GB1587521A

GB1587521A - Ancillary device for an electricity meter

Info

Publication number: GB1587521A
Application number: GB2839177A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Siemens Corp
Current assignee: Siemens Corp
Priority date: 1976-07-07
Filing date: 1977-07-06
Publication date: 1981-04-08
Also published as: CH619049A5; DE2630608A1; DE2630608C2; JPS537278A

Abstract

The problem to be solved is to redesign pre-existing permanently installed electricity meters to become maximum-demand meters in an inexpensive manner and thus to utilise the pre-existing electricity meter as component of the new maximum-demand meter. This is achieved by the fact that the additional device (5, 6) comprises a maximum-demand mechanism (6) and a cover (5), the maximum-demand mechanism (6) being provided with display devices (10, 12, 13) and being installed in its own housing. The maximum-demand mechanism (6) is attached to the electricity meter. The cover (5) encloses both the terminal block and the housing of the maximum-demand mechanism (6). The cover (5) exhibits a window (8) through which the upper part of the housing of the maximum-demand mechanism (6), which is provided with display devices (10, 12, 13) and a number of switching elements (11), is made visible and accessible. At least one of the switching elements can be sealed in this arrangement. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) AN ANCILLARY DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICITY METER (71) We, SIEMENS AKTIENGESELL SCHAFT, a German company of Munich and Berlin, Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to an ancillary device for an electricity meter.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided an ancillary device for changing over an integrating electrical meter to a maximum demand meter, comprising a maximum register unit and a cover, and wherein the maximum register unit is provided with indicating means and is installed in a housing, the maximum register unit being adapted to be attached to an integrating electrical energy consumption meter and to receive electrical input quantities by connection to terminals of a terminal block of the meter, the cover being adopted to cover both said terminal block and the housing when an integrating electrical energy consumption meter and the ancillary device are installed together ready for use, and the cover having a window for rendering visible and accessible a part of the housing which is provided with the indicating means and a number of switching elements, the switching element or at least one of the switching elements being sealable against unauthorised operation thereof.

Preferably, the switching element or each of the switching elements provided in said housing part is operable with the aid of a respective push member which is displaceably mounted in said housing part. Preferably the or each push member is such that the associated switching element is itself directly accessible only from inside the housing.

In a preferred embodiment, in addition to monthly resetting of the maximum register unit by time movements, centralised control devices, time switches, etc., a manual resetting by way of a switching element is provided. In this preferred embodiment it is ensured that the manual resetting cannot be effected by unauthorised persons. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the resetting switching element, possibly together with other switching elements to be sealed against operation by unauthorised persons, are provided with a sealable cover. Preferably, this cover extends over a whole width of the window in the first-mentioned cover and is laterally provided with two extensions which are shaped to fit positively into corresponding recesses in said part of the housing and are held friction-tight therein by a flange formed on the first-mentioned cover. In this way, it is ensured that the sealable cover remains captive and is hingeable, and that it remains in position when open. If the two extensions are given a round cross-section, the sealable cover can be opened with a continuous movement, while if the crosssection is of polygonal form the sealable cover has various stop locations.

In the case of a maximum demand meter having partly electronic equipment, it is desirable to provide a battery as standby supply. In this way, it is possible to prevent the electronic registers and the like from being cleared in the event of failure of the mains voltage. It is desirable that this battery should be readily accessible and that it can be readily tested and replaced. It may therefore be advantageous for the battery to be so disposed in said part of the housing that it is accessible through the sealable cover and is at the same time secured thereby.

The battery may be accommodated in a socket in a recess in said housing part, or in a socket formed in said housing part.

The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the drawing, in which there is illustrated an embodiment and in which: Figure 1 illustrates a kilowatt-hour electricity meter (only partly shown) with an attached maximum register unit as ancillary device, viewed vertically from above when the meter and the ancillary device are on a hori zontal surface; Figure 2 is a section through the ancillary device along the line Il-Il of Figure l; Figure 3 is a section along the line III-III of Figure 1;and Figure 4 is a section along the line IV-IV of Figure 1.

There is denoted by 1 the base plate of an electricity meter have a cap 2. By means of screws 3 and a fixing bracket, of which only the two ends 4 can be seen, a maximum regis ter unit 6, which is partly of electronic form, is secured with the aid of a main cover 5 above the terminal block (not visible in the drawing) of the meter. The main cover 5 is in turn secured to the bracket 4 by screws 7.

The main cover 5 has a window 8 through which a dial 9 of the maximum register unit 6 can be seen. An indicating window 10 serves to display the maximum or instantaneous value, which can be displayed when desired with the aid of a switching element the position of which is indicated at numeral 11. The numeral wheels of an electromechanical counter indicating, for example, the accumulated highest maximum are visible through an indicating window 12. In addition, the numeral wheels of a further electromechanical counter indicating the number of monthly resettings can be seen through an indicating window 13. Electromechanical indicating means are preferably used in order that the meter readings may not be lost on failure of the supply voltage. As is apparent more particularly from Figure 2, a top cover 15 forming the upper part of a housing 14 of the maximum register unit 6 is formed with a recess in which a push member 16 for actuating the switching element 11 is so positively held in friction-tight manner that the switching element 11 itself is directly accessible only from inside the housing 14.

In order that the registers of the maximum register unit 6 partly built up of electronic components may not be cleared on failure of the supply or mains voltage, there is provided in the ancillary device a standby current source in the form of a battery 18, which may be, for example, an Ni-CD cell. For this purpose, there is formed in the top cover 15 of the housing a socket 19 to receive the battery, in which socket there are accommodated with a positive fit two contact springs 20. Alternatively a separate battery socket could be accommodated in a recess in the housing top cover 15. As is shown more particularly by Figure 4, there is situated in substantially the same plane as the battery 18 a further switching element 21 which serves for the manual monthly resetting of the maximum register unit 6. The switching element 21 also is adapted to be operated by a push member 22 slidably disposed in the top cover 15 of the housing 14.

In order on the one hand to enable the battery 18 to be readily exchanged or tested, and on the other hand to prevent unauthorised manipulation of the switching element 21, 22, there is provided a sealable top cover 23 extending over the whole width of the window 8 of the main cover 5. For mounting the sealable top cover 23, there are provided laterally thereof extensions 24, which are disposed in corresponding recesses 25 in the top cover 15 of the housing 14. In Figure 4, only the righthand side of this mounting is shown. The round extensions 24 thus lie in the recesses 25 with a positive fit. For producing the necessary friction, there is formed on the main cover 5, along the window 8, an inwardly directed flange 26 which presses the cylindrical extensions 24 against the base of the recess 25 in the top cover 15 and thus ensures the necessary friction so that the sealable top cover 23 remains in the particular position to which it is opened. This is very helpful in the actuation of the switching element 21, 22 and when the battery 18 is being exchanged or tested.

For the sealing of the sealable top cover 23, the top cover 15 serving as the upper part of the housing 14 has an eye-like raised portion 27 which co-acts with a correspondingly shaped portion 28 of the sealable top cover 23. The said portion 28 is formed with an aperture 29 through which a seal wire can be passed.

Figure 3 illustrates in broken outline the position of the sealable top cover 23 when open.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An ancillary device for changing over an integrating energy consumption meter to a maximum demandmeter, comprising a maximum register unit and a cover, and wherein the maximum register unit is provided with indicating means and is installed in a housing, the maximum register unit being adapted to be attached to an integrating energy consumption meter and to receive electrical input quantities by connection to terminals of a terminal block of the meter, the cover being adapted to cover both said terminal block and the housing when an integrating electrical energy consumption meter and the ancillary device are installed together ready for use, and the cover having a window for rendering visible and accessible a part of the housing which is provided with the indicating means and a number of switching elements, the switching element or at least one of the switching elements being sealable against unauthorised operation thereof.

2. An ancillary device according to claim 1, wherein the maximum register unit is adapted to be mounted adjacent to the terminal block of an integrating electrical energy consumption meter.

3. An ancillary device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said the or said one sealable switching element is operable to provide a monthly resetting of an accumulated maximum.

4. An ancillary device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said part of the housing is designed as a housing cover.

5. An ancillary device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching element or each of the switching elements is operable with the aid of a respective push member displaceable mounted in said part of the housing.

6. An ancillary device according to any one of the preceding claims, and comprising a sealable cover for sealing the or each sealable switching element against unauthorised opera

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

ter unit 6, which is partly of electronic form, is secured with the aid of a main cover 5 above the terminal block (not visible in the drawing) of the meter. The main cover 5 is in turn secured to the bracket 4 by screws 7.

The main cover 5 has a window 8 through which a dial 9 of the maximum register unit 6 can be seen. An indicating window 10 serves to display the maximum or instantaneous value, which can be displayed when desired with the aid of a switching element the position of which is indicated at numeral 11. The numeral wheels of an electromechanical counter indicating, for example, the accumulated highest maximum are visible through an indicating window 12. In addition, the numeral wheels of a further electromechanical counter indicating the number of monthly resettings can be seen through an indicating window 13. Electromechanical indicating means are preferably used in order that the meter readings may not be lost on failure of the supply voltage. As is apparent more particularly from Figure 2, a top cover 15 forming the upper part of a housing

14 of the maximum register unit 6 is formed with a recess in which a push member 16 for actuating the switching element 11 is so positively held in friction-tight manner that the switching element 11 itself is directly accessible only from inside the housing 14.

In order that the registers of the maximum register unit 6 partly built up of electronic components may not be cleared on failure of the supply or mains voltage, there is provided in the ancillary device a standby current source in the form of a battery 18, which may be, for example, an Ni-CD cell. For this purpose, there is formed in the top cover 15 of the housing a socket 19 to receive the battery, in which socket there are accommodated with a positive fit two contact springs 20. Alternatively a separate battery socket could be accommodated in a recess in the housing top cover 15. As is shown more particularly by Figure 4, there is situated in substantially the same plane as the battery 18 a further switching element 21 which serves for the manual monthly resetting of the maximum register unit 6. The switching element 21 also is adapted to be operated by a push member 22 slidably disposed in the top cover 15 of the housing 14.

In order on the one hand to enable the battery 18 to be readily exchanged or tested, and on the other hand to prevent unauthorised manipulation of the switching element 21, 22, there is provided a sealable top cover 23 extending over the whole width of the window 8 of the main cover 5. For mounting the sealable top cover 23, there are provided laterally thereof extensions 24, which are disposed in corresponding recesses 25 in the top cover 15 of the housing 14. In Figure 4, only the righthand side of this mounting is shown. The round extensions 24 thus lie in the recesses 25 with a positive fit. For producing the necessary friction, there is formed on the main cover 5, along the window 8, an inwardly directed flange 26 which presses the cylindrical extensions 24 against the base of the recess 25 in the top cover 15 and thus ensures the necessary friction so that the sealable top cover 23 remains in the particular position to which it is opened. This is very helpful in the actuation of the switching element 21, 22 and when the battery 18 is being exchanged or tested.

For the sealing of the sealable top cover 23, the top cover 15 serving as the upper part of the housing 14 has an eye-like raised portion 27 which co-acts with a correspondingly shaped portion 28 of the sealable top cover 23. The said portion 28 is formed with an aperture 29 through which a seal wire can be passed.

Figure 3 illustrates in broken outline the position of the sealable top cover 23 when open.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An ancillary device for changing over an integrating energy consumption meter to a maximum demandmeter, comprising a maximum register unit and a cover, and wherein the maximum register unit is provided with indicating means and is installed in a housing, the maximum register unit being adapted to be attached to an integrating energy consumption meter and to receive electrical input quantities by connection to terminals of a terminal block of the meter, the cover being adapted to cover both said terminal block and the housing when an integrating electrical energy consumption meter and the ancillary device are installed together ready for use, and the cover having a window for rendering visible and accessible a part of the housing which is provided with the indicating means and a number of switching elements, the switching element or at least one of the switching elements being sealable against unauthorised operation thereof.
2. An ancillary device according to claim 1, wherein the maximum register unit is adapted to be mounted adjacent to the terminal block of an integrating electrical energy consumption meter.
3. An ancillary device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said the or said one sealable switching element is operable to provide a monthly resetting of an accumulated maximum.
4. An ancillary device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said part of the housing is designed as a housing cover.
5. An ancillary device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching element or each of the switching elements is operable with the aid of a respective push member displaceable mounted in said part of the housing.
6. An ancillary device according to any one of the preceding claims, and comprising a sealable cover for sealing the or each sealable switching element against unauthorised opera

tion thereof,
7. An ancillary device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the or each sealable switching element is disposed in a horizontal plane when the ancillary device is oriented such that said housing part is an upper housing part.
8. An ancillary device according to claim 6, or to claims 6 and 7 combined, wherein the sealable cover extends over an entire width of the window of the first-mentioned cover and is laterally provided with two extensions which are positively fitted in corresponding recesses in said part of the housing and are frictionally held in these recesses by a flange formed on the first mentioned cover.
9. An ancillary device according to claim 8, wherein the cross-section of the extensions of the sealable cover and/or of the recesses is of round or polygonal form.
10. An ancillary device according to claims 6,8 or 9, or claim 7 when appended to claim 6, wherein the maximum register unit comprises electronic circuitry and there is provided accommodation for an emergency current supply means in the form of a battery, the accommodation being such that the battery when provided will be disposed in said part of the housing in such manner that it is accessible and secured by way of the sealable cover.
11. An ancillary device according to claim 10, wherein said part of the housing is formed with a recess which receives a battery socket as said accommodation.
12. An ancillary device according to claim 10, wherein said accommodation is a battery socket formed in said part of the housing.
13. An ancillary device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein contact springs for the battery are disposed with a positive fit in the battery socket.
14. An ancillary device for changing over an integrating electrical energy consumption meter to a maximum demand meter, the ancillary device being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
15. An ancillary device according to any one of the preceding claims, in operable combination with an integrating electrical energy consumption meter to provide a maximum demand meter.