Hi
I've been studying power in AC circuits, primarily 50/60Hz circuits. I have read and watched various sources on what a residential utility meter measures but I am still a bit confused.
I partially accept that these meters for the domestic consumer reads kW/hr (active power) and hence the domestic user doesn't get charged for the kVA (apparent power) they use.
However when I read the description for how a utility meter operates i.e. it takes the instantneous Voltage and Instaneous Current and gets the product of these it seems quiet clear that it is measuring kVA not kW where there is a power factor less than 1.
Is it not easier to measure kVA than kW as you would need to take into account power factor to get the kW (bearing in mind the old utility meters which are mechanical in nature)?
How does the meter respond to reactive power kVAR?
How can it account for power factor?
Something I have been having difficulty getting is the internal operation of a utility meter, some theory a bit more detailed than above.
Any enlightenment appreciated!!
Regards,
M
I've been studying power in AC circuits, primarily 50/60Hz circuits. I have read and watched various sources on what a residential utility meter measures but I am still a bit confused.
I partially accept that these meters for the domestic consumer reads kW/hr (active power) and hence the domestic user doesn't get charged for the kVA (apparent power) they use.
However when I read the description for how a utility meter operates i.e. it takes the instantneous Voltage and Instaneous Current and gets the product of these it seems quiet clear that it is measuring kVA not kW where there is a power factor less than 1.
Is it not easier to measure kVA than kW as you would need to take into account power factor to get the kW (bearing in mind the old utility meters which are mechanical in nature)?
How does the meter respond to reactive power kVAR?
How can it account for power factor?
Something I have been having difficulty getting is the internal operation of a utility meter, some theory a bit more detailed than above.
Any enlightenment appreciated!!
Regards,
M