Chapter-4 Scope of Testing of Electrical Energy Meters.

The testing of the energy meters have always been an important issue, because proper energy measurement is the basic requirement and solely concerned with payments. Energy meters are remained connected in the system, and are operational round the clock. Hence wear and tear must be all natural in them. In order to ascertain that the energy meter should confirm to its designated accuracy class when installed need initial testing and commissioning. But, in order to ascertain its deterioration, with the passage of time when in service, needs periodic testing. The associated equipment i.e. current transformers (C.Ts.) and potential transformers (P.Ts.) must be of same accuracy class if overall accuracy of measurement is required. P.Ts and C.Ts wiring rout must be as short as possible in order to have minimum burden. Energy Meters testing may be divided into three stages: i. ii. iii. Factory tests. Commissioning tests. Periodic maintenance tests.

The first two stages prove the performance of the energy meters along with its associated equipment during its development, manufacture and in its operational environment. The last stage, properly planned, ensures that this performance is maintained throughout the life of the metering system. Factory Tests. It is the responsibility of the measuring instruments manufacturer to provide adequate and efficient testing of all measuring instrument including instrument transformers before it is accepted and commissioned. Since the prime function of the measuring system is to measure correctly under normal operating conditions, it is essential that their performance be assessed under such conditions. Tests simulating the operational conditions are conducted at the manufacturers works during the development and certification of the equipment. These tests must be most comprehensive, because modifications to the equipment after installation are both expensive and inconvenient. 4-1

The tests performed can be divided into two main groups. The first group includes those tests in which the operating parameters of the measuring devices are simulated. These tests are: - Percentage Error Test by Phantom Load Test Method ( at different loads and power factors). - Percentage Error Test by On- Load Test Method ( at running load and power factor). - Percentage Error Test by Power Measurement Technique. - No-Load Creepage Test. - Dial Test. - Insulation Strength Test. - C.Ts Test : Polarity Check, Ratio Check, Magnetization Curve. - P.Ts Test : Polarity Check, Ratio Check, Phasing Check. The following test equipment is used for this purpose. Energy Meter Testing Set (Off-Load Type). Digital / Analogue Scanner. Phantom Load. Standard Energy Meter. Variac. Power factor changing device. Primary Injection Test Set. Megger. In the second group of tests, conditions such as temperature, humidity, vibration, mechanical shock, electrical impulses and so on, which might affect the correct operation of the energy meters, are simulated.

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The testing equipment used for this purpose is as follows: Vibrator. Climatic simulator. Impulse test equipment. High frequency interference equipment. Impact test equipment.

In some cases, tests of both groups are conducted simultaneously in order to check the measuring instrument performance. Note: In some cases, on-load testing is performed, when C.T shorting facility is not available i.e. absence of test plugs for testing purpose or Number of energy meters to be tested is high within a short span of time. In this method C.T clam-on will be needed. The disadvantage being only running load is available with the system power factor.

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