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Docslide - Us - Stopping Power Meter PDF
Docslide - Us - Stopping Power Meter PDF
Williams, MSEE
4TH EDITION
IMPORTANT NOTE
I bought this information many years ago and I will
share it for educational purposes only. I am not
responsible for any damage or lost for the mistake
while performing some noted experiment.
I redraw the schematic circuits for the benefits of
the author.
If you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you
will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to
the time when you will have to fight will all odds against you and when you have
only a precarious change of survival. There may even be a worse fate; you may
have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to die than to
live as slaves. Winston Churchill
knowledge, care and respect if you run your experiments on a personal meter, be
sure to completely electrically isolated it from the utilitys meter so that whatever
effects your personal meter is subjected to do not impact the utilitys meter.
Isolation can be performing by using isolation transformers and appropriate filters.
As far as we know, the legality of applying load-control methods that incidentally
make the utility-owned meter under register has not been legally tested (after
almost 20 years). However, assume that law enforcement will take as dim of a view
of doing this as it does if you actually physically tamper with the meter. It is ironic
that many law enforcement agencies on one hand cant seem to do enough to
please utility big-shots while blithely ignoring the many and gross crimes
committed by utilities upon the citizenry. Fortunately, most jurors are savvy to this
perversity and corruption of the law and act accordingly.
Also, no license is granted under the copyright and-or patent rights of
Consumertronics or anyone else. And, although we have made every reasonable
effort to provide accurate, reliable, money-saving and useful information, we
assume no responsibility whatsoever for error or omissions.
Again, be careful and know how you are doing. Induced currents can injure or kill
and mistakes can also cause property damage. All circuit diagrams are simplified;
add fuses and circuit breakers as required.
WATT-HOUR METERS
There is nothing magical, sacred or miraculous about watt-hour meters. Like any
high-grade scientific instrument designed to accurately measure an electrical
parameter (energy in kilo watt-hour) under specific operating conditions and in an
ideal environment, they lose accuracy when their operating and environmental
conditions are less than ideal and thru the process of aging. Watt-Hour meters
measure electrical energy consumed in a dynamic load by using the principle of the
2-phase induction motor. In fact, IF THE ROTOR DISK WAS RESTRAINED, THE
WATT-HOUR METER BECOMES A DYNAMOMETER-TYPE POWER METER.
Figure 1. Basic Elements of the typical induction type WATTHOUR Meter. The
four major makers of these devices are General Electric, Sangamo, Westinghouse
and Duncan.
For a PF of less than 0.5 in a two or three meter configuration, one meter will
always run BACKWARDS! Unless it is known for certain that PF is less than 0.5, the
true energy reading usually cannot be accurately determined.
next several months, the utility computer will certainly flag the account. In moat
cases, they'll make discreet Inquiries about household composition, the meter man
will scrutinize the meter, and the neighbors may be talked to. A pole meter will
likely be Installed If suspicions warrant it. Most smart outlaws now take snapshots
of their power pole prior to engaging in any meter management method and then
periodically refer to them for any changes that might indicate a pole meter
placement. The biggest danger to the outlaw comes about if he lives in a small
town where everyone seems to know everyone else's business and everything gets
noticed.
The savvy outlaw will gradually reduce his consumption if the composition of his
household remains the same - maybe 1% per month up to a reasonable point. If
the number in his household decreases, he'll then take that as an opportunity to
abruptly decrease his registration 1.5-2 times the percentage of household
decrease. For example, if the household was 5 and one leaves, that's a 20%
decrease in the household. He would then abruptly decrease the meter registration
by 30% to 40%. Usually a household reduction occurs because a child grows up or
an older person dies. If questioned about why so great of a sudden reduction,
excuses like, Bob loved to watch MTV all day. Or, Because Aunt Kafy was sick,
we had to have the heat on high, day and night. If the household increases, the
savvy outlaw will permit a 1/5 to 3/4 increase in meter registration per new
member. Usually, a household increases because a baby is born or a child moves
back home. Excuses for such a low Increase could be, The baby uses pampers and
we heat her bottle on an old wood stove. Or, Since Susy returned home, she's
root careful about burdening us with extra bills. In any event, the outlaw keeps
excellent records of his meter's readings on at least a weekly basis, keeps track of
the time frame that the meter reader will show up in, watches for pole meters and
snoops, and usually doesn't allow registration to drop so low or so fast as to trigger
an investigation.
The savvy outlaw also conceals his rig such as in an old radio, TV, computer, etc
case. One person reported to have built his circuitry into an old recliner and
concealed the cord underneath it. It helped warm his back in the winter while it got
the job done.
(1) FULL-LOAD ADJUSTMENT:
The Full-Load Adjustment rating of most home and small business meters is 30
amps (Class 200), printed on the meter face (5, 10, and 15 amp meters are still
found in many rural homes, and larger ones are found in larger operations). At a
loss of some accuracy, most modern meters are capable of measuring energies of
up to 600% Full-Load Rating. This adjustment is made at full load and unity PF. It
is done by assuring that the braking magnets are of suitable strength. Then, by
carefully varying their positions from the disk or by adjusting the positions of the
magnetic shunts that lie between their pole faces and the disk, by turning the
adjustment wheel that has an F (Fast) and S (Slow) on it, disk speed is
accurately set. NOTE: In some cases the S direction speeds the meter up while
the F direction slows it down (Duncan Meters). This opposite notation is
designed to fool and penalize meter tamperers. This is the main adjustment that
the utility will make when either you or it is concerned about the meter's accuracy.
adjust your costs upwards. And your meter will be replaced or recalibrated by one
more favorably calibrated for the utility, and-or you may be monitored by a pole
meter. However, unless you take the initiative and chronically complain, the utility
will rarely adjust an over registering meter to read the correct amounts.
Many errors are caused by a number of factors, many of them interrelated. These
errors exist even when the meter is precisely calibrated. They are accentuated
when the Full-Load, Light-Load and-or Lag adjustments are required. No scientific
instrument remains accurate if not frequently and precisely calibrated, particularly
an instrument used continuously in an outdoor environment. Wear, deterioration,
temperature, humidity, dirt, electromagnetic fields, hock and vibration always take
their toll. Meters usually spend years in operation - sometimes even decades between calibrations. Errors didn't matter so much when rates were fair, such as in
the 1960s and early 1970s. However, few people can now afford to pay for their
actual consumption - much less for errors that are compounded by other factors,
such as the Fuel Adjustment rip-off, taxes, etc.
Utilities benefit several ways by infrequently calibrating their meters.
Calibrations cost money.
Calibrations tend to cause customer disputes. If a meter man comes to your
home or business to calibrate your meter, the first thought that goes thru
your mind is, Oh, oh, now my costs will really go out the roof!
Permanent magnets progressively lose their strength over time and especially
when exposed to heat. Meter braking magnets are no exception. And as they
lose their braking power, disk speed increases over time for identical loads.
you consider that millions of braking magnet pairs are simultaneously declining in
their braking forces in energy meters throughout the country, you soon realize that
electric utilities automatically and secretly impose an additional inflation rate of an
estimated 1% - 2% nationally literally worth $ Billions!
(2) FREQUENCY ERROR:
Line frequency seldomly varies more than 1% from 60Hz (or 50Hz in 50Hz
countries). However, a 10% variation of frequency can result in a 1% or more
error, particularly for high PF. Meters typically read high at low frequencies (to a
point) and low at high frequencies. Meters typically can perform erratically when
harmonically rich waveforms (ox: rectified sine wave) are applied to it at
appreciable energy levels. Error is higher for low PF loads at low frequency.
(3) VOLTAGE ERROR:
Generally, line voltage is stable to within 10% of rated value. In cases of over
voltage, KW-HR meters read substantially low due to significant AC damping that
result in some braking mechanisms. This phenomenon is called "overload droop"
and is slightly higher for low PF. KW-HR meters read slightly high when line voltage
is low.
(4) VERY HIGH OR VERY LOW LOADING:
Very low loading almost always favors the utility, even for compensated molars, up
to the point where the motor slops turning (which won't happen with some meters
even with all loads disconnected). This error can possibly be as high as 100% of
actual consumption. Very high loading of meter also results in "overload droop." For
low PF, the meter almost always reads high no matter the actual consumption.
(5) METER DISSIPATION:
Meters dissipate about 1.4 watts on a continuous basis. Furthermore, if the disk
stops turning, 22-24 watts is required just to restart it. For the dubious privilege of
letting the utility monitor your electrical consumption, it costs you about one KWH
per month in meter dissipation alone.
(6) VIBRATION AND SHOCK:
Vibration and shock will instantly uncalibrate any scientific instrument - including
KW-HR meters, causing it to either under register or over register. The final result
is pretty much unpredictable, however, substantial shock and vibration usually
causes the disk to wobble or warp and this will cause it to either slow down or stop
altogether. Thus, if your meter is located near earthquakes, heavy machinery or
high traffic flows, your motor may be put out of calibration in a very short period of
time. Note that most meters are located on walls, and walls act as sounding boards,
which tend to amplify vibrations and shock delivered to the meter.
(7) INTERMITTENT LOADS:
A major cause of meter over registration is intermittent loads. Because of a
purposefully designed-in meter flaw, the amount of time it takes for a KW-HR
meter to accelerate to Indicate increased loading is a much shorter duration than
the time it takes for it to decelerate when the new load is turned OFF.
for them to adopt certain strategies and tactics that will level the playing field.
However, don't expect your utility to be as accommodating as your conscious is on
what's fair and what's not.
No method of slowing or stopping a power meter should be based upon breaking a
line neutral or putting a fuse or circuit breaker on one. These practices are deadly!
Virtually every method that will slow or stop the meter uses loading that requires
DC or non-60Hz frequency components. Figure 3 demonstrates the susceptibility
of typical KW-HR meters to such conditions. Power meters behave very similarly.
Note: As the line frequency approaches either DC or high frequency, the KW-HR
meter reading tends to zero (disk stops turning). A meter with substantial DC or RF
energy Imposed on it will not turn no matter how much energy is applied - it will
bum out first. Even a little DC will eventually permanently magnetize the staler if
applied long enough to provide lasting braking effects even after it is removed.
High frequency components will simply under register due to the Impedances and
hysteresis of the coils and rotor inertia. Mixed frequencies (ex: rectified sine wave)
will cause the rotor to behave erratically (because it will try to turn simultaneously
at more than one speed), and if its energy is high enough, rotor speed will
drastically slow down and may even stop. Harmonically-rich waveforms require
more energy to stop the meter than DC or RF, simply because most of its harmonic
energy is in frequencies not far from 60Hz. Fast load surges will be far under
registered primarily due to the rotor inertia.
CAUTION: Line and induced voltages can kill! For all electrical projects, be certain
that all circuit components, including wiring, can more than handle worse case
voltages, currents and powers before proceeding to construct any circuit. Use
sensible, safe and accurate wiring techniques and procedures, as well as good
judgment, at all times. YOUR SAFETY IS TOTALLY UP TO YOU. See Figure 14
for our ground symbol conventions. Unless you clearly know what you are doing,
never connect one type of ground to another.
If you don't have a power or KW-HR meter to practice on, either one can be
obtained legally, but they are now hard to find. We have found them at
Government surplus sales and auctions, and by contacting firms that demolish old
homes and apartments. We do have several dozen on hand at Consumertronics and
we charge $500 each for them (while the supply lasts).
"PIV" indicates Peak Inverse or Reverse Voltage (or DC working voltage for
capacitors). All figures are simplified circuit diagrams. Add (use, circuit breaker,
With the DC Method, three major problem areas have arisen. Some are finding
that the C1 (blocking) capacitors are costly, overly bulky or difficult to realize, even
with the Figure 2 arrangement. These capacitors are required ONLY IF you apply
the DC Method to a system that supports other loads sensitive to DC excitation
simultaneously running off of the same KW-HR meter. This problem is simply
solved by running all of your DC experiments with all sensitive AC-only loads
disconnected (ex: by temporarily throwing their circuit breakers). With a DC current
of about 5 amperes, a substantial permanent decrease in meter indication will
result with time due to permanently induced malfunctions.
Problems involving the kickback of rectified AC into the DC power supply may
occur. We used a very heavy-duty charger (like those found in garages) and didn't
observe any malfunctions. Figure 4 Illustrates two approaches of overcoming this
problem, making it possible to realize this method with a smaller, home-type autobattery charger.
The Figure 3 circuit only affects the current coils of the meter. This is because the
meter's voltage coil is across the outputs of the two rectifiers. To get the voltage
coil into the act, we used the circuit of Figure 5. We obtained satisfactory results
with both approaches. Some meters are more vulnerable thru their current coils
while others thru their voltage coil.
Be careful when using the DC Method. Other meters sharing the same power
transformer secondary will also be slowed down. However, because loads on other
meters will probably not be DC-isolated, problems could result in their operations.
(2) FREQUENCY METHOD:
High frequency loading is more easily accomplished but less effective and reliable
than the DC Method, and will usually require "tuning". Tone generators are also
called signal, audio frequency, waveform or function generators. Most well designed
units with short-circuit protection and the ability to deliver at least 5 amperes (if
necessary, couple with an audio amp) to the meter. Tones may be steady or in
bursts, experiment to determine which works best for your system. Our "PHONE
COLOR BOXES" manual contains many useful designs.
See Figure 6 and Figure 7
Optimum frequency is empirically determined. Meter will stop or at least chatter at
certain "resonant" tones but run relatively smoothly at higher ones. The signal
generator should be transformer-coupled to the AC power circuitry. Good shielding
should be provided and all signal lines should be of minimal length and with good
impedance matching. Radiated RF power beyond a small amount requires prior FCC
approval.
We found in certain cases that by using the Figure 6 circuit with the meter passing
only a few 60Hz amps, the meter will indicate in reverse at several frequency
points. Why? We are not certain about the mechanism involved but believe that the
reversals are caused by a combination of voltage coil flux irregularities and voltageto-current phase relationships.
though some frequency points between 100Hz and 1KHz are very effective in
reducing meter registration. However, because of customer feedback on their
successes in the 100Hz to 1KHz range, in the 2nd Edition we changed our limit from
100Hz to 10KHz, which also makes it easier to find a low cost audio generator. This
then resulted in customer complaints about filtering problems! Therefore, choose
whatever range best suits your needs and capabilities. This method causes no
observable permanent effect on KW-HR meters.
The DC Method problem of adversely affecting other meters on the same power
transformer secondary is usually not a problem with this method. The power lines
and transformer will effectively attenuate most frequency components above 60Hz.
Some firms today are peddling transient eliminators as energy savers. They state
that by filtering out line transients (using their grossly overpriced circuits, of
course), The meter runs more slowly because transients cause meters to over
register. If this were so, the Frequency Method described herein would cause
meters to over register! However, their claims are false even using their own logic!
Filtering out all transients on the motor's LOAD side simply means that ALL of the
incoming transient energy is dissipated BY THE METER ALONE! In fact, the transient
energy then absorbed by the meter would be much greater than that absorbed by
the meter and load without transient removal.
Thus, when there are high transient signals coming thru the meter from its source
(i.e. line) side, load-side line filtering essentially duplicates our Frequency
Method. Other substantial energy savings result because induction motors and
transformers operate far more efficiently with clean electrical inputs, and their
reliability and longevity also substantially increase.
(3) HARMONIC LOADS:
This method is most practical and easiest to achieve and it does not require special
equipment or filtering of other loads. See Figure 8. However, much greater
harmonic power is required to obtain the same effects. According to Fourier Theory,
all waveforms are composites of simple sine waves of certain discrete frequencies,
phases and amplitudes. When a 60Hz sine wave is half-wave rectified, DC and 60Hz
components are produced along with a plethora of harmonics that rapidly diminish
in power content as the harmonic number increases. The DC component will brake
the meter movement while the harmonics will diminish the total meter reading by
making the meter behave in an erratic fashion. Rectifiers must be rated so that
their steady-state current rating is at least twice the sum of all AC/DC loads served
by them, and their surge current must be rated at least three times that of their
loads. Minimum PIV should be 800 volts. Transient suppression and shielding are
highly recommended. If there is much motor brush sparking, filter out all AC
components for a DC motor, and all harmonics for an AC motor. Use about a 2uf
non-electrolytic 400 PIV capacitor across the motor terminals (most hand-held
power tools).
Several customers have claimed that the SCR Method can permanently slow down
KW-HR meters by causing damage to the meter's current coils.
(5) THE MAGNO-BRAKE METHOD:
A customer told us about this method (Figure 11). The Magno-Brake Method is
easier to apply than the DC Method, usually more effective and definitely more
risky. This method works by brute force - large surges are sent back to the meter
to disrupt its carefully balanced electro-mechanical system and-or to short out the
voltage coil windings. The result of this damage can often (but not always) be
physically observed: The meter either fails to indicate or its action is erratic, often
with scraping sounds coming from the disk. More than one meter has been totaled
by folks who didn't believe in the gradual approach to using this method. Why
utilities would react to this in a hysterical manner is beyond me since they
cavalierly inject line ripple onto your power line with no regard to the destructive
effects it has on YOUR equipment and on YOUR life!
As with the DC Method, we strongly suggest that you disconnect all other AC loads
from the meter's circuit during all Magno- Brake test periods. That's because
pulse height, width and energy may vary considerably between strikes and even
heavy filtering can let enough of a powerful strike reach other circuits and damage
them. Note that we use the term "disconnect" as opposed to "turn-OFF." That's
because we have found that some Magno-Brake pulses will jump switches and
even transformer windings and still damage turned-OFF but connected-up
equipment.
We used a commercial photoflash unit called a "Synchro Tester" (National
Camera, now discontinued). Check with your photo supply store on varieties. Our
unit outputs about 400 volts, 1 to 50msec. duration per "flash."
The Figure 12 circuit would work adequately. You should be able to control voltage
using a rheostat. Step-up transformers can be realized from two or more 120VAC
to 120VAC isolation transformers. For example, to construct a 120VAC to 240VAC
step-up transformer, wire two 120VAC isolation transformers in parallel on the
primary side and in series on the secondary side (see Figure 13). The storage
capacitor discharge can be controlled by an electromechanical or solid-state relay
(SSR), a telegraphers key or a heavy-duty push-button switch (snap action much
preferred). The former two can be electronically controlled to provide consistently
programmable results. Voltage level, duration and repetition rate should initially be
low and SLOWLY increased until the desired effects are achieved. Patience and
perseverance are musts to get optimum results with minimal tell-tale indications,
and to gain valuable experience and knowledge about KW-HR meters. Note that
whatever changes that you make in your meter using the Magno-Brake Method
will likely be permanent changes.
One customer told us what really works well is to use a mousetrap. He used the bar
as one contact and inserted a tack where the bar fell for the other contact. When
the mousetrap goes off, the discharge has a rise time of 0.08 to 0.86msec. from
our experiments. The RC snubber wired across the contacts is not needed if the
switcher is dispensable.
When using any of the methods described herein, different timing schemes can be
used. For instance, there may be some periods that you find it highly advantageous
to stop or even reverse your power meter while restoring it to normal operations
during other periods. Commercially available AC timers are excellent here. Or you
may feel more at ease to physically remove your circuit completely between
applications.