Meter socket adaptor

Abstract

This disclosure pertains to methods and apparatus for interfacing an onsite power generation system with an existing main electric panel. The interfacing is performed by: attaching a fifth jaw connector to a neutral bridge within an existing meter socket; wiring AC supply lines from the onsite power generation system to load side jaws of a five blade meter socket adapter; and wiring a neutral line from the onsite power generation system to a fifth terminal of the meter socket adapter. The lines from the onsite power generation system are routed through an opening formed in the meter socket adapter. The meter socket adapter is then inserted into the meter socket so that five jaws in the socket receive all five blades of the meter socket adapter. The blades of the meter are then plugged into the jaws on the opposite end of the meter socket adapter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 155,291, filed on Apr. 30, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates generally to power generation and more specifically to the electrical interface between onsite power generation systems and existing grid-based commercial and / or residential power distribution systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Onsite power generation has become increasingly popular. For decades now, particularly in areas that are prone to power outages and / or for businesses that require uninterrupted power, oil and diesel backup power systems have been used to generate onsite power when the grid is unavailable. These systems generate alternating current (AC) power that ties into a customer's existing power distribution system, typically on the load side (i.e., between the utility met...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes ways to connect a solar power system to an existing electrical panel. The invention makes this process more efficient, allowing for better use of the solar energy.

Problems solved by technology

However, this solution is not ideal because current national electric code limits the amount of current that can be delivered to the bus bars to 20 percent of the main breaker's capacity.

So this in turn will limit the maximum capacity of an onsite power generation system connected in this way.

This is less than optimal.

First, it requires additional manual wiring to the neutral through the adapter so that the unconnected adapter is dangling while the neutral is being wired.

Second, after the wiring has been completed and the adapter connected to the socket, if at any point the adapter has to be removed, simply pulling it out won't disconnect it from the meter socket in the electrical panel because the neutral wire will remain connected and must be manually disconnected.

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