# US 7,611,366 B2 · Meter socket bypass disconnect device

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- Number: US 7,611,366 B2
- Document ID: US7611366B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/601,257
- Filed: 2006-11-17
- Published: 2007-05-24
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2005-11-21
- Assignees: The Southern Company
- Inventors: Danny J. Davis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611366B2

## CPC

- G01R 11/04: Housings; Supporting racks; Arrangements of terminals
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2

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.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising removing the electric meter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising connecting the meter socket bypass disconnect device to a load closed position and electrically connecting the meter socket bypass disconnect device and the meter socket extender to the meter socket.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, further comprising confirming load closed and proper electrical service phase status using indicators from the meter socket bypass disconnect device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising operating a switch on the meter socket bypass disconnect device to a load open position and confirming load open status using the indicators of the meter socket bypass disconnect device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising measuring electric current at the electric terminals with the meter socket to verify current of zero Amps.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising installing the electric meter in the meter socket extender.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising installing a sealing ring on at least one of the electric meter or the meter socket extender.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising sealing the meter within a meter cover to protect the meter.