USAID / SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL INITIATIVE FOR ENERGY (SARI/ENERGY) 23rd July to 7th August, 2010

CENTRAL INSTITUTE FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION OF RURAL ELECTRIFICATION CORPORATION (A Govt. of India)

Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM ON DISTRIBUTION LOSS REDUCTION FOR AFGHANISTAN POWER EXECUTIVES

METERING Concepts & Basic Principles CT metering HT metering MF calculation

INTRODUCTION

Energy meter is a vital equipment in the Electrical Industry. Especially, in the present day context of conservation of energy and conservation of resources, the meter accuracy assumes a lot of importance. When the energy measurement is looked at, it becomes clear that meter as such is a part of metering and the energy measurement therefore depends not only on the accuracy of the meter but the metering system as a whole, which may comprise the associated current and potential transformers and other wiring practices etc., When you think of an energy meter, we visualize an induction disc rotating from left to right and registering the energy by pointers or a set of drum type registers. However, with the advent of electro static devices , especially the microprocessor based devices entering the field of metering, they are slowly revolutionizing the metering.

Accuracy and proper functioning of energy meters and metering equipment is of utmost importance, otherwise there may be heavy loss to the utilities. They should be accurate and maintain the accuracy over long duration to register the consumption properly, so that the billing demand is correct. Meters are to be selected according to the load characteristics. Before installing them at the consumers premises, they should be tested. Connections should be proper and at the time of commissioning, registration of meters should be checked on load. Periodical checking has to be conducted so that the complete equipment remains well maintained. This will ensure proper functioning of the equipment over a long period. Good quality of meters maintain high accuracy over a long period of 15/20 years with varying load without recalibration or maintenance, provided they are installed and commissioned properly and protected from dust, vermins and mis-handling. However, test checks are to be applied from time to time.

At present, most of the utilities continue to employ induction disc meters in LT supply system i.e. single phase and three phase. It is only recently i.e. about a decade back, the electronic meters have entered the field of HT Trivector metering with registering of historical MD Data, tamper data etc., The microprocessor based metering is entering the field in a big way, making the meter, in fact, a store house of data. The data is extractable with the help of electronic gadgets either by direct contact or indirectly by a modem.

FERRARI METERS

The classical meter is an induction disc meter where rotation is proportional to the energy being consumed. Since the disc is rotating, friction is inevitable and reduction of friction by employing highly polished single jewel bearings, double jewel bearings or Magnetic suspension type are specified in standards. To cut the tendency to steal energy by reversing the connections at terminal block, especially when such terminals are available, some of the organizations have recently gone in for unidirectional meters, where the counter records always forward, even when the disc is made to run in the reverse direction. Also meters with extended guarantee period can be ordered and their performance can be kept under watch.

Types of Meters: The following types of meters are commonly used for consumers: i. Single phase meters ii. 3-phase 4 wire meters iii. 3-phase 3 wire meters iv. 3-phase 4 wire meters with CT and MD v. 3-phase 3 wire meters with Ct and MD vi. Special meters : 3-phase 3 wire or 3-phase 4 wire Tri-vector meters vii. Summation meters i. Single-Phase Meters Most of the lighting installations of domestic, commercial and small power consumers are connected on single phase. Similarly, street lighting installations in rural and small townships are also connected on single phase. Single phase supply, otherwise, is not availed by other category of consumers except Railways who are given single phase HT supply.

i. Single-Phase Meters (Contd) Single phase meters are rated for 240 volts A.C. supply, current rating 2.5/5 amps. (maximum) or 10/20 amps. (maximum) and are for direct connection to the mains. The meters conform to respective standards for Electricity meters. It is claimed by manufacturers that the meters are of robust design, with outstanding performance and characteristics under normal conditions. They are capable to take 400 percent overload continuously and the load characteristics curve is extremely good over a measuring range of eight to one. They start registration with small load of 3.5 and 7 watts and record up to 4400 watts. The outstanding feature of a single phase meter (induction type) is its simplicity, compact and robust design so that relative positions of the supporting parts remain unaltered. It comprises a potential coil and a current coil. The potential coil, having large number of turns of fine copper wire, is fitted on the middle-limb of an E shaped Electro-magnet and connected across the supply main, producing some flux. Similarly, the current coil, consisting of a few turns of heavy gauge copper wire is wound on two limbs of a U- shaped electro-magnet. This is connected

i. Single-Phase Meters

(Contd)

in series with the load to be metered. When current passes through it, the electromagnet is energised and this also produces some flux. The two fluxes so produced, set up a mechanical torque on the nonmagnetic aluminium disc (which is located between the 2 coils) causing it to rotate. The rotating disc has to be of non-magnetic material. Otherwise, the disc will not be allowed to move by the electro-magnets, as it gets attracted due to electromagnetic force. The rotating disc is mounted on a vertical spindle which is supported by a sapphire cup contained in a bottom bearing screw. In order to control the movement or rotation of the disc, set up by the two fluxes, a C-shaped brake magnet of of alloy-steel is provided. The disc rotates through the narrow air gap of the C-shaped magnet and sets up eddy currents which brake the field and exert braking effect.

ii. 3-Phase 4 Wire Meters 3 phase 4 wire meters (10, 30, 50 Amps) are used for agricultural and industrial consumers. 3-phase supply is availed by these category of consumers either at H.T. or L.T. The meters are directly connected to the supply, if load is up to 50 Amperes. If load is more than 50 Amperes, it is preferable to provide C.Ts. They are rated for 415 volts. In a 3-phase 4 wire meter, 3 coils of each type i.e. potential coil and current coil are provided. In fact, a 3-phase 4 wire meter can be said to be equivalent to three numbers of single phase meters accommodated in one frame, each element (i.e., potential and current coil) maintaining its own identity. A single common disc is there to record the consumption. It is necessary that operation of each element is checked separately when it is carrying load current to ensure that all elements are recording in positive direction and that no negative torque is exerted by any element. In practice, such cases of wrong connections have been noticed and detected. Hence, this point should be given special attention. Each of the 3 elements of the meter produces equal torque i.e., 1/3 of the total torque under all conditions of varying power factor, with balanced load.

iii. 3-Phase 3 Wire Meters A 3-phase 3 wire meter has 2 elements instead of 3 elements as in the case of a 3-phase 4 wire meter. The basic principle of operation is the same as that for a 4 wire meter. The torque produced by 2 elements is equal to each other, only when the power factor is unity. At other power factors, the individual torques produced by 2 elements are not equal and are of varying proportion. B element produces more torque at lagging power factor, while the R element produces more torque at leading power factor. This particular feature can be made use of to find out the P.F of the load current of the consumer, for the purpose of checking at site. The table given below indicates the P.F. against the ratio of the time taken by the B element for a fixed number of revolutions of the disc to that of R element for the same number of revolutions. For such recording of time for each element through wrist watch or timer, the other element is to be made ineffective by removing its P.T. fuse and /or short circuiting the C.T. secondary.

iii. 3-Phase 3 Wire Meters (Contd.) The test will give correct results, only when the meter has been correctly connected and the phase rotation is in the order of RYBR.
Time Ratio 1.00 0.80 0.65 0.50 0.40 0.27 0.18 0.10 App. P.F. 1.00 0.98 0.94 0.87 0.81 0.71 0.64 0.58

Power factor lower than 0.5 will be indicated by the reverse running of the meter with the R element only in operation.

iii. 3-Phase 3 Wire Meters (Contd) Usually three-phase 3 wire meters are not used in recording consumption of L.T. power consumers for the simple reason that the lighting load (pilot lamp in case of Ag. Consumer) has to be properly connected on one of the phases R or B. otherwise, if it is connected on Y phase where no current coil is provided, the energy consumption would not get recorded. The meters otherwise can be used if proper connections are made and checks are applied.

iv. 3-Phase 4 Wire Meters with C.T. and M.D. It is already mentioned that up to 50 amps, meters are available for directly connecting to the supply. If the load is more than 50 amps, C.T. operated meters are to be used. For example, a 70 kW load is to be supplied. Then, the load-current at 0.8 P.F. would be :

iv. 3-Phase 4 Wire Meters with C.T. and M.D. (Contd) 70 X 1000 --------------------- = 126 Amperes. 3 X 400 X 0.8 CTs are available in the ratio of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400/5 Amps. Hence CTs with ratio of 150/5 amps. would be required. The meter will have to be suitably calibrated so that it records directly, the consumption with 150/5 amp. CTs. The ratio of C.T. is also mentioned on the meter. The dial-factor would be one and multiplying factor naturally will also be one. Suppose if we use a meter calibrated for 100/5 CT ratio and if its dial-factor for this C.T. ratio is one, then multiplying factor would be: 150/5 M.F. = ----------- X D.F. = 1.5 100/5 Hence the recorded reading would be required to be multiplied by 1.5

iv. 3-Phase 4 Wire Meters with C.T. and M.D. (Contd) It is to be noted that CTs are to be properly selected for accurate recording. Usually, rating of CTs should fall within 50 to 80 percent of the maximum load current of the consumer. Sometimes, L.T. consumers opt for two part tariff and are required to be provided with metering having recording arrangement for maximum demand in kW as the tariff provides for kW demand charges. The poly phase meters are provided with maximum demand (M.D.) indicators, which are nothing but additional mechanism attached to the meters to record the rate of consumption over a fixed period (usually half an hour) each time and then get reset with the help of a time-switch. A pointer indicating the highest ever rate of consumption thus recorded by the M.D. indicator is left behind, which has to be manually reset, while taking down the reading every month.

v. 3-Phase 3 Wire Meters with C.T. and M.D. It is exactly like 3-phase 4 wire meter and work on the same principle. It is also used in the same way and under the same circumstances, as a 3-phase 4 wire meter. However, while connecting, precaution has to be taken to connect it properly. It also records M.D. in kW.

vi. Special meters (a) Bi-vector meters, and (b) Tri-vector meters Besides the energy charges and kW demand charges, the tariff provides for kVA demand charges and also power factor surcharge. (If power factor is less than 90 percent, the consumer is penalized). For this purpose, special type of meters are required.

vi. Special meters c

I V I V

(Contd.)

(a)

(b)

There are two alternative methods of metering. In diagram (a) meter (A) is a watt-hour meter or cosine meter and measures the real energy supplied, while meter (B) records the kVA hours. In diagram (b), A records the true-energy as in case of (a), while meter (C) records the wattless energy or kVA Sin energy, obviously. (kVA Sin)2 + (kVA Cos)2 = (kVA)2

vi. Special meters (Contd.) If in diagram (a), B is fitted with a maximum demand indicator also giving kVA demand, then average P.F. of the load Reading of meter A = ------------------------Reading of meter B The readings being, for corresponding periods of time. In case of (b) the average P.F. Reading of meter A = ------------------------------------------------------------((Reading of meter A)2 + (Reading of meter C)2)

Installation and Commissioning of Meters I. Apart from testing and calibrating the meters, they must be properly installed, as per the connection diagram. After installation of meter, its performance should be checked at site also. If we take 100 watt lamp (resistive load and constant of energy meter is 2400 rev/ kWh), assuming normal supply voltage, the consumption in one hour will be 100 watt hours. The meter disc should therefore rotate. (2400 x 100) / 1000 = 240 rev. / hour Therefore, time taken for one revolution is 60x60/240 =15 seconds If the time taken is more, the meter is running slow and vice-versa, if the time is less. Suppose 16 seconds instead of 15 seconds are taken, then the meter is slow by (16-15) x 100/15 = 6.6%. It should, therefore, be adjusted. For synchronous motors, power factor can be taken as unity. For Induction motors, it is 0.7/0.8 and for welding transformer it is about 0.6. The motors contribute inductive load in the system.

Installation and Commissioning of Meters (Contd) II.C.T, Operated Meters For C.T. operated meters: 1. Ratio test by primary injection kit and 2. Polarity test should be carried out. It should be borne in mind that C.T. Secondary terminals should not be kept open. Following points must be kept in view, while installation of meters: a) Position of meter should be such that reading is easily visible. b) Mounting of meter should be on solid wall or D.P. structure or on panel board. c) For H.T. metering equipment, CTs should be right on the incoming side, before the point of isolation. d) Meter should be fitted in a protected meter box, nowadays provided by the Utility. It should be installed at a place where rainwater cannot enter. e) The meter box has facility of sealing from outside. It should therefore be, sealed. f) The meter-recording should be checked at site as explained.

Installation and Commissioning of Meters III. Meter Reading

(Contd)

(a) Registering or counting mechanism is to record continuously a number. This recording is proportional to the revolutions made by the moving system. The rotor shaft drives a series of five or six pointers. These rotate on round-dial which are marked with ten equal divisions. There are two types of registration systems: (i) Pointer type (ii) Cyclometer type Reading could be made from both the types of meters.

III. Meter Reading

(Contd)

(b) C.T. Type Meters In case of C.T, operated meters, the multiplying factor should be calculated. It depends upon ratio, meter rating and dial factor. An example is given below (a) (i) Meter rating 100/5A; 400V (ii) C.T.ratio:200/5A;400V (iii) Dialfactor:48
Overall M.F = [(C.T Ratio) / meter C.T rating] x Dial factor

= [(200 / 5 x 400 ) / 100 / 5 x 400 ] x 48 = 96

Installation and Commissioning of Meters (Contd) The performance of the meter should be checked on load, after installation and commissioning. It should be ensured for correct recording, applying multiplying factor, which could be noted on paper. This could be pasted in the meter box and one copy be kept in file/ledger. Many disputes have arisen due to this omission. If there is delay by the consumer in connecting the load, the commissioning of meter could be deferred, till the consumer starts drawing power. Repairs of Minor Defects in the Laboratory Following main defects are generally found in meters : 1. Rotor shaft found bent. 2. Counting train found defective. 3. Rotor disc found bent. 4. Pressure coil has discontinuity. 5. Meter excessive slow, fast even after an adjustment.

Installation and Commissioning of Meters (Contd) 6. Upper guide pin broken. 7. Current coil short with body. 8. Wrong name plate meter constant as the revolutions of meter does not tally with constant 9. Demagnetized brake magnets. 10. Broken glass plates. Out of new meters received from area Stores, defective ones are replaced free of cost by supplier. Old defective meters are repaired at Meter Testing Laboratory and calibrated. It is very essential to calibrate the meters, whenever components are replaced or electromagnetic gaps are adjusted. First apply the rated voltage to each element in turn for 3 ph. meters without any current in current circuit and adjust the low load adjuster to a point where the rotor disc becomes stationary. If this adjuster is moved in either direction, the disc should start to creep.

Installation and Commissioning of Meters (Contd) The routine testing of meters could be once in 3/5 years. In addition, surprise checks on the consumers installation and meters should be made from time to time. The important points to be paid attention, while checking are: 1) Connections of meter are proper. 2) Seals are not tampered. 3) No loose or direct connection exists. 4) Meter is not damaged to record less. 5) CTs are properly connected. No reversal of any phase connection exists. Multiplying factor is properly calculated and applied. 6) Meter is well-protected from rain, vermins and dust etc. 7) Links are connected. 8) Terminal block is not damaged. 9) It may also be mentioned that with the help of load current of known magnitude (preferably of resistive type) and a wrist watch having a seconds hand, one can off-hand check at site, the performance of the meter and also its accuracy to some extent, as indicated below:

Installation and Commissioning of Meters (Contd) Let the resistive load be a bulb of 40 Watts and the meter constant of the energy meter is 1200 Rev /kWh. Assuming normal supply voltage, the consumption in one hour is 40 watt hours. The meter disc should therefore rotate @ 1200 x 40 /1000 = 48 Rev/hour. Say for 1 Rev. the disc would take (60x60)/48=75 seconds, If the time taken is more, it means the meter is running slow and vice-versa. In fact, the percentage error can also be calculated from the time it actually takes. In this particular case, if the time taken is 78 sec, the meter is slow by (78-75) / X 100 /75=4 % If the load current is not resistive but inductive or capacitive, the power factor of the current is to be assessed first, depending upon the nature of the load and then the energy consumption worked out. For example, a 10 HP flour mill drawing 10 Amps, current at 400 volts can be presumed to be running at 0.8 power factor and having 3 x l0 x 400 x 0.8 = 5.54 kW load, for the purpose of such checking.

HT Metering Low-Tension service connection is extended to a consumer by the utility when the demand is such that the technical parameters as prescribed under Electricity Rules can be met like stable & quality supply, proper voltage regulation etc. Most of the utilities on their experience, therefore, restrict the extension of L.T. supply to the consumer up to 50 H.P. or 100 H.P. (connected load). If the connected load is such that the maximum demand of the consumer is high, then supply at High-Tension is given. The supply voltage could be from 11kV to 220kV depending upon the contracted demand.

H.T. Consumers Metering Trivector Meter A well planned tariff covering an electricity service, takes into account, both the energy consumed, maximum demand and recording of power factor. Tariffs of this kind comprise:
1. 2. 3.

Charge on energy consumed. Charge on maximum demand on kVA Charge on account of power factor, if it is below the specific limit (0.90 lag).

A trivector meter is designed to record active, reactive and apparent energy along with M.D. indicators on all. The trivector meter is a compact unit. It replaces a set of instruments which must otherwise be installed and has the advantage of yielding full and more accurate data.

Trivector Meter (Contd) The trivector meter consists of three different recording element namely, kWh, kVAh and RkVAh. The recording principle of kWh and kVARh elements is the same as described in 3-phase meters, whereas kVAh element records mechanically with the differential gearing arrangement. The TRIVECTOR is a brand name of M/s Landis and Gyr., England. This meter is very reliable, robust and practically free of any adjustment even after a long period of service.

Proper Selection of Meters For accurate metering it is necessary that meter normally operates at the higher ranges, where its accuracy is better. To achieve this, the CT ratio is properly selected. It is recommended that the CTs used are of single ratio, as far as possible. It may be said as a guideline that while selecting CT ratio the same should be related to 80% of the ultimate contract demand that may be expected in about a years time of the commissioning of the consumer. As the current transformers are designed for 20% overloading, the CT would be adequate where the load exceeds 80% of the contract demand. It may be prescribed that the CT ratio should be checked in relation to the maximum demand once every year, or whenever these is increase in the contract demand. It may be added that whenever metering on L.T. side is provided for H.T. Consumer, 3 percent of the energy recorded is added for the transformer losses. It is further to be ensured that a 3 phase 4 wire meter is only installed.

The H.T. Trivector meters of Electromagnetic type are complicated in that the measurement of KVAH, which is essential for the measurement of average M D in KVA requires measurement of RKVAH. General defects noticed in this type of meters are; a) Meter bottom bearing defective b) Meter top bearing defective c) Meter PC. coil burnt or opened d) Meter C.C. coil shorted. e) Meter dial stuck up at 9th digit f) The clutch coil open g) The M D needles stuck up or loose h) The timer defective

(i) Checking of Connection

S.No. (i) Element If R element is connected to the supply alone If B element is connected to the supply alone If both R, B elements are connected to supply. kWh meter Disc should rotate in forward direction Disc should rotate in forward direction Disc should rotated in forward direction RkVAh meter Disc should rotate in forward direction Disc should stop

(ii)

(iii)

Disc should rotated in forward direction

The rotation of disc on element-wise, depends on the power factor of the installation. The above analysis is for the P.F. = 0.866.

(ii) Power Check

a.

b.

Energy can be calculated by line current, line voltage and P.F. multiplied by time. Energy calculated under (a) should be equal to the recording by kWh disc when P.T. fuses of both R and B phases are in circuit.

The above tests are to ensure that H.T. meters are properly installed and tested. It is to ensure that the potential and current coil connections are on the same phase; phase sequence of the meter is correct so as to give cumulative effect of loads on all three phases. For C.T. and P.T. operated meters, it is preferred to use a test terminal block (TTB) for C.T., P.T. and meter wiring. This TTB provides the facilities of shorting CT secondaries for testing purpose without any interruption to the consumer.

(ii) Power Check

(Contd)

The P.T. leads should be connected through the fuses of proper rating. To eliminate the possibility of tampering with the fuses, the fuses should be provided with protective cover and properly sealed. Now a days pilfer box is provided for this type of metering equipment. It should be used so that no outside agency can tamper with the equipment. Since the meter records correctly in vertical position, the box should be welded to the structure to avoid changing of position. (iii) Testing and Checking of H.T. Meters at Site After installation and commissioning of meters or during routine testing of H.T. meters, it must be ensured that same phase C.T. and P.T. are entering in one element of meter and phase sequence at the meter terminals is correct. Following checks are made after charging, on supply:

(iii) Testing and Checking of H.T. Meters at Site

1.

(Contd)

Voltage at meter terminals. 2. Phase sequence at meter terminals. 3. Current on each phase should be approximately equal for three phase-load. 4. Element wise rotation of disc. 5. Load test, it should tally with the connected load of consumers. If results are satisfactory M.F., meter details, reading etc. should be noted and consumers signature should be taken on result sheet. The meters of H.T. consumers may be tested at the following periodicity: 1. H.T. consumers having demand of more than 25 MW:- After every 3 months. 2. H.T. consumers having demand between 5 and 25 MW:- After every 6 months 3. H.T. consumers below 5 MW:- After every one year.

THE STATIC METERS

The static meters and meters based on micro processor are generally designed for recording not only the energy by KWH but also other parameters such as KVAH, RKVAH, average power factor, instantaneous values of current, voltage, KW, KVA etc., This is making the cost of meter high and probably that is why a single phase or ordinary 3 phase meter could not come up to be used extensively. By the comparable price of an electronic meter means, one has to look into the fact that a static meter need not be calibrated as frequently as is the case with an electro magnetic meter and this reduces the number of rolling stock meters to be held by the utility and administration and establishment charges of testing and replacing are reduced. The present HT static meters are designed to record data on tampering also. It records reversal of currents, failure of a voltage etc., It also records the frequency of tampering and total period under which the meter is kept tampered. All such data is helpful in assessing the total energy lost.

The Static Meters

(Contd)

It records the present maximum demand, the integration time lapsed for the present and the corresponding demand and it also stores and exhibits the historical data of the past 5 Maximum demands, so that a reference to them can be made. Static meters performance is generally found to be very good. As an example, it can be mentioned that Static meter of L&G make (Imported) is installed in a Railway traction service which was until then serviced by an electromagnetic meter of L&G make. The railways complained that the new meter recorded low P.f., An analysis revealed that the static meter being sensitive to low currents recorded lagging MVAR of the Power Transformer of the consumer, which is in service continuously. The load for traction, even though is nearly unity P.f., is incident on the secondary of the transformer intermittently so that RKVAH recorded due to the inductive load of the transformer is comparable to the KWH load recorded by the meter. This could not be done by electro magnetic meter, as the meter cannot accurately record at very low loads.

The Static Meters (Contd) Further, in low load conditions and no load conditions, the Electromagnetic type HT TVR meters have the tendency to record average power factor of more than unity, which is obtained by dividing KWH by KVAH. Also, in some of the HT services, the energy recorded at the HT meter point is less than that recorded by meters of the service at L.T. system. This is generally due to inaccuracies of meter at loads, less than 5%. Static meters on the other hand, are found to be recording the energy even at such low loads as 0.5% and less.

The meters are now being specified to be compatible to be read with a hand held meter reading instrument (M.R.I). The manufacturers are now being asked to make available meters such that a universal M.R.I, can read different makes of meters. For this purpose, they have to make available, the necessary software through which the M.R.I can extract the meter reading.

Summation Meters Summation meters are another special type of meters which are used for recording the total consumption of a consumer fed at more than one point. The main purpose for connecting a summation meter is to facilitate the correct recording of the total kVA demand, since adding up of the MDs recorded by the individual meters, arithmetically, may not be correct because of the possible diversify in their periods, even though the total unit consumption can be worked out arithmetically. There are a number of methods for summing up the consumptions through one meter, some of which are as indicated below: 1. Paralleling of the CT leads on the secondary side before connecting them to the meter current coil. 2. To provide for each phase, one intermediate CT, known as summation CT, with a number of primary windings for connections to the secondaries of individual CTs and only one secondary winding to feed the meter current coil.

Summation Meters (Contd.) 3. Use of multiple current coils in the same meter for direct connections to the individual CTs, the measuring elements being common to all for the same phase.
4.

To have independent elements for all CTs mounted on a common shaft of the same meter so that the shaft gets the total torque and records total consumption thereby. Separate elements to measure the consumption independently as in 4 above but having separate driving shafts connected to a common one through differential gears to record the total consumption. Separate meters, each fitted with an electrical impulse transmitting device, to record the consumption at various points independently and pass on the impulses simultaneously to a common meter which then records the total consumption.

5.

6.

Electronic Meters Electronic tri-vector meters are now available for providing at the S/s or at the H.T. consumers premisis. The special features are described below. Special Technical Features of Electronic Tri-Vector Meters Electro-mechanical meters used to record demand & energy utilisation by High Tension consumers have been noticed several times to behave in an erratic way. Moreover, despite best efforts to stop tampering of meters by other agencies than that of the utility, pilferage of energy in some way or the other, has been a common feature. Disputes on this account prolong for several years. It was therefore thought to introduce electronic meters, which are now available. Electronic meters, in the earlier stages, gave problems and did not perform satisfactorily but modifications in display, recording system of meters for (a) tampering, (b) error, (c) P.Ts utilized in summation system, (d) poor-battery output etc. have been carried out on the suggestions of the utilities. This has helped in overcoming several problems.

Special Technical Features of Electronic Tri-Vector Meters The display system of the meters, now consists of i. Active Energy utilisation kWh/M ii. Reactive Energy utilisation kVARh iii. Apparent Energy utilisation kVAH iv. Peak Maximum demand kVA kW (with lagging PF) v. a) Cumulative demand kVA b) Billed MD for previous month vi. Re-set counter vii. Power factor viii. Frequency ix. Occurrence of missing P.T. for supply of voltage x. Time of the day metering xi. Time-interval for time of the day metering

(Contd)

Special Technical Features of Electronic Tri-Vector Meters xii. Energy-import/export xiii. Tamper information xiv. Raising demand with elapsed time

(Contd)

The meters could therefore be used at S/s ends or at the consumers end to have accurate data-base and utilisation of energy. The meters meet with IEC 687 standard and are suitably designed to record accurately with variation in voltage from +10 to -3% and frequency 5. The meters are of 0.5 accuracy. The battery to meet voltage demand of the circuit is of 3 volt lithium. The multiplying factor can be kept at unity, in order to avoid error due to use of various ratings of CTs and PTs. Three seals are provided, one on the front cover, one for terminal cover and one for M.D. and reset button. All other features are built-in to display the details described above. The meters are designed for C.T. ratio of 5 amps or 1 amp on secondary side and PT. ratio of 110 volts.

TAMPERPROOF ENERGY METERS AND METER BOXES

TAMPERPROOF ENERGY METERS AND METERBOXES

Energy Meters play the vital and important role of measuring the energy consumed by various categories of consumers and these are an important link in revenue collection of any Electrical Utility / Electricity Board. It is understood that energy meters currently available in the market can be tampered with and some of the unethical consumers employ ingenious ways to tamper with calibration of the meters, steal energy and do not pay for the energy consumed by them. This results in loss of revenue, which is an important factor, affecting the smooth and profitable functioning of any Electrical Utility.

THE SALIENT FEATURES OF SUCH A TAMPER PROOF ENERGY METER ARE

1. The Energy Meter should meet the relevant standard 2. The Energy Meter meets the requirement of relevant Accuracy Class 3. The casing of the meter is fully transparent and made out of ultraviolet stabilized Polycarbonate material, resulting in: a. fully transparent polycarbonate meter base. b. fully transparent polycarbonate meter cover. c. fully transparent polycarbonate terminal cover. 4. The meter cover and meter base have press fit arrangement, so that the meter can be closed by simply pressing the meter cover on the meter base i.e. the meter cover gets self locked to the meter base. Additionally, the meter cover is ultrasonically welded to the meter base so as to avoid insertion of any foreign material inside the meter, with an intention of tampering with it. 5. The Terminal Block is made out of Glass Filled, Fire Retardant Engineering Plastic material.

The Salient Features of such a Tamper Proof Energy Meter are

(Contd)

The fully transparent polycarbonate terminal cover also has self locking / press fit arrangement with the terminal block. After installation of the meter at the consumers premises, the terminal cover is simply pressed and it gets self locked. Thus the connection at the terminal block cannot be tampered with by the consumer. With this arrangement, the self locked and ultrasonically welded meter can only be broken open. 6. As an additional precaution to avoid tampering, there is provision for sealing the meters with lead wire seal. 7. The meter is provided with unidirectional counter so that the meter reads only in the positive direction, even if the direction of rotation of the disc is reversed by reversing the connections. 8. in order to reduce the frictional losses and also the wear and tear of the moving parts, resulting into increased life of meter, Magnetic Suspension Bearing is provided in the meter.

The Salient Features of such a Tamper Proof Energy Meter are

(Contd)

9. In order to reduce the apparent power loss, the burden of the re-designed Potential Coil has been reduced from 6VA to 4VA. 10. The Current Coil burden has also been reduced from 2.5VA to 0.4VA 11. 100% meters are tested on computerized test benches with printout facility, using Class 0.1 Electronic Reference Standards, in air-conditioned environment. Certain utilities witnesses the testing of 100% meters at the time of inspection. 12. Meters are guaranteed for 10 years satisfactory performance.

TAMPER PROOF METER BOXES

It is widely known and has been reported that even the Tamper Proof Energy Meters -both Static and Electro-mechanical, are prone to tampering and can be tampered with by employing ingenious ways, resulting in loss of revenue and endangering the smooth and profitable working of any Power Utility. The solution lies in installing the meters in a tamper proof enclosure at the consumers premises.

CHOICE OF TAMPER PROOF METER BOXES

It is understood from the technical specifications of Meter Boxes from various utilities, that the utilities are procuring three (3) types of Meter Boxes : a. Fabricated Mild Steel Meter Boxes. b. Deep Drawn Mild Steel Meter Boxes. c. Moulded Engineering Plastic Meter Boxes.

SALIENT FEATURES OF TAMPER PROOF METER BOXES

Various desired / implied anti-tamper features have been considered while designing the tamper proof Meter Boxes and the salient features are as under:

Tapered Roof, so that water does not stay at the top. Toughened Glass / Transparent Engineering Plastic viewing window for meter reading. Glass fixing from inside only with metal supporting clamps. Replacement possible only on opening the door, after breaking the seals. Cable entry & exit through cable glands, not accessible from outside. Two door hinges, fitted from inside and not approachable from outside. For locking & sealing the cover with base, two nos. U-Shaped latches provided. Provision for Padlock for additional sealing. For ease of wiring, meter mounting portion raised by about 10 mm. Provision for holding Meter Reading Card. Customers special requirements can be complied with.

FUTURE METERING

The future for static meter appears to be very bright and microprocessor based meters are probably going to dominate the field. Some of the features which are advocated in this area are: a) Time of day meter b) Multi Tariff meter c) Prepaid meter d) Meters with historical data with a few MB memory to store various parameters e) Meters to be read by hand held MRIs f) Meters to be read by remote reading instruments. The conservation of energy and load management systems demand artificially intelligent meters which switch off lights in an unused room or switch off the yard lightning automatically. Also in future, meters may be designed to sense the frequency of the system and adopt load throw off concepts, built into them. Say for example, on occurrence of an under frequency, domestic meter may sense it and switch off non priority loads.

CONCLUSION The Electro-magnetic meter will continue to be used for some more time and general defects noticed in this meter are to be taken care of in their design.
The single phase and 3 phase energy meters of static type have to be simple in design so that they compete with the Electro-magnetic meter. Universal type of meter reading is to be developed by the manufacturers of static meters by coming to an understanding, in order to serve all the consumers.