Patent ID: 6989667

Claim:
An electrical energy meter, comprising: a base; a current sensor assembly comprising a plurality of contact blades and at least one current transformer mechanically coupled to the base and electrically coupled to the contact blades; a circuit board assembly comprising a circuit board electrically coupled to the current transformer and the contact blades; a circuit-board support member comprising a substantially circular rim portion having a first and a second plurality of retaining clips formed thereon, the first plurality of retaining clips each being adapted to securely engage the base by way of a corresponding through hole formed in the base whereby the circuit-board support member is secured to the base without the use of external fasteners; and an inner housing adapted to securely engage the circuit-board support member so the that the inner housing and the base substantially enclose the current sensor assembly and the circuit board assembly, wherein the inner housing comprises a plurality of snaps each having a through hole formed therein, and each of the second plurality of retaining clips is adapted to substantially align with and become disposed in a respective one of the through holes in the snaps as the inner housing is mated with the circuit-board support member thereby causing the second plurality of retaining clips to securely engage the inner housing whereby the inner housing is secured to the circuit-board support member without the use of external fasteners.