Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of energy meters. More particularly the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Current transformers/shunts are used in energy meters for measuring energy. Input supply lines from the current transformers are connected to plurality of terminals of the energy meter. The large current flows through input and output terminals for measuring energy. The terminals may get heat in case of a loose connection of the terminals, thereby leading to melting of terminal block due to overheating of the terminals.
[0004] Increased temperature in the meter can result in errors in reading current usage or voltage usage. Large temperatures can also damage circuitry within the meter such as the microcontroller or sensors or other components of the meter. Furthermore large or increased temperatures can introduce errors into the metering and measuring cycles.
[0005] Due to aforementioned reason, energy meters require frequent service which may increase overall operational and service cost of the energy meter.
[0006] There is, therefore, a need of an apparatus or device for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter that is capable of

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter, which is simple and easy to use.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus capable of determining increase in temperature of terminals of the meters using Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) sensors and/ or infrared sensors.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that indicates a user regarding heating of the terminals due to loose electrical connection in an energy meter.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter, which is cost-effective.

SUMMARY
[0012] The present disclosure relates to the field of energy meters. More particularly the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter.
[0013] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter. The apparatus includes one or more sensing devices connected to each of a plurality of terminals of the energy meter. The one or more sensing devices are configured to detect temperature of the corresponding terminal of the plurality of terminals and generate an abnormality signal for the corresponding terminal when the detected temperature is greater than a threshold value. The apparatus includes a multiplexer coupled to the one or more sensing devices. The multiplexer is configured to combine the abnormality signals received from the one or more sensing devices and generate a trigger signal. The apparatus also includes a control unit coupled to the multiplexer and is configured to detect the loose electrical connection in the plurality of terminals based on the generated trigger signal.
[0014] In an aspect, the control unit may include a notification unit configured to notify a user of detection of the loose electrical connection in the plurality of terminals.
[0015] In an aspect, the control unit may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to transmit the trigger signal to the notification unit.
[0016] In an aspect, the ADC may be a Successive-Approximation-Register (SAR) type ADC.
[0017] In an aspect, the abnormality signal may be indicative of a voltage drop for the terminal corresponding to the one or more sensing devices due to an increase in temperature of the terminal.
[0018] In an aspect, the one or more sensing devices may include Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) sensors.
[0019] In an aspect, the one or more sensing devices may include infrared sensors.
[0020] In an aspect, the apparatus may include a plurality of electrically insulated sheets, wherein each of the plurality of electrically insulated sheets disposed between the one or more sensing devices and the corresponding terminal.
[0021] In an aspect, the plurality of terminals may include a first phase supply terminal (R), a second phase supply terminal (Y), a third phase supply terminal (B) and a neutral supply terminal (N) of the energy meter.
[0022] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by reference to the drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specific embodiments presented herein.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram of an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0026] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0027] The present disclosure relates to the field of energy meter. More particularly the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an electric meter is disclosed. Such apparatus may involve use of a plurality of NTCsensors and/or infrared sensors in combination with a multiplexer and a control unit to detect a loose connection of terminals and/or under-rates wires in the electric meter based on a trigger signal generated by the multiplexer. In addition, the control unit is configured with a notification unit to notify a user of detection of the loose electrical connection in the plurality of terminals.
[0029] The present disclosure elaborates upon an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter. The apparatus comprises one or more sensing devices connected to each of a plurality of terminals of the energy meter. The one or more sensing devices are configured to detect temperature of the corresponding terminal of the plurality of terminals and generate an abnormality signal for the corresponding terminal when the detected temperature is greater than a threshold value. The apparatus comprises a multiplexer coupled to the one or more sensing devices. The multiplexer is configured to combine the abnormality signals received from the one or more sensing devices and generate a trigger signal. The apparatus also comprises a control unit coupled to the multiplexer and is configured to detect the loose electrical connection in the plurality of terminals based on the generated trigger signal.
[0030] In an embodiment, the control unit may include a notification unit configured to notify a user of detection of the loose electrical connection in the plurality of terminals.
[0031] In an embodiment, the control unit may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to transmit the trigger signal to the notification unit.
[0032] In an embodiment, the ADC may be a Successive-Approximation-Register (SAR) type ADC.
[0033] In an embodiment, the abnormality signal may be indicative of a voltage drop for the terminal corresponding to the one or more sensing devices due to an increase in temperature of the terminal.
[0034] In an embodiment, the one or more sensing devices may include Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) sensors.
[0035] In an embodiment, the one or more sensing devices may include infrared sensors.
[0036] In an embodiment, the apparatus may include a plurality of electrically insulated sheets, wherein each of the plurality of electrically insulated sheets disposed between the one or more sensing devices and the corresponding terminal.
[0037] In an embodiment, the plurality of terminals may include a first phase supply terminal (R), a second phase supply terminal (Y), a third phase supply terminal (B) and a neutral supply terminal (N) of the energy meter.
[0038] The present disclosure can be described in enabling detail in the following examples, which may represent more than one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram of an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 includes one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) connected to each of a plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4) of the energy meter. The one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) are configured to detect temperature of the corresponding terminal of the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4) and generate an abnormality signal for the corresponding terminal when the detected temperature is greater than a threshold value.
[0041] In an embodiment, the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) can include NTC sensors and/ or infrared sensors to detect temperature of the corresponding terminal of the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4) of the energy meter.
[0042] In an embodiment, the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) may be isolated from the corresponding terminals of the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4). For this purpose, the apparatus 100 may include a plurality of electrically insulated sheets, wherein each of the plurality of electrically insulated sheets disposed between the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) and the corresponding terminal.
[0043] Further, the plurality of electrically insulated sheets have properties such as thermal conductivity, large dielectric strength and low temperature coefficient. The plurality of electrically insulated sheets can be selected from but not limited to mica sheets, domex sheet, silicone rubber sheets, ceramic paper, high-temperature fiberglass cloth and the like.
[0044] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a multiplexer 104 coupled to the one or more sensing devices 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4, the multiplexer 104 is configured to combine the abnormality signals received from the one or more sensing devices 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4 and generate a trigger signal. In some embodiments, the multiplexer 104 may be 4-channel multiplexer for switching the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4).
[0045] In an embodiment, the abnormality signal may be indicative of a voltage drop for the terminal corresponding to the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) due to an increase in temperature of the terminal.
[0046] In addition, the apparatus 100 includes a control unit 106 coupled to the multiplexer 104, and is configured to detect the loose electrical connection in the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4) based on the generated trigger signal. The control unit 106 may include a notification unit 108 configured to notify a user of detection of the loose electrical connection in the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4). The control unit 106 may also include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 110 configured to transmit the trigger signal to the notification unit 108. The ADC 110 may convert the trigger signal into a digital value that are further transmitted to the notification unit 108. The digital value indicates a temperature of the terminal. In some embodiment, the notification unit 108 may display the digital value on a display screen of the energy meter or may raise an alarm to notify a user of detection of the loose electrical connection in the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4).
[0047] In an embodiment, the ADC 110 may be a Successive-Approximation-Register (SAR) type ADC.
[0048] In an embodiment, the control unit 106 may be selected from but not limited to controller, microcontroller, analog signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions.
[0049] In an embodiment, the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4) may include a first phase supply terminal (R), a second phase supply terminal (Y), a third phase supply terminal (B) and a neutral supply terminal (N) of the energy meter.
[0050] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0051] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0052] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter, which is simple and easy to use.
[0053] The present disclosure provides an apparatus capable of determining increase in temperature of terminals of the meters using Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) sensors and/ or infrared sensors.
[0054] The present disclosure provides an apparatus that indicates a user regarding heating of the terminals due to loose electrical connection in an energy meter.
[0055] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter, which is cost-effective.
, Claims:1. An apparatus (100) for determining a loose electrical connection in an energy meter, the device comprising:
one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) connected to each of a plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4) of the energy meter, the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) configured to detect temperature of the corresponding terminal of the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4) and generate an abnormality signal for the corresponding terminal when the detected temperature is greater than a threshold value;
a multiplexer (104) coupled to the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4), the multiplexer (104) being configured to combine the abnormality signals received from the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) and generate a trigger signal; and
a control unit (106) coupled to the multiplexer (104), and configured to detect the loose electrical connection in the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4) based on the generated trigger signal.
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (106) comprises a notification unit (108) configured to notify a user of detection of the loose electrical connection in the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4).
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit (106) comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (110) configured to transmit the trigger signal to the notification unit (108).
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ADC (110) is a Successive-Approximation-Register (SAR) type ADC.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abnormality signal is indicative of a voltage drop for the terminal corresponding to the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) due to an increase in temperature of the terminal.
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) comprise Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) sensors.
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) comprise infrared sensors.
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of electrically insulated sheets, wherein each of the plurality of electrically insulated sheets disposed between the one or more sensing devices (102-1, 102-2, 102-3, 102-4) and the corresponding terminal (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4).
9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of terminals (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4) comprise a first phase supply terminal (R), a second phase supply terminal (Y), a third phase supply terminal (B) and a neutral supply terminal (N) of the energy meter.