WO2007042756A1 - Electricity meter - Google Patents

Electricity meter Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007042756A1
WO2007042756A1 PCT/GB2006/003624 GB2006003624W WO2007042756A1 WO 2007042756 A1 WO2007042756 A1 WO 2007042756A1 GB 2006003624 W GB2006003624 W GB 2006003624W WO 2007042756 A1 WO2007042756 A1 WO 2007042756A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
terminal cover
housing
electricity meter
cover
lug
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2006/003624
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul Taylor
Original Assignee
Ampy Automation - Digilog Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ampy Automation - Digilog Limited filed Critical Ampy Automation - Digilog Limited
Publication of WO2007042756A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007042756A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R11/00—Electromechanical arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. of consumption
    • G01R11/02—Constructional details
    • G01R11/04—Housings; Supporting racks; Arrangements of terminals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R11/00—Electromechanical arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. of consumption
    • G01R11/02—Constructional details
    • G01R11/24—Arrangements for avoiding or indicating fraudulent use
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
    • G09F3/03—Forms or constructions of security seals
    • G09F3/0305—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used
    • G09F3/0323—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used having clamp-like sealing means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electricity meter and in particular to an electricity meter with a terminal cover.
  • Electricity meters are commonly connected to the electricity grid by means of cables known as meter tails. These meter tails are normally connected to the meter via a terminal block consisting of an incoming set of live and neutral connections and an outgoing set of live and neutral connections, for each phase connected. It is common practice, for safety and security reasons, that the terminal connections are only accessible by the electricity supplier or utility. Access is normally prohibited by means of a terminal cover. This cover is attached to the meter via a screw or screws, which are locked into position by means of a physical seal. A break in this seal will normally identify to the utility that unauthorised access has taken place.
  • Undetected access to electricity meter terminals allows easy theft of electricity by either bypassing the meter or reversing the electrical connections.
  • Traditional methods of detecting unauthorised access such as sealing require very close inspection of the seal, which in many installations is not possible.
  • Electricity meters are commonly installed in dark cupboards, under stairwells and in other equally difficult locations, where close inspection of the seal is difficult.
  • an electricity meter comprising a housing with a plurality of terminals and a terminal cover for securing over the terminals, wherein the terminal cover and the housing include co-operating elements which irreversibly engage with each other to secure the terminal cover to the housing.
  • the co-operating elements may be one or more push-fit or snap-fit connectors.
  • typically one push-fit or snap-fit connector will be used.
  • at least two push-fit or snap-fit connectors are preferred.
  • the connector preferably comprises a lug integrally formed in the terminal cover, and a receptor associated with the housing.
  • the receptor may be moulded integrally with the housing or may be a separate element secured to the housing by an appropriate means. This is of particular advantage if retro-fitting the receptor to existing housings.
  • the receptor may comprise a retaining washer with angled prongs allowing entry of the lug into the washer, whilst gripping the lug and preventing its removal once the lug is fully engaged with the washer.
  • co-operating elements which irreversibly engage may be used, for example a one way clip on the terminal cover which engages with an aperture in the housing.
  • the terminal cover may further comprise an externally accessible lug which in use may be severed from the cover to allow access to the receptor whilst the other lug is engaged in the receptor. This assists in the removal of the terminal cover by authorised personnel, the cover still being irreparably damaged if access to the receptor is achieved in this way.
  • a terminal cover for attachment to an electricity meter housing wherein the terminal cover is integrally formed with at least one lug, which in use irreversibly engages in a push-fit or snap-fit with a receptor carried on an electricity meter housing.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the front and one side of an electricity meter in accordance with the present invention, with its terminal cover not yet attached;
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view from the rear and one side of the meter as shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 shows a perspective view from the front and one side of a multi-phase electricity meter before its terminal cover is attached;
  • Figure 4 shows a perspective view from the rear and one side of the meter shown in Figure 3.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show an electricity meter 10 in accordance with the present invention comprising a housing 12 in which there are a number of terminals 14, and a terminal cover 16.
  • a plastic moulding 18 shaped so as to fit between adjacent sets of terminals, and in which a retaining washer 20 is secured, is attached to the housing 12 by a hex nut 22.
  • the terminal cover 16 is typically moulded from plastics material with a cylindrical lug 24 integrally moulded on its internal face. Larger lugs 26 are provided at either end of the internal face of the terminal cover, but these are merely for location of the terminal cover with respect to the housing.
  • the terminal cover 16 When an electricity meter is installed, the terminal cover 16 is positioned over the lower part of the housing so that the outer lugs 26 engage with corresponding apertures in the housing. The cover 16 is pushed into place until the inner lug 24 forms a snap-fit connection with retaining washer 20, securing the cover to the housing. Angled prongs on the washer 20 prevent the lug 24 moving out of the washer 20 if an attempt is made to prise the terminal cover 16 away from the housing 12 to gain access to the terminals 14. Any attempted removal of the terminal cover 16 will cause significant damage to the cover, often breaking the cover 16 into pieces. As the cover 16 extends across the base of meter 10, and so is fairly large, breakage of or damage to the cover as a result of tampering will be readily visible even where the meter is located in a position which is not readily accessible.
  • an elongated outer lug 28 is provided on the external face of the terminal cover 16 so as to allow better purchase on the terminal cover for removal, for example, by an authorised person, although removing the cover using the outer lug 28 as an aid will still cause irreparable damage to the cover preventing its re-use.
  • the outer lug 28 will be used to provide purchase for, say, a pair of pliers used to pull the cover away from the housing.
  • the outer lug 28 can be broken off or severed from the cover so as to allow access to hex nut 22 which is positioned underneatihi the outer lug 28, the hex nut being detachable using an Alun key. This aids easy removal of the cover, leaving the moulding and retainer washer attached to the lug on the internal face of the cover as the cover is removed.

Abstract

There is provided an electricity meter (10) comprising a housing (12) with a plurality of terminals (14) and a terminal cover (16) for securing over the terminals (14). The terminal cover (16) and the housing include co-operating elements (24, 20) which irreversibly engage with each other to secure the terminal cover (16) to the housing (12). With such a meter, the terminal cover cannot be removed without damaging it or breaking it and thus any tampering with the meter is clearly evident.

Description

1238.07/A
Title: Electricity Meter
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electricity meter and in particular to an electricity meter with a terminal cover.
Background to the Invention Electricity meters are commonly connected to the electricity grid by means of cables known as meter tails. These meter tails are normally connected to the meter via a terminal block consisting of an incoming set of live and neutral connections and an outgoing set of live and neutral connections, for each phase connected. It is common practice, for safety and security reasons, that the terminal connections are only accessible by the electricity supplier or utility. Access is normally prohibited by means of a terminal cover. This cover is attached to the meter via a screw or screws, which are locked into position by means of a physical seal. A break in this seal will normally identify to the utility that unauthorised access has taken place.
Undetected access to electricity meter terminals allows easy theft of electricity by either bypassing the meter or reversing the electrical connections. Traditional methods of detecting unauthorised access such as sealing require very close inspection of the seal, which in many installations is not possible. Electricity meters are commonly installed in dark cupboards, under stairwells and in other equally difficult locations, where close inspection of the seal is difficult.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an electricity meter which readily indicates if unauthorised access to the terminals has occurred. Summary of the Invention
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electricity meter comprising a housing with a plurality of terminals and a terminal cover for securing over the terminals, wherein the terminal cover and the housing include co-operating elements which irreversibly engage with each other to secure the terminal cover to the housing. With such a meter, the terminal cover cannot be removed without damaging it or breaking it and thus any tampering with the meter is clearly evident.
The co-operating elements may be one or more push-fit or snap-fit connectors. For single phase electricity meters, typically one push-fit or snap-fit connector will be used. For three phase meters, at least two push-fit or snap-fit connectors are preferred.
The connector preferably comprises a lug integrally formed in the terminal cover, and a receptor associated with the housing. The receptor may be moulded integrally with the housing or may be a separate element secured to the housing by an appropriate means. This is of particular advantage if retro-fitting the receptor to existing housings.
The receptor may comprise a retaining washer with angled prongs allowing entry of the lug into the washer, whilst gripping the lug and preventing its removal once the lug is fully engaged with the washer.
Other forms of co-operating elements which irreversibly engage may be used, for example a one way clip on the terminal cover which engages with an aperture in the housing.
The terminal cover may further comprise an externally accessible lug which in use may be severed from the cover to allow access to the receptor whilst the other lug is engaged in the receptor. This assists in the removal of the terminal cover by authorised personnel, the cover still being irreparably damaged if access to the receptor is achieved in this way.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a terminal cover for attachment to an electricity meter housing is provided, wherein the terminal cover is integrally formed with at least one lug, which in use irreversibly engages in a push-fit or snap-fit with a receptor carried on an electricity meter housing.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the front and one side of an electricity meter in accordance with the present invention, with its terminal cover not yet attached; Figure 2 shows a perspective view from the rear and one side of the meter as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view from the front and one side of a multi-phase electricity meter before its terminal cover is attached; and
Figure 4 shows a perspective view from the rear and one side of the meter shown in Figure 3.
Description
Figures 1 and 2 show an electricity meter 10 in accordance with the present invention comprising a housing 12 in which there are a number of terminals 14, and a terminal cover 16. A plastic moulding 18 shaped so as to fit between adjacent sets of terminals, and in which a retaining washer 20 is secured, is attached to the housing 12 by a hex nut 22. The terminal cover 16 is typically moulded from plastics material with a cylindrical lug 24 integrally moulded on its internal face. Larger lugs 26 are provided at either end of the internal face of the terminal cover, but these are merely for location of the terminal cover with respect to the housing.
When an electricity meter is installed, the terminal cover 16 is positioned over the lower part of the housing so that the outer lugs 26 engage with corresponding apertures in the housing. The cover 16 is pushed into place until the inner lug 24 forms a snap-fit connection with retaining washer 20, securing the cover to the housing. Angled prongs on the washer 20 prevent the lug 24 moving out of the washer 20 if an attempt is made to prise the terminal cover 16 away from the housing 12 to gain access to the terminals 14. Any attempted removal of the terminal cover 16 will cause significant damage to the cover, often breaking the cover 16 into pieces. As the cover 16 extends across the base of meter 10, and so is fairly large, breakage of or damage to the cover as a result of tampering will be readily visible even where the meter is located in a position which is not readily accessible.
If desired, an elongated outer lug 28 is provided on the external face of the terminal cover 16 so as to allow better purchase on the terminal cover for removal, for example, by an authorised person, although removing the cover using the outer lug 28 as an aid will still cause irreparable damage to the cover preventing its re-use. Sometimes the outer lug 28 will be used to provide purchase for, say, a pair of pliers used to pull the cover away from the housing. Alternatively the outer lug 28 can be broken off or severed from the cover so as to allow access to hex nut 22 which is positioned underneatihi the outer lug 28, the hex nut being detachable using an Alun key. This aids easy removal of the cover, leaving the moulding and retainer washer attached to the lug on the internal face of the cover as the cover is removed.
If an authorised person removes the terminal cover, then a new cover will be pushed into place and secured when the meter is re-used or re-installed.
For single phase meters such as in Figures 1 and 2, typically only one retaining washer will be needed and correspondingly one lug. For multi-phase meters such as shown in Figures 3 and 4, typically mouldings incorporating retaining washers will be placed at either end of the run of terminals and two integrally moulded lugs provided on the internal face of the cover, each lug irreversibly engaging with a respective washer by way of a snap-fit connection so as to secure the cover to the housing.
Providing co-operating formations on the housing and the terminal cover which irreversibly engage when pushed together makes it extremely difficult to detach the cover to access the terminals, and if the terminals should be accessed by unauthorised personnel, the terminal cover will be damaged to such an extent that such tampering will be clearly evident.

Claims

Claims
1. An electricity meter comprising a housing with a plurality of terminals and a terminal cover for securing over the terminals, wherein the terminal cover and the housing include co-operating elements which irreversibly engage with each other to secure the terminal cover to the housing.
2. An electricity meter according to claim 1, wherein the co-operating elements are one or more push-fit connectors .
3. An electricity meter according to claim 1, wherein the co-operating elements are one or more snap-fit connectors .
4. An electricity meter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the snap-fit connector comprises a lug integrally formed in the terminal cover, and a receptor associated with the housing.
5. An electricity meter according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the receptor comprises a retaining washer with angled prongs.
6. An electricity meter according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal cover further comprises an externally accessible lug which in use is severable from the cover to allow access to the receptor whilst the other lug is engaged in the receptor.
7. A terminal cover for attachment to an electricity meter housing, wherein the terminal cover is integrally formed with at least one lug, which in use irreversibly engages in a push-fit or snap- fit with a receptor carried on an electricity meter housing.
PCT/GB2006/003624 2005-10-12 2006-10-02 Electricity meter WO2007042756A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0520680A GB2431244A (en) 2005-10-12 2005-10-12 Electricity meter with irreversibly engaging terminal cover
GB0520680.0 2005-10-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007042756A1 true WO2007042756A1 (en) 2007-04-19

Family

ID=35430207

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2006/003624 WO2007042756A1 (en) 2005-10-12 2006-10-02 Electricity meter

Country Status (3)

Country Link
BR (1) BRPI0604254A (en)
GB (1) GB2431244A (en)
WO (1) WO2007042756A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2969843B1 (en) * 2010-12-23 2013-04-12 Sagemcom Energy & Telecom Sas BOX ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING A COVER SERTI TO VISIBLE A TENTATIVE OF FRAUDULENT OPENING OF THIS COVER
FR3023674B1 (en) * 2014-07-09 2016-08-05 Sagemcom Energy & Telecom Sas ELECTRICAL APPARATUS COMPRISING A HOUSING CLOSED BY A HOOD
DE102020134574A1 (en) * 2020-12-22 2022-06-23 Emh Metering Gmbh & Co. Kg Housing for an electricity meter

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1324973A (en) * 1971-02-09 1973-07-25 Ferranti Ltd Enclosures having tamper proof fastenings
US5966010A (en) * 1998-02-09 1999-10-12 Abb Power T&D Company Inc. Electrical energy meter with snap fit interlocking parts
US6316932B1 (en) * 1998-11-05 2001-11-13 General Electric Company A-base utility meter cover
DE20313847U1 (en) * 2003-08-29 2003-11-20 Geyer Ag Rectangular cover plate with sealing system for electricity meter, has hooks formed by stamping out tongues and has hook with security seal in one corner
EP1431765A2 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-23 HAGER ELECTRO GmbH Apparatus for coupling an electric energy meter to a support platform

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4149741A (en) * 1977-12-22 1979-04-17 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Tamper-proof sealing ring for watthour meters
JPH01316666A (en) * 1988-06-17 1989-12-21 Toshiba Corp Sealing structure of cover for electronic instrument
JPH04128658A (en) * 1990-09-20 1992-04-30 Toshiba Corp Single-phase two-wire type watt-hour meter
DE19534725C2 (en) * 1995-09-05 2002-04-11 Hager Electro Gmbh Device for securing the plug connection of an electricity meter with a meter plug terminal
ITRM20010441A1 (en) * 2001-07-24 2003-01-24 Bticino Spa WALL ELECTRIC APPLIANCE WITH ANTI-TAMPERING DEVICE.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1324973A (en) * 1971-02-09 1973-07-25 Ferranti Ltd Enclosures having tamper proof fastenings
US5966010A (en) * 1998-02-09 1999-10-12 Abb Power T&D Company Inc. Electrical energy meter with snap fit interlocking parts
US6316932B1 (en) * 1998-11-05 2001-11-13 General Electric Company A-base utility meter cover
EP1431765A2 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-23 HAGER ELECTRO GmbH Apparatus for coupling an electric energy meter to a support platform
DE20313847U1 (en) * 2003-08-29 2003-11-20 Geyer Ag Rectangular cover plate with sealing system for electricity meter, has hooks formed by stamping out tongues and has hook with security seal in one corner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0520680D0 (en) 2005-11-16
BRPI0604254A (en) 2007-08-21
GB2431244A (en) 2007-04-18

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