes a First Ave <NUM> project <NUM>, a Second Street <NUM> project <NUM> and a Mainstreet <NUM> project <NUM>. As shown, the Second Street <NUM> project <NUM> is highlighted, so pressing an arrow <NUM> causes the mobile device to display a screen <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> includes a status summary <NUM> and a first page of projects labeled Building A <NUM>, Building B <NUM>, Building C <NUM> and Building D <NUM>. As indicated by scroll buttons <NUM>, there are a total of three pages that the user can scroll between. The screen <NUM> also includes a Projects button <NUM> and a Reports button <NUM> that may be used to solicit additional screens. In this particular case, the Projects button <NUM> is highlighted. Selecting the Projects button <NUM> may cause the mobile device to display a screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> may include a listing of projects.

Returning to the screen <NUM> shown in <FIG>, it can be seen that the screen <NUM> includes a PLUS icon <NUM> that may be used to add new projects as well as a Quick Connect button <NUM> that may be used to establish communication with a particular device such as a particular power meter. If the user selects the PLUS icon <NUM>, the mobile device may display a screen that allows the user to create a new project.

If a user indicates that they wish to add a new power meter, and the mobile device determines that the BLE capability is not turned on, the mobile device may display a screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, an information balloon <NUM> has been superimposed onto a screen. The information balloon <NUM> includes a Settings button <NUM>, which may for example be used to access the mobile device's BLE capabilities, as well as an OK button <NUM> that the user can use to acknowledge the information balloon <NUM> and in some cases cause the mobile device to remove the information balloon <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a screen <NUM> that may be displayed by the mobile device if a particular power meter has a QR code that can be scanned. The screen <NUM> includes an alignment frame <NUM> to help the user accurately scan the QR code. After scanning the QR code, the mobile device may display a screen <NUM> that indicates to the user that the mobile device is in the process of establishing BLE connections with the power meters. Once connected, the mobile device may display a screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> includes a list <NUM> of connected power meters. The screen <NUM> also includes an Add More button <NUM>, a Commission button <NUM> and a Done button <NUM>. The Add More button <NUM> may be used to connect additional power meters. The Commission button <NUM> may be selected to proceed with commissioning the connected power meters. The Done button <NUM>, if selected, may cause the mobile device to revert to a previous screen, such as but not limited to the Home Screen <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

If the user selects the Commission button <NUM>, the mobile device may display a screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> enables the user to start with auto addressing, which automatically determines BLE addresses for each of the connected power meters. A Start button <NUM> enables the user to start the commissioning process. Pressing the Start button <NUM> causes the mobile device to display a screen <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, that informs the user that the mobile device is in the process of commissioning the connected power meters. Once commissioning has been completed, the mobile device may display a screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> includes a list <NUM> of commissioned power meters as well as a Next button <NUM>. In some cases, selecting the Next button <NUM> may cause the mobile device to display a screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> shows a list of power meters, any one of which may be selected via an arrow <NUM>. In some cases, a colored dot <NUM> may be illuminated next to one of the listed power meters to indicate that one or more problems have been detected with that particular power meter.

If the user selects the colored dot <NUM>, or otherwise indicates they desire more information, the mobile device may display a screen <NUM> as seen in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> includes an Issues menu <NUM> that is superimposed onto a previous screen. The Issues Menu <NUM> includes a listing <NUM> outlining each of the detected issues as well as a Got It button <NUM> that the user can use to acknowledge the Issues menu <NUM>. <FIG> shows a screen <NUM> that may be displayed by the mobile device in response to the user requesting further information regarding a particular power meter. The screen <NUM> includes a variety of categories, including a Power Quality Dashboard <NUM> and a Load Dashboard <NUM>, both of which display colored dots <NUM> to indicate potential problems. Selecting the Power Quality Dashboard <NUM> may cause the mobile device to display a screen <NUM> that provides more information regarding power quality. A colored dot <NUM> next to Voltage Swell <NUM> causes the mobile device to display a screen <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, that provides more information pertaining to voltage swell.

Reverting briefly to <FIG>, if the user selects the Load Dashboard <NUM>, the mobile device may display a screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> provides additional information regarding the load that is consuming power being measured by a particular power meter. <FIG> shows a screen <NUM> that may be displayed if a user desires additional information.

Claim 1:
A power monitoring system (<NUM>), comprising:
a current transformer (<NUM>) comprising:
a winding (<NUM>) configured to sense a measure of current in a conductor that supplies power to a load;
a machine-readable apparatus (<NUM>), the machine-readable apparatus (<NUM>) configured to encode calibration information specific to the current transformer (<NUM>);
a Near-Field Communication (NFC) device operatively coupled to the machine-readable apparatus;
a mobile device (<NUM>) comprising an application running on the mobile device, the mobile device (<NUM>) configured to read the calibration information specific to the current transformer (<NUM>) from the machine-readable apparatus (<NUM>) via the NFC device of the current transformer (<NUM>); and
a power meter (<NUM>) comprising:
a first input (<NUM>) configured to receive
the measure of current in the conductor from the current transformer (<NUM>);
a second input (<NUM>) configured to receive a measure of voltage of the conductor;
a wireless receiver (<NUM>);
a controller (<NUM>) operatively coupled to the first input (<NUM>), the second input (<NUM>) and the wireless receiver (<NUM>), the controller (<NUM>) configured to:
receive the calibration information encoded in the machine-readable apparatus (<NUM>) from the mobile device (<NUM>) via the wireless receiver (<NUM>);
calibrate the power meter (<NUM>) for use with the current transformer (<NUM>) based on the calibration information from the mobile device (<NUM>); and
determine a number of power monitor parameters based at least in part on the measure of current sensed in the conductor by the current transformer (<NUM>) and the measure of voltage of the conductor once the power meter has been calibrated for use with the current transformer (<NUM>).