Metering Insights

The Last Gasp Outage Notification

Smart meters can generate a Push message in case of power fail. This event is called Last Gasp.

Practical Use of Load Profiles

Electronic energy meters can save internally a lot of data. When this data are saved periodically with time stamp, we talk about a load profile.

The TOU Tariff Structure

TOU stands for time of use. It's getting popular together with smart energy meters and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).

Energy Meters and Tariffs

Electronic energy meters are recording the actual power over a certain time. The microprocessor inside of these meters allows all kind of additional calculations.

Sealing of Energy Meters

Electrical Energy meters are sealed to detect possible manipulations. The utility field workers check the meter installations regular.

Sealing of Optical Ports

The optical port is for local communication with energy meters. With suitable software and an optical reading head you can access to the meter for reading and writing certain parameters.

Principle for Accuracy Testing of Energy Meters

Now meter testing is much more comfortable. Actually you only need to put the meters on the rack. For testing big quantities of meters a robot can also do the...

Basics of Energy Meter Accuracy Tests

In the past without any electronics a accuracy test was really challenging. You needed a voltage/current source with a high stability, calibrated wattmeters and a calibrated stop-watch.

How does a scanning head work?

Each energy meter used for billing must have a test output. An optical indication is mandatory. Beside this the meter can also have electrical test outputs.

The Principle of Three-Phase Generators

We have a nice three phase power supply in our home, but where does it come from? And why does the waveform has a sine shape?

Accelerated Life Test for Energy Meters

There are several ways to predict the reliability of an energy meter. The IEC provides a series of standards related to reliability tests or evaluations.

How does Net metering work?

When you are generating power by solar or wind, you might produce more energy than you actually need.