AC electronic load for on-site calibration of energy meters

Abstract

Calibration of electrical energy meters is coming up as a metrological concern. Latest EU directives, about measuring instruments adopted for commercial transactions, state that their accuracy has to be verified in actual operating conditions. This requirement is leading all laboratories involved in energy meters calibration in serious difficulty because this kind of metrological verification is, at the moment, still not fully developed or even clarified in all involved aspects. A contribution to the solution of these issues can come from the AC electronic load. It is a kind of power electronic equipment which can simulate impedance that is mainly used in burn-in test of test of UPS. This paper proposes the use of a AC electronic load specifically designed for on-site calibration of energy meters in non-sinusoidal conditions. Simulations and experimental results relating the characterization of a prototype are presented: they show that it is suitable for on-site calibration of energy meters.