Load side voltage sensing for utility meter

A method of operating a utility meter comprising:

• disconnecting a load from a source of electrical energy by forming an open circuit in at least one circuit path operably coupling the source to the load with a service switch;
• connecting the load to the source of electrical energy by forming a closed circuit in the at least one circuit path with the service switch;
• detecting a presence or an absence of line voltage on the load;
• generating an open circuit signal responsive to the detection of the absence of line voltage on the load;
• generating a closed circuit signal responsive to the detection of the presence of line voltage on the load;
• sending a disconnect signal to the service switch with a metrology unit operably coupled to the service switch;
• sending a connect signal to the service switch with the metrology unit;
• determining that the disconnect signal has caused the service switch to form the open circuit in the at least one circuit path by detecting the open circuit signal with the metrology unit;
• and
• determining that the connect signal has caused the service switch to form the closed circuit in the at least one circuit path by detecting the closed circuit signal with the metrology unit.

A method of operating a utility meter comprising:

• disconnecting a load from a source of electrical energy by forming an open circuit in at least one circuit path operably coupling the source to the load with a service switch;
• connecting the load to the source of electrical energy by forming a closed circuit in the at least one circuit path with the service switch;
• detecting a voltage crossing on a first electrical signal corresponding to a first line voltage on the load with a first crossing detection circuit;
• generating a first peak signal based on an output signal of the first crossing detection circuit with a first peak detection circuit operably connected to the first crossing detection circuit;
• generating an open circuit signal with a first logic circuit operably connected to the first peak detection circuit responsive at least in part to the first peak signal being less than a predetermined value;
• and
• determining that the disconnect signal has caused the service switch to form the open circuit in the at least one circuit path by detecting the open circuit signal with the metrology unit.