Metering apparatus, system and distribution system including same

A metering system comprising:

• a computing device;
• and
• a plurality of metering apparatuses, each metering apparatus comprising:
• a support;
• a connection apparatus disposed on the support and structured to be electrically connected with a circuit interrupter;
• a detection apparatus disposed on the support and structured to detect at least a first operational aspect of the circuit interrupter;
• a first bidirectional communications port disposed on a first side of the support;
• a second bidirectional communications port disposed on a second side, opposite the first side, of the support;
• and
• a communication apparatus disposed on the support and in communications with the detection apparatus, the first bidirectional communications port and the second bidirectional communications port, the communication apparatus being structured to communicate to another device via at least one of the first communications port or the second communications port at least a first parameter of the circuit interrupter based at least in part upon the at least first operational aspect,
• wherein one of the first bidirectional communications port or the second bidirectional communications port of a first metering apparatus of the plurality of metering apparatuses is in direct communication with the computing device, and
• wherein the other of the first bidirectional communications port or the second bidirectional communications port of the first metering apparatus of the plurality of metering apparatuses is in direct communication with one of the first bidirectional communications port or the second bidirectional communications port of a second metering apparatus of the plurality of metering apparatuses.

An electrical distribution system comprising:

• an enclosure;
• a computing device disposed outside of the enclosure;
• a plurality of circuit interrupters disposed in the enclosure;
• and
• at least two metering apparatuses disposed in the enclosure adjacent two adjacent circuit interrupters of the plurality of circuit interrupters, each metering apparatus comprising:
• a support;
• a connection apparatus disposed on the support and electrically connected with a circuit interrupter;
• a detection apparatus disposed on the support and structured to detect at least a first operational aspect of the circuit interrupter;
• a first bidirectional communications port disposed on a first side of the support;
• a second bidirectional communications port disposed on a second side, opposite the first side, of the support;
• and
• a communication apparatus disposed on the support and in communications with the detection apparatus, the first bidirectional communications port and the second bidirectional communications port, the communication apparatus being structured to communicate to another device via at least one of the first communications port or the second communications port at least a first parameter of the circuit interrupter based at least in part upon the at least first operational aspect,
• wherein one of the first bidirectional communications port or the second bidirectional communications port of one metering apparatus of the at least two metering apparatuses is in direct communication with the computing device, and
• wherein the other of the first bidirectional communications port or the second bidirectional communications port of the one metering apparatus is in direct communication with one of the first bidirectional communications port or the second bidirectional communications port of another one of the at least two metering apparatuses.