Analysis of the sensitivity of electronic active energy meters to voltage sags

This article presents a study on the sensitivity of electronic active energy meters when dealing with voltage sags, through the consideration of three distinct approaches. Initially, the analysis is performed for the two main power supply topologies found on the various commercially available energy meters. Following this, laboratory tests are performed that aim at obtaining the sensitivity curves, as well as the respective reset times after the occurrence of voltage sag, for six different energy meters. Finally, the sensitivity curves obtained for each of the meters under consideration are compared with real recordings of voltage sag events, acquired from a particular low voltage distribution system. The results found show that the sensitivity of electronic active energy meters can be very significant in some cases, where in practical situations this results in almost 1 h/week of unmeasured active energy consumed by consumers.

Automated summary

This study investigates the sensitivity of electronic active energy meters in dealing with voltage sags, and finds that the sensitivity can be significant in certain cases.