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Challenges in the Proper Metrological Verification of Smart Energy Meters

Antonio Bracale, Jakub Janowicz, Piotr Kuwałek, Grzegorz Wiczyński

TL;DR

The paper addresses the disconnect between current metrological verification of smart energy meters and the real states of modern power grids, where multiple disturbances and signal-chain imperfections commonly occur. It surveys normative frameworks (e.g., IEC 62052, IEC 62053, EN 50470, MID) and demonstrates, via laboratory tests using a representative two-component test signal, that meters approved under these standards can still exhibit substantial measurement deviations compared to a class A PQ analyzer. A key contribution is the argument for a compact set of representative disturbances that can reveal metrological weaknesses without prohibitive testing time, and the inclusion of a concrete test signal form $u(t) = \sqrt{2} U_c \cos(2\pi f_c t) + u_i^* \cos(2\pi f_i t)$. The findings highlight the need to revise verification procedures to ensure reliable energy and power-quality measurements in grids with renewables and distributed generation, potentially improving grid diagnostics and reliability.

Abstract

The most common instruments currently measuring active/reactive energy and power quality indicators are smart energy meters. Unfortunately, the verification of such meters is currently performed under ideal conditions or with simple signal models, which do not recreate actual states occurring in the power grid and do not ensure the verification of the properties of their signal chains. This paper presents challenges in the proper metrological verification of smart energy meters. It presents existing legal and normative requirements and scientific research directions regarding these meters. Selected test results are presented, which show that although the tested meters meet the normative and legal requirements because they have been approved for sale, numerous imperfections in the signal and measurement chains of the analyzed instruments are revealed for the selected test signal. On the basis of the presented research results, further directions of research in the field of smart energy meters have been determined.

Challenges in the Proper Metrological Verification of Smart Energy Meters

TL;DR

The paper addresses the disconnect between current metrological verification of smart energy meters and the real states of modern power grids, where multiple disturbances and signal-chain imperfections commonly occur. It surveys normative frameworks (e.g., IEC 62052, IEC 62053, EN 50470, MID) and demonstrates, via laboratory tests using a representative two-component test signal, that meters approved under these standards can still exhibit substantial measurement deviations compared to a class A PQ analyzer. A key contribution is the argument for a compact set of representative disturbances that can reveal metrological weaknesses without prohibitive testing time, and the inclusion of a concrete test signal form . The findings highlight the need to revise verification procedures to ensure reliable energy and power-quality measurements in grids with renewables and distributed generation, potentially improving grid diagnostics and reliability.

Abstract

The most common instruments currently measuring active/reactive energy and power quality indicators are smart energy meters. Unfortunately, the verification of such meters is currently performed under ideal conditions or with simple signal models, which do not recreate actual states occurring in the power grid and do not ensure the verification of the properties of their signal chains. This paper presents challenges in the proper metrological verification of smart energy meters. It presents existing legal and normative requirements and scientific research directions regarding these meters. Selected test results are presented, which show that although the tested meters meet the normative and legal requirements because they have been approved for sale, numerous imperfections in the signal and measurement chains of the analyzed instruments are revealed for the selected test signal. On the basis of the presented research results, further directions of research in the field of smart energy meters have been determined.
Paper Structure (4 sections, 1 equation, 4 figures)

This paper contains 4 sections, 1 equation, 4 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Current technical and scientific conditions regarding smart energy meters
  3. Selected research results and discussion
  4. Conclusion

Figures (4)

  • Figure 1: Diagram of the laboratory setup, where EM1, EM2, EM3 are smart energy meters from 3 different manufacturers, and PQA is a class A power quality analyzer PQ BOX 100.
  • Figure 2: Characteristics of the minimum and maximum values of the short-term flicker indicator $P_{st}$ determined by individual smart energy meters (EM1/EM2/EM3) and the short-term flicker indicator $P_{st}$ determined by the power quality analyzer (PQA) as a function of the frequency $f_i$ of the additional component of the test signal.
  • Figure 3: Characteristics of the minimum and maximum values of the total harmonic distortion THD determined by individual smart energy meters (EM1/EM2/EM3) and the total harmonic distortion THD determined by the power quality analyzer (PQA) as a function of the frequency $f_i$ of the additional component of the test signal.
  • Figure 4: Characteristics of the minimum and maximum values of the fundamental frequencies $f_c$ determined by the individual smart energy meters (EM1/EM2/EM3) and the fundamental frequency $f_c$ determined by the power quality analyzer (PQA) as a function of the frequency $f_i$ of the additional component of the test signal.