Electricity Meters

INTRODUCTION An electricity meter is an instrument that measures and registers the continuous power consumption of energy users. Such a meter typically consists of two parts: a transducer to convert the power into a mechanical or electrical signal, and a counter to integrate and display the value of the total energy that has passed through the meter. Metering requirements differ according to the market served. Table 1 lists common types of meters and their ratings based on user categories. Although traditional mechanical electricity meters are still used to measure the electricity used in TABLE 1: METER CATEGORIES Category of ConType of Meter Installed sumer Domestic Sector Single Phase Three Phase Current Transformer (C.T.) Operated Single Phase Three Phase Current Transformer (C.T.) Operated Single Phase Current Transformer (C.T.) Operated Tri-Vector Meter

Application Sheet
households and commercial establishments, today many research and industrial meters come with microprocessors. Readings are first processed by a computer, which can store a large amount of data as well as arrange it in a useful form for the operator or engineer. The Internet and new wireless technologies also enable key information such as energy usage, power failure, and energy theft to be transmitted in real time. Figure 1 shows a systematic diagram for a modern meter.

Commercial Sector

Small Industrial Power

Bulk Supply (LT)

Rating of Conventional Meters Installed 10 A to 40 A 20 A to 60 A 3 x (30 A to 60 A) 3 x (100/5 A) 3 x (200/5 A) 10 A to 40 A 20 A to 60 A 3 x (30 A to 60 A) 3 x (100/5 A) 3 x (200/5 A) 20 A to 60 A 3 x (100/5 A) 3 x (200/5 A) 3 x (200/5 A) 3 x (300/5 A)

Load Up to 5 kW 6 kW to 10 kW 11 kW to 15 kW Above 15 kW to 50 kW Above 50 kW to 100 kW Up to 5 kW Above 5 kW to 10 kW 11 kW to 15 kW Above 15 kW to 50 kW Above 50 kW to 100 kW Up to 10 kW 11 kW to 50 kW Above 50 kW to 100 kW Above 100 kW

FIGURE 1: SYSTEMATIC DIAGRAM OF METER SYSTEMS

Voltage Voltage Sensors Sensors Data Data Acquisition Acquisition System System Microprocessor Microprocessor Display Display

Current Current Sensors Sensors

Control Bus System Control Bus System

Sensing and Control

Electricity Meters
THEORY OF OPERATIONS FERRARIS METER The Ferraris meter is also referred to as an induction-type meter. Ferraris meters are in wide use due to their simplicity of design and low costs for mass production. The single-phase, watt-hour meters found outside many homes are usually of this type. The meter has an electromagnet, called the stator (see Figure 2), which consists of a voltage coil and a current coil. These coils are connected to the incoming line and react electromagnetically in proportion to the line voltage and current, respectively. Both coils act together to turn a rotor with a disk. The rotational speed is proportional to the product of voltage times current, or power. Meter readings may be displayed on dials, recorded in graphic form on charts, or transmitted electronically to digital read-out devices. FIGURE 2: STATOR OF INDUCTION-TYPE ELECTRICITY METER

Application Sheet

direction and the rotation of the disk. The output will switch when the dark stripe sweeps through and the sequence of the switching will determine the direction of the rotation. An alternative is to use transmissive sensors, in which a slot on the disk will replace the dark tape to actuate the sensors. The key design consideration is to eliminate any light interference between the sensors or possibly from outside the meter, such as in the case of tampering. Proper package design that can minimize external light effects is important. Additional design improvements will be realized with the use of a detector such as the SDP8476201. This detector has an enhanced low-level ambient light rejection capability to both incandescent light and sunlight that is about three times higher when compared with competitors' standard phototransistors. Honeywell Sensing and Control also provides both through-hole and surface-mount Solid State Hall effect sensors that can be applied to count the rotation (Figure 3). If direction sensing is critical, the SS520 Series (Solid State position sensors) speed and rotation sensor is the best candidate. This sensor has two Hall elements built into the same SOT 89 package and provides both speed and directional output. A common practice in this application is to pulse power to the sensors in order to conserve energy consumption. FIGURE 3: ROTATION MEASUREMENT BY INFRARED AND HALL EFFECT SENSORS

There are different ways to measure the rotations of the disk. The old mechanical way is to let the disk drive a gear train connected to a series of dials that indicate the kilowatt-hour (kWh) reading. Today, noncontact sensing methods such as Optical or Hall effect sensors are more commonly used. HONEYWELL SOLUTION Honeywell Sensing and Control manufactures various Infrared Sensors that can be used for this application. Figure 3 illustrates two emitters being used in the system design. However, for cost-reduction purposes, one emitter may be used to sense both the

2 Honeywell Sensing and Control

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Electricity Meters
ELECTRONIC METERS The demand for greater precision and complexity of measurement has led to the development of various electronic meters which can easily perform multiple mathematical functions through integral circuits. Elimination of mechanical parts also helps to reduce physical wear and improve reliability. Current Sensors or transformers are often used to directly sense the current consumed. The greatest concern is the precision of these devices, especially the precision over a wide temperature range and current range. HONEYWELL SOLUTION Honeywell manufactures a wide range of Closed Loop Current Sensors. The 50 A unit (CSNA111) can achieve an accuracy of less than 0.2% at 50 Hz ac. This is much more accurate than what usual current transformers or other hybrid current sensors can achieve over a temperature range of -40 C to 85 C [-40 F to 185 F].

Application Sheet
WARRANTY/REMEDY Honeywell warrants goods of its manufacture as being free of defective materials and faulty workmanship. Contact your local sales office for warranty information. If warranted goods are returned to Honeywell during the period of coverage, Honeywell will repair or replace without charge those items it finds defective. The foregoing is Buyers sole remedy and is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Specifications may change without notice. The information we supply is believed to be accurate and reliable as of this printing. However, we assume no responsibility for its use. While we provide application assistance personally, through our literature and the Honeywell web site, it is up to the customer to determine the suitability of the product in the application. For application assistance, current specifications, or name of the nearest Authorized Distributor, check the Honeywell web site or call: 1-800-537-6945 USA 1-800-737-3360 Canada 1-815-235-6847 International FAX 1-815-235-6545 USA INTERNET www.honeywell.com/sensing info.sc@honeywell.com

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