Energy Meter Testing, Smart Meters and Prepaid Meters

Dr.P.Kaliappan
IEEE Senior Member
ISA Senior Member
Fellow IE
Joint Director/HOD(MUAD)
Power Systems Division
Central Power Research Institute
Bangalore 560 080
E-mail: kaliappan@cpri.in
Mobile: +91 94491 49924
 Type Testing

• Energy Meter

• Reliability

• Billing

• NABL Lab

• Influence quantities
Testing Major tests recommended No. of Criteria for
Samples conformity

Type 1) Test of Insulation properties 3 samples If one sample fails

Tests 2) Test of Accuracy requirements for Type to comply in any
3) Test of Electrical requirements Test, respect, test
4) Test for Electromagnetic
shall be repeated
compatibility
5) Test for climatic influence on fresh 3
6) Test for Mechanical samples (Type
requirements test).
7) Load Switch requirement
1 Sample for To prove its
8)DATA READ TEST (for Load Switch conformity with
cumulative kWh energy requirement
through communication the requirements
(for UC1)
module, of the Standard
& 4 Sample (for
Remote : Connect / Disconnect ) UC2/UC3)

9) DLMS Testing 1 Sample

 IS standard
1 a.c. Static Direct Connected Watthour
Smart Meter Class 1 and 2
2 a.c. Static Transformer Operated
Watthour andVar-Hour Smart Meters,
Class 0.2S, 0.5Sand 1.0S
3 For Load Switch Requirement
Reference Standard :
ALTERNATING CURRENT DIRECT
CONNECTED STATIC PREPAYMENT
METERS FOR ACTIVE ENERGY
(CLASS 1 & 2)
IS 16444 (Part 1):2015,
Amendment No. 1, January
2017
Ref. Std.: IS 13779:1999, RA
2014 &
For Load Switch :
IS 15884:2010, RA 2016
IS 16444 (Part 2):2017
Ref. Std.: IS 14697:1999, RA
2014
IS 15884:2010, RA 2016
 IEC and IS Stds
1 AC Induction Watt-hour Meters, Class IS13010, 2002 with amd 1 & 2
0.5, 1&2 IEC 62052-11, IEC 62053-11
2 AC Static Watt-hour Meters Class 1&2 IS13779:1999 with amd 1,2,3,4,5
IEC 62052-11, IEC 62053-21
3 AC Static CT operated Electrical IS 14697 :1999
Energy Meters (Trivector meters)
4 AC Static Watt-hour meters Class 0.5 & IEC 62052-11, IE :62053-22
0.2 for active energy
5. AC static meter for reactive energy IEC 62053:23 IEC:62053-24
class 2&3 / class 0.5s ,1S & 1
6. AC Direct connected static prepayment IS 15884 :2010
meters for Active Energy
8 Static Payment meters for Active IEC 62055-31
Energy (classes 1 2)
9 a.c. Static Direct connected Watthour IS 16444:2015 (part 1)
Smart Meter Class 1 & 2 / Transformer
IS 16444:2017 (part 2)
operated smart meter class 0.2S ,0.5S
&1
 IEC standards for EMC tests

1 Test of immunity to IEC:61000-4-2

Electrostatic Discharge
2 Test of immunity to IEC:61000-4-3
Electromagnetic HF fields
3 Fast transient burst test IEC:61000-4-4

4 Radio Interference CISPR-14 (Radiated)

measurement
CISPR-22 (Conducted)
CISPR-11
5 Surge Test IEC:61000-4-5
 Testing

Acceptance Routine
Type testing
testing testing

• Type Testing

• Acceptance testing

• Routine testing
Fully Automatic test Bench
Fully Automatic test Bench
 Test of Insulation properties

• Impulse voltage: 6 kV

• 10 +ve impulses and 10-ve impulses

 AC High Voltage test

Protective class -1 : 2.0 kV

(basic insulation)

Protective class -2 : 4.0 kV

Insulation test

500 V DC
 Test of Accuracy requirements:
Test on Limits of error (balanced & unbalanced)
Broad working range is checked ( from 1% or 5% of Ibasic)

Test of Meter constant

Ib or Imax with specified meter constant

Test of Starting condition

0.1% or 0.2% of Ibasic

Test of No-load condition

V=115% of Vref (static) with current circuit open
(min. test period: 20 times test period of starting current)

Test of Repeatability of error

Vref , 0.05Ib & Ib at pf=1 , 20 error readings at an interval of 30 min
 Test of Influence quantities

Voltage variation:
Ibasic , pf=1 & 0.5lag V=±10% , ±20%,
below0.8Vref & upto 0.7Vref & below 0.7Vref

Frequency variation : ±5%(IS)

Waveform:10% 3rd harmonic:

Current harmonics in phase & anti phase
Energy meter Meter shall be able to measure harmonics
must also energy in addition to the energy due to
fundamental .
measure
CT may get saturated due to higher harmonics.
correctly under
various external
influences Reverse phase sequence
RYB / RBY
current =0.1Ib at pf=1
Test of ambient temperature influence

To check for degradation of change of characteristics of

components which leads to failure

Influence of variation in ambient temperature is determined

by obtaining temperature coefficient over range of  15 ºC.

Mean Temp coeff. =

Error at 15ºC above ref. temp. – Error at 15ºC below ref. temp
Temp range
e.g. 0.1 - 0.11
30 ºC
Voltage unbalance : to check meter records correctly even
in the absence of one or two phases
one phase / 2 phase interruptions at vref & Ib

DC component in AC current circuit

To check whether the meter performs under the influence of

DC current flown through AC current circuit
( i.e. CT or shunt)
DC & AC magnetic influence

DESIGNED AS PER CBIP SPECIFICATIONS.

AC MAGNETIC COILS:
 400AT – 0.5 mT.

 2800AT – 10mT.
 28000AT – 0.2T
• In the event of logging with dt & time , the +ve
variation may be beyond the limit of 4%
• Meter to record at Imax

DC MAGNETIC COILS :
 1000AT – 0.67mT.
 12000AT – 0.27T.
 Test of Power Consumption
The limits on Power consumption in voltage & current circuit are not only important from
the point of consumption of power but also from the angle of limited rating of current &
voltage transformers used

The power consumption purpose is to check energy efficiency

Voltage Circuit :The active and apparent power consumptions of a composite Smart
Meter shall not exceed 5.0W and 15VA during the Idle Mode of Communication Module.
This applies to either one NAN or one WAN module present in the Smart Meter.
If a separate module for servicing to IHD is present, the above figures shall not exceed
6W and 18VA during the Idle mode of communication Module.
The additional power requirement during DATA transmission shall not exceed 7W per
communication module.
Current Circuit : The apparent power taken by each current Circuit of meter at maximum
current, Reference frequency and reference temperature shall not exceed a value in VA
equivalent to 0.08 % of Vref in Volts multiplied by 100% of Imax in amperes.
 Test of Influence of supply voltage

Simulation of power
quality failure .
To check immunity of
meter to short duration
interruptions
Test of influence of short time overcurrent

Meters should withstand the short circuit current in the event of

load connected to it is shorted, the short circuit current will flow
through the meter till the opening of protection device

Short circuit current:

 20 times Imax for 0.5 Sec (CT operated meters)
 30 times Imax for 10ms (Whole current meters)
 The period of time for which the generator voltage is
maintained at the terminals after the overcurrent has
occurred shall be one minute
 Meter is energised at Vref for 1 hour after test
 Variation in accuracy before and after the test is verified.

Cause of failure:
• Saturation of CT core due high temp of CT primary
 Influence of Self Heating

To verify deviation in % error of the meter under Maximum load

condition for longer duration.
o Meter is Energized at Reference voltage for 2.0 hours and then loaded with Imax.
o Test Duration : Min 1.0 hour UPF & Min 1.0 Hour 0.5 Lag
o Readings are taken every 5 min.
o Variation in error during twenty min. shall not be more than 1/10 the accuracy class.
o Test is continued beyond 1.0 hour until the variation in 20 min is with 1/10 accuracy class.
o Total variation between min & Max error shall be within the limit

Causes of failure :
• Size of cables used for testing
• Size of Terminal block , Screws used for cables
• Inside arrangement of the CT
• Rivets/ screws used in the meter for connecting primary of CT
• Heating of terminals
 Test of influence of Heating

Under normal condition of the use, electrical circuits and insulation shall not reach a temperature
which might adversely affect the operation of the meters.

The temperature rise at any point of the external surface of the meter shall not exceed by more
than 20ºC with an ambient temperature of 45 ºC.

To ensure there is no abnormal heating in the meter which raises the temp. of the body to a limit
which can create a safety risk for personnel or insulation of the meter itself
 Meter is energized with 115% of reference voltage and Imax for Two hours.
 After heating : IR & functional accuracy test is carried out.
 Observation : Temperature rise of the terminal block and the meter case shall not be more than
20ºC at an ambient temp of 45 ºC .
 Limits of % Error shall be within the permissible limits of Standard.
 Test of Immunity to Earth fault
This test applies to 3 phase 4 wire meters

Test condition:

Earth fault condition is simulated in one of the 3 lines – all voltages increased to 1.1 times

Vref during 4 hrs.

Neutral of MUT is disconnected from Ground of Meter Test Equip.(MTE) & connected to

line of MTE at which Earth fault has to be simulated.

In this way 2 voltage terminals of MUT which are not affected by Earth fault are connected

to 1.9 times Vref , Current= 0.5Ib & UPF.

Result:
After the test , MUT shall show no damage & shall operate correctly.
 Test for Climatic Influence

The metering installations are generally not protected from climatic changes & hence a
meter shall not only withstand but also work properly in these climatic conditions

Dry heat test: To simulate storage conditions during which meter may be subjected to
extreme temp.
Meter in non-operating condition
Temp: +70ºC ± 2ºC , duration: 72 hrs.

Cold test :
Meter in non-operating condition
Temp: -25ºC ± 3ºC ( for indoor meters), duration: 72 hrs.
-40ºC ± 3ºC ( for outdoor meters) , duration : 16 hrs (as
per IEC standard)
 Damp heat cyclic test: IS 9000 (part 5 / sec 1&2)

To determine the suitability of the components / equipment for use or storage under
condition of high humidity when combined with cyclic temp. changes and, in general ,
producing condensation on the surface of the specimen.

Test Conditions -
upper temp 40ºC ± 2ºC
RH 93 to 97 %
6 cycles, each Cycle of 24 hours
Meter in operating condition : Energized with Ref voltage
24 hrs after the end of test , the meter shall be subjected to insulation test

Serves as a corrosion test . Result is judged visually

 Test for Electromagnetic compatibility

Radio Interference Measurement:

Conducted Emission : As per CISPR 22

EMI passes on to the other equipment's via the power lead of the meter under test .
Main sources: SMPS, Motor drives, Switches
 Frequency range :150kHz to 30MHz

Radiated Emission :(using Anechoic Chamber)

This is unintentional release of electromagnetic energy which escapes into the free space
from the meter under test
Main sources: Switching freq. , layout wiring
 Frequency range : 30MHz to 1GHz

There are 2 ways for EMI to travel Immunity to Electromagnetic HF field: IEC 61000-4-3
1.Folllowing a physical path To determine immunity of the specimen to various levels of RF signals.
through wire / cable Ex: TV, AM/FM Radio ,cellular, navigation transmission
( conducted)
 80MHz to 2000MHz and Test field strength: 10V/m
2. Through free space
( Radiated)
 Fast Transient Burst Test:

Burst of very high noise pulses upto several kV

Could be due to
Opening of a switch / breakers
Fluorescent lights
V.H.current load
AC compressors
Relay contact bouncing
Series of pulses of 15ms burst duration
Total burst duration = 300ms

As per IEC 61000-4-4

2kV : 60sec for 10 min with each polarity
(Voltage & current ckt)

4kV : 1 min with each polarity

(Test on Voltage ckt)
Electro Static Discharge( ESD) test: As per IEC – 61000-4-2

 Abrupt discharge of static charge accumulated by a person or an object

 Human body is the main source & carrier ( regarded as capacitance upto 50-1000pf)
 Human body’s capacitance can be Electrostatically charged upto a few kV

Direct discharge: contact discharge: 8kV

( due to high voltage , a heavy current can flow in the device)
Air discharge : 15kV
( if there is a discharge in the nearby equipment ,the heavy
current flowing in that equipment will induce a high voltage
In the device)
Only Vg. Circuit energised , No current
No. of discharges: 10+ve & 10-ve
On all accessible parts
Vibration test: Meter may be subjected to Mech. Vibration during
transportation & handling . Also there may be vibrations at installation
site due to operation of heavy machineries

Shock test: to test immunity of meter against Mech. Shocks which

a meter may encounter during transportation or handling

Protection against penetration of Dust & water:

 Test for Mechanical Requirements
Clearance & creepage:
Proper distance to be maintained to prevent arching or short circuiting

Spring Hammer Test: To check mech. Strength of meter case

As per IS: 0.22Nm ± 0.05Nm
As per IEC: 0.2J± 0.02J
• Before Resistance to heat & fire :
• Accuracy of the MUT at pre-defined points, DATA read Test & Remote disconnect/connect.

Resistance to heat & fire:

To ensure reasonable safety against spread of fire. The terminal block, terminal cover & meter case should not be ignited by
thermal overload of live parts in contact with them.
Terminal block: 960ºC ± 15ºC
Terminal cover & meter case: 650ºC ± 10ºC
Duration of application: 30s ± 1s

Any flame or glowing shall extinguish within 30sec

after the removal of glow wire
Resistance to heat & fire

Test
Test for load Switch
Performance requirements for Load
Switching utilization category
UC1
Performance requirements for Load
Switching utilization category
UC2 / UC3
Ref. to Clause of IS:16444 (Part 1):2015,
Amd. 1, Amd. 2
10.4 & 4.6.6.2 of IS 15884
(ANNEX G)
4.6.6.2.1 On one additional Sample
4.6.6.2.2 On four additional Sample
G-1 : LOAD SWITCHING CAPABILITIES
G-2 : NORMAL OPERATION
G3 : ELECTRICAL ENDURANCE
G4 : LINE TO LOAD VOLTAGE SURGE WITHSTAND
G-5 : FAULT CURRENT MAKING CAPACITY
G6 : SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT CARRYING CAPACITY
G7 : MINIMUM SWITCHED CURRENT
G-8 : DIELECTRIC STRENGTH
• Large-scale attack [Core network]
• Small-scale attack [ HAN, CAN]

Thank You