News - Linyang Electricity Meter Tests

Linyang conducts various electricity meter tests to ensure the meter quality meets the international standards. We are going to introduce our main tests as below:

1. Climate Influence Test 

Atmospheric conditions
NOTE 1 This subclause is based on IEC 60068-1:2013, but with values taken from IEC 62052-11:2003.
The standard range of atmospheric conditions for carrying out measurements and tests shall
be as follows:
a) ambient temperature: 15 °C to 25 °C;
In countries with hot climates, the manufacturer and the test laboratory may agree to keep
the ambient temperature between 20 °C to 30 °C.
b) relative humidity 45 % to 75 %;
c) atmospheric pressure of 86 kPa to 106 kPa.
d) No hoar frost, dew, percolating water, rain, solar radiation, etc. shall be present.
If the parameters to be measured depend on temperature, pressure and/or humidity and the
law of dependence is unknown, the atmospheric conditions for carrying out measurements
and tests shall be as follows:
e) ambient temperature: 23 °C ± 2 °C;
f) relative humidity 45 % to 55 %.
NOTE 2 The values are from IEC 60068-1:2013, 4.2, wide tolerance for temperature and wide range for humidity.

State of the equipment
General
NOTE Subclause 4.3.2 is based on IEC 61010-1:2010, 4.3.2, modified as appropriate for metering.
Unless otherwise specified, each test shall be carried out on the equipment assembled for
normal use, and under the least favourable combination of the conditions given in 4.3.2.2 to
4.3.2.10. In case of doubt, tests shall be performed in more than one combination of
Conditions
To be able to perform some tests, like testing in single fault condition, verification of
clearances and creepage distances by measurement, placing thermocouples, checking
corrosion, a specially prepared specimen may be needed and / or it may be necessary to cut
a permanently closed specimen open to verify the results

A. High Temperature Test

Packing: no packing, test in non-working condition.

Test temperature: The test temperature is +70℃, and the tolerance range is ±2℃.

Test time: 72 hours.

Test methods: The sample table was placed in a high temperature test box, heated to +70℃ at a rate not greater than 1℃/min, maintained for 72 hours after stabilization, and then cooled to the reference temperature at a rate not greater than 1℃/min. Then, the appearance of the meter was checked and the basic error was tested.

Determination of test results: after the test, there should be no damage or information change and the meter can work correctly.

 B. Low Temperature Test 

Packing: no packing, test in non-working condition.

Test temperature

-25±3℃ (indoor electricity meter), -40±3℃ (outdoor electricity meter).

Test of time: 72 hours (indoor wattmeter), 16 hours (outdoor wattmeter).

Test methods: The electricity meters under test were placed in a low-temperature test chamber. According to the indoor/outdoor type of the electricity meters, they were cooled to -25℃ or -40℃ at a rate not greater than 1℃/min. After stabilization, they were kept for 72 or 16 hours, and then raised to the reference temperature at a rate not greater than 1℃/min.

Determination of test results: after the test, there should be no damage or information change and the meter can work correctly.

C. Damp Heat Cyclic Test

Packing: no packing.

Status: Voltage circuit and auxiliary circuit open to reference voltage, current circuit open

Alternate mode: Method 1

Test temperature:+40±2℃ (indoor wattmeter), +55±2℃ (outdoor wattmeter).

 Test time: 6 cycles (1 cycle 24 hours).

 Test method: The tested electricity meter is placed in the alternating humidity and heat test box, and the temperature and humidity are automatically adjusted according to the alternating humidity and heat cycle diagram. After 6 days, the temperature and humidity chamber was restored to reference temperature and humidity and stood for 24 hours. Then, the appearance of the electricity meter was checked and the insulation strength test and basic error test were carried out.

The test results show that the insulation of the electric energy meter should not be broken down (the pulse voltage is 0.8 times of the specified amplitude), and the electric energy meter has no damage or information change and can work correctly.

D. Protection Against Solar Radiation

Packing: no packing, no working condition.

Test temperature: Upper limit temperature is +55℃.

Test time: 3 cycles (3 days).

Test procedure: The illumination time is 8 hours, and the blackout time is 16 hours for one cycle (the radiation intensity is 1.120kW/m2±10%).

Test method: Put the electricity meter on the bracket and separate it from other electricity meters to avoid blocking the radiation source or secondary radiant heat. It should be subjected to radiation in the sunshine radiation test box for 3 days. During the irradiation period, the temperature in the test chamber rises to and remains at the upper limit temperature +55℃ at a rate close to linear. During the light stop phase, the temperature in the test chamber drops to +25℃ at a nearly linear rate, and the temperature remains stable. After the test, make a visual inspection.

The test result indicates that the appearance of the electricity meter, especially the clarity of the mark, should not change obviously, and the display should work normally.

2. Protection Test 

Metering equipment shall conform to the following degree of protection given in
IEC 60529:1989:
• indoor meters IP51;
Copyright International Electrotechnical Commission
Provided by IHS under license with IEC
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 02/27/2016 19:23:23 MST
IEC 62052-31:2015 © IEC 2015 – 135 –
NOTE 2 Meters equipped with physical payment token carriers acceptors are for indoor use only, unless
otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
• outdoor meter: IP54.
For panel mounted meters, where the panel provides IP protection, the IP ratings apply to the
meter parts exposed in front of (outside of) the electrical panel.
NOTE 3 Meter parts behind the panel may have lower IP rating, e.g. IP30.

 A: Dust proof test

Protection level: IP5X.

Sand and dust blowing, that is, dust can not be completely prevented from entering, but the amount of dust entering must not affect the normal operation of electricity meters, must not affect the safety.

Requirements for sand and dust: dry talc that can be filtered through a square hole sieve with a diameter of 75 m and a wire diameter of 50 m. The dust concentration is 2kg/m3. To ensure that the test dust falls evenly and slowly on the test electricity meter, but the maximum value shall not exceed 2m/s.

Environmental conditions in the test chamber: the temperature in the chamber is +15℃~+35℃, and the relative humidity is 45%~75%.

Test method: The electricity meter is in a non-working state (no package, no power supply), connected with a simulated cable of sufficient length, covered with terminal cover, hung on the simulated wall of the dust proof test device, and carried out sand and dust blowing test, the test time is 8 hours. The total volume of the watt-hour meters shall not exceed 1/3 of the effective space of the test box, the bottom area shall not exceed 1/2 of the effective horizontal area, and the distance between the test watt-hour meters and the inner wall of the test box shall not be less than 100mm.

Test results: After the test, the amount of dust entering the watt-hour meter should not affect the work of the watt-hour meter, and conduct insulation strength test on the watt-hour meter.

B: Water – proof test – indoor electricity meter

Test conditions: Test with table top equipment

The watt-hour meter is in working state: the voltage line and the auxiliary line are connected by reference voltage and current

Open circuit.

Test method : Contact discharge;

Test voltage: 8kV (air discharge at 15kV test voltage if no metal parts are exposed)

Discharge times: 10 (in the most sensitive position of the meter)

Determination of test results: during the test, the meter should not produce a change greater than X unit and the test output should not produce a semaphore greater than the equivalent X unit of measurement

Notes for test observation: the meter does not crash or randomly send pulses; Internal clock should not be wrong; No random code, no mutation; Internal parameters do not change; Communication, measurement and other functions shall be normal after the end of the test; The test of 15kV air discharge should be carried out on the joint between the upper cover and bottom shell of the instrument. The electrostatic generator should not pull the arc inside the meter.

B. Test of Immunity to Electromagnetic RF Fields 

Test conditions

Test with desktop equipment

Length of cable exposed to electromagnetic field: 1m

Frequency range: 80MHz ~ 2000MHz

Modulated with an 80% amplitude modulated carrier wave on a 1kHz sine wave

Test method: Tests with current

Voltage lines and auxiliary lines are operated as a reference voltage

Current: the Ib (In), cos Ф = 1 (or sin Ф = 1)

Unmodulated test field strength: 10V/m

Test result determination: during the test, the electric energy meter should not be disordered and the error change amount should meet the corresponding standard requirements.