TECHNICAL LIMITATIONS IN FORWARD METERING IN HT 3 PHASE 3 WIRE

METERS

FORWARD METERING

The HT 3 Phase 3 wire meters are connected with 2 CTs on the power system lines.
Thus, measures 2 currents out of 3 lines. As per Blondel's theorem, power can be
measured in n-wire system by n-1 elements. Thus, power measurement can be
done using 2 CTs. This measurement provides power as per the connections made
and power flowing in the system. If the connections are not correct then the
measurements will also not be correct. Then the measurement will be done as per
the electrical condition appearing to the meter.

The HT 3 phase 3 wire power is calculated by the equation:-

Active power P = Vry Ir Cos (30+) + Vby Ib Cos (30-) = P1 + P3

Reactive power Q = Vry Ir Sin (30+) + Vby Ib Sin (-30) = Q1 + Q3
P1, Q1 and P3 ,Q3 are R phase and B phase Active and Reactive power
respectively.

Under the actual load condition, current can lag or lead voltage by max. 90 . If
there is export of power, then the current vector goes beyond 90 w.r.t. voltage and
operates in the region of 90 - 180 - 270. Thus, if the meters are provided for
import metering only, it is straight simple to forward the current vector, if it is not
operating in kW import region. This is possible in 3 phase 4 wire meters.

VOLTAGE

Current
KW Import
(90lead) (90lag)
270 90

kW Export

180

In the 3 phase 3 wire metering, when the power factor goes below 0.5 lag i.e.
current is 60 away from the voltage, the current vector appears to the meter
beyond 90 w.r.t. voltage appearing to the meter. Thus 0.5 PF lag. P 1 becomes
negative. This may be the situation when R CT is reversed. The same condition
appears when power factor is below 0.5 lead and BCT appears as reverse. Both
the conditions will interchange with change of phase sequence. If the current
vectors are forwarded under these conditions for deficiency metering , the metering
will be totally wrong.
 Vry

0

Ir

Vby 90

180

There are certain system conditions which are typically unbalance load conditions
and system voltage unbalance condition, the voltage and current vector appears
differently. The power factor unbalance adds difficulty in detecting correct system
condition and defective connection condition. There are not only one or both the
CTs are reverse connected but phase association may also be wrong and makes
worse condition to identify the true condition. Therefore, it is not feasible and not
advisable to perform deficiency metering in 3 phase 3 wire meters.