There are several ways to predict the reliability of an energy meter. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) provides a series of standards related to reliability and dependability tests or evaluations.
Applicable are
- IEC 62059-11 – general concepts
- IEC 62059-21 – collection of meter dependability data from the field
- IEC 62059-31-1 – accelerated reliability testing
- IEC 62059-41 – reliability prediction
The method described in IEC 62059-41 is a white box method. The calculation of the failure rate this way is done with a theoretical approach. Several accredited testing laboratories offer to review and certify the evaluation performed by the manufacturer.
The manufacturer calculates the failure rate according to this method, as he is the only party able to do this. The testing laboratory will review the calculation and method. Calculations that meet the requirements will be awarded with a certificate.
The method for reporting and calculating the failure rate is up to the manufacturer. Most important is that it meets the requirements of IEC62059-41.
pictures are taken from running tests in the environmental section of our ISO17025 accredited type test laboratory
Beside of theoretical analysis another approach is to test the reliability and functionality of the
meters inside a climatic chamber for a duration of 8…12 weeks.
The climatic chamber follows a certain profile for temperature and humidity while the meters
inside are energized with a profile varying from nominal load to maximum load.
Before and after this test the meter is verified for functionality and accuracy. Still this test can not cover all aspects of the annual drift.
We deliver the sources for doing these tests and can take care about integration into the climatic chamber. The test procedure itself has to be defined together with the meter manufacturer. We can make suggestions based on best practice.
Thanks for reading.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in November 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
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For a power utility, to confirm reliability then does it means it needs to ask for the type test results from a third party laboaratory like KEMA?
Usually the utility purchase department ask for a 3rd party test before placing the order. Now, since the IEC62052-11:2000 is in place, a durability test is included in the meter type test.
Please send me your mobile number or email address for further details.
Done, thanks for your interest.
May I know, which lab is able to conduct testing IEC 62059-31-1?
The KEMA laboratory in the Netherlands can do this test.
Have you done testing based on IEC 62059-31-1?
A complete reliability test acc. to IEC 62059-31-1 takes about half year. We have limited capacity, so we are running pre-tests for about 4 weeks per product. If a full reliability test is required, we are using an external accredited laboratory. They issue also the test certificate. So there will be no dispute.