Electricity plays a vital role in human life. In addition to lighting your home, it powers essential household items. Since you’re consuming electricity, there’s a need to track and measure the consumption unit, thus creating a need for electric meter testing.
Here you use a CT meter to measure energy consumption. Its usage is common in every mall, industry, and residential units. But how do you manage consumption when your appliances consume a large amount of power?
The solution is investing in electric meter technology. It’ll include features like LCD and remote sensing. While it’s good, it opens the door for electromagnetic influences (EMI). The result, a negative impact on equipment’s performance. Chances are, you don’t want this to happen.
Accurate billing is vital for consumers and utility firms. It’s thus imperative that your meter functions appropriately, especially during an EMI occurrence.
Engaging equipment for testing electric meters helps restore reliability. Here, meter testing compares under normal and abnormal conditions to ensure its accuracy.
The Need for an Electronic Electric Meters
The performance and functionality of electronic meter supersede that of the electromechanical meter. The former works using the Ferrari principle. Here’s what that means.
The meter records energy depending on a flux developed by the integration of current and voltage. An electromagnetic meter has severe drawbacks like accuracy drifts and instability over time.
But, electrical meters are highly reliable. Despite this, you’ll need to use high-quality equipment for testing electric meters. That’s the only way to offer quality and reliable data that your customer needs.
Thus, an electrical meter is what you need in your home. Most residential areas rely on single-phase power to perform their tasks. Here you can enjoy a single phase of 120-volt alternating current service.
1. Standards for Testing Electric Meters
The performance test of an electric meter is divided into three main segments. These include circuiting, electrical, and climatic conditions. In every test, ensure you’re using the best equipment for testing electric meters.
The climatic test conditions include external factors that influence your meter’s performance.
The electrical tests cover different areas before giving the accuracy certificate. Under this condition, your electric meter is tested for:
- Any heating effect
- Supply of voltage
- Proper insulation
- Electromagnetic compatibility
- Earth fault protection
2. The Electromagnetic Compatibility Test
It’s a necessary test that guarantees the accuracy of your meter. The test is divided into two parts, immunity and emission tests. It helps deal with the electromagnetic interference problem, a common problem in society.
Yes, the circuits that are in use today release electromagnetic energy. The energy affects reliability and performance of the inner circuit and nearby equipment.
The EMI travels through radiation or by conduction. If on a free space, then it’s known as radiation. Where it goes through cables or wires, then it’s known as conduction.
a) The Emission Test
An electric component makes use of elements like chokes, diodes, and circuit layout. The test bars your meter from affecting the performance of other instruments.
b) The Immunity Test
The emission test ensures your meter doesn’t supply EMI to nearby equipment. It uses high-quality equipment for testing electric meters to ensure quality results. That’s not the case with immunity tests.
The immunity tests prevent your meters from acting as EMI receptors. The result, your meter generally functions despite the presence of EMI.
Here are the categories of immunity tests.
I. Radiated Immunity Tests
It’s commonly known as electromagnetic frequency test. The test ensures the meter under test usually performs.
II. Conducted Immunity Tests
The test seeks to determine where the meter is functional. Remember, it’s possible to pass EMI to the meter via power lines, body contact, or interface lines.
Use Appropriate Meter Testing Equipment
Electric meter testing is essential in ensuring that electric meters are functioning properly. Designing a meter that’s not affected by EMI is as critical as designing the one that doesn’t generate EMI. Use the above tips to boost your meter’s performance.
At 501 w central Blvd Anadarko oklahoma 73005 i believe that my electric meter is skipping to a larger portion of my bill .or we are being submitted. Where the co. Or in this case the city is committing “Rico” on many people in this city .we made sure that we turned off air conditioners at night and during the day to ensure we would not have another $400.00 bill ,but instead we got a $749.00 bill which is more than our Motgage payment on this house.or because we were having water issues and I called DEQ the city is retaliating against me.