Abstract: A power supply control circuit for controlling operation of a power supply for an electricity meter during an alternating current (AC) power outage includes: an input section configured to receive a representation of an output voltage of the power supply and a power loss signal; a comparator section configured to generate an output signal based on the power loss signal and the representation of the output voltage; and a feedback control section configured to control a feedback signal to the power supply based on the output signal from the comparator section. When activated by the output signal from the comparator section, the feedback control section is configured to change the feedback signal with respect to the feedback signal from a feedback circuit caused the output voltage. The change in the feedback signal causes the power supply to stop supplying the output voltage.

Abstract: An AC line voltage detection circuit includes an AC sense circuit, a power supply control circuit, and a power supply hold-up circuit. The AC sense circuit is configured to generate a signal to a processor and to the power supply control circuit in response to sensing an absence of AC line voltage. The power supply control circuit is configured to generate a control signal to a power supply that provides power to the processor to shut down the power supply. The processor is configured generate a signal to the power supply hold-up circuit configured to generate a signal to the power supply control circuit to prevent shut down of the power supply. The power supply hold-up circuit signal overrides the AC sense circuit signal. The processor is further configured to generate a subsequent signal to the power supply hold-up circuit to permit shut down of the power supply.

Abstract: A power supply control circuit for controlling operation of a power supply for an electricity meter during an alternating current (AC) power outage includes: an input section configured to receive a representation of an output voltage of the power supply and a power loss signal; a comparator section configured to generate an output signal based on the power loss signal and the representation of the output voltage; and a feedback control section configured to control a feedback signal to the power supply based on the output signal from the comparator section. When activated by the output signal from the comparator section, the feedback control section is configured to change the feedback signal with respect to the feedback signal from a feedback circuit caused the output voltage. The change in the feedback signal causes the power supply to stop supplying the output voltage.

Abstract: An electric meter in a utility box is capable of detecting arcing conditions between meter blades and a meter socket in the utility box at a premises. The electric meter includes a current-transformer structure forming an enclosed space. An arc detection antenna can be placed in the enclosed space along with the current transformer. The current-transformer structure is placed on a baseplate of the electric meter near the blades connected to the meter socket. Leads of the arc detection antenna are electrically connected to an arc detection circuit configured to detect arcing conditions based on the signal received from the arc detection antenna. If it is determined that the arcing condition is present, the electric meter may be activated to interrupt the connection between the power source and the premises.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting interactions with a utility meter. In an example, a method transitions from a locked user input state into an unlocked user input state. While in the unlocked user input state, the method performs operations, including displaying, on a display of the utility meter, a menu that includes objects. The operations further include receiving, from an accelerometer, an acceleration measurement that represents three-dimensional movement. The operations further include comparing the acceleration measurement to an expected user input. The expected user input is associated with an interaction with a selected surface of the utility meter and is based on the displayed menu. The operations can further include when the acceleration measurement corresponds to the expected user input, updating the displayed menu to indicate a user selection of a selected object on the displayed menu and updating the display by navigating the menu to indicate the selected object.

Abstract: A method for generating charge for a service disconnect operation for an electric meter includes: charging a service disconnect capacitor for an electric meter to a voltage higher than a voltage provided by a power supply of the electric meter; monitoring the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor; receiving, by the electric meter, a service disconnect switch instruction signal; determining, based on the monitoring, whether the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor exceeds a specified voltage threshold value; and in response to receiving the service disconnect switch instruction signal and determining that the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor exceeds the specified voltage threshold value, discharging the service disconnect capacitor through windings of a service disconnect actuator. The service disconnect actuator may be configured to cause contacts of a service disconnect switch to change position to make or break a circuit connection between a line voltage and a load.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting interactions with a utility meter. In an example, a method transitions from a locked user input state into an unlocked user input state. While in the unlocked user input state, the method performs operations, including displaying, on a display of the utility meter, a menu that includes objects. The operations further include receiving, from an accelerometer, an acceleration measurement that represents three-dimensional movement. The operations further include comparing the acceleration measurement to an expected user input. The expected user input is associated with an interaction with a selected surface of the utility meter and is based on the displayed menu. The operations can further include when the acceleration measurement corresponds to the expected user input, updating the displayed menu to indicate a user selection of a selected object on the displayed menu and updating the display by navigating the menu to indicate the selected object.

Abstract: An electric meter in a utility box is capable of detecting arcing conditions between meter blades and a meter socket in the utility box at a premises. The electric meter includes a current-transformer structure forming an enclosed space. An arc detection antenna can be placed in the enclosed space along with the current transformer. The current-transformer structure is placed on a baseplate of the electric meter near the blades connected to the meter socket. Leads of the arc detection antenna are electrically connected to an arc detection circuit configured to detect arcing conditions based on the signal received from the arc detection antenna. If it is determined that the arcing condition is present, the electric meter may be activated to interrupt the connection between the power source and the premises.