US 11,942,816 B2
Apparatus and method for detection of line to neutral back-feed voltage
Curtis W. Crittenden, Milton, NH (US); and Carl Oppenheimer, Kingston, NH (US)
Assigned to Aclara Technologies LLC, St. Louis, MO (US)
Filed by Aclara Technologies LLC, St. Louis, MO (US)
Filed on Nov. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/538,306.
Application 17/538,306 is a continuation of application No. 16/723,173, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, granted, now 11,190,045.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/782,450, filed on Dec. 20, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0166248 A1, May 26, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H02J 9/06 (2006.01); G01R 31/08 (2020.01); H02J 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC H02J 9/06 (2013.01) [G01R 31/086 (2013.01); H02J 3/0073 (2020.01); H01H 2300/018 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A back-feed voltage source detecting sensor for use in an electric utility distribution system comprising:
a voltage divider circuit including
a first pair of series connected resistive elements configured to be connected to a first power line running from a distribution transformer to a load through an electric utility meter; and,
a controller including an electronic processor, the controller configured to
establish virtual neutral in the electric utility meter at ground potential, and
monitor a first voltage signal with respect to the virtual neutral to determine whether a back-feed voltage source is connected between a neutral conductor of the electric utility distribution system and the first power line.