Abstract: A utility meter includes: a rectifier configured to rectify AC voltage from a power grid to generate a primary DC voltage supply; and a primary holdup circuitry, including: first capacitors coupled to a primary DC voltage rail and configured to store energy from the primary voltage supply; a switch coupled to the first capacitors; and a control circuit configured to control the primary holdup circuitry, wherein the control circuit is configured to: determine that a secondary DC voltage of a secondary voltage supply is approximately equal to a first specified threshold voltage; and generate a control signal to causes the switch to turn on and cause the one or more first capacitors to release a portion of the energy stored in the one or more first capacitors to the primary DC voltage rail.

Abstract: A utility meter includes: a rectifier configured to rectify AC voltage from a power grid to generate a primary DC voltage supply; and a primary holdup circuitry, including: first capacitors coupled to a primary DC voltage rail and configured to store energy from the primary voltage supply; a switch coupled to the first capacitors; and a control circuit configured to control the primary holdup circuitry, wherein the control circuit is configured to: determine that a secondary DC voltage of a secondary voltage supply is approximately equal to a first specified threshold voltage; and generate a control signal to causes the switch to turn on and cause the one or more first capacitors to release a portion of the energy stored in the one or more first capacitors to the primary DC voltage rail.

Abstract: An electricity meter for monitoring electric power consumed from a service line is disclosed. The electricity meter includes a power consumption metering system for measuring the amount of power consumed from the service line, a peripheral device providing a non-critical function, a power converter, and a load management system. The metering system includes a controller and data storage for storing power consumption data. The power converter provides an unregulated voltage output at the terminals of a capacitor for powering the metering system. The load management system selectively couples and decouples the peripheral device from the power converter. The load management system senses the unregulated voltage to determine whether to couple or decouple the peripheral device. A load management system for an electricity meter and a method of managing the loads on the power system of an electricity meter are also disclosed.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a first filter stage and a second filter stage. The utility meter has a measurement circuit that includes at least one analog portion susceptible to radio frequency signal interference, the radio frequency signal interference forming an extraneous signal component in an analog signal that is representative of a signal to be measured. The first filter stage is operable to attenuate signals in a first frequency range that is higher than a frequency band of interest of the signal to be measured. The first filter stage is operably coupled to receive the analog signal. The second filter stage is operable to attenuate signals in a second frequency range that is higher than the first frequency range. The second filter stage is also operably coupled to receive the analog signal.

Abstract: An electricity meter for monitoring electric power consumed from a service line is disclosed. The electricity meter includes a power consumption metering system for measuring the amount of power consumed from the service line, a peripheral device providing a non-critical function, a power converter, and a load management system. The metering system includes a controller and data storage for storing power consumption data. The power converter provides an unregulated voltage output at the terminals of a capacitor for powering the metering system. The load management system selectively couples and decouples the peripheral device from the power converter. The load management system senses the unregulated voltage to determine whether to couple or decouple the peripheral device. A load management system for an electricity meter and a method of managing the loads on the power system of an electricity meter are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electricity meter includes an input circuit operable to generate signals representative of a line voltage waveform and a line current waveform. A processing circuit is connected to the input circuit and is operable to generate energy consumption data based on the input signals. A communications circuit is also connected to the processing circuit. The communications circuit includes an optical receiver having a single photo-transistor, a single capacitor and two resistors. The photo-transistor is operable to act as a switching device that allows varying amounts of current to pass in association with received light pulses. This action allows light signals received by the photo-transistor to be converted into electrical signals. The electrical signals are passed across the first resistor. These electrical signals are differentiated by the capacitor and the second resistor to filter out low frequency signals created by ambient light.