Methods and apparatus for performing load profile and load control

A register for use in connection with a meter for metering energy consumed by a load, said register configured to determine energy consumed by the load based on data obtained from the meter, said register further configured to communicate with a service control center, said register comprising a microprocessor and a memory, said microprocessor operable to:

• transmit metering data from said register memory to the service control center;
• compare energy consumed by the load with a threshold if a threshold alarm is enabled;
• and
• transmit a message to the service control center if the energy consumed exceeds the threshold.

A register for coupling to a meter, the meter including an eddy current disk and shaft which rotate in response to the rate of energy consumption by a load being metered thereby, and a shutter mounted to the shaft, said register comprising a microprocessor, a memory, and a disk sensing optics assembly, said disk sensing optics assembly configured to generate a predetermined number of pulses for each complete disk revolution, said register further configured to communicate metering data with a service control center, said microprocessor programmed to:

• receive a load profile snapshot command;
• save accumulated pulses for a time period before, a time period during, and a time period after receiving the load profile snapshot command;
• and
• transmit thus-saved load profile snapshot data to the service control center.

A method for storing load profile data in a meter including a register comprising a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory, the register configured to receive data representative of energy consumed by a load being metered thereby, the register further configured to communicate metering data to a service control center, said method comprising the steps of:

• upon register power up, initializing a register load profile interval timer to a load profile interval length;
• recording interval load profile data in the non-volatile memory when the timer expires;
• and
• if said register loses power:
• ending a load profile interval in progress;
• setting an outage bit;
• recording interval pulse data for the interval in progress in the non-volatile memory;
• recording the time and date of the power outage in a history log;
• and
• upon power restoration after an outage, transmitting a request for time message from the register.

A method for monitoring an electric service using a meter including a register comprising a microprocessor and a memory, the register configured to receive data representative of energy consumed by a load being metered thereby, the register further configured to communicate metering data to a service control center, said method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting metering data from the register memory to the service control center;
• comparing energy consumed by the load with a threshold if a threshold alarm is enabled;
• and
• transmitting a message to the service control center if the energy consumed exceeds the threshold.

A method for monitoring an electric service using a meter including a register comprising a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory, the register configured to receive data representative of energy consumed by a load being metered thereby, the register further configured to communicate metering data with a service control center, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a load profile snapshot command;
• saving accumulated pulses for a time period before, a time period during, and a time period after receiving the load profile snapshot command;
• and
• transmitting thus-saved load profile snapshot data to the service control center.