System and method for inferring schematic relationships between load points and service transformers

A method for establishing that a service transformer is delivering identifying a service transformer that provides electrical power to a load, comprising the steps of:

• generating, by a transmitter coupled to one of a meter socket or an electrical outlet of a load that receives electrical power from an electrical distribution grid, a detection signal;
• injecting, by the transmitter, the detection signal into the one of the meter socket or the electrical outlet of the load;
• detecting, by a receiver, at least one of a resonant mechanical vibration or a sound caused by the detection signal in a service transformer that provides electrical power to the load;
• recording a detection by the receiver of the resonant mechanical vibration or the sound caused by the detection signal in the service transformer and an identity of the service transformer in a detection event record;
• and
• incorporating the detection event record into a database.

A receiver for identifying a service transformer that provides electrical power to a load in an electrical distribution grid, comprising:

• an audio frequency detector configured to detect at least one of a resonant mechanical vibration or a sound in a service transformer;
• a processor, coupled to the audio frequency detector, configured to distinguish the at least one of the resonant mechanical vibration or the sound caused by a detection signal from other resonant mechanical vibrations or sounds in the service transformer;
• and
• a recording mechanism, coupled to the processor, configured to record an event comprising a determination that the at least one of the resonant mechanical vibration or the sound in the service transformer is caused by the detection signal.

A method for identifying a service transformer that provides electrical power to a load in an electrical distribution grid, comprising:

• detecting, by an audio frequency detector, at least one of a resonant mechanical vibration or a sound in a service transformer;
• distinguishing, by a processor coupled to the audio frequency detector, the at least one of the resonant mechanical vibration or the sound caused by a detection signal from other resonant mechanical vibrations or sounds in the service transformer;
• and
• recording, by a recording mechanism coupled to the processor, an event comprising a determination that the at least one of the resonant mechanical vibration or the sound in the service transformer is caused by the detection signal.

A transmitter for transmitting a detection signal, comprising:

• a transmission circuit configured to transmit a detection signal;
• a detection signal generator configured to generate the detection signal;
• and
• an electrical plug, coupled to the transmission circuit, configured to electrically couple to one of a meter socket or an electrical outlet of a load,
• wherein the transmitter is configured to:
• generate the detection signal to cause at least one of a resonant mechanical vibration or a sound in a service transformer that provides electrical power to the load;
• and
• inject the detection signal into the one of the meter socket or the electrical outlet of the load.