Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for detecting tampering with an electrical energy meter comprising a disconnect switch, interposed into feeder lines that deliver electrical energy from a voltage source to an electrical load, which switches between an open circuit in which electrical energy is not supplied to the electrical load and a closed circuit in which electrical energy is supplied to the electrical load, a load-side voltage sensor, which provides voltage signals indicative of load-side voltage, and a microprocessor that determines whether a tamper conditions exists by determining whether the disconnect switch is open or closed, determining whether a load-side voltage is present, and, if the disconnect switch is open and a load-side voltage is present, indicating that a tamper condition exists. The tamper detection apparatus preferably includes a communications module, connected to the microprocessor, for providing a two-way communications interface to a remote location. In this embodiment, if the microprocessor determines that a tamper condition exists, the microprocessor transmits to the remote location a message indicating that a tamper condition exists. The communications module may also open or close the disconnect switch in response to open and close commands from the remote location. This feature permits remote polling of the meter to determine if a tamper condition is present.

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First Claim