Meter socket adapter with integrated automatic transfer switch
View Patent ↗A transfer switch and load controller that can be plugged into an existing utility meter socket and electrically positioned between the meter socket and a distribution panel to allow switching between utility power and standby power. The plug-in transfer switch functions to transfer the power supplied to a home between the utility power source and the generator power source upon loss of power from the utility power source. The transfer switch components are contained in an enclosed housing of a meter socket adapter that is mounted directly to the meter socket of a meter housing. The meter socket adapter is prewired to a standby generator such that the standby generator can be connected to a home power system by plugging the meter socket adapter into the meter socket.
1. A switch assembly that connects at least a primary power source and/or a secondary power source to a plurality of electrical loads, the switch assembly being provided between an electricity meter and a meter socket, comprising:
a housing;
a plurality of contacts extending from the housing to be received within the meter socket;
at least one switch contained within the housing for connecting at least the primary power source and/or the secondary power source to the plurality of electrical loads;
at least one switch controller contained within the housing to control the state of the at least one switch; and
a load management controller located within the housing, wherein the load management controller selectively disconnects at least one of the electrical loads from the secondary power source while secondary power from the secondary power source is supplied to one or more other electrical loads of the plurality of electrical loads.
2. The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing includes separate first and second compartments, wherein the load management controller and the switch controller are contained within the second compartment.
3. The switch assembly claim 2 wherein the load management controller and the transfer switch controller are in communication with each other within the second compartment of the main housing.
4. The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein the load management controller monitors the load on the secondary power source and selectively disconnects the at least one electrical loads from the secondary power source based upon the monitored load on the secondary power source.
5. The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein the load management controller and the transfer switch controller are contained within a control board housing mounted to the housing.
6. The switch assembly of claim 5 wherein the control board housing is formed separate from the housing.
7. The switch assembly of claim 2 further comprising a front cover mounted to the housing, wherein the front cover is selectively removable to provide access to only the second compartment.
8. A switch assembly that connects at least a primary power source and/or a secondary power source to a plurality of electrical loads, the switch assembly receiving an electricity meter, comprising:
a housing including separate first and second compartments;
at least one switch contained within the second compartment of the housing for connecting at least the primary power source and/or the secondary power source to the plurality of electrical loads;
at least one switch controller contained within the second compartment of the housing to control the state of the at least one switch; and
at least one load management controller contained in the second compartment of the housing and in communication with the switch controller, wherein the at least one load management controller selectively disconnects at least one of the electrical loads from the secondary power source while secondary power from the secondary power source is supplied to one or more other electrical loads of the plurality of electrical loads.
9. The switch assembly of claim 8 wherein the load management controller monitors the load on the secondary power source and selectively disconnects one or more of the electrical loads from the secondary power source based upon the monitored load on the secondary power source.
10. A switch assembly that connects at least a primary power source and/or a secondary power source to a plurality of electrical loads, the switch assembly being provided between an electricity meter and a meter socket, comprising:
a housing defining a meter compartment and a control compartment, wherein the meter compartment and the control compartment are independently accessible;
a plurality of contacts extending from the meter compartment to be received within the meter socket;
a plurality of contact jaws contained within the meter compartment to receive the electricity meter;
at least one switch contained within the control compartment for connecting at least the primary power source and/or the secondary power source to the plurality of electrical loads;
at least one switch controller contained within the control compartment to control the state of the at least one switch; and
a load management controller located in the control compartment, the load management controller to selectively disconnecting at least one of the electrical loads from the secondary power source while secondary power from the secondary power source is supplied to one or more other electrical loads of the plurality of electrical loads.
11. The switch assembly claim 10 wherein the load management controller and the transfer switch controller are in communication with each other within the control compartment.
12. The switch assembly of claim 10 further comprising a first front cover and a second front cover assembly each mounted to the housing, wherein the first front cover is selectively removable to provide access to only the meter compartment and the second front cover assembly is selectively removable to provide access to only the control compartment.
13. The switch assembly of claim 12 wherein the second front cover assembly includes an outer cover and a guard.
14. The switch assembly of claim 13 wherein the second front cover assembly includes a power interrupt switch accessible upon removal of the outer cover and before removal of the guard.