Electrical-energy meter adaptable for optical communication with various external devices

An electrical-energy meter, comprising:

• a base for mounting the electrical-energy meter;
• a sensing device mechanically coupled to the base for producing an electrical output proportional to an electrical current in a conductor of electrical energy;
• a circuit board electrically coupled to the sensing device for calculating and displaying a cumulative amount of electrical energy passing through the conductor of electrical energy;
• a first and a second optical receiver electrically coupled to the circuit board;
• and
• an optical transmitter electrically coupled to the circuit board,
• wherein the first optical receiver and the transmitter facilitate optical communications between the electrical-energy meter and a first type of external device, and
• wherein the second optical receiver and the transmitter facilitate optical communications between the electrical-energy meter and a second type of external device.

An electrical-energy meter comprising:

• a base for mounting the electrical-energy meter;
• a sensing device mechanically coupled to the base for producing an electrical output proportional to an electrical current in a conductor of electrical energy;
• a circuit board electrically coupled to the sensing device for calculating and displaying a cumulative amount of electrical energy passing through the conductor of electrical energy;
• a first and a second optical transmitter electrically coupled to the circuit board;
• and
• an optical receiver electrically coupled to the circuit board located between the first transmitter and second optical transmitters.

A cover system for an electrical-energy meter, the cover system comprising:

• a cover for attaching to an electrical-energy meter, the cover allowing optical access to a first and a second optical transmitter, and a receiver of an electrical-energy meter from a position external to the meter;
• and
• a template, comprising:
• a base having a first and a second through hole formed therein, wherein the first through hole substantially aligns with one of the first and second optical transmitters of the electrical-energy meter, the second through hole substantially aligns with the optical receiver of the electrical-energy meter, and the base covers the other of the first and second optical transmitters of the electrical-energy meter when the template is attached to the cover.

A cover for an electrical-energy meter, comprising:

• a first optical conduit;
• a second optical conduit in optical communication with the first optical conduit;
• and
• a third optical conduit,
• wherein the cover is capable of being attached to an electrical-energy meter, and
• wherein the cover is capable of receiving at least one of a first template for configuring the electrical-energy meter to communicate optically with a first type of external device and a second template for configuring the electrical-energy meter to communicate optically with a second type of external device.

A method of configuring an electrical-energy meter for communication with an external device, comprising:

• selecting an electrical-energy meter comprising,
• two optical transmitters, and
• one receiver, wherein the electrical-energy meter is capable of being configured to communicate with an external device;
• selecting a preconfigured template that covers one of the transmitters when the template is attached to the electrical-energy meter so that the other of the transmitters and the receiver facilitate optical communications between the electrical-energy meter and external device;
• and
• attaching the selected template to the electrical-energy meter so that the template's through holes are substantially aligned, respectively, with the electrical-energy meter's optical receiver and one of the electrical-energy meter's optical transmitters, and so that the electrical-energy meter's unaligned optical transmitter is covered-over by the template.