Analysis of the Electrical Quantities Measured by Revenue Meters Under Different Voltage Distortions and the Influences on the Electrical Energy Billing

Abstract

This paper evaluates the impact of voltage distortion on the electrical quantities measured by revenue meters and the influences on the electrical energy billing. This is done through an experimental setup, which combines the following variables for the first time in an experiment: different total harmonic voltage distortion (THDv) levels; among these levels, different harmonic profiles; and different loads. A programmable alternating current (AC) power source was used in the laboratory to apply voltage signals in three electronic loads: a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and two light emitting diode (LED) lighting devices for which voltage signals with THDv 4.9%, 18.8% and 24.5% have been applied. All applied signals contain one or more harmonic order more commonly found in the low voltage grid (3rd, 5th and 7th). For these analyses, a power quality analyzer and a revenue meter were used. The results show that significant and diverse effects on the electrical quantities of individual loads will occur with different THDv levels and harmonic profiles. Comparing with a reference case (sinusoidal condition), when a distorted signal was applied, for the same THDv level, some parameters remained numerically the same, some have improved and some have become worse. This study shows that the effects of combination of the variables such as different THDv level with different harmonic profiles on electrical quantities of loads are not as clear as the effects of considering only one variable. The results of this paper shed light on such effects.