초록 ▼

An interface circuit permits a customer who receives two-phase service from an electrical utility company to use power from an on-site source instead of or in addition to the utility company's power. Several embodiments are disclosed, in some of which the interface circuit automatically disconnects

An interface circuit permits a customer who receives two-phase service from an electrical utility company to use power from an on-site source instead of or in addition to the utility company's power. Several embodiments are disclosed, in some of which the interface circuit automatically disconnects the utility company's power lines if the utility's power is lost and connects the on-site power source. The interface circuit may be installed in whole or in part in a meter collar which fits between an electric meter and the meter socket box that the meter would otherwise plug into.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What I claim is:] [1.] A meter collar for use between a watt-hour meter and a socket having utility-side contacts which are connected to power lines of a utility and having customer-side contacts which are connected to at least one load, comprising:a housing having first contacts for connection to

[ What I claim is:] [1.] A meter collar for use between a watt-hour meter and a socket having utility-side contacts which are connected to power lines of a utility and having customer-side contacts which are connected to at least one load, comprising:a housing having first contacts for connection to the utility-side contacts of the socket and second contacts for connection to the customer-side contacts of the socket, the housing additionally having further contacts for connection with the meter; andan interface circuit having conductors which connect the first contacts to the meter and having means for selectively connecting the second contacts to either the meter or to an on-site power source, the means for selectively connecting comprising primary detection means for detecting whether the on-site power source is supplying power and a secondary detection means, connected to the primary detection means, for detecting whether the power lines are supplying power if the primary detection means does not detect power supplied by the on-site power source.