High function, user configurable electricity meter

A method for measuring electricity usage comprising the steps of:

• sensing voltage and current of a three-phase alternating current voltage source;
• producing analog signals indicative of the sensed voltage and current;
• converting the analog signals indicative of voltage and current to a digital signal;
• using a microcomputer, determining quantities indicative of electricity usage from the digital signal and storing the determined quantities in a memory the microcomputer coupled directly to an analog to digital converter Such that the digital signal is transmitted to the microcomputer without additional processing occurring therebetween;
• using the determined quantity to determine measurement profile quantities;
• storing greater than two values as measurement profile quantities;
• controlling the microcomputer using a program stored in a non-volatile memory coupled to a microcomputer;
• and reprogramming the non-volatile memory with instructions for controlling operation of the microcomputer.

An electric meter comprising:

• sensor configured to couple to a power source;
• an analog-to-digital converter coupled to said sensor and configured to convert a signal from said sensor to a digital measurement signal;
• a microcomputer coupled directly to said analog-to-digital converter wherein the digital measurement signal is transmitted to the microcomputer without additional processing occurring therebetween, and said microcomputer configured to determine quantities indicative of electricity consumption from said digital measurement signal, said meter configured to use said determined quantities to determine measurement profile quantities, said meter further configured to store greater than two measurement profile quantities;
• and
• a nonvolatile, reprogrammable memory coupled to said microcomputer, said nonvolatile, reprogrammable memory configured to control said microcomputer in determining said quantities indicative of electricity consumption.

An electric meter comprising:

• plurality of voltage sensors and current sensors configured to sense voltage and current, respectively, of a three-phase alternating current voltage source, said voltage and current sensors configured to produce analog signals indicative of voltage and current, respectively;
• a digital-to-analog converter coupled to said plurality of voltage sensors and current sensors and configured to convert said analog signals indicative of voltage and current to digital signals;
• a microcomputer coupled directly to said analog-to-digital converter such that the digital signal is transmitted to the microcomputer without additional processing occurring therebetween and said microcomputer configured to determine quantities indicative of electricity usage from said digital signals;
• non-volatile memory coupled to said microcomputer and configured to control operation of said microcomputer and to store said quantities indicative of electricity usage, said microcomputer configured to use said determined quantities to determine measurement profile quantities, said microcomputer further configured to store greater than two measurement profile quantities, said non-volatile memory also configured to be reprogrammable to receive instructions for controlling operation of said microcomputer.