Importance

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Abstract

An electrical utility meter includes measurement error diagnostic capabilities with intelligent communication capabilities. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes an electrical utility meter for measuring energy consumption by a load. The electrical utility meter includes, sensor circuitry, a conversion circuit, a communication circuit, and a controller. The sensor circuitry connects to a meter socket. The meter socket connects to a plurality of power lines that, in turn, connect the load to a source of electrical power. The source of electrical power provides power to the load in a plurality of phases. The sensor circuitry generates voltage and current measurement signals representative of the voltage and current waveforms on the plurality of power lines. The conversion circuit is connected to the sensor circuitry and generates a power consumption measurement, as well as measured phase angle data for the plurality of phases, all of which are generated based on the voltage and current measurement signals. The communication circuit is connected to a remotely located control device. The controller is connected to the memory, the communication circuit, and the conversion circuit. The controller is operable to receive measured phase angle data for the plurality of phases, periodically perform a plurality of diagnostic tests using the measured phase angle data to determine whether a measurement error is present, and provide an alert signal to the communication circuit if a measurement error is present. The communication circuit, upon receiving the alert signal, is operable to obtain information identifying the measurement error and transmit an error signal containing information identifying the measurement error to remotely located control device.

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First Claim