Meter socket bypass disconnect device
AssigneeThe Southern Company
InventorDanny J. Davis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A meter socket bypass disconnect device for disconnecting service using a bypass meter socket. The meter socket bypass disconnect device includes a housing, a disconnect system for interfacing with a meter socket, an indication system for indicating power phase and load status, and a switching system for moving the meter socket bypass disconnect device between an open load position and a closed load position. The disconnect system is further adapted to make load and break load on a bypass meter socket without the use of the meter bypass lever. The disconnect system, indication system, and switching system are containable or partially containable within the housing.
Claims10
A method of disconnecting electric service using a meter socket bypass disconnect device, comprising the steps of:
- a. removing a meter socket cover to expose a meter socket containing an electric meter;
- b. measuring electric current at electric terminals within said meter socket;
- c. if measurement of said current exceeds 100 amps, discontinuing the method;
- d. if measurement of said current is less than 100 amps, operably engaging a bypass handle to allow line current to bypass said meter socket;
- e. removing said electric meter;
- f. connecting a meter socket bypass disconnect device with a meter socket extender;
- g. operating a switch on said meter socket bypass disconnect device to a load closed position and electrically connecting said meter socket bypass disconnect device and meter socket extender with said meter socket;
- h. confirming load closed and proper electrical service phase status using meter socket bypass disconnect device indicators;
- i. operably moving a bypass handle to allow line current to flow through said meter socket;
- j. operating a switch on said meter socket bypass disconnect device to a load open position and confirming load open status using meter socket bypass disconnect device indicators;
- k. again measuring electric current at electric terminals within said meter socket to verify current of zero amps;
- l. replacing meter socket cover;
- m. removing meter socket bypass disconnect device from meter socket extender, leaving meter socket extender in place in said meter socket;
- n. installing disconnect sleeves on load terminals of said electric meter;
- o. installing said electric meter in said meter socket extender;
- p. installing a sealing ring on the electric meter/meter socket extender assembly, and;
- q. sealing the meter within a meter cover.
A method of disconnecting electric service using a meter socket bypass disconnect device, the method comprising:
- operably moving a bypass handle to allow line current to flow through a meter socket;
- removing a meter socket bypass disconnect device from a meter socket extender, leaving the meter socket extender in place in the meter socket;
- and installing disconnect sleeves on load terminals of an electric meter;
- removing a cover of the meter socket to expose the meter socket containing the electric meter;
- measuring electric current at electric terminals within the meter socket;
- and if the measurement of the current exceeds 100 Amps:
- discontinuing the method, or if the measurement is less than 100 Amps:
- operably engaging the bypass handle to allow the line current to bypass the meter socket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.