Meter socket with current bypass
A meter socket for a meter box includes a set of meter jaws to receive a watt-hour meter, a bypass conductor member to selectively connect the meter jaws and provide a bypass for the watt-hour meter, and an activator for the bypass conductor member. The activator is configured to be activated by a user through a closed meter box to move the bypass conductor member from a metered position to a bypass position.
1. A meter box, comprising:
a meter socket including a set of meter jaws to receive a watt-hour meter;
a bypass conductor member that is moveable between an open position and a closed position to connect the meter jaws and provide a bypass for the watt-hour meter;
an activator for the bypass conductor member, to selectively move the bypass conductor member between the open position and the closed position; and
a front cover including a hole in which the watt-hour meter extends through, an aperture through which to access the activator, and a cover plate for the activator,
wherein the activator is accessible to a user without opening the front cover.
2. The meter box of claim 1 , wherein the activator is configured to receive rotational motion from a key, and wherein the meter box further comprises one or more gears to translate the rotational motion to linear motion of the bypass conductor member.
3. The meter box of claim 1 , wherein the cover plate and the watt-hour meter are configured to be sealed with a single sealing device.
4. The meter box of claim 1 , wherein the cover plate and activator include a mechanical index to prevent closure of the cover plate when the bypass conductor member is in the closed position.
5. The meter box of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plunger configured to prevent movement of the bypass conductor member from the closed position to the open position when the watt-hour meter is not connected to the meter jaws.
6. The meter box of claim 1 , further comprising:
a meter security guard to permit connections between blades of the watt-hour meter and the meter jaws and to prevent access to other components when the watt-hour meter is removed.
7. The meter box of claim 6 , further comprising:
a neutral bus bar, and
a neutral connector,
wherein the meter security guard includes an aperture to provide access to the neutral connector when the meter is removed.
8. The meter box of claim 1 , further comprising:
the watt-hour meter.
9. A meter socket for a meter box, comprising:
a set of meter jaws to receive a watt-hour meter;
a bypass conductor member to selectively connect the meter jaws to the watt-hour meter and provide a bypass for the watt-hour meter;
an activator for the bypass conductor member, wherein the activator is configured to be activated by a user through the meter box in a closed position, to move the bypass conductor member from a metered position to a bypass position;
a meter security guard to permit connections between blades of the watt-hour meter and the set of meter jaws and to prevent access to other components when the watt-hour meter is removed;
a neutral bus bar; and
a neutral connector, wherein the meter security guard includes an aperture to provide access to the neutral connector when the meter is removed,
wherein the meter box comprises a front cover including a hole in which the watt-hour meter extends through.
10. The meter socket of claim 9 , wherein the activator is configured to receive rotational motion from a key, and wherein the meter socket further comprises one or more gears to translate the rotational motion to linear motion of the bypass conductor member.
11. The meter socket of claim 9 , wherein the activator is further configured to extend through an aperture of the front cover of the meter box.
12. The meter socket of claim 9 , wherein the activator includes a mechanical index to prevent closure of an activator cover plate when the bypass conductor member is in the bypass position.
13. The meter socket of claim 9 , further comprising:
a plunger configured to prevent movement of the bypass conductor member from the bypass position to the metered position when the watt-hour meter is not connected to the meter jaws.
14. The meter socket of claim 13 , wherein the plunger extends through another aperture in the meter security guard.
15. A meter socket, comprising:
a set of meter jaws to receive a watt-hour meter;
a bypass conductor member to selectively connect the meter jaws and provide a bypass for the watt-hour meter;
an activator for the bypass conductor member, wherein the activator is configured to receive rotational motion;
one or more gears to translate the rotational motion to linear motion of the bypass conductor member to move the bypass conductor member from a metered position to a bypass position;
a meter security guard to permit connections between blades of the watt-hour meter and the set of meter jaws and to prevent access to other components when the watt-hour meter is removed; and
a neutral connector, wherein the meter security guard includes an aperture to provide access to the neutral connector when the meter is removed,
wherein the meter socket is enclosed by a meter box which comprises a front cover.
16. The meter socket of claim 15 , wherein the activator is further configured to extend through an aperture of the front cover of the meter box.
17. The meter socket of claim 15 , further comprising:
a plunger configured to prevent movement of the bypass conductor member from the bypass position to the metered position when the watt-hour meter is not connected to the meter jaws.
18. The meter socket of claim 17 , wherein the plunger extends through another aperture in the meter security guard.
19. The meter socket of claim 15 , wherein the rotational motion is provided via a key inserted by a user.
20. The meter socket of claim 15 , wherein the neutral connector includes a solderless-type lug with a retaining screw.