Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a watt-hour meter adapter housing having a substantially cylindrical outline with a translucent window into its interior, and having visible therewithin one or more lights connected between respective input power phases and ground. The invention also relates to a transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) apparatus containing a TVSS means including varistors in a housing fitting in a plug-and-jack manner between a watt-hour meter and its customary socket in a utility box or panel, improved on-line TVSS status indication means comprising a translucent window in the housing, and an indicator light connected to show the status and visible through the window to an outside observer.

Abstract: Plug-through electrical transient voltage surge suppression for watt-hour meters and downstream electrical equipment. A circuit board is configured to fit about the power terminals of such a meter and are supported by the terminals or by a plug-and-jack adapter interposed between the meter and its socket in a grounded utility box or panel. The circuit board conveniently and effectively connects a plurality of varistors between the power terminals and an external ground, enabling the varistors to clip voltage surges unassisted and to shunt resulting surge currents to ground, thereby protecting both the meter and powered downstream electrical equipment from possible surge damage. Each varistor is preferably sandwiched contiguously between the grounding plate and respective powered conductive surface layers on the board, or the varistors may be mounted on pairs of leads connected between ground and powered leads and preferably bendable to parallel the varistors to the board and grounding plate.

Abstract: Transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) located conveniently between the conventional plug-in watt-hour meter and its socket at a customer's location. Over-voltage means, such as one or preferably more metal oxide varistors, are supported there, as in a cylindrical housing called a meter adapter. The varistors connect electrically between power leads and an external ground lead to clip voltage transients and to shunt resulting surge currents harmlessly to ground. Varistors may be inserted into suitable holders therein or may be prepackaged and be retained therein within such prepackaging. One terminal and preferably a face of each varistor is contiguous with an extensive laminar conductor within the adapter in the pathway to ground so as to accommodate extremely surge currents and to aid in dissipating resulting accumulation of thermal energy.

Abstract: Transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) located conveniently between the conventional plug-in watt-hour meter and its socket at a customer's location. Over-voltage means, such as one or preferably more metal oxide varistors, are supported there, as in a cylindrical housing called a meter adapter. The varistors connect electrically between power leads and an external ground lead to clip voltage transients and to shunt resulting surge currents harmlessly to ground. Varistors may be inserted into suitable holders therein or may be prepackaged and be retained therein within such prepackaging. One terminal and preferably a face of each varistor is contiguous with an extensive laminar conductor within the adapter in the pathway to ground so as to accommodate extremely surge currents and to aid in dissipating resulting accumulation of thermal energy.

Abstract: Thick-film varistors are made by melting and flame-spraying of precursor particulates onto circuit board substrate material already provided with conductive layers or laminae preferably on both sides. The resulting circuit boards are useful in transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS), such as in a TVSS watt-hour meter adapter.

Abstract: Varistors with modified response are made by rearrangement of electrical conductors in contact with them as on a circuit board. The rearrangement involves graduated separation of hot and ground leads so as to provide graduated paths through the varistors. The resulting circuit boards are useful in transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS), such as between a watt-hour meter and its socket for protection of the meter and downstream electrical equipment.

Abstract: Transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) meter adapter status indication perceptible by a nearby observer. When TVSS over-voltage protective means is on-line, a visible and/or audible signal is generated within the meter adapter housing and is transmitted to the exterior. Light emitted by an indicating lamp connected in series with the over-voltage protective element is transmitted to the exterior by means of a translucent rod to which the lamp is juxtaposed extending through the meter adapter housing wall and terminating just outside. Sound emitted by a buzzer similarly located is transmitted through the housing wall upon demand of an an observer outside, who actuates a normally open switch in series with the buzzer by juxtaposing a small magnet against the housing wall.

Abstract: Electrical transient surge protection of electrical equipment downstream from a power source plus safeguarding of apparatus for providing such surge protection against failure at high currents or high temperature. Distributed-resistance fuse links facilitate operation of non-linear over-voltage means, such as varistors, in clipping transient voltage surges and shunting resulting currents to ground so as to protect watt-hour meters and downstream loads from electrical surges, and to safeguard such varistors from failure. Such apparatus may be located in such diverse places as a power line weatherhead, a watt-hour meter base, an adapter between a meter base and its normal mounting socket, or a utility panel having such a socket, or in a circuit-breaker panel downstream of the meter and upstream of metered loads.

Abstract: Electrical transient surge protection of electrical equipment downstream from a power source plus safeguarding of apparatus for providing such surge protection against failure at high currents or high temperature. Non-linear over-voltage means, such as varistors, function to clip transient voltage surges and to shunt resulting currents to ground so as to protect watt-hour meters and downstram loads from electrical surges. Adjacent arc-extinguishing components aid in safeguarding varistors or similar over-voltage means from potentially catastrophic destruction in the event of extreme over-heating from unusually frequent or prolonged surges. Such apparatus may be located in such diverse places as a power line weatherhead, a watt-hour meter base, an adapter between a meter base and its normal mounting socket, or a utility panel having such a socket, or in a circuit-breaker panel or even an electrical outlet receptacle downstream of the meter and upstream of metered electrical loads.

Abstract: Surge-protective varistors connected to shunt transient surges in electrical power lines to ground before damage to watt-hour meters or downstream loads. Conductive laminar members provide compact parallel circuit interconnection of varistors to increase the current-carrying capacity of protective apparatus containing them.

Abstract: Plug-and-jack electrical connector terminal with a blade-like plug terminal portion at one end and a slit-like jack terminal portion at the opposite end. The respective connector portions have at their mutually interconnecting ends preferably flat surfaces adapted to be juxtaposed to one another and to be interconnected, preferably disengageably, by fastener means preferably through bores therein.

Abstract: Surge-protective apparatus having a plurality of varistors or equivalent non-linear resistance means interconnected in parallel with one another between external power lines and ground to protect utility meters and downstream electrical equipment subject to damage from transient electrical surges. Interconnection is accomplished by interleaving electrically conductive laminar members in one or more assemblies of adjacent varistors, as in a cuplike holder.

Abstract: Electrical plug-in connectors with modified jaws to receive a conducting blade therebetween. Electrical connection is improved by increasing the curvature radius of a generally S-shaped contacting jaw's free end and/or its spring bias toward a cooperating rigid jaw end, and by providing a flat contacting surface on the face of such free end to parallel a flat contacting surface on the rigid jaw end.

Abstract: An adapter to be plugged in between a conventional watt-hour meter and an electrical power use installation socket to protect both the meter and downstream equipment from possible damage by transient surges in electrical potential resulting from lightning or similar disturbance. For the usual meter having a pair of power input terminals and a pair of power output terminals, this adapter has a pair of varistors or similar non-linear resistances connected between the respective input terminals and ground, so as to conduct away such surges. It also preferably has a heat sink connected to the grounded side of the varistors to dissipate the thermal energy resulting from the surge conduction. Additional features include an indicator of operating condition and fuse links to the varistors.

Abstract: Electrical transient surge protection of electrical equipment downstream from a power source plus safeguarding of apparatus for providing such surge protection against failure at high currents or high temperature. Current-limiting and temperature-limiting fusible devices are used in conjunction with voltage-limiting devices, such as varistors, so as to protect watt-hour meters and downstream loads from electrical surges, and to safeguard such varistors from failure. Such apparatus may be located in such diverse places as a power line weatherhead, a watt-hour meter base, an adapter between a meter base and its normal mounting socket, or a circuit-breaker panel downstream of the meter and upstream of electrical loads metered thereby. The varistors are stacked in parallel circuit assemblies for heavy duty. Visible indicators of failure of the surge-protection are provided.

Abstract: An adapter to be plugged in between a conventional watt-hour meter and an electrical power use installation socket to protect both the meter and downstream equipment from possible damage by transient surges in electrical potential resulting from lightning or similar disturbance. For the usual meter having a pair of power input terminals and a pair of power output terminals, this adapter has varistors or similar non-linear resistances connected between the input terminals and ground, to conduct away such surges. Preferably a plurality of such resistances are connected, in parallel, between each input terminal and ground, and a heat sink is connected to the grounded side of the varistors to dissipate the thermal energy resulting from the surge conduction.

Abstract: Electrical transient surge protection plus safeguarding of surge-protection apparatus against failure at high temperature. Thermally sensitive fusible devices are used in conjunction with voltage-limiting devices, specifically varistors, so as to protect watt-hour meters and downstream loads from electrical surges, and to safeguard such varistors from overheating and possibly failing. Such apparatus may be located in such diverse places as a power line weatherhead, a watt-hour meter base, an adapter between a meter base and its normal mounting socket, or a circuit-breaker panel downstream of the meter and upstream of electrical loads metered thereby.