Patent ID: 7031859

Claim:
An apparatus for identifying a phase of a power line in a three-phase power distribution network ( 100 ), said apparatus comprising: a reference phase identification meter ( 145 , 695 ) coupled to a reference line ( 150 ) at a first location in said network ( 100 ) and configured to gather reference phase data relative to said reference line ( 150 ) at a predetermined time ( 320 ); a test phase identification meter ( 155 , 600 ) coupled to a line under test ( 160 , 610 ) at a second location in said network ( 100 ) and configured to gather test phase data relative to said line under test ( 160 , 610 ) at said predetermined time ( 320 ); and a computer ( 165 ) configured to establish communication with said test phase identification meter ( 155 ) after said test phase identification meter ( 155 ) has gathered said test phase data, configured to receive said test phase data from said test phase identification meter ( 155 ), and configured to identify a phase of said second line ( 160 ) in response to said test phase data from said test phase identification meter ( 155 ) and said reference phase data from said reference phase identification meter ( 145 ).