Abstract: An electric meter socket includes a first connection path within the electric meter socket to form a first electrical connection between a distributed energy resource (DER) meter and line voltage wirings from an electric distribution system. The electric meter socket further includes a second connection path within the electric meter socket to form a second electrical connection between the DER meter and neutral wires of the electric distribution system, a DER device, and a load. Additionally, the electric meter socket includes a third connection path within the electric meter socket to form a third electrical connection between the DER meter and output voltage wirings of the DER device. Further, the electric meter socket includes a DER connector positioned on a side of the electric meter socket to receive the output voltage wirings of the DER device and to electrically couple the output voltage wirings to the third connection path.

Abstract: A connector in an electronic device includes a case, a supporting element, and an elastic element. The case defines a through hole and a plurality of latching portions protruding from an inner surface of the case surrounding the through hole. The latching portions include an engaging surface and a guiding surface adjacent to the engaging surface. The supporting element is partially received in the through hole. The supporting element includes terminal recesses and resisting pieces engaging with the engaging surface. The elastic element is partially received in the supporting element and supplied a resilient force. When the supporting element is moved away from the case, the resisting piece is separated from the engaging surface to make contact with the guiding surface under the resilient force. If reassembly of the connector contacts is not in the predetermined order the electronic device will be locked down.

Abstract: A low fault current isolation arrangement senses a loss of voltage and automatically isolates and de-energizes a down live primary wire if overcurrent protection devices have not cleared the high impedance fault in an electric power distribution network. Incorporating an operator selectable time delay response, the low fault current isolation arrangement permits overcurrent protection devices to attempt to detect and shut down the affected conductor, and then isolates and shuts down the low current fault if the overcurrent devices are not successful. The isolation arrangement continuously monitors AC voltage as remotely provided by smart meters even after a fault location is de-energized, and serves as a back up, and not as a replacement, for existing overcurrent protection schemes. A host computer operates in conjunction with plural smart meters each coupled to an associated customer distribution transformer in conjunction with the fault isolator to detect and shut down high impedance faults.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering roll connector for a vehicle. The steering roll connector includes a roll stator, a roll rotor, a roller plate, and a locking unit. The roll stator is fixed to a vehicle. The roll rotor is coaxial to the stator, is rotatable relative to the stator, and includes a rotor connector provided with a steering wheel connector. The roller plate is rotatably disposed between the roll stator and the roll rotor. When a steering wheel shaft of the vehicle is not installed on the steering roll connector, the locking unit maintains the steering roll connector in a neutral position. When the steering wheel shaft is installed on the steering roll connector, the locking unit enables the roll rotor to rotate relative to the roll stator.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an adapter for connecting a network device is provided. The adapter includes adapter housing. The adapter housing further includes a base and a wall, such that the wall extends axially from the base. The base of the adapter housing also includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The adapter includes a plurality of socket openings that extend across the base between the inner surface and the outer surface. The plurality of socket openings extend axially, the socket openings continue across the inner surface of the base through the first end of the rim and the second end of the rim. In one embodiment, the adapter includes a bypass circuit. The bypass circuit allows a network device to get power from a line side of a power meter and the consumer to get power from the load side of the power meter.

Abstract: A power supply unit is provided for supplying low voltage power. The supply unit includes at least one power plug contact connectable to a supply voltage; at least one output lead for outputting the low voltage; and a voltage transformer unit having at least one electronic component for transforming the supply voltage to the low voltage. The power supply unit includes a casing made of a casing base element and a lid element, such that the power plug contact is held in the casing base element or in the lid element in such a way that it can be plugged into a power socket. The voltage transformer unit is mounted on a circuit carrier which is arranged in the casing base element in such a way that a defined first region of the circuit carrier is received in a casting space filled with an electrically insulating casting compound.

Abstract: A terminal block cover includes a base having a base surface configured to be secured against a terminal block. First and second spaced apart sidewalls extend from and adjoin the base. An outer wall is spaced apart from the base and is secured to the base by and adjoins with the first and second sidewalls. A lateral wall is arranged at a first lateral side and extends between and adjoins the first and second sidewalls, the outer wall and the base, which together provide at least one terminal pocket. An inner surface is provided on the outer wall facing the terminal pocket and has first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are at first and second distances respectively from the base surface, and the first distance is greater than the second distance. The second surface retains a terminal nut.

Abstract: A terminal block cover includes a base having a base surface configured to be secured against a terminal block. First and second spaced apart sidewalls extend from and adjoin the base. An outer wall is spaced apart from the base and is secured to the base by and adjoins with the first and second sidewalls. A lateral wall is arranged at a first lateral side and extends between and adjoins the first and second sidewalls, the outer wall and the base, which together provide at least one terminal pocket. An inner surface is provided on the outer wall facing the terminal pocket and has first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are at first and second distances respectively from the base surface, and the first distance is greater than the second distance. The second surface retains a terminal nut.

Abstract: A meter disconnect adapter is provided that allows a utility meter to be connected to a meter socket while electrical service is disconnected to a facility. The meter disconnect adapter includes housing having an interior area. A plurality of terminals are coupled to the housing. Each terminal includes a stab portion and a jaw portion. The stab portion is sized to provide less than rated current flow to the utility meter. The jaw portion is sized to facilitate the coupling of the meter to the adapter. Use of this adapter enables the terminals to transfer only enough current to power the electrical meter whereby the utility may monitor and verify that no electrical power is being consumed.

Abstract: A watthour meter socket adapter has housing formed of snap together rear and front housings. The front housing surrounds but allows access to jaw contacts and terminals mounted in the rear housing by a watthour meter and electric power conductors. An aperture in the front housing engages a socket adapter mounting fastener extendible through the aperture to attach the socket adapter to a mounting surface. The fastener and aperture resist separation of the front housing from the rear housing when a watthour meter is removed from the socket adapter. A clip extends from the front housing through an aperture in a terminal cover attachable to the front housing and receives a seal lock member. Another clip on the front housing extends through the terminal cover and is engaged by an expandable ring lock clip. A meter surge guard is removably mountable to the rear housing and exteriorly of the front housing.

Abstract: Shipment and storage of systems poses integrity and economical issues. Such systems may require substantial packaging to protect components of the system during shipment and storage. Some components, such as a battery, may need to be separated from the system during shipment to prevent either actual or perceived damage by the user of the system. A battery directly connected to a system may discharge so as to be incapable of providing sufficient power to the system. Users may erroneously believe that the system is defective and place unnecessary service calls. Such service calls increase costs and affect future business activity. Configuring the terminals of high current connectors coupled to the battery and the system allow for an isolator to be inserted between the high current connectors to prevent conduction while allowing the connectors to mate which results in feasibly shipping the battery in tact within the system.

Abstract: A meter socket base assembly including a mounting block, one or more connectors, one or more meter jaws and, optionally, one or more support blocks. The mounting block has first and second ends, first and second sides, a top, a bottom and a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and includes a base, first and second walls defining a channel and, optionally, first and second coupling mechanisms. Recessed portions and indentations on the top of the side walls receive connectors at different orientations. Coupling mechanisms can be formed on the exterior sides of the mounting block for attaching support blocks. The meter jaws are attached to the top of the side walls and configured to receive the blade contacts of watthour meters.

Abstract: A socket assembly for a meter center including a plurality of meters is provided having a plate member and plural jaw assemblies. The plate member includes apertures for housing the jaw assemblies and structures associated with each of the apertures which function to both assist in initial alignment of the jaw assemblies during installation as well as to provide lateral support to, and maintain alignment of, the jaw assemblies after installation. The plate member further includes protrusions extending inwardly from the side walls of the apertures. The protrusions engage openings in side portions of the jaw assemblies.

Abstract: A circuit assembly and package incorporates a front cover with power contacting blades extending from a front surface thereof for electrical engagement in a receptacle having a standard peripheral dimension. A housing is attached to the front cover and extends perpendicularly therefrom. The housing contains an electrical circuit connected to the power contacting blades which is contained on a plurality of circuit boards mounted substantially perpendicular to the front cover. The housing and front cover create a footprint less than the peripheral dimension of the receptacle. A connecting cable extends from the housing and is connected to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A connection system for allowing access to a primary power signal flowing through a utility meter. The connection system comprises a collar assembly, an adapter assembly, and adapter electronics. The collar assembly comprises a collar housing, main terminals, and secondary terminals. In one embodiment, a guide system guides the adapter assembly through an adapter opening in a collar housing and into an engaged position. In another embodiment, each secondary terminal comprises a distal portion, the secondary terminals are arranged in pairs such that distal portions thereof oppose each other, and the secondary terminals are deformable such that the distal portions may move away from each other.

Abstract: A removable spacing stabilizer for a jaw meter bus assembly having two pairs of generally parallel flat, elongated busses, each bus having a cantilevered second leg. The removable spacing stabilizer includes a generally planar member made from a generally rigid, non-conductive material. The planar member has a positioning slot for each of the bus cantilevered second legs. Whereby the planar member may be coupled to said jaw meter bus assembly with each bus cantilevered leg disposed in a positioning slot and whereby the bus cantilevered legs are held in a selected orientation.

Abstract: A circuit assembly and package incorporates a front cover with power contacting blades extending from a front surface thereof for electrical engagement in a receptacle having a standard peripheral dimension. A housing is attached to the front cover and extends perpendicularly therefrom. The housing contains an electrical circuit connected to the power contacting blades which is contained on a plurality of circuit boards mounted substantially perpendicular to the front cover. The housing and front cover create a footprint less than the peripheral dimension of the receptacle. A connecting cable extends from the housing and is connected to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A connection system for allowing access to a primary power signal flowing through a utility meter. The connection system comprises a collar assembly, an adapter assembly, and adapter electronics. The collar assembly comprises a collar housing adapted to engage the wall box and the meter assembly, a plurality of main terminals, a plurality of secondary terminals. The adapter assembly comprises an adapter housing and a plurality of adapter contacts. The adapter housing is sized and dimensioned to be arranged in an engaged position relative to the collar housing. The adapter contacts engage the secondary contacts when the adapter housing is in the engaged position. The adapter electronics are contained within the adapter housing and are electrically connected to the adapter contacts.

Abstract: A light transmissive guide transmits light bidirectionally between a first end disposed interiorly of an electrical power service apparatus housing and a second end visible externally of the housing. The transmitted light by the light guide can be a status light of a device mounted within the housing or light forming part of an optical data communication signal transmitted bidirectionally between light operative and/or responsive devices mounted internally within the housing and similar devices disposed in light communication with the external end of the light guide.

Abstract: A protective cover for an electric meter includes a base and a face plate. The face plate attaches to the base by hinges. The face plate defines a hole sized to pass a glass cylinder that houses the meter display. In a closed position, the glass cylinder passes through the hole. In an open position, the glass cylinder is free of the face plate and the electric meter is freely accessible.

Abstract: An electrically conductive lug for use with a meter socket for a watt-hour meter, which permits the meter to have integral line and load buses. The lug provides an electrical connection between the meter socket and each wire, and it provides mechanical support for the wire. Because the lug serves as both a supporting and a conducting device, the invention eliminates the need for separate wire connectors, bussing, molded insulative bus supports and/or additional connecting lugs. Therefore, the numerous parts previously susceptible to damage or failure under normal operation loads, were eliminated, making construction of the meter assembly more efficient.

Abstract: A light transmissive guide transmits light bidirectionally between a first end disposed interiorly of an electrical power service apparatus housing and a second end visible externally of the housing. The transmitted light by the light guide can be a status light of a device mounted within the housing or light forming part of an optical data communication signal transmitted bidirectionally between light operative and/or responsive devices mounted internally within the housing and similar devices disposed in light communication with the external end of the light guide.

Abstract: A safety shield for an electrical service apparatus is in the form of an enclosure surrounding in the apparatus jaw contacts. Latch members formed on the shield releasibly engage apertures in the apparatus housing to mount the shield in the housing. The latch members are configured to fill the apertures in the housing to prevent disengagement of the shield from the housing during removal of a watthour meter from the housing. In one aspect, the shield is provided with wire wrap members for winding up lengths of excess cables and conductors extending from a watthour meter. The wire wrap members include a pair of arms arranged about the periphery of the shield or spaced flanges on opposite sides of the shield. The wire wrap members also include a flange having an end extending over an aperture in the shield which acts as a strain relief for a conductor extending through the shield.

Abstract: A safety shield for an electrical service apparatus is in the form of an enclosure surrounding in the apparatus jaw contacts. Latch members formed on the shield releasibly engage apertures in the apparatus housing to mount the shield in the housing. The latch members are configured to fill the apertures in the housing to prevent disengagement of the shield from the housing during removal of a watthour meter from the housing. In one aspect, the shield is provided with wire wrap members for winding up lengths of excess cables and conductors extending from a watthour meter. The wire wrap members include a pair of arms arranged about the periphery of the shield or spaced flanges on opposite sides of the shield. The wire wrap members also include a flange having an end extending over an aperture in the shield which acts as a strain relief for a conductor extending through the shield.

Abstract: A Yo-Yo shaped power adapter is provided to better organize and manage its power cable. Its physical configuration further protects the power cable from damage. It is both convenient to use and aesthetically pleasing in appearance. In operation, the combination of the power adapter housing and the AC power cable connector is self-stabilizing in that it maintains its position and orientation by centering itself in response to the many undesirable push and pull forces exerted by the cables near by.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an enclosure to a watthour meter socket adapter includes a mounting strap lockingly encircleable about a side wall of the socket adapter and the enclosure connected to the strap for positioning exteriorly adjacent the side wall of the socket adapter. The interior of the enclosure is disposed in communication with the interior of the socket adapter through aligned apertures in the enclosure, socket adapter and strap for the passage of an electrical conductor therethrough. A releasable lock is carried on the strap for releasably locking the ends of the strap about the side wall of the socket adapter. In one embodiment, the enclosure includes a receiver having a first portion attached to the strap and a second wall portion. The enclosure is mounted in the receiver. Fasteners extend through the enclosure into the second wall portion for securing the enclosure on the wall portion. A removable cover is optionally provided on the enclosure to enable separate access to the enclosure.

Abstract: A meter extender mount unit which is positioned between the ordinarily supplied electrical meter and the utility, meter mounting socket. The extender mount provides a male, push-in connection to the existing utility socket mount and the meter is received into female connectors on the opposite side thereof with a capture ring positively locking the meter to the extender mount. The frontal closure panel of the utility socket is designed to captured the extender without requiring a capture ring. A quick connect is provided directly on the extender mount for delivery of power to the meter socket from a remote. A control unit is provided between the generator and utility socket which insure activation of the generator following loss of power from the utility, insures generator shut off upon restoration of utility company power to prevent feedback of power to the utility line and allows or periodic testing of the generator to insure its operability.

Abstract: A watthour meter socket adapter has front and rear housings which encompassingly surround jaw contacts, electrical conductors and terminals. Apertures in the front housing allow insertion of a meter blade terminal into the jaw contacts. The jaw contacts include a spring clip having a recess sized for slidably receiving one side of a conductor to dispose the conductor for direct contact with a meter blade terminal. At least two conductors overlay each other and are separated by an insulating pad. The terminals include a collar having a recess for partially receiving one side of a circular conductor or in the case of a rectangular bus bar conductor, a bore is offset to one side edge of the terminal collar for receiving a lower portion of the bus bar. The upper portion of the end of the conductor is folded over to form a flange overlaying a bottom portion of a first bore in the terminal collar and engages an external conductor.

Abstract: A fused jaw blade for use as a line or load jaw blade in a watthour meter socket adapter has a fuse body with a first lug extending from a first end and a second lug in the form of a blade terminal extending from an opposite second end. The second lug or blade terminal is adapted for releasable mounting in a watthour meter socket jaw contact. A jaw contact is formed with the first lug for receiving a blade terminal of a watthour meter or other electrical device therein. The jaw contact is formed by a pair of contact clips mounted on opposite sides of the first lug and having outer ends extending beyond the end of the first lug for receiving a blade terminal therein. Biasing springs are fixedly mounted to the contact clips. Alternately, a single contact clip is fixedly mounted on the first lug to form a complete jaw contact.

Abstract: A watthour meter adapter includes jaw contacts for receiving blade terminals of a plug-in watthour meter. Apertures formed in an annular side wall of the adapter housing receive external line and load conductors therethrough. A terminal block disposed within the annular side wall at a lower portion of the housing receives the external line and load conductors as well as internal electrical conductors connected at opposite ends to the jaw contacts. A slot formed in a bottom wall of the housing receives a fastener to mount the housing to an external support surface. The terminal block and terminal connections as well as the mounting fastener are completely contained within and covered by a watthour meter when a watthour meter is mounted on the adapter.

Abstract: A device for covering meter side blades on electric power meters is disclosed. The device includes a sleeve defining an envelope and sealed at one end and open at the other end for enclosing an object. The sleeve includes a pair of generally flat faces spaced apart by a pair of generally rounded edges or sides. The flat faces each have a flap extending form the open end to provide an electrically non-conductive horizontal sheath. The sides each having a skirt extending from the open end to provide an electrically non-conductive vertical side sheath. Arcuate cut outs are provided which separate the flaps from the skirts.

Abstract: A protector formed of a suitable dielectric material is adapted to be inserted into an electrical utility meter box socket. The protector is provided to insulate energized terminals in the meter box from each other and from any ground potential. The protector serves as a temporary insulative barrier greatly reducing the risk of injury to service crew members taking voltage readings or verifying phase rotation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety cover assembly for a meter socket having a plurality of electrically-energizable contacts adapted to receive the rearwardly-projecting contact blades or terminals of various types of electrical meters including those used for measuring both commerical and residential power consumption. The socket normally has a substantial number of electrical contact elements in suitable spaced-apart alignment to receive the projecting contact terminals of various types of meters to energize one or more electrical circuits within the meter to determine both the accuracy and efficiency of the meter. The cover assembly is preferably formed of transparent plastic insulating material having high dielectric constant including an outer apertured cover plate to provide an essentially dead front to the meter socket when energized, both when a meter is mounted in and demounted from the meter socket.

Abstract: A cover for an electric meter socket has a planar base and a plurality of blades extending from one surface of the base for releasable engagement with the jaw terminals in the meter socket. Ribs are connected between the base and the blades to support the blades from sideways movement. One rib on at least one and, preferably, all of the blades has an extendable height so as to contact a jaw terminal in the meter socket when the cover is mounted in the meter socket to prevent deflection and movement of the cover with respect to the meter socket.