BG2011U1 - SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING THE COMMUNICATION INTERFACE OF ELECTRICOMETER - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrometer communication interface protection system comprising at least one adjustment element (1) on at least one communication interface (2, 3, 8) of an electrometer located in the space under the cover (4) of the terminal (5) of the meter, whereby a mechanical or optical control is referred to under the setting element (1). 7 claims, 3 figures

Description

Field of technology

The utility model refers to a system for protection of the communication interface of electricity meters by means of a setting element located in the space under the cover of the electricity meter, allowing to limit, possibly and to completely turn off the selected communication interface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The usual configuration of the electricity meter consists of a measuring part provided with a sealable cover of the measuring part and a part of the terminal provided with a sealable cover of the terminal.

Modern electronic, 20-processor-controlled electricity meters are usually additionally equipped with a communication interface, such as an optical communication interface for reading via an automatic reader, usually accessible on the cover of the measuring part, 25 and an interface, such as RS485 and RS232, which can be implemented for example by means of a connector RJ9 or RJ10 located freely or under the terminal cover, as for example in the utility model of the applicant CZ 23680. For 30 communication device for one-way communication can be considered and the display of the electricity meter, which can be displayed the required data from the measurement or the settings of the electricity meter. 35

The cover of the measuring part is usually protected against interference with a protective element (seal) by the manufacturer, possibly by the energy company that installs the electricity meters. The cover of the terminal is protected with 40 protective element (seal) of the energy company. An indication of interference in the space under the terminal cover in such a case is the breach of the integrity of the security element and / or the recording of the interference in the memory 45 of the electricity meter made by means of the sensor for removing the cover.

Communication interfaces can be the critical points through which they can

U1 to interfere with the electricity meters. This applies in particular to cases of illegal extraction of data from the meter and misuse by third parties, deletion or correction of data, as well as changes in the firmware, change the calibration, etc. A serious problem here is the very illegal extraction of data, when a third party can, for example, easily find out about the absence of persons at the site at a given time. The same applies to the retrieval of data from the memory of the display by changing what is shown on the display by means of the button on the cover 13 of the measuring part.

The control buttons located on the lid of the measuring part for viewing and scrolling data on the display are now known. However, it was not possible to deactivate them, preventing the illegal reading of data. Also today, a button on the cover of the measuring part is already used to make / block changes / save in the memory of the device. However, it had to be located under another cover, stopper, etc., which must be equipped with an additional protective element (sticker, seal). To prevent illegal reading from the optical interface, protective stickers began to be used, possibly in combination with a stopper. None of these methods allows for sufficiently flexible control of the communication with the electricity meter, from the controlled restrictions in the communication to its complete deactivation, possibly there must be another security element to protect the respective control buttons or the outputs themselves, which always means increasing of time and financial costs and, above all, the addition of another potential site for possible interference with the electricity meter.

The described shortcomings are eliminated by the system according to the utility model.

Technical essence of the utility model

The system for protection of the communication interface of the electricity meter includes at least one element for setting at least one communication interface of the electricity meter, located in the space under the cover of the meter.

2011 UI electricity meter terminal.

The communication interface can be a simple interface with contactless optical data signal transmission, an RS485 or RS232 type interface with copper cable data transmission, which can be galvanically isolated from the measured circuit, or any other interface. In this case, the display of the electricity meter is also considered to be the communication interface.

The adjustment element is a mechanical, optical or other control device or several elements allowing the adjustment of the interface, the advantage of which is the free choice of a switch from the group, for example with button with or without lock, microswitch, MINI DIP switch, switch, additionally placed connecting wire and optocoupler.

By placement in the space under the terminal cover is meant that the control element is located in the terminal space, which in the usual location of the switchboard electricity meter is closed by the terminal cover with the possibility of protection against / indication of interference by means of a security element , for example, a seal usually placed by the energy company.

However, this does not preclude the use of the utility system in meters without a separate terminal cover, as in junction boxes, where the common cover (panel) of several meters / electrical devices is provided with protection against / indication of interference.

The system may further include at least one more adjustment element for at least one communication interface of the meter, which is located outside the space under the cover of the terminal of the meter, for example on the cover of the measuring part of the meter. This includes, for example, the data selection button for displaying the display or selecting data in memory for a specific period.

Communication interface setup means achieving a state of setting of the interface from fully functional two-way and one-way communication, depending on what the respective interface allows, to complete obstruction of any communication, both together and independently for each individual interface. The settings options can include any type of communication according to the needs of manufacturers, energy companies 5 and consumers - from access to measurement data and their deletion to the adjustment of the calibration and modification of the firmware.

The setting state is selected according to the 10 preferences of the group: on / off state on at least one communication interface, state of full or partial deactivation / activation of at least one function on at least one communication interface 15 and / or their combination . For example, the ability to read only from the optical interface and to turn off interface communication can be used.

The on / off state may be electronic, on / off by firmware and / or meter software implemented by the processor, and / or hardware off / on of at least one communication interface. 25 The status of complete display switch-off as a communication interface is not assumed.

The expansion of the communication control capabilities and the greater number of combinations in the settings can, according to 30 needs, be achieved by combining the settings of several control devices and / or by repeatedly using the one-button function, which allows e.g. to scroll through the group of preset settings, preferably corresponding to the display setting status indication, possibly with an LED, etc. Also included is the possibility of using the settings, modifying the functions or at the same time using other control devices located on the cover of the measuring part.

The system includes, according to the needs and possibilities, an option for time-limited changes in the state of the settings, for example 45 after pressing the button, reporting can be performed only for a certain period and after its expiration the reporting option is automatically blocked.

In one embodiment there is at least one adjustment element located in the 3 terminals, in another embodiment it is located outside the terminal, for example next to the terminal.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows an example of an electricity meter 5 according to the technical condition with a cover placed on the terminal.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment according to the utility model.

Figure 3 shows a detail of the terminal - as shown after removing the terminal cover, according to the utility model.

Examples of implementation of the utility model

Example I - comparative. Possible option। The design of the electricity meter according to the technical condition is shown in fig. 1, where a cover 4 is placed on the electricity meter, under which the terminal 5 is located (not shown). At the top of the cover 4 is a sealing bolt. 2θ The electricity meter in the upper part of the cover of the measuring part contains elements 6 for selection of the data displayed on the display 8 and an element 7 covered with a sealable cover for deactivation of the optical communication interface of 2 25 electricity meters.

Example 2 - according to the technical solution. Under the cover 4 of the electricity meter in fig. 2, the terminal 5 is located, the right part of which is shown in detail in FIG. 3. Next to the terminal 5 is the connector RJ10 of the metal communication interface 3. In the upper part of the terminal 5 there are two adjustment elements 1 of the optical communication interface 2, which is located on the cover of the measuring part next to the display 8. the measuring part also has two other elements 6 for selecting data for displaying the display 8.

One of the embodiments has a setting element 1, which is a button with a lock with a switch contact, which allows the interruption of the supply voltage for the circuits of the communication interfaces 2,3 of the electricity meter. This excludes any communication with these interfaces, so only reading data on the display is possible.

U1

Another example of setting item 1 is a non-locking button with one switch contact. A long press displays the menu on the display 8, in which you scroll between the programmed combinations of the settings states of the individual communication interfaces 2,3 and 8. The next long press saves the selected settings in the memory. In another embodiment, other items 6 are used for scrolling in the menu, which, outside the setting mode, serve to switch the data displayed on the display.

Claims (7)

System for protection of the communication interface of an electricity meter, characterized in that it comprises at least one adjustment element (1) of at least one communication interface (2, 3, 8) of the electricity meter located under a cover (4) ) on the terminal (5) of the electricity meter. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment element (1) is a mechanical or optical control device. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjusting element (1) is a switch or a switch or a connecting wire and / or an optocoupler. System according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the communication interface (8) is a display with a status indication element. System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the elements (1) is arranged in the terminal (5). System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the elements (1) is located outside the terminal (5). System according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional device (6) for adjusting at least one communication interface (2,3, 8) of the electricity meter located on the cover of the measuring part. Application: 3 figures A 2011 UI Figure 1 2011 UI Figure 2 Fig.Z Publication of the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria 1797 Sofia, 52-B Dr. GM Dimitrov Blvd.