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US 8,784,130 B2Granted
Supply side backfeed meter socket adapter
AssigneeSolarCity Corporation
InventorsDamien Scott, Ben Tarbell, Julian Ryba-White, Peter Rive, Eric Carlson
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AssigneeSolarCity Corporation
InventorsDamien Scott, Ben Tarbell, Julian Ryba-White, Peter Rive, Eric Carlson
Estimating the term…
The present invention includes a back feed meter adapter having one or more electrical sockets disposed of the exterior surface for accepting a plug from an alternative electrical power generator in installations that include an existing electrical utility service panel. The sockets of the back feed meter can be rotated relative to the internal couplers such that it can be easily positioned relative to the back feed connections coming from the alternative electrical power generator. The back feed meter adapter can also include an electrical switch for coupling/decoupling the electrical sockets from the electrical meter, the electrical service panel, or the electrical power utility grid to which the back feed meter adapter is coupled. The back feed meter adapter can include a window for visual confirmation of the electrical switch state. Various functionality of the back feed meter adapter can be monitored or controlled via a wireless network.
A supply side back feed meter socket adapter, comprising:
A method for installing a supply side back feed in a preexisting electrical service panel comprising:
A method for servicing an auxiliary or alternative power supply system comprising a cylindrical body having an interior surface and an exterior surface and dimensioned to couple to an existing utility power meter, a window disposed in the cylindrical body, a first set of electrical couplers disposed on a first end of the cylindrical body and disposed in a configuration to mate with electrical couplers in the existing utility power meter, a second set of electrical couplers disposed on a second end of the cylindrical body and disposed in a configuration to mate with electrical couplers of an electrical service panel, and an electrical socket disposed on the exterior surface of the cylindrical body and comprising a plurality of receptacles, wherein the receptacles are coupled to the first or second set of electrical couplers via an electrical switch, the method comprising
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.