System and method for on-line monitoring and billing of power consumption

Abstract

The present invention comprises systems and methods related to monitoring of energy usage on a power line. In a preferred embodiment, this system comprises (a) an electronic microprocessor-controlled digital electricity metering device coupled to the power line and comprising a non-volatile non-battery-powered data-storage device, wherein the metering device is capable of interval metering and of receiving a data request and transmitting data in response to the request over the power line; and (b) a data collector (preferably, a transponder) coupled to the metering device via the power line. The data collector is preferably capable of (i) receiving data from and transmitting data to the metering device over the power line, (ii) storing data received from the metering device over the power line, and (iii) receiving data from and transmitting data to a remotely located computer (preferably, a billing computer).

1 . A method of remotely controlling electrical power service to an end user protected by a ground-fault interrupter (GFI), comprising the steps of:
 (a) determining that said end user's electricity service must be discontinued; and   (b) sending a power line communication instruction to a microprocessor-controlled meter that meters said end user's electricity consumption, wherein said instruction directs said meter to activate said GFI.   
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said instruction further directs said meter to continue to activate said GFI until directed otherwise. 
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said meter is configured to activate said GFI by initiating a leakage to earth ground. 
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said GFI comprises a toroid and wherein said meter is configured to activate said GFI by coupling a small amount of current into said toroid.