Patent attributes
Breakaway devices for use in a meter-pit environment that protect connections between components of an AMR system are described herein. In various embodiments, at least one cable is adapted to operably couple a first AMR device and a second AMR device, wherein at least one of the first AMR device and the second AMR device is disposed in a utility meter pit. In an embodiment, at least once connector adapted to operably couple the cable to the first AMR device or the second AMR device is constructed to be decoupleabe in response to a force that is less than the linear breaking strength of the cable. In another embodiment, the cable may be constructed to have a length equal to at least about twice the distance between the first AMR device and the second AMR device. A coupling member is provided that secures a portion of the cable in a generally coiled configuration, and the coupling member is constructed to be decouplable to release a portion of the length of the cable in the generally coiled configuration in response to a force that is less than the linear breaking strength of the cable. The systems and devices disclosed herein act to prevent overstress on system components and connections when force is applied to the cable connecting these components.
