Patent ID: 8340527

Claim:
A method for coupling an optical signal via at least one optical cable selected from a group comprising lightguide, optical fiber and a combination thereof to a semiconductor circuit contained in a packaged plastic enclosure of an integrated lightguide coupler for monitoring and communicating data pertaining to a current drawn through one of an AC power line and an AC power outlet including one of reporting and controlling the consumed power by an electrical appliance; said packaged plastic enclosure of said integrated lightguide coupler further contains at least one optical access made of a plastic molded structure, and at least one photo element selected from a group comprising a photo diode, a photovoltaic cell, a photo diac, a photo thyristor, a photo triac, a photo transistor, a photo MOSFET, an LED, a laser and combinations thereof, said at least one photo element being integrated with said semiconductor circuit, and said semiconductor circuit being selected from a group comprising a current sensor, a current data processor and a combination thereof; said optical access providing for directly attaching and optically linking said at least one optical cable with said at least one photo element, at least one holder selected from a group comprising a structured holder within said enclosure, an attachable holder and a combination thereof for holding a terminated end of said optical cable attached to said access, said method comprising the steps of: a. terminating said optical cable end by a sharp cut; b. attaching the terminated end directly to said access; c. holding the terminated end attached to said access by said holder; and d. exchanging said optical signal selected from a group comprising transmit, receive and two way communication between said optical cable and said photo element for communicating said data with said circuit.