System and method for providing universal additional functionality for power meters

1. An option device for coupling with a meter device that is configured for measuring parameters of energy, the option device comprising:

at least one component for providing an option function;

at least one storage device for storing initialization data useable by the meter device for configuring the meter device to operate with the option device;

at least one connector for coupling with the meter device for exchanging data with the meter device along at least one data path, the exchanged data including the initialization data; and

at least one processor for at least one of processing data exchanged between the meter device and the option device and communicating with the at least one component;

wherein upon coupling the at least one connector with the meter device, the meter device operates with the option device for adding the option function to existing functionality of the meter device, wherein the meter device is of the type configured for measuring parameters of energy, wherein the initialization data includes at least one of a gain factor and an offset factor corresponding to the gain of the option device useable by the meter device for calibrating the option device to operate with the meter device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

2. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said option device is packaged as a kit including at least a first and second option device;

the at least one component of the first and second option devices provide first and second option functions respectively;

the at least one connector of the first option device is coupled with the meter device for operating with the meter device for adding the first option function to existing functionality of the meter device; and

the at least one connector of the second option device is coupled to the meter device for at least one of (a) simultaneously with the coupling of the at least one connector of the first option device with the meter device for adding the second option function to existing functionality of the meter device; and (b) replacing the coupling of the at least one connector of the first option device for adding the second option function to existing functionality of the meter device instead of the first option function.

3. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector of the option device is coupled to the meter device while the meter device is operating.

4. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the initialization data includes identification data identifying the option device, and the meter device uses the identification data to configure the meter device to operate with the option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

5. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the initialization data includes executable instructions for execution by a processor of the meter device for facilitating operation of the meter device with the option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

6. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising an interface device disposed along at least one data path of the at least one data path for providing an interface between the at least one processor and the meter device for at least one of facilitating the exchange of data therebetween and providing protection to at least one of the meter device and the at least one processor.

7. The option device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the interface device comprises at least one parallel/serial conversion device for at least one of converting data having a serial format into data having a parallel format, and converting data having a parallel format into data having a serial format.

8. The option device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the interface device comprises isolator circuitry for electrically isolating the meter device from the option device.

9. The option device in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the isolator circuitry is provided along a path between the at least one processor and a connector of the at least one connector of the meter device for electrically isolating the option device from the meter device.

10. The option device in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the isolator circuitry is provided in the option device.

11. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector exchanges data with the meter device along the at least one data path via one of a wired and wireless communication medium using a communication protocol.

12. The option device in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, and Internet communication protocols.

13. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is a fiber optic port for providing serial fiber optic communication using at least one communication protocol.

14. The option device in accordance with claim 13 , wherein the at least one communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, and Internet communication protocols.

15. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is an Ethernet card.

16. The option device in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the Ethernet card support a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) connection.

17. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is at least one digital status input.

18. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is at least one digital relay output.

19. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is an energy pulse counting component for counting received digital pulses and converting the pulses into corresponding energy usage values.

20. The option device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is at least one analog output channel.

21. The option device in accordance with claim 20 , wherein the at least one analog output channel is self-powering.

22. An option device for coupling with a meter device that is configured for measuring parameters of energy, the option device comprising:

at least one component for providing an option function;

at least one storage device for storing initialization data useable by the meter device for configuring the meter device to operate with the option device;

at least one connector for coupling with the meter device for exchanging data with the meter device along at least one data path, the exchanged data including the initialization data; and

at least one processor for at least one of processing data exchanged between the meter device and the option device and communicating with the at least one component;

wherein upon coupling the at least one connector with the meter device, the meter device operates with the option device for adding the option function to existing functionality of the meter device, wherein the meter device is of the type configured for measuring parameters of energy, wherein the at least one connector includes a first and second connector, wherein the first connector couples with the meter device for exchanging the initialization data between the at least one storage device and the meter device and the second connector couples with the meter device for exchanging data between the at least one processor and the meter device.

23. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the at least one data path provided between the at least one processor and the meter device passes through the second connector for electrically isolating the option device from the meter device.

24. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the at least one connector exchanges data with the meter device along the at least one data path via one of a wired and wireless communication medium using a communication protocol.

25. The option device in accordance with claim 24 , wherein the communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, and Internet communication protocols.

26. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the option device is selected from the group consisting of a fiber optic port, an Ethernet card, a digital I/O card, and an analog output option device.

27. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein said option device is packaged as a kit including at least a first and second option device;

the at least one component of the first and second option devices provide first and second option functions respectively;

the at least one connector of the first option device is coupled with the meter device for operating with the meter device for adding the first option function to existing functionality of the meter device; and

the at least one connector of the second option device is coupled to the meter device for at least one of (a) simultaneously with the coupling of the at least one connector of the first option device with the meter device for adding the second option function to existing functionality of the meter device; and (b) replacing the coupling of the at least one connector of the first option device for adding the second option function to existing functionality of the meter device instead of the first option function.

28. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the at least one connector of the option device is coupled to the meter device while the meter device is operating.

29. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the initialization data includes executable instructions for execution by a processor of the meter device for facilitating operation of the meter device with the option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

30. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , further comprising an interface device disposed along at least one data path of the at least one data path for providing an interface between the at least one processor and the meter device for at least one of facilitating the exchange of data therebetween and providing protection to at least one of the meter device and the at least one processor.

31. The option device in accordance with claim 30 , wherein the interface device comprises at least one parallel/serial conversion device for at least one of converting data having a serial format into data having a parallel format, and converting data having a parallel format into data having a serial format.

32. The option device in accordance with claim 30 , wherein the interface device comprises isolator circuitry for electrically isolating the meter device from the option device.

33. The option device in accordance with claim 32 , wherein the isolator circuitry is provided along a path between the at least one processor and a connector of the at least one connector of the meter device for electrically isolating the option device from the meter device.

34. The option device in accordance with claim 32 , wherein the isolator circuitry is provided in the option device.

35. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is a fiber optic port for providing serial fiber optic communication using at least one communication protocol.

36. The option device in accordance with claim 35 , wherein the at least one communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, and Internet communication protocols.

37. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is an Ethernet card.

38. The option device in accordance with claim 37 , wherein the Ethernet card support a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) connection.

39. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is at least one digital status input.

40. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is at least one digital relay output.

41. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is an energy pulse counting component for counting received digital pulses and converting the pulses into corresponding energy usage values.

42. The option device in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is at least one analog output channel.

43. The option device in accordance with claim 42 , wherein the at least one analog output channel is self-powering.

44. An option device for coupling with a meter device that is configured for measuring parameters of energy, the option device comprising:

at least one component for providing an option function;

at least one storage device for storing initialization data useable by the meter device for configuring the meter device to be in condition to operate with the option device;

a first connector for coupling the at least one storage device with the meter device for exchanging the initialization data between the at least one storage device and the meter device; and

a second connector for coupling at least one processor and the meter device for exchanging data there between;

wherein the at least one processor processes data exchanged between the meter device and the at least one processor and communicates with the at least one component; and

wherein upon coupling the first connector with the meter device, the meter device operates with the option device for adding the option function to existing functionality of the meter device, wherein the meter device is of the type configured for measuring parameters of energy.

45. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , wherein isolator circuitry is provided along a path established between the at least one processor and circuitry of the meter device and passing through the second connector for electrically isolating the meter device from the option device.

46. The option device in accordance with claim 45 , wherein the isolator circuitry is provided in the option device.

47. The option device in accordance with claim 45 , wherein the first connector couples to the meter device via one of a wired and wireless communication medium using a communication protocol.

48. The option device in accordance with claim 47 , wherein the communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, Internet communication protocols

49. The option device in accordance with claim 45 , wherein the option device is selected from the group consisting of a fiber optic port, an Ethernet card, a digital I/O card, and an analog output option device.

50. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , wherein said option device is packaged as a kit including at least a first and second option device;

the at least one component of the first and second option devices provide first and second option functions respectively;

the at least one connector of the first option device is coupled with the meter device for operating with the meter device for adding the first option function to existing functionality of the meter device; and

the at least one connector of the second option device is coupled to the meter device for at least one of (a) simultaneously with the coupling of the at least one connector of the first option device with the meter device for adding the second option function to existing functionality of the meter device; and (b) replacing the coupling of the at least one connector of the first option device for adding the second option function to existing functionality of the meter device instead of the first option function.

51. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , wherein the at least one connector of the option device is coupled to the meter device while the meter device is operating.

52. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , wherein the initialization data includes executable instructions for execution by a processor of the meter device for facilitating operation of the meter device with the option device for adding the option function to the existing functionality of the meter device.

53. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , further comprising an interface device disposed along at least one data path of the at least one data path for providing an interface between the at least one processor and the meter device for at least one of facilitating the exchange of data therebetween and providing protection to at least one of the meter device and the at least one processor.

54. The option device in accordance with claim 53 , wherein the interface device comprises at least one parallel/serial conversion device for at least one of converting data having a serial format into data having a parallel format, and converting data having a parallel format into data having a serial format.

55. The option device in accordance with claim 53 , wherein the interface device comprises isolator circuitry for electrically isolating the meter device from the option device.

56. The option device in accordance with claim 55 , wherein the isolator circuitry is provided along a path between the at least one processor and a connector of the at least one connector of the meter device for electrically isolating the option device from the meter device.

57. The option device in accordance with claim 55 , wherein the isolator circuitry is provided in the option device.

58. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is a fiber optic port for providing serial fiber optic communication using at least one communication protocol.

59. The option device in accordance with claim 58 , wherein the at least one communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, DNP, serial, parallel, Ethernet, and Internet communication protocols.

60. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is an Ethernet card.

61. The option device in accordance with claim 60 , wherein the Ethernet card support a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) connection.

62. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is at least one digital status input.

63. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is at least one digital relay output.

64. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is an energy pulse counting component for counting received digital pulses and converting the pulses into corresponding energy usage values.

65. The option device in accordance with claim 44 , wherein the at least one component for providing an option function is at least one analog output channel.

66. The option device in accordance with claim 65 , wherein the at least one analog output channel is self-powering.