Abstract: A method for determining degradation of a capacitor in an electric meter includes, charging the capacitor to a predetermined voltage value during a charging period using charging circuitry of the electric meter, discharging the capacitor, during a discharge period, from the predetermined voltage value using discharging circuitry of the electric meter, measuring, during the discharge period, a first capacitor voltage value at a first time and a second capacitor voltage value at a second time later than the first time using capacitor measurement circuitry of the electric meter, determining, by a processor of the electric meter, a capacitance value of the capacitor based on the first voltage value, the second voltage value, the first time, and the second time, comparing the determined capacitance value to a capacitance threshold value, and determining that the capacitor is in a degraded condition when the calculated capacitance value is below the capacitance threshold value.

Abstract: A method for determining degradation of a capacitor in an electric meter includes, charging the capacitor to a predetermined voltage value during a charging period using charging circuitry of the electric meter, discharging the capacitor, during a discharge period, from the predetermined voltage value using discharging circuitry of the electric meter, measuring, during the discharge period, a first capacitor voltage value at a first time and a second capacitor voltage value at a second time later than the first time using capacitor measurement circuitry of the electric meter, determining, by a processor of the electric meter, a capacitance value of the capacitor based on the first voltage value, the second voltage value, the first time, and the second time, comparing the determined capacitance value to a capacitance threshold value, and determining that the capacitor is in a degraded condition when the calculated capacitance value is below the capacitance threshold value.

Abstract: A method for determining degradation of a capacitor in an electric meter includes, charging the capacitor to a predetermined voltage value during a charging period using charging circuitry of the electric meter, discharging the capacitor, during a discharge period, from the predetermined voltage value using discharging circuitry of the electric meter, measuring, during the discharge period, a first capacitor voltage value at a first time and a second capacitor voltage value at a second time later than the first time using capacitor measurement circuitry of the electric meter, determining, by a processor of the electric meter, a capacitance value of the capacitor based on the first voltage value, the second voltage value, the first time, and the second time, comparing the determined capacitance value to a capacitance threshold value, and determining that the capacitor is in a degraded condition when the calculated capacitance value is below the capacitance threshold value.

Abstract: Techniques described herein detect a meter orientation based on a temperature gradient measured for a utility meter. A method for detecting a meter orientation includes determining a set of temperature measurements including a respective temperature measurement at two or more temperature sensors of a utility meter. The method further includes comparing the set of temperature measurements to a thermal fingerprint of the utility meter. The thermal fingerprint represents a baseline set of one or more temperature gradients based on the two or more temperature sensors over time. The method further includes detecting a meter orientation based on comparing the set of temperature measurements to the thermal fingerprint of the utility meter.

Abstract: Techniques for hot socket detection are disclosed. In an example, a meter includes a current transformer with a secondary bifilar winding. The meter is in proximity to a current coil. The secondary bifilar winding includes a first bifilar winding and a second bifilar winding. A start lead of the first bifilar winding is connected to a start lead of the second bifilar winding. The meter further includes a voltage source configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage signal. The DC voltage signal is provided to a finish lead of the first bifilar winding. A first sense resistor is connected between a finish lead of the second bifilar winding and ground. A processing circuit receives a signal indicating a voltage across the first sense resistor and determines a temperature associated with the current coil. The processing circuit is further configured to detect a hot socket condition based on the temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining degradation of a capacitor in an electric meter includes, charging the capacitor to a predetermined voltage value during a charging period using charging circuitry of the electric meter, discharging the capacitor, during a discharge period, from the predetermined voltage value using discharging circuitry of the electric meter, measuring, during the discharge period, a first capacitor voltage value at a first time and a second capacitor voltage value at a second time later than the first time using capacitor measurement circuitry of the electric meter, determining, by a processor of the electric meter, a capacitance value of the capacitor based on the first voltage value, the second voltage value, the first time, and the second time, comparing the determined capacitance value to a capacitance threshold value, and determining that the capacitor is in a degraded condition when the calculated capacitance value is below the capacitance threshold value.

Abstract: A method for electrical arc detection in an electrical connection between an electric meter and a socket is provided. The method may include receiving a vibration signal from a vibration sensor and an arc detection signal from an arc detector. The vibration signal may be correlated in time with the arc detection signal. An electrical arc may be detected based on the correlating the vibration signal with the arc detection signal.

Abstract: Techniques described herein detect a meter orientation based on a temperature gradient measured for a utility meter. A method for detecting a meter orientation includes determining a set of temperature measurements including a respective temperature measurement at two or more temperature sensors of a utility meter. The method further includes comparing the set of temperature measurements to a thermal fingerprint of the utility meter. The thermal fingerprint represents a baseline set of one or more temperature gradients based on the two or more temperature sensors over time. The method further includes detecting a meter orientation based on comparing the set of temperature measurements to the thermal fingerprint of the utility meter.

Abstract: Techniques for hot socket detection are disclosed. In an example, a meter includes a current transformer with a secondary bifilar winding. The meter is in proximity to a current coil. The secondary bifilar winding includes a first bifilar winding and a second bifilar winding. A start lead of the first bifilar winding is connected to a start lead of the second bifilar winding. The meter further includes a voltage source configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage signal. The DC voltage signal is provided to a finish lead of the first bifilar winding. A first sense resistor is connected between a finish lead of the second bifilar winding and ground. A processing circuit receives a signal indicating a voltage across the first sense resistor and determines a temperature associated with the current coil. The processing circuit is further configured to detect a hot socket condition based on the temperature.

Abstract: A method for electrical arc detection in an electrical connection between an electric meter and a socket is provided. The method may include receiving a vibration signal from a vibration sensor and an arc detection signal from an arc detector. The vibration signal may be correlated in time with the arc detection signal. An electrical arc may be detected based on the correlating the vibration signal with the arc detection signal.

Abstract: A method detects an error in a meter having a current transformer, a burden resistor unit and a resistive path switchably connectable across the burden resistor unit. The method includes obtaining in the processing circuit a first value representative of the voltage magnitude across the burden resistor unit while the resistive path is operably decoupled across the burden resistor unit. The method also includes closing a switching element to operably couple the resistive path across the burden resistor unit, and obtaining in a processing circuit a second value representative of a voltage magnitude across the burden resistor unit. The method further includes determining in the processing circuit whether an error exists based on the first value, the second value, and at least one predetermined stored value.

Abstract: A sensor includes a core, first and second windings, an integrating amplifier circuit and a DC stabilization circuit. The first and second windings are wrapped around the core. The integrating amplifier circuit has a first input coupled to receive a sensed current from the first winding, and an output operably coupled to provide a current the second winding. The integrating amplifier circuit is configured to generate a phase shift from an input current received at the first input and the current provided to the second winding. The DC stabilization circuit includes a first resistive path coupled between the output of the integrating amplifier circuit and the first input of the integrating amplifier circuit, and a second resistive path coupled between the first winding and the first input of the integrating amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A sensor includes a core, first and second windings, an integrating amplifier circuit and a DC stabilization circuit. The first and second windings are wrapped around the core. The integrating amplifier circuit has a first input coupled to receive a sensed current from the first winding, and an output operably coupled to provide a current the second winding. The integrating amplifier circuit is configured to generate a phase shift from an input current received at the first input and the current provided to the second winding. The DC stabilization circuit includes a first resistive path coupled between the output of the integrating amplifier circuit and the first input of the integrating amplifier circuit, and a second resistive path coupled between the first winding and the first input of the integrating amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A method detects an error in a meter having a current transformer, a burden resistor unit and a resistive path switchably connectable across the burden resistor unit. The method includes obtaining in the processing circuit a first value representative of the voltage magnitude across the burden resistor unit while the resistive path is operably decoupled across the burden resistor unit. The method also includes closing a switching element to operably couple the resistive path across the burden resistor unit, and obtaining in a processing circuit a second value representative of a voltage magnitude across the burden resistor unit. The method further includes determining in the processing circuit whether an error exists based on the first value, the second value, and at least one predetermined stored value.