Abstract: A meter socket with a tamper detection assembly is disclosed. The tamper detection assembly may include a light sensor that enables the detection of tampering caused by an energy thief removing the cover of the meter socket enclosure and/or removing the meter from the meter socket in an effort to access the power supply connectors and steal electricity. The tamper detection assembly may also include an acoustic sensor that enables the detection of tampering caused by an energy thief drilling, cutting, hammering, bending or otherwise attempting to violate the integrity of the meter socket enclosure in an effort to access the power supply connectors and steal electricity. The tamper detection assembly is preferably mounted within a mounting block of the meter socket so as to provide a secure source of power and communications for the assembly.

Abstract: A meter socket with a tamper detection assembly is disclosed. The tamper detection assembly may include a light sensor that enables the detection of tampering caused by an energy thief removing the cover of the meter socket enclosure and/or removing the meter from the meter socket in an effort to access the power supply connectors and steal electricity. The tamper detection assembly may also include an acoustic sensor that enables the detection of tampering caused by an energy thief drilling, cutting, hammering, bending or otherwise attempting to violate the integrity of the meter socket enclosure in an effort to access the power supply connectors and steal electricity. The tamper detection assembly is preferably mounted within a mounting block of the meter socket so as to provide a secure source of power and communications for the assembly.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an automatic transfer switch (ATS) of a power system. The ATS allows for switching between two or more power systems while preventing back-feeding of the power systems. To provide the safety features of the ATS, a safety circuit and control board may be implemented with the magnetic latching relays to control the actions of the latching relays and provide the switching function of the ATS. In one particular embodiment, the safety board comprises one or more electromechanical relays positioned between the controlling electronics of the control board and the magnetic latching relays. The safety board design contains measures to ensure it still functions if one of the disconnect switches is not connected, if one of the connections to a first load phase, a second load phase or neutral is lost and if the main control board is not connected.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an energy interface system for interfacing alternative energy sources with a utility power source on a premises. The energy interface system provides flexibility in the use and distribution of utility energy sources and alternative energy sources based on several measurements and criteria of the interface system. For example, the energy interface system may allow for the energy consumption to adapt to changing parameters, such as utility rate schedules, cost of alternative fuels and utility premiums for consumption or generation of energy at particular times. The energy interface system also allows for deferment of charging or other high-energy loads to be recognized by the system at otherwise low-energy times. In addition, the energy interface system allows for monitoring and communication with the system for ease of configuring the system based on one or more criteria or measurements.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an energy interface system for interfacing alternative energy sources with a utility power source on a premises. The energy interface system provides flexibility in the use and distribution of utility energy sources and alternative energy sources based on several measurements and criteria of the interface system. For example, the energy interface system may allow for the energy consumption to adapt to changing parameters, such as utility rate schedules, cost of alternative fuels and utility premiums for consumption or generation of energy at particular times. The energy interface system also allows for deferment of charging or other high-energy loads to be recognized by the system at otherwise low-energy times. In addition, the energy interface system allows for monitoring and communication with the system for ease of configuring the system based on one or more criteria or measurements.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an energy interface system for interfacing alternative energy sources with a utility power source on a premises. The energy interface system provides flexibility in the use and distribution of utility energy sources and alternative energy sources based on several measurements and criteria of the interface system. For example, the energy interface system may allow for the energy consumption to adapt to changing parameters, such as utility rate schedules, cost of alternative fuels and utility premiums for consumption or generation of energy at particular times. The energy interface system also allows for deferment of charging or other high-energy loads to be recognized by the system at otherwise low-energy times. In addition, the energy interface system allows for monitoring and communication with the system for ease of configuring the system based on one or more criteria or measurements.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an energy interface system for interfacing alternative energy sources with a utility power source on a premises. The energy interface system provides flexibility in the use and distribution of utility energy sources and alternative energy sources based on several measurements and criteria of the interface system. For example, the energy interface system may allow for the energy consumption to adapt to changing parameters, such as utility rate schedules, cost of alternative fuels and utility premiums for consumption or generation of energy at particular times. The energy interface system also allows for deferment of charging or other high-energy loads to be recognized by the system at otherwise low-energy times. In addition, the energy interface system allows for monitoring and communication with the system for ease of configuring the system based on one or more criteria or measurements.

Abstract: A one-piece power meter socket to circuit breaker connection structure includes an elongated trunk section connecting a lower spade section with a forwardly offset connection plate at an upper end. The connection plate is joined to the trunk section by an angled extension section. The connection plate has an aperture to receive a fastener to connect it and a meter jaw to a meter jaw base. The spade section includes a pair of laterally spaced, forwardly projection breaker receiving spades for reception in a receptacle of a circuit beaker. The connection structures are used in pairs with an insulating circuit breaker base to connect load-side meter jaws of a power meter socket to spade receptacles of a plug-in type of circuit breaker. The one-piece connection structure is formed of a sheet of metal having a thickness equal to the thickness specified for the spades engaged by the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An integral riser structure for a watt-hour meter enclosure to provide a mounting structure for a pair of meter jaw assemblies includes a pair of laterally spaced riser walls formed integrally with a back wall of the enclosure and positioned in forwardly spaced relation to the back wall. The riser walls are separated by a recessed wall positioned in a recessed plane located between the plane of the riser walls and the plane of the back wall. The riser walls include holes to receive fasteners to secure the meter jaw assemblies to the riser walls.

Abstract: An improved meter jaw assembly includes a one-piece meter jaw member formed by extrusion and including a pair of resilient jaw contacts extending from a base tab which also has a U-shaped wire receiver extending therefrom. Inner surfaces of the receiver are grooved to receive a slide nut with a threaded slide screw to clamp the end of a power cable therein. The jaw members include mounting keys to secure them to a mounting block. In a mold-in embodiment of the assembly, a pair of jaw members have mounting keys molded into the mounting block. In a slide-in embodiment, a pair of jaw members are retained in slide-in channels within the mounting block.

Abstract: A one-piece power meter socket to circuit breaker connection structure includes an elongated trunk section connecting a lower spade section with a forwardly offset connection plate at an upper end. The connection plate is joined to the trunk section by an angled extension section. The connection plate has an aperture to receive a fastener to connect it and a meter jaw to a meter jaw base. The spade section includes a pair of laterally spaced, forwardly projection breaker receiving spades for reception in a receptacle of a circuit beaker. The connection structures are used in pairs with an insulating circuit breaker base to connect load-side meter jaws of a power meter socket to spade receptacles of a plug-in type of circuit breaker. The one-piece connection structure is formed of a sheet of metal having a thickness equal to the thickness specified for the spades engaged by the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An integral riser structure for a watt-hour meter enclosure to provide a mounting structure for a pair of meter jaw assemblies includes a pair of laterally spaced riser walls formed integrally with a back wall of the enclosure and positioned in forwardly spaced relation to the back wall. The riser walls are separated by a recessed wall positioned in a recessed plane located between the plane of the riser walls and the plane of the back wall. The riser walls include holes to receive fasteners to secure the meter jaw assemblies to the riser walls.

Abstract: An improved meter jaw assembly includes a one-piece meter jaw member formed by extrusion and including a pair of resilient jaw contacts extending from a base tab which also has a U-shaped wire receiver extending therefrom. Inner surfaces of the receiver are grooved to receive a slide nut with a threaded slide screw to clamp the end of a power cable therein. The jaw members include mounting keys to secure them to a mounting block. In a mold-in embodiment of the assembly, a pair of jaw members have mounting keys molded into the mounting block. In a slide-in embodiment, a pair of jaw members are retained in slide-in channels within the mounting block.

Abstract: A jack for lifting an object includes a base assembly and a jacking assembly. The base assembly has a frame with a base member having a nesting chamber, lifting arms pivotably connected to the base member, and a support member for supporting the object. The support member is pivotably connected to the lifting arms and is disposed parallel to the base member. The support member and the lifting arms pivot with respect to the base member into positions including a fully raised position wherein the support member is lifted away from the base member and a fully lowered position wherein the support members and the lifting arms are at least partly nested within the nesting chamber. The jacking assembly is connected to the base assembly for moving the support members and the lifting arms from the fully lowered position towards the fully raised position.

Abstract: In combination with a jack having a head, a removable adapter assembly includes an adapter frame and three-degree-of-movement adapter arms. The adapter frame has threaded holes and a connector for releasably attaching the frame to the head of the jack. The adapter is preferably rectangular. The three-degree-of-movement adapter arms are rotatably inserted into a respective one of the threaded holes for raising and lowering each of the arms with respect to the frame. The arms each have a threaded portion with a top end, a horizontal head portion having a closed slot, and a cushioned receiver. The head portion is fixedly attached to the top end of the threaded portion and the cushioned receiver is rotatably and slidably mounted in the slot.

Abstract: A jack for lifting an object includes a base assembly and a jacking assembly. The base assembly has a frame with a base member having a nesting chamber, lifting arms pivotably connected to the base member, and a support member for supporting the object. The support member is pivotably connected to the lifting arms and is disposed parallel to the base member. The support member and the lifting arms pivot with respect to the base member into positions including a fully raised position wherein the support member is lifted away from the base member and a fully lowered position wherein the support members and the lifting arms are at least partly nested within the nesting chamber. The jacking assembly is connected to the base assembly for moving the support members and the lifting arms from the fully lowered position towards the fully raised position.

Abstract: In combination with a jack having a head, a removable adapter assembly includes an adapter frame and three-degree-of-movement adapter arms. The adapter frame has threaded holes and a connector for releasably attaching the frame to the head of the jack. The adapter is preferably rectangular. The three-degree-of-movement adapter arms are rotatably inserted into a respective one of the threaded holes for raising and lowering each of the arms with respect to the frame. The arms each have a threaded portion with a top end, a horizontal head portion having a closed slot, and a cushioned receiver. The head portion is fixedly attached to the top end of the threaded portion and the cushioned receiver is rotatably and slidably mounted in the slot.

Abstract: A power switching module is adaptable for installation in a variety of existing circuit breaker panels. The module contains electrical controls providing selected control functions, such as an integral timer function. The module plugs into an existing breaker position in the circuit breaker panel adjacent a conventional circuit breaker on the same panel. The module has external terminals, including an interchangeable clip for connecting to the circuit breaker panel buss, a switched-circuit input series-connected to the load line output from the adjacent circuit breaker, a switched circuit output for carrying power to an external load being controlled by the switch, and a neutral wire extending to a neutral terminal on the panel. A microprocessor contained in the module provides the switched timer function that is set by digital inputs and displayed on the module housing. The microprocessor obtains operating power from the circuit breaker panel buss and controls operation of the switch solenoids.

Abstract: A starter controller for a multiple parallel ballast for high pressure sodium lamps detects lamp "drop-out" or 'cycling" and enables restarting of the lamp if the drop-out was causded by line transients of a level sufficent to cause normally operating lamps to drop-out. If the detected lamp drop-out was caused by normal end-of-life conditions, the controller does not allow restarting of the lamp. In one embodiment, the starter controller constantly monitors the voltage across the lamp terminals. When lamp drop-out occurs, this voltage rises rapidly to the ballast open-circuit secondary voltage. This voltage is detected by a level detector and rate detector which then processes lamp voltage level and rate of change of voltage after the initial drop-out is sensed.

Abstract: A ballast circuit for limiting the kilovolt-ampere rating of a ballast required to operate a high pressure sodium lamp during starting, hot restart and lamp out conditions. The ballast circuit includes a voltage limiting or clamping circuit across the secondary of a ballast transformer which responds to the voltage level and the rate of change of voltage across the secondary to activate a switch during each half cycle that the lamp is not conducting current.