.
1 The Electromechanical Meter: Single Stator Electromechanical Meter
2 Blondel's Theorem
3 The Electronic Meter: Multifunction Meter • Voltage Ranging and Multiform
Meter • Site Diagnostic Meter
4 Special Metering: Demand Metering • Time of Use Metering • Interval Data
Metering • Pulse Metering • Totalized Metering
5 Instrument Transformers: Measuring kVA
6 Defining Terms
Electrical metering deals with two basic quantities: energy and power. Energy
is equivalent to work. Power is the rate of doing work. Power applied (or consumed)
for any length of time is energy. In mathematical terms, power integrated over
time is energy. The basic electrical unit of energy is the watthour.
The basic unit of power is the watt. The watthour meter measures energy (in
watthours), while the watt meter measures the rate of energy, power (in watthours
per hour or simply watts). For a constant power level, power multiplied by
time is energy. For example, a watthour meter connected for 2h in a circuit
using 500 W (500 Wh/h) will register 1000 Wh.
1 The Electromechanical Meter
The electromechanical watt-hour meter is basically a very specialized electric
motor, consisting of
- • A stator and a rotor that together produce torque
- • A brake that creates a counter torque
- • A register to count and display the revolutions of the rotor
1.1 Single Stator Electromechanical Meter
A two-wire single stator meter is the simplest electromechanical meter. The
single stator consists of two electromagnets. One electromagnet is the potential
coil connected between the two circuit conductors.
The other electromagnet is the current coil connected in series with the load
current. FIG. 1 shows the major components of a single stator meter.
===
Line Stator; Line Load; Load; Potential coil; Permanent magnet (braking);
Rotor (disk); Current coil

FIG. 1 Main components of electromechanical meter.
===
The electromagnetic fields of the current coil and the potential coil interact
to generate torque on the rotor of the meter. This torque is proportional to
the product of the source voltage, the line current, and the cosine of the
phase angle between the two. Thus, the torque is also proportional to the power
in the metered circuit.
The device described so far is incomplete. In measuring a steady power in
a circuit, this meter would generate constant torque causing steady acceleration
of the rotor. The rotor would spin faster and faster until the torque could
no longer overcome friction and other forces acting on the rotor. This ultimate
speed would not represent the level of power present in the metered circuit.
To address these problems, designers add a permanent magnet whose magnetic
field acts on the rotor. This field interacts with the rotor to cause a counter
torque proportional to the speed of the rotor. Careful design and adjustment
of the magnet strength yields a meter that rotates at a speed proportional
to power. This speed can be kept relatively slow. The product of the rotor
speed and time is revolutions of the rotor. The revolutions are proportional
to energy consumed in the metered circuit. One revolution of the rotor represents
a fixed number of watthours. The revolutions are easily converted via mechanical
gearing or other methods into a display of watthours or, more commonly, kilowatt-hours.
2 Blondel's Theorem
Blondel's theorem of polyphase metering describes the measurement of power
in a polyphase system made up of an arbitrary number of conductors. The theorem
provides the basis for correctly metering power in polyphase circuits. In simple
terms, Blondel's theorem states that the total power in a system of (N) conductors
can be properly measured by using (N) wattmeters or watt-measuring elements.
The elements are placed such that one current coil is in each of the conductors
and one potential coil is connected between each of the conductors and some
common point. If this common point is chosen to be one of the (N) conductors,
there will be zero voltage across one of the measuring element potential coils.
This element will register zero power. Therefore, the total power is correctly
measured by the remaining (N - 1) elements.
In application, this means that to accurately measure the power in a four-wire
three-phase circuit (N = 4), the meter must contain (N - 1) or three measuring
elements. Likewise, for a three-wire three phase circuit (N = 3), the meter
must contain two measuring elements. There are meter designs available that,
for commercial reasons, employ less than the minimum number of elements (N
- 1) for a given circuit configuration. These designs depend on balanced phase
voltages for proper operation. Their accuracy suffers as voltages become unbalanced.
3 The Electronic Meter
Since the 1980s, meters available for common use have evolved from (1) electromechanical
mechanisms driving mechanical, geared registers to (2) the same electromechanical
devices driving electronic registers to (3) totally electronic (or solid state)
designs. All three types remain in wide use, but the type that is growing in
use is the solid state meter.
The addition of the electronic register to an electromechanical meter provides
a digital display of energy and demand. It supports enhanced capabilities and
eliminates some of the mechanical complexity inherent in the geared mechanical
registers.
Electronic meters contain no moving mechanical parts-rotors, shafts, gears,
bearings. They are built instead around large-scale integrated circuits, other
solid state components, and digital logic. Such meters are much more closely
related to computers than to electromechanical meters.
The operation of an electronic meter is very different than that described
in earlier sections for an electromechanical meter. Electronic circuitry samples
the voltage and current waveforms during each electrical cycle and converts
these samples to digital quantities. Other circuitry then manipulates these
values to determine numerous electrical parameters, such as kW, kWh, kvar,
kvarh, kQ, kQh, power factor, kVA, rms current, rms voltage.
Various electronic meter designs also offer some or all of the following capabilities:
• Time of use (TOU). The meter keeps up with energy and demand in multiple
daily periods.
• Bi-directional. The meter measures (as separate quantities) energy delivered
to and received from a customer. This feature is used for a customer that is
capable of generating electricity and feeding it back into the utility system.
• Loss compensation. The meter can be programmed to automatically calculate
watt and var losses in transformers and electrical conductors based on defined
or tested loss characteristics of the trans formers and conductors. It can
internally add or subtract these calculated values from its measured energy
and demand. This feature permits metering to be installed at the most economical
location.
For instance, we can install metering on the secondary (e.g., 4 kV) side of
a customer substation, even when the contractual service point is on the primary
(e.g., 110 kV) side. The 4 kV metering installation is much less expensive
than a corresponding one at 110 kV. Under this situation, the meter compensates
its secondary-side energy and demand readings to simulate primary-side readings.
• Interval data recording. The meter contains solid state memory in which
it can record up to several months of interval-by-interval data.
• Remote communications. Built-in communications capabilities permit the meter
to be interrogated remotely via telephone, radio, or other communications media.
• Diagnostics. The meter checks for the proper voltages, currents, and phase
angles on the meter conductors.
• Power quality. The meter can measure and report on momentary voltage or
current variations and on harmonic conditions.
Note that many of these features are available only in the more advanced (and
expensive) models of electronic meters.
As an example of the benefits offered by electronic meters, consider the following
two methods of metering a large customer who is capable of generating and feeding
electricity back to the utility. In this example, the metering package must
perform these functions:
Measure kWh delivered to the customer Measure kWh received from the customer
Measure kvarh delivered Measure kvarh received Measure kW delivered Measure
kW received Compensate received quantities for transformer losses Record the
measured quantities for each demand interval Method A. (2) kW/kWh electromechanical
meters with pulse generators (one for delivered, one for received) (2) kWh
electromechanical meters with pulse generators (to measure kvarh) (2) Phase
shifting transformers (used along with the kWh meters to measure kvarh) (2)
Transformer loss compensators (1) Pulse data recorder
Method B. (1) Electronic meter
Obviously, the electronic installation is much simpler. In addition, it’s
less expensive to purchase and install and is easier to maintain.
Benefits common to most solid state designs are high accuracy and stability.
Another less obvious advantage is in the area of error detection. When an electromechanical
meter develops a serious problem, it may produce readings in error by any arbitrary
amount. An error of 10%, 20%, or even 30% can go undetected for years, resulting
in very large over- or under-billings. However, when an electronic meter develops
a problem, it’s more likely to produce an obviously bad reading (e.g., all
zeroes; all 9s; a demand 100 times larger than normal; or a blank display).
This greatly increases the likelihood that the error will be noticed and reported
soon after it occurs. The sooner such a problem is recognized and corrected,
the less inconvenience and disruption it causes to the utility and to the customer.
3.1 Multifunction Meter
Multifunction or extended function refers to a meter that can measure reactive
or apparent power (e.g., kvar or kVA) in addition to real power (kW). By virtue
of their designs, many electronic meters inherently measure the quantities
and relationships that define reactive and apparent power. It’s a relatively
simple step for designers to add meter intelligence to calculate and display
these values.
3.2 Voltage Ranging and Multiform Meter
Electronic meter designs have introduced many new features to the watthour
metering world. Two features, typically found together, offer additional flexibility,
simplified application, and opportunities for reduced meter inventories for
utilities.
• Voltage ranging-Many electronic meters incorporate circuitry that can sense
the voltage level of the meter input signals and adjust automatically to meter
correctly over a wide range of voltages.
For example, a meter with this capability can be installed on either a 120
or 277 V service.
• Multiform-Meter form refers to the specific combination of voltage and current
signals, how they are applied to the terminals of the meter, and how the meter
uses these signals to measure power and energy. For example, a Form 15 m would
be used for self-contained application on a 120/240 V four-wire delta service,
while a Form 16 m would be used on a self-contained 120/208 V four-wire wye
service. A multiform 15/16 m can work interchangeably on either of these services.
3.3 Site Diagnostic Meter
Newer meter designs incorporate the ability to measure, display, and evaluate
the voltage and current magnitudes and phase relationships of the circuits
to which they are attached. This capability offers important advantages:
• At the time of installation or reinstallation, the meter analyzes the voltage
and current signals and determines if they represent a recognizable service
type.
• Also at installation or reinstallation, the meter performs an initial check
for wiring errors such as crossed connections or reversed polarities. If it
finds an error, it displays an error message so that corrections can be made.
• Throughout its life, the meter continuously evaluates voltage and current
conditions. It can detect a problem that develops weeks, months, or years after
installation, such as tampering or deteriorated CT or VT wiring.
• Field personnel can switch the meter display into diagnostic mode. It will
display voltage and cur rent magnitudes and phase angles for each phase. This
provides a quick and very accurate way to obtain information on service characteristics.
If a diagnostic meter detects any error that might affect the accuracy of
its measurements, it will lock its display in error mode. The meter continues
to make energy and demand measurements in the back ground. However, these readings
cannot be retrieved from the meter until the error is cleared. This ensures
the error will be reported the next time someone tries to read the meter.
===
Power (W/kW) One demand interval

FIG. 2 Instantaneous power vs. demand.
===
4 Special Metering
4.1 Demand Metering
4.1.1 What is Demand?
Electrical energy is commonly measured in units of kilowatt-hours. Electrical
power is expressed as kilowatt-hours per hour or, more commonly, kilowatts.
Demand is defined as power averaged over some specified period. FIG. 2 shows
a sample power curve representing instantaneous power. In the time interval
shown, the integrated area under the power curve represents the energy consumed
during the interval. This energy, divided by the length of the interval (in
hours) yields "demand." In other words, the demand for the interval
is that value of power that, if held constant over the interval, would result
in an energy consumption equal to that energy the customer actually used.
Demand is most frequently expressed in terms of real power (kilowatts). However,
demand may also apply to reactive power (kilovars), apparent power (kilovolt-amperes),
or other suitable units. Billing for demand is commonly based on a customer's
maximum demand reached during the billing period.
4.1.2 Why is Demand Metered?
Electrical conductors and transformers needed to serve a customer are selected
based on the expected maximum demand for the customer. The equipment must be
capable of handling the maximum levels of voltages and currents needed by the
customer. A customer with a higher maximum demand requires a greater investment
by the utility in equipment. Billing based on energy usage alone does not necessarily
relate directly to the cost of equipment needed to serve a customer. Thus,
energy billing alone may not equitably distribute to each customer an appropriate
share of the utility's costs of doing business.
For example, consider two commercial customers with very simple electricity
needs. Customer A has a demand of 25 kW and operates at this level 24 h per
day. Customer B has a maximum demand of 100 kW but operates at this level only
4 h per day. For the remaining 20 h of the day, "B" operates at a
10 kW power level.
A uses 25kW 24h 600kWh per day B uses (100kW 4h) (10kW 20h) 600kWh per day
Assuming identical billing rates, each customer would incur the same energy
costs. However, the utility's equipment investment will be larger for Customer
B than for Customer A. By implementing a charge for demand as well as energy,
the utility would bill Customer A for a maximum demand of 25 kW and Customer
B for 100 kW. "B" would incur a larger total monthly bill, and each
customer's bill would more closely represent the utility's cost to serve.
4.1.3 Integrating Demand Meters
By far the most common type of demand meter is the integrating demand meter.
It performs two basic functions. First, it measures the average power during
each demand interval. (Common demand interval lengths are 15, 30, or 60 min.)
See Table 1. The meter makes these measurements interval-by interval throughout
each day. Second, it retains the maximum of these interval measurements.
The demand calculation function of an electronic meter is very simple. The
meter measures the energy consumed during a demand interval, then multiplies
by the number of demand intervals per hour. In effect, it calculates the energy
that would be used if the rate of usage continued for 1 h. The following table
illustrates the correspondence between energy and demand for common demand
interval lengths.
After each measurement, the meter compares the new demand value to the stored
maximum demand.
If the new value is greater than that stored, the meter replaces the stored
value with the new one.
Otherwise, it keeps the previously stored value and discards the new value.
The meter repeats this process for each interval. At the end of the billing
period, the utility records the maximum demand, then resets the stored maximum
demand to zero. The meter then starts over for the new billing period.

TABLE 1 Energy/Demand Comparisons Demand Interval (min) Intervals per Hour
Energy During Demand Interval (kWh) Resulting Demand (kW)
4.2 Time of Use Metering
A time of use meter measures and stores energy (and perhaps demand) for multiple
periods in a day. For example, a service rate might define one price for energy
used between the hours of 12 noon and 6 p.m. and another rate for that used
outside this period. The TOU meter will identify the hours from 12 noon until
6 p.m. as "Rate 1." All other hours
would be "Rate 2." The meter will maintain separate measurements
of Rate 1 energy (and demand) and Rate 2 energy (and demand) for the entire
billing period.
Actual TOU service rates can be much more complex than this example, including
features such as:
• More than two periods per day,
• Different periods for weekends and holidays, and
• Different periods for different seasons of the year.
A TOU meter depends on an internal clock/calendar for proper operation. It
includes battery backup to maintain its clock time during power outages.
4.3 Interval Data Metering
The standard method of gathering billing data from a meter is quite simple.
The utility reads the meter at the beginning of the billing period and again
at the end of the billing period. From these readings, it determines the energy
and maximum demand for that period. This information is adequate to deter mine
the bills for the great majority of customers. However, with the development
of more complex service rates and the need to study customer usage patterns,
the utility sometimes wants more detail about how a customer uses electricity.
One option would be to read the meter daily. That would allow the utility to
develop a day-by-day pattern of the customer's usage. However, having someone
visit the meter site every day would quickly become very expensive. What if
the meter could record usage data every day? The utility would have more detailed
usage data, but would only have to visit the meter when it needed the data,
for instance, once per month. And if the meter is smart enough to do that,
why not have it record data even more often, for instance every hour? In very
simple terms, this is what interval data metering does. The interval meter
includes sufficient circuitry and intelligence to record usage multiple times
per hour. The length of the recording interval is programmable, often over
a range from 1 to 60 min. The meter includes sufficient solid state memory
to accumulate these interval readings for a minimum of 30 days at 15-min intervals.
Obviously, more frequent recording times reduce the days of storage available.
A simple kWh/kW recording meter typically records one set of data representing
kWh. This provides the detailed usage patterns that allow the utility to analyze
and evaluate customer "load profiles" based on daily, weekly, monthly,
or annual bases. An extended function meter is commonly programmed to record
two channels of data, e.g., kWh and kvarh. This provides the additional capability
of analyzing customers' power factor patterns over the same periods. Though
the meter records information in energy units (kWh or kvarh), it’s a simple
matter to convert this data to equivalent demand (kW or kvar). Since demand
represents energy per unit time, simply divide the energy value for one recorder
interval by the length of the interval (in hours). If the meter records 16.4
kWh in a 30-min period, the equivalent demand for that period is 16.4 kWh/(0.5
h) = 32.8 kW.
A sample 15-min interval load shape for a 24-h period is shown in the graph
in FIG. 3. The mini mum demand for that period was 10.5 kW, occurring during
the interval ending at 04:30. The maximum demand was 28.7 kW, occurring during
the interval ending at 15:15, or 3:15 p.m.

FIG. 3 Graph of interval data.
4.4 Pulse Metering
Metering pulses are signals generated in a meter for use outside the meter.
Each pulse represents a discrete quantity of the metered value, such as kWh,
kVAh, or kvarh. The device receiving the pulses determines the energy or demand
at the meter by counting the number of pulses occurring in some time interval.
A pulse is indicated by the transition (e.g., open to closed) of the circuit
at the meter end. Pulses are commonly transmitted on small conductor wire circuits.
Common uses of pulses include providing signals to:
• Customer's demand indicator
• Customer's energy management system
• A totalizer (see Section 4.5)
• A metering data recorder
• A telemetering device that converts the pulses to other signal forms (e.g.,
telephone line tones or optical signals) for transmission over long distances
Pulse metering is installed when customer service requirements, equipment
configurations, or other special requirements exceed the capability of conventional
metering. Pulse metering is also used to transmit metered data to a remote
location.
4.4.1 Recording Pulses
A meter pulse represents a quantity of energy, not power. For example, a pulse
is properly expressed in terms of watthours (or kWh) rather than watts (or
kW). A pulse recorder will associate time with pulses as it records them. If
set up for a 15-min recording interval, the recorder counts pulses for 15 min,
then records that number of pulses. It then counts pulses for the next 15 min,
records that number, and so on, interval after interval, day after day. It’s
a simple matter to determine the number of pulses recorded in a chosen length
of time. Since the number of pulses recorded represents a certain amount of
energy, simply divide this energy by the corresponding length of time (in hours)
to determine average power for that period.
Example: For a metering installation, we are given that each pulse represents
2400 Wh or 2.4 kWh. In a 15-min period, we record 210 pulses. What is the corresponding
energy (kWh) and demand (kW) during this 15-min interval?
Total energy in interval 2.4kWh per pulse 210 pulses 504kWh Demand
= × =
dd Energy/Time 504kWh/0.25h 2016kW = = =
Often, a customer asks for the demand value of a pulse, rather than the energy
value. The demand value is dependent on demand interval length. The demand
pulse value is equal to the energy pulse value divided by the interval length
in hours.
For the previous example, the kW pulse value would be:
2.4kWh per pulse/0.25h 9.6kW per pulse =
…and the resulting demand calculation is:
Demand 9.6kW per pulse 210 pulses 2016 kW = × =
Remember, however, that a pulse demand value is meaningful only for a specific
demand interval. In the example above, counting pulses for any period other
than 15 min and then applying the kW pulse value will yield incorrect results
for demand.
4.4.2 Pulse Circuits
Pulse circuits commonly take two forms:
• Form A, a two-wire circuit where a switch toggles between closed and open.
Each transition of the circuit (to open or to closed) represents one pulse.
• Form C, a three-wire circuit where the switch flip-flops. Each transition
(from closed on one side to closed on the other) represents one pulse.
Use care in interpreting pulse values for these circuits. The value will normally
be expressed per transition. With Form C circuits, a transition is a change
from closed on the first side to closed on the second side. Most receiving
equipment interprets this properly. However, with Form A circuits, the transition
is defined as a change from open to closed or from closed to open. An initially
open Form A circuit that closes, then opens has undergone two (2) transitions.
If the receiving equipment counts only circuit closures, it will record only
half of the actual transitions. This is not a problem if the applicable pulse
value of the Form A circuit is doubled from the rated pulse weight per transition.
For example, if the value of a Form A meter pulse is 3.2 kWh per transition,
the value needed for a piece of equipment that only counted circuit closures
would be 3.2 × 2 = 6.4 kWh per pulse.
4.5 Totalized Metering
Totalized metering refers to the practice of combining data to make multiple
service points look as if they were measured by a single meter. This is done
by combining two or more sets of data from separate meters to generate data
equivalent to what would be produced by a single "virtual meter" that
measured the total load. This combination can be accomplished by:
• Adding recorded interval data from multiple meters, usually on a computer
• Adding (usually on-site) meter pulses from multiple meters by a special
piece of metering equipment known as a totalizer
• Paralleling the secondaries of current transformers (CTs) located in multiple
circuits and feeding the combined current into a conventional meter (this works
only when the service voltages and ratios of the CTs are identical)
• Using a multi-circuit meter, which accepts the voltage and current inputs
from multiple services
Form A Form C

FIG. 4 Pulse circuits.

TABLE 2 Example of Totalized Meter Data
Totalized demand is the sum of the coincident demands and is usually less
than the sum of the individual peak demands registered by the individual meters.
Totalized energy equals the sum of the energies measured by the individual
meters.
Table 2 illustrates the effects of totalizing a customer served by three delivery
(and metering) points.
It presents the customer's demands over a period of four demand intervals
and illustrates the difference in the maximum totalized demand compared to
the sum of the individual meter maximum demands.
The peak kW demand for each meter point is shown in bold. The sum of these
demands is 2240 kW. However, when summed interval-by-interval, the peak of
the sums is 2180 kW. This is the totalized demand. The difference in the two
demands, 60 kW, represents a cost savings to the customer. It should be clear
why many customers with multiple service points desire to have their demands
totalized.
5 Instrument Transformers

FIG. 5 Instrument transformer symbols.
Instrument transformers is the general name for members of the family of CTs
and voltage transformers (VTs) used in metering. They are high-accuracy transformers
that convert load currents or voltages to other (usually smaller) values by
some fixed ratio. Voltage transformers are also often called potential transformers
(PTs). The terms are used interchangeably in this section. CTs and VTs are
most commonly used in services where the current and/or voltage levels are
too large to be applied directly to the meter.
A current transformer is rated in terms of its nameplate primary current as
a ratio to 5 amps secondary cur rent (e.g., 400:5). The CT is not necessarily
limited to this nameplate current. Its maximum capacity is found by multiplying
its nameplate rating by its rating factor. This yields the total current the
CT can carry while maintaining its rated accuracy and avoiding thermal overload.
For example, a 200:5 CT with a rating factor of 3.0 can be used and will maintain
its rated accuracy up to 600 amps. Rating factors for most CTs are based on
open-air outdoor conditions. When a CT is installed indoors or inside a cabinet,
its rating factor is reduced.
A VTs is rated in terms of its nameplate primary voltage as a ratio to either
115 or 120 V secondary voltage (e.g., 7,200:120 or 115,000:115). These ratios
are sometimes listed as an equivalent ratio to 1 (e.g., 60:1 or 1000:1).
Symbols for a CT and a PT connected in a two-wire circuit are shown in FIG.
5.
5.1 Measuring kVA
In many cases, a combination watthour demand meter will provide the billing
determinants for small- to medium-sized customers served under rates that require
only real power (kW) and energy (kWh).

FIG. 6 Calculation of kVA demand using the average power factor method.
Rates for larger customers often require an extended function meter to provide
the additional reactive or apparent power capability needed to measure or determine
kVA demand. There are two common methods for determining kVA demand for billing.
1. Actual kVA. This method directly measures actual kVA, a simple matter for
electronic meters.
2. Average Power Factor (APF) kVA.
This method approaches the measurement of kVA in a more round-about fashion.
It was developed when most metering was done with mechanical meters that could
directly measure only real energy and power (kWh and kW). With a little help,
they could measure kvarh. Those few meters that could measure actual kVA were
very complex and demanded frequent maintenance. The APF method of calculating
kVA addressed these limitations. It requires three (3) pieces of meter information:
• Total real energy (kWh)
• Maximum real demand (kW)
• Total reactive energy (kvarh)
These can be measured with two standard mechanical meters. The first meter
measures kWh and kW. With the help of a special transformer to shift the voltage
signals 90° in phase, the second mechanical meter can be made to measure kvarh.
Average power factor kVA is determined by calculating the customer's "APF" over
the billing period using the total kWh and kvarh for the period. This APF is
then applied to the maximum kW reading to yield APF kVA. An example of this
calculation process follows.
Customer: XYZ Corporation Billing determinants obtained from the meter:
kWh 981,600 kvarh 528,000 kW 1,412
The calculations are shown in FIG. 6.
6 Defining Terms
Class-The class designation of a watthour meter represents the maximum current
at which the meter can be operated continuously with acceptable accuracy and
without excessive temperature rise.
Examples of common watthour meter classes are:
Self-contained-Class 200, 320, or 400 Transformer rated-Class 10 or 20
Test amperes (TA)-The test amperes rating of a watthour meter is the current
that is used as a base for adjusting and determining percent registration (accuracy).
Typical test current ratings and their relations to meter class are:
Class 10 and 20-TA 2.5 Class 200-TA 30 Self-contained meter-A self-contained
meter is one designed and installed so that power flows from the utility system
through the meter to the customer's load. The meter sees the total load current
and full service voltage.
Transformer rated meter-A transformer rated meter is one designed to accept
reduced levels of current and/or voltage that are directly proportional to
the service current and voltage. The primary windings of CTs and/or VTs are
placed in the customer's service and see the total load current and full service
volt age. The transformer rated meter connects into the secondary windings
of these transformers.
Meter element-A meter element is the basic energy and power measurement circuit
for one set of meter input signals. It consists of a current measurement device
and a voltage measurement device for one phase of the meter inputs. Usually,
a meter will have one less element than the number of wires in the circuit
being metered. That is, a four-wire wye or delta circuit will be metered by
a three-element meter; a three-wire delta circuit will be metered by a two-element
meter, although there are numerous exceptions.
CT PT ratio-A number or factor obtained by multiplying the current transformer
ratio by the PT ratio.
Example: If a meter is connected to 7200:120 V PTs (60:1) and 600:5 CTs (120:1),
the CT PT ratio is 60 × 120 = 7200. A metering installation may have CTs but
no PT in which case the CT PT ratio is just the CT ratio.
Meter multiplier-Also called the dial constant or kilowatt-hour constant,
this is the multiplier used to convert meter kWh readings to actual kWh. The
meter multiplier is the CT PT ratio. For a self-contained meter, this constant
is 1.
Further Information
Further information and more detail on many of the topics related to metering
can be found in the Hand book for Electricity Metering, published by Edison
Electric Institute. This authoritative guide provides extensive explanations
of many aspects of metering, from fundamentals of how meters and instrument
transformers operate, to meter testing, wiring, and installation.
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