Abstract: A utility meter comprises a measurement circuit configured to measure consumption data, a memory configured to store meter data including the consumption data, and a receiver configured to receive a priority message from a source external to the utility meter. A meter display on the meter comprises a plurality of display segments. The meter display is configured to display the meter data according to a standard meter display routine. The meter display is further configured to display the priority message on at least a first portion of the plurality of display segments such that meter data normally displayed during the standard meter display routine is not displayed on the first portion of the plurality of display segments. A meter controller is configured to determine whether the standard meter display routine should be interrupted or overridden in order to display the remote message.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a non-volatile memory and an RF transceiver. The non-volatile memory has a first and a second port, the first port configured to obtain commodity consumption data. The radio frequency (RF) transceiver is configured to receive an RF signal from an external source and obtain energy from the RF signal and provide the energy to a bias voltage input of the non-volatile memory. The RF transceiver is further operable to perform a data transfer operation responsive to the received RF signal, the data transfer operation including a transfer of meter-related data between the non-volatile memory and the RF transceiver using the second port of the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for use in an electrical utility meter that includes a metering unit, a service disconnect circuit, and a housing assembly. The service disconnect circuit has a connected state that operably couples utility power lines to a load, and a disconnected state and as armed state that operably decouples the utility power lines from the load. The housing assembly is disposed over the metering unit and the service disconnect circuit, and has at least one electronic indicator visible to an outside of the housing assembly. The electronic indicator is operable to provide a visual signal representative of the service disconnect circuit in the armed state. The housing further includes an externally accessible actuator operably connected to the service disconnect circuit to change the service disconnect switch from the armed state to the connected state.

Abstract: An electricity meter coupled to a load, the load coupled to electrical power lines includes a sensor module having a sensor housing, voltage and current sensors secured within the sensor housing and a service disconnect switch secured within the housing. The voltage and current sensors are operable to receive voltage and current signals representative of voltage and current provided to the load and generate measurements signals therefrom. The service disconnect switch is operable to controllably disconnect and connect the load to the electrical power lines. The meter further includes a removable measurement module including a measurement circuit operable to receive the measurement signals and generate energy consumption data therefrom. The measurement module includes a device for communicating information relating to the energy consumption data. The measurement module is configured to be coupled to the sensor module to connect the measurement circuit to the voltage and current sensors.

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 arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a non-volatile memory and an RF transceiver. The non-volatile memory has a first and a second port, the first port configured to obtain commodity consumption data. The radio frequency (RF) transceiver is configured to receive and RF signal from an external source and obtain energy from the RF signal and provide the energy to a bias voltage input of the non-volatile memory. The RF transceiver is further operable to perform a data transfer operation responsive to the received RF signal, the data transfer operation including a transfer of meter-related data between the non-volatile memory and the RF transceiver using the second port of the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: An electrical meter includes a voltage input, a current input, a measurement device and a surge protection apparatus. The measurement device generates electrical power consumption measurements based upon the voltage input and the current input. The surge protection apparatus may include an inductor, a resistor and a positive temperature coefficient device (PPTC). A protective barrier is provided to physically isolate the surge protection apparatus from other components of the meter.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring energy consumption includes an input circuit and a processing circuit. The input circuit is operable to generate a first digital signal representative of a line voltage waveform and a second digital signal representative of a line current waveform. The processing circuit is operable to generate energy consumption data based on the first digital signal and the second digital signal. The processing circuit is further operable to generate a first pulse waveform having a plurality of output pulses based on the energy consumption data, each output pulse corresponding to a quantity of energy consumed, the first pulse waveform having a select one of a plurality of modes. The processing circuit is further operable to provide the first pulse waveform to a meter output.

Abstract: An arrangement for obtaining measurable voltage signals in a utility meter includes a first connection to a phase of a power line, a second connection to a reference of a power line, a voltage divider circuit, and a series inductor. The voltage divider circuit is disposed on a circuit board and is coupled between a first node and the second connection. The voltage divider circuit has an output configured to provide measurable voltage signals to a circuit operable to generate voltage measurement information. The series inductor is disposed apart from the circuit board and is configured for current limiting. The series impedance element is coupled between the first connection and the first node.

Abstract: A method of associating chronological time with energy consumption includes a step of storing in a utility meter a plurality of energy consumption values, each energy consumption value corresponding to a time interval of a first type. The method also includes obtaining from a source external to the utility meter chronological time information regarding at least one of the plurality of energy consumption values. The method further includes associating each of the energy consumption values with a time interval of the second type, each time interval of the second type associated with at least one chronological time value.