Apparatus and methods for timestamping electrical data in a panel meter

An electrical panel meter system, comprising:

• a main line connector for coupling to a source of power;
• a plurality of branch circuit connectors;
• a plurality of circuit breakers, each one of the plurality of circuit breakers coupled between the main line connector and a respective one of the plurality of branch circuit connectors;
• a plurality of meter modules, each one of the plurality of meter modules coupled to a respective one of the plurality of branch circuit connectors;
• a system memory;
• and
• a controller coupled to the system memory and to the plurality of meter modules, the controller comprising a timestamp generator, wherein:
• the controller is configured to:
• issue a read command simultaneously to each one of the plurality of meter modules to read electrical data;
• store in the system memory a timestamp indicative of the issuance of the read command as generated by the timestamp generator;
• issue a send command sequentially to each one of the plurality of meter modules to send a stored electrical data reading to the controller;
• and
• append the timestamp stored in the system memory to each one of the electrical data readings received at the controller to create respective timestamped electrical data readings.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer instructions capable of being executed in a controller of an electrical panel meter system, the computer instructions configured to cause the controller to:

• issue a read command simultaneously to each one of a plurality of meter modules in the electrical panel meter system to read electrical data;
• store a timestamp indicative of the issuance of the read command;
• issue a send command sequentially to each one of the plurality of meter modules to send their respective electrical data readings to the controller;
• and
• append the stored timestamp to each one of the respective electrical data readings received at the controller to create respective timestamped electrical data readings.