Metering system for measuring parameters of high AC electric energy flowing in an electric conductor

Claim 1

A metering system for measuring the parameters of high voltage AC electric energy flowing in an electric conductor, comprising: (a) a magneto-optical material disposed to enclose a current-carrying conductor; (b) polarizing means for inputting polarized light into the magneto-optical material; (c) analyzer means for converting the light from the polarizing means to an optical signal of varying intensity in response to the rotation produced in said material; (d) means including fiber optic and detector means with associated electronic circuitry for providing a first electrical voltage output that is proportional to the current flowing in the conductor; (e) circuit means including series-connected capacitors extending from the electric conductor to ground and means for providing electrical voltage output which is proportional to electrical current flowing to and from the capacitors generating a second voltage output which is proportional to the rate of change of line voltage with respect to time; (f) electronic means for receiving input signals including the first voltage output and the second voltage output which signals are converted to produce an output pulse representative of a quantitized amount of electric energy carried by the conductor; (g) means for receiving the second voltage output from the circuit means and converting it into third voltage outputs; (h) a first signal conditioner responsive to the third voltage outputs for converting them into conditioned voltage signals; and (i) a second signal conditioner responsive to the first voltage output for converting it into conditioned current signals.