Energy Meters

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

PRESENTATION FLOW
FUNDAMENTALS
METERING TECHNOLOGIES AND TECHNIQUES.
METER TESTINGS
INSTALLATION PRACTICES

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Review of fundamental electrical concepts

Energy parameters
Active Energy (unit KWh) V X I X Cos Ф
• Reactive Energy (unit KVArh) V X I X Sin Ф
• Apparent Energy (unit KVAh) VXI
Where V is line volt,
I is line current ,
Ф is phase angle between volt and current ,
Cos Ф is power factor

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Active power Electricity actually consumed

Reactive power Electricity consumed in losses

Reactive (lag) due to inductive load

Reactive (lead) due to capacitive load

wer
p o KVAr
t
VA ren Reactive power
K pa
Ap

KW
Active power
Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021
Apparent power : resultant of active and reactive

KVAh = √KWh²± KVArh²

wer KVAr
t p o
ar en Reactive
App power (lag)
A
KV

Ф
Kw Active power
KVAr
Reactive
Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi power
03/27/2021(lead)
 Power Factor

Cos Ф = KW / KVA = KWh / KVAh

100KW
100KVA motor
transformer
Line
`

At Unity power factor Line current is 140 A

At 0.6 power factor Line current 140 A output 60 %
At 0.6 Power factor Line current 231 A output 100 %
Load on Transformer 166 KVA
Transformer and line get overloaded, motor overheated on same efficiency

Consumer is held responsible to maintain

Gyanendra Power
Sharma, NPTI Delhi Factor- KVAh billing
03/27/2021
 Power Calculation

 Single Phase Vp X Ip X cos Ф

Three Phase

 3 Phase 4 Wire 3 x Vp X Ip X cos Ф

 3 Phase 3 Wire √3 x VL X IL X cos Ф

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Three Phase Four Wire meter
(Three Watt meter method)

Vr

Ir

Ib

Vb Iy Vy
W1
Vp X Ip X cos Ф
R
W2
Y Vp X Ip X cos Ф
W3
B Vp X Ip X cos Ф

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

N 3 Vp X Ip X cos Ф
Three Phase Three Wire meter
(Two Watt meter method)

Vry
Vr

Ф
Ir
Vby
Ф
Ib
Vb Iy Vy
W1
VL X IL X cos(30* + Ф)

W2 VL X IL X cos(30*- Ф)

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

√3 x VL X IL X cos Ф
Types of Energy Meter
Single Phase, Three Phase
Electromechanical, Electronic or Static
Whole Current, LT CT Operated, HT CT & PT
Operated
Trivector Energy Meter
Maxmimum demand & TOD (Time of the day)

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Single Phase Whole Current Electromechanical
Energy meter

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Single Phase Whole Current Electromechanical

Counter digits

Voltage coil

Damping magnets disc

Current coil

Magnetic suspension
bearing

terminals
Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021
 Single Phase Whole Current Electronic or
Static Energy meter

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Impulse counter

03/27/2021 Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi

Three Phase LT CT Operated Electromechanical

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Three Phase LT CT Operated Electromechanical

Voltage coil
Adjustments
Power factor
No load
Current coil
Full load
Counter digits

Magnetic suspension Damping

bearing magnets

terminals

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Three Phase LT CT Operated Electronic or
Static Energy Meter

03/27/2021 Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi

Three Phase LT CT Operated Electronic or
Static Energy Meter with box

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Instrument Transformers

Current transformer( CT)

03/27/2021
Potential transformer (PT)
Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi
Indoor type HT Metering Cubicle
with inbuilt
resin cast CT & PT

Meter chamber

HT Cable End box

HT Cable End box

03/27/2021 Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi
 Ranges, Rating & Accuracy Class
Category of consumers Type of Meter Installed Class Rating of Applied Load
Conventional Factor
Meters Installed
Domestic sector Single phase 2 5-30A Upto 5 Kw
10-60 A 6-10 Kw
Three Phase Whole current 2 3x (30-60)A 11-15 Kw
Three Phase CT Operated 1 3x(60/5)A 15-37 Kw
3x(100/5) A 37-50 Kw
3x(200/5) A 50-100 Kw

Commercial Sector Single phase 2 10-60 A Upto 5 Kw

20-60 A 6-10 Kw
Three Phase Whole current 2 3x (30-60)A 11-15 Kw
Three Phase CT Operated 1 3x(60/5) A 15-37 Kw
3x(100/5) A 37-50 Kw
3x(200/5) A 50-100 Kw
Small Industrial Power Single phase 2 20-60 A Upto 10 Kw
Three Phase CT Operated 1 3x(60/5) A 11-37 Kw
3x(100/5) A 37-50 Kw
3x(200/5) A 50-100 Kw

Bulk supply (LT) LT Trivector Meter 1 3x(200/5) A Above 100 KW

(Static Type) 3x(300/5) A
3x(400/5) A
Bulk supply (HT) HT Trivector Meter 0.5 Above 100 KW
(Static Type)

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Static meters Vs Conventional meters
SPECIFICATION STATIC METERS CONVENTIONAL ELECTRO-
MECHANICAL METERS
Life Sustainable accuracy life over 10 years Limited life (3-5 years & then,
slows down considerably)
Wear & Tear No wear & tear Lots of wear & tear due to many
moving parts & Meter
becomes slow with time
Hanging of Meter Measures accurately under any conditions even Accuracy is effected with change
placed flat on ground in angle of hanging
Protection Fully protected in case of High voltage peak & Likely to Get damaged
lightening
Earth Leakage & RESPECTIVE Indicators to alert Consumer No such Indicators
WRONG for Safety
CONNECTIONS
Over loading Accuracy of the Meter does not affected even Due to magnetic saturation,
at 150% Over Load condition. accuracy deteriorates
drastically

03/27/2021 Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi

Features in Static Energy Meter
Instant parameter view
Auto Maximum demand Reset
Billing history of each cycle
Load survey data
Events Report
Power outage period
Tamper/Fiddle data
Fraud Protection
Remote Metering

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Main Features of Poly phase Meters
LCD Type display.
Multi parameters displayed.
Measure & Display on Auto-scroll mode-
(Consumer can read)
KWH,KVAH,KVArh,KVAMD,KWMD.
Store Data of Last 60 days at 30 minutes time
interval-
Load pattern for KW, KVA and P.F.
Communication Port provided.

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Remote metering through modem

CDMA
GSM
03/27/2021 Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi
Meter reading instruments

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

New Technologies
AMR Technologies
- PLCC
-RF based.
-GSM Modem
-PSTN
-CDMA
Prepaid Meters.

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Instant parameter view : LT connection

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Power Finance Corporation Ltd.
(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
Instant parameter view (LT) :phasor diagram

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Instant parameter view : HT connection

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Instant parameter view (HT):phasor diagram

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Event reports

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021
TRADITIONAL VERSUS
PRE-PAYMENT CONCEPT

Traditional Metering  Pre-Payment Metering

 Use electricity 
Collect money
 Read meter
 Prepare invoice 
Transfer credit to
 Collect money meter
 Warn late payers
 Disconnect non- 
Use electricity
payers

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Pre-paid Meter

03/27/2021 Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi

PREPIAD METER-Keypad Vending

Vending
Stations
24 hr Call Centre
AVM’s

The Internet
Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021
Power Finance Corporation Ltd.
(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
THE CONCEPT “HOW IT WORKS”

CASHPOWER 2000
Credit Transfer Voucher
07/10/91 CDU ID: 9:40:16

SPESCOM SUPPLY AUTHORITY

Spescom Cashpower 2000

Stand no:
Meter no:

+ 3343 6077 7631 3153

R10.00 57.9KWh
CASH
Operator: Brent
Electricity clean, efficient and low
cost

+ 3343 6077 7631 3153

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

TESTING OF ENERGY
METERS

Power Finance Corporation Ltd.

(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
MANDETORY TESTING-DERC

 IE RULE-57 –PERIODICAL TESTING

Category Interval
NDMC, MES, Railways 6 months
Bulk supply meters (HT) 1 year
LT meters (11kW-100 kW) 3 years
LT meters (upto11 kW) 6 years.

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Routine Tests( 0n all Meters)

 Accuracy Tests at
5% Ib,10%Ib,Ib,Imax at UPF
10%Ib,20% Ib,Ib,Imax at 0.5 lag
5% Ib,10%Ib,Ib,Imax at 0.8 lead
No Load test at 115% of Vref.
AC Voltage Test at 2 kV.
Starting Current Test at 0.4% or 0.1% Ib.
Insulation Resistance Test.

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Testing & Calibration

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Testing & Calibration : HT connections

03/27/2021 Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi

Meter Installation
Practices

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

CAUSE

The major cause of loss revenue is due to

lack of seriousness in ensuring effective
installation practices,inefficient/no
maintenance practices

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

GOOD INSTALATION

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Meter Installation Classification cont….
LOCATION OF METERS…

a) On outer wall
b) On compound wall
 Less temptation to bypass
 Easy meter reading
 Weather proof requirement
 Susceptible to external damage

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Recommended Practices
Safety aspects
Aspects liable to damage meters
Tamper immunity aspects
Sound sealing practices

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Installation Audit
Practice not existing
Utility never visited
 Audit is a must
Use of random generator

Quality & intelligent installation practices are

incomplete in the absence of
“Installation audits”

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Installation Audits cont…
 Audits should be carried out systematically & periodically
 Audit should cover
 Physical inspection of the site
 Detailed testing of the meter(accuracy,load etc)
 Other aspects to be covered during an installation audit
 Ferruling of wires
 Evidence of tamper

Since most problems occur “post-installation”,

auditing practices should be a compulsory act by the
Power Utilities

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Reliable meter installation practices are a
must to prevent revenue loss and this practice
deserves adequate investment by the Power
Utilities

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Power Finance Corporation Ltd.
(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
VARIOUS ABNORMAL WIRING CONDITIONS

Earth Load
Partial Earth Load
Missing Neutral
Mixed Neutral
Exchanged wiring (output side)

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Normal connection

Meter 1 Meter 2

10A 7A

10A 7A

P N N P PN N P

P
P
N
7A
10A

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Abnormal Connection
Meter 1 Meter 2

10A 7A

11A 6A

P N N P PN N P

N
6A
11A 7A
7A 1A
10A
6A

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Power Finance Corporation Ltd.
(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
Pilferage of Electricity
Direct Tapping
Indirect without disturbing the seals
DC Magnet
HF Radiation
Neutral Disturbance
Fiddle with Energy Meter & Meter Seals
By pass using shunt,
Remove Potential connections,
Change CT and phase association
DC injection, Damage Setting & adjustments

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

HF Radiation Device

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

1Ph-2W Energy Meter
Double Current Element Meter

What does it mean ?

Power Finance Corporation Ltd.

(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
This is the inside of the meter

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Case of two meters in a premises with independent
wirings

Consumer 1

Phase

Supply No problems!!

Neutral

Consumer 2
Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021
Case of two meters in a premises with
common neutral wiring
Consumer 1

Phase

Supply This represents the common neutral

Neutral

Consumer 2
Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021
 Consumer 1
… and the Consumer 1 removes his neutral

Phase

Supply

Neutral

Consumer 2
The neutral current of Consumer 2 becomes sum of currents of both the consumers

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 The one who tampers doesn’t loose.

Consumer 1

Phase

The looser is the one who doesn’t

Supply
tamper!!

Neutral

Consumer 2
The internal logic of the meter causes doubled recording of energy for Consumer 2
Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021
1Ph-2W Meter
Troubleshooting excess recording

Power Finance Corporation Ltd.

(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
The technique…
The technique is the plugging out of the neutral from
the outgoing of the meter and watching its effect on
the calibration LED under conditions of load.
The result of the technique may not be correct if there
is an inherent defect in the meter or the meter is itself
inaccurate.

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Recommended layout
Incoming supply cable
Calibration LED
Outgoing leads The next screen
shows troubleshooting
N P based on the
assumption that the
Fuse Cut-outs
meter has been tested
in the laboratory and
found conforming to
the applicable
Main Switch
standards
Meter inside box
P = Phase wire
N = Neutral wire Load

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

 Troubleshooting
Incoming supply cable
1. Identify the P and N
Calibration LED wires
Outgoing leads
2. Switch on full load
N P 3. Notice the calibration
Fuse Cut-outs LED blinking
4. Switch off the
Main Switch
5. Remove Cut-out in Neutral
Main Switch
6. Switch on again the
Meter inside box Main Switch
P = Phase wire
N = Neutral wire Load

Result: 1. A blinking calibration LED even after removal of the N- Fuse Cut-out is an indication of this
neutral being used by some other circuits as the return path. The meter is bound to record
excess consumption when the neutral is plugged in.
2. However if there is no blinking of the
Gyanendra calibration
Sharma, LED after
NPTI Delhi its removal, the meter records
03/27/2021
consumption correctly with the neutral plugged in.. End
 DERC Press Release
Single Phase Energy Meters and their Testing
Energy Meters are designed to work under normal conditions specified in
Standards formed by Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS). Meters are also tested as
per procedure prescribed by BIS by using independent loads. Meter do
measurement of energy abstracted by a consumer at his end. If the consumer
wiring is defective, wherein the two wires in a normal house ( called phase and
neutral) are not properly wired then there could be issues with regard to meter
reading being different. It is actually seen that in several premises the neutral wires
are mixed with Earthing wires and in several of the houses, which are a part of the
multiple housing (within the same setup ), the neutral wires of one house is mixed
with that of the other house ,thus creating distortion in the current abstracted
between such premises. Meters are independently accurate but in such
conditions, justifiably record the current seen by coil of the meter.

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

DERC Press Release
To establish such cases, DERC has directed
DISCOMs to test the meters at consumer’s
premises by connecting independent external load
without consumers’ wiring in the circuit. This would
thus give correct picture of accuracy of the meter.
In the event, it is established that the wiring is
jumbled / mixed up in the other metering circuit,
Consumer is requested to get his internal wiring
checked through a qualified electrician.

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

SINGLE-PHASE METERS
basics

ELT REV PULSE

P N N P

LOAD
N

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

VARIOUS ABNORMAL
WIRING CONDITIONS
Earth Load
Partial Earth Load
Missing Neutral
Mixed Neutral
Exchanged wiring (output side)

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

SYSTEM VOLTAGE
100A

240V 235V

---N
50A
245V

80A

43A

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

Earth Resistance 0.5 ohm, Neutral to Earth Voltage 5V, Leakage current 10A,
Power Loss 50 VA or 50 W

Meter will record 240V X 10A = 2.4 KW

100A

240V 235V

---N
50A
245V

80A

43A

Gyanendra Sharma, NPTI Delhi 03/27/2021

THANK YOU!

Power Finance Corporation Ltd.

(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
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