THE ELEVENTH INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE EAST POM(ER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE

(MEPCON'2oo6)

STUDY O_F THE EFFECT OF HARMONICS ON

MEASlJRMENTS OF THE ENERGY METERS
Prof. Ahmed A. Hossam-Eldin
Reda Mohammed Hasan
Elcctrjcal Engineering Department, Alexandria University
Alexandria, Egypt
Abstract:
An investigation of the effect of voltage and current harmonics on the accuracy of readings of energy meters was
carried out. Hannonic distortion is one of the power quality problems, which typically arises from the consumer'
s electrical equipment. Such harmonics produced by discontinuous conducting devices and non-linear loads
create recognized problems for most power distribution systems. These problems can lead to over heating and
power losses of power system distribution components. Such conditions involved differences in voltage and
current magnitudes as well as differences in the voltage and current total harmonic distortion levels. This study
presents comparison between the electromechanical energy meters and the electronic digital energy meters. The
study also includes the accuracy of readings when the meters are subjected to the same non-linear similar
conditions. The harmonics were measured using VIP system III illustrating the THD of voltage and current when
power factor compensating capacitors were used or not. It was found that the accuracy and the sensitivity as well
as the precision of digital electronic-meters are higher than that of the electromechanical one. When using both
meters to read the energy consumed by the loads, it'was noticed that there is a difference between readings of the
two compared types as the digital electronic meter has a difference of ( 0.50;0 to 1% ) which is a considerable
amount of energy for large consumers. An economical assessment was made and showed that the digital meter is
saving about t.E 1.8 to 3.6 million per annum for the distribution company. It is recommended to distribution
companies to use digital meters instead of electromechanical ones especially for large and medium consumers.

I. Introduction
Since 1920 the problems of voltage and current
wave distortion in power systems appeared due to
the use of alternating current machines and
induction motors r1]. Inspire of improving these
machines to reduce harmonics, these problems
increased with the introduction of adjustable speed
drives, computer power supplies, static power
converters and high frequency electronic ballasts
and similar harmonics can affect all equipment on
the power system [2]. In general, they increase
equipment heating and insulation stress as
harmonics may be transferred from one circuit or
system to another by direct connection or by
inductive or capacitive coupling. Since inductive
devices are designed to operate at specific
frequency, the harmonics of high frequencies cause
loss of the efficiency and the losses is converted
into heat. With more and more non-linear loads at
end-user, more signal harmonics are generated on
the network, at different voltage levels [3]. This
change in the end-consumer voltage profile is a
disadvanta; for energy distribution since t.he bill
of energy is based only on active power. With the
application of disturbing loads to power lines the
active energy no longer represents the total energy
delivered. Electronic billing meters can give
different results when there are harmonics or
unbalance load. The customer may be willing to
pay more for a better power quality and also must
pay for polluting the power quality of the network
[4]. Inductive circuits reduce the harmonics

- 547-

amplitudes in the current wave to be nearly the

sinusoidal waveform, while capacitive loads
increase the amplitude of the current harmonics
relative to the fundamental [5].The power flow
studies are formulated on the basis that po\ver
sources are system generators and power sinks are
the loads. Harmonic power flow studies are more
general in that the loads may be the harmonics
energy source [6]. Since harmonic distortion is
caused by non-linear loads our study will consider
the non linear loads. The strongest source of
harmonics distortion is large static power
converters (1 .ctifiers, inverters and other switching
devices), electric arc furnaces, disc top computers,
battery chargers, television sets, light dimmers,
compact lights, thyristor controlled reactors, (TCR)
and capacitors [7].

1.1 Effect of harmonics on electromechanical meters.

The principal of induction disc meter depends on
rotating
the
moving
disc between
two
electromagnetic. The electromagnets are energized
by alternating currents. The field produced by the
two magnets is displaced in space and phase. The
torque is developed by the interaction of the flux of
one of the magnets and the eddy currents induced
in the disc by the other.
The torque equation of the induction meter is: F a
<Im sin rot. <l>2m sin (wt+e).sin e

THE ELEVENTH INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE EAST POM(ER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE

Where <I>lm and. <I>2m are the effective fluxes on the

disc and e is the phase difference between the two
fluxes.
From the equation of the two fluxes we can
conclude that this type of meters are affected by
harmonics presence, This type of meters can have
+ve or --ve errors associated with the harmonic
frequencies. Ihe errors are produced by the
harmonic torque aiding or opposing the
fundamental torque [2].

'IE"
2-E.'i
3-E"
4-Ex
S-."(

The measurements were taken for 14 telephone

exchanges having low voltage reactive power
compensation banks (operation depends on static
power converters). An energy analyzer is used to
record the maximum, minimum, and average values
of the phase voltages, line currents, apparent power,
neutral current, power factor, total harmonic
distortion (THD), and individual harmonics at each
location. A series audits of measurements and
monitoring for electrical parameters for 24 hours
were carried out. These exchanges are classified
into three groups. First group represents significant
source of harmonic pollution, especially in terms of
harmonic currents. The second group represents
moderate source of harmonic currents. The Third
group represents a case without capacitor bank.

J II

~z

'I-E."
2."(
3-"
4-Ex
5..",
6-E:<
'Ex
I-E.~

'-Ex

lo.E.~

II-Ex
12-Ex

I3-Ex
14-Ex

-o.71to-o.98
-o.91to-C).91
-O.9Rlo 0.99
0.96 to 0.99

oO.9IlIooO.98
-0.93 taO.98
.0.92100.91
.0.90100.99
0.51100.61
0.95100.99
oO.99to 0.99
-G.99 toO.99
0.9.2teG.99
0.56 toO.9I

J~

-19.610.99.00
-2.00 10 -15.30
-47.RO to8l.~
US to 21.70
-41.11041.30
-13.50 to 23.25
-3.24 to 10.39
-21.301014.70
-5.80 to :n.90
11.00 to 59.50
-5.60 to '5.00
-1.50 to 12.40
21.0010 31.00
12.00 to 50.90

2.18 to 6.2-1
2.21 to 7.90
3.111011.31
un to 6.50
:"021010.53
2.10106.30
2.80 to 6.80
3.70101.60
2.00105.53
2.45 to 5.90
2.00 to 3.68
0.40&02..10
0.92100.99
. ~.J'oS.OI

0.00 to 7.72
9.80 to 39.RO
3.24 to 3R.20
7.S010 2UO
S.~l

I-Ex
ll-Ex
12-Ex
lJ-Ex

....

14Ex

OOOto 10.70

'i~

~>

O.OtHo 13,6
9.48 to 9.86
0.00 to 59.45
1.30 to13. 30
0.')(\\(\ ~1.71
2.70 to IR.OO
3.90 to 17.00
S.10 1038.60
3.90 to 34:00
1.90 to 7.74
2.501011.50
2.8010 8.80
2.0 to 10.50

0.68102.10
1.114107.60
2.39108.28
0.54106.02
2.42 109.17
D.OOtoS.20
210 to 6.50
3.60to 8.50
1.3110 3.95

0.00 10 3,00

1.74 to 4.80

1.43104.96
1.9" to 4.70
1.70t3.S0
l.60toH)()

0.19102.08
0.051 to 3.06
0.81 to 8.011
0.4 to 2.10
0.30\.,6.55
0.20 to 4.20
0.50101.90
O.SO 10 2.00
0.36 to 1.15
D.OOlo 1.61
0.00 to 1.87
0.50 to US
0.50101.70

0.14 to 1.36

111.1 The harmonic impedance

The harmonic voltages and currents spectrum
measured for exchange loads are used to calculate
"harmonic impedance for the load. Table (3.2)
represents phase "a" voltage and current harmonic
analysis for sample No.1 in group I at maximum
and minimum THOI % &THDV %
Table (3.2) phase "a" voltage and current harmonic analysis for
a
sample
in
group
"1~,
exchange at maximum THDI % & THDV % and minimum
THOI ~~

III Results and discussions

Table (3.1
) summarizes the results of
measurements of parameters. The results of group
(1) are:
Over compensation of reactive power that leads to
leading power factor.
Both THDV& THDI exceed the IEEE-519 limits.
The fifth and seventh harmonic components are
dominant.
The results of group (2) are:
- Over compensation of reactive power that leads to
lead ing power factor.
Harmonic distortions are close to the standard
IEEE-519 limits.
The results of group (3) are:
- I JO\V power factor
Total harmonic distortion is within to the standard
IEEE - 519 limits.

j~

tl

7-Ex

II Methodology

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~~

\073.90
14.10 to 31.70
11.90 to 28.40
9.4010"9.60
5.101 to 44.90
0.0010 7.83
2.15 to 3.47
2.00 to 10.95
3.IOloI0.SO

6-Ex
8-Ex
'-Ex

Table(3.1) summarizes the results of measurements

'08:
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(MEPCON'2oo6)

Harmonics
order

,
"r
1
0

At Max. TH01%
andTHDV%
Effective
Value

Effective
Value

(V)

(I)

Y',\,'

IS7.9

',"

'\

'.'
0,'

0,1

v
A

"

,.

'\

"r

\\

'\,1

\\'

,r

AI Min THDt%

',:>

","
Y,'

'.,'

Effective
Value
(V)

,n.,

--

Effective
Value
(I)

.",

'0'\.'
A,V

t,"
Y

",0

,\,0

'1"

'It

v.r

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'\,1

r,'

..

..v

'.A
\.-

v.r
r.v

',"
l,t"

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"",'
.,.,

' ,0

-",

Y,I\

".T'

"T'

r,"

111.2 Monitoring and measur-ement

Electronic meters whose just installed beside the
existing induction meters for selected customers
which generate extensive amount of harmonics,
The portable energy analyzer instrument is used for
recording electrical parameters. Several series

audit of measurement and monitoring for

electrical parameters for several customers,

'O~

I~

at 24-hour period, were carried out. The most. new

loads are electronic based non-linear loads which
represent the sources of harmonic distortion.
Electrical measurement for 23 case studies having
different activities such as : exchange, textile, food .
paper, metal, ....etc are carried out. The electromechanical and the digital" meters were installed
together in each case study for comparison.

8.34 t061.oo
17.3810 5".60
6.67 to S1.80
10.10 1030.30 13.501075.20

17.00 1o37.90
15..50 1033.90
12.00 1057,60
IDOl058.80
5.90 to U.25
7.30 to 27.30
4.60 to 16.70
7.90 10105.60
0.00 to14.30

- 548-

THE ELEVENTH INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE EAST POM(ER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE

Accuracy ofelectro-mechanical meters are adjusted

at O.S

~/o

Table (3.3) summarizes the measurements of

consumption using both meters, error % and
lllDV % & THDI % without and with capacitor
bank in service, respectively. The observation of
table (3.3) is:
-Pange of maximum difference (deviation 010) is +
4.833 % and
- 4.736 %
- Case studies numbers 20, has no deviation % and
18 has deviation of - 0.0010/0
- Rance of maximum THDV % is 1.7 % to 7 %
- Range of maximum THOI % is 4.93 %: 60
Tdbl.; (3.3) summarizethe measurements of consumption using

both meters

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o,

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2
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of
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9

10

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S9.5
10.9
37.5

2.t
I.
2.22
1.93

fl
f9

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II

I"
2fl
21

23

60

14

16
17

T2
T:l
T4
TS
T6
F7

FlO
Fit
T 12

EXI
TI

II
12

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t-

f'"
f
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F 16
F 17
PUC

31.11
12.'12.6

1.7

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"82977.2

7R222.S

2UI(JCKJ
3'4750

24'49J5.2
l37(J06.7

2128100

220~174.1

20315.2
17143.3
22925.9

1S669J6

1125.6

s.s.4

+9535.6

1145360

15""00."
11055lO.7

49U!mO

493313

+39129.&
-25tH

77(,41(}

1.4
1.95
U

1(10920
2'3100
IS152
319t.fl)
266,..

182257.7
701252.2
26100S.9
14112.7
316:H4.6
U06I3.6

-332.2
-7108.9 .
)393.3
2125.4
'966.4

2'.'u

1.91

90540

90027.6

-809736

".93
IS.SS
53.9

1.11

616050
64HOO

6105116.7
63694I.S

SS43J
7151.5

2.2

25

IR.I
R.U
26.
5.7
1....15
6.6

1.9
U
0.1
1.2
0.7

1.53

16.2

OS

JS67.R

P1tt

47.~4

tot21
M22

20.2

2.51
U

301120
3374'. 9
206140

3400162.'
205n;U

s.n

......

5.

....s

15740
42306UO

1110 .
5261200

.5740.6
4161..11.8
3567.8

P I'J

'J

304110

-S777.7

+0."11
+J.416
-0.1128
+u:u
+1.029
+0.601
+2.158

-0.526
-o.1U
4.736

-2.1-40
+2.239

+0.700
"'2.1138
-0.089
-+0.199

63111.2

+1.110
.a.OOI
+1.492

3010
-100.1.9
1106.8

+0.977
-0.89
-0.'35

-0.6

(MEPCON'2oo6)

energy recorded by the meters and computed from

the fundamental parameters.
Tahie (3-4) energy recorded and computed
KWH,

KWH",aawlyzer

KWH (EM)

KWHDtIftll

\''ro\'

,,. ...

ute

't.,

KWH}: Fundamental component energy

KWJ-I m: Measured energy by the analyzer
KWHcm: Recorded energy bythe electromechanical
meter
KWHce : Recorded energy by the electronic meter
The percentage deviation between
KWH) and KWHce is +3.74%
The percentage deviation between KWH} and
KWH is +2.29%
This indicates that the energy recorded by both the
electromechanical and electronic meters were
greater than the fundamental energy component
(sinusoidal value). This is due to the effect of
harmonics because the meters (electromechanical
and electronic) were calibrated under sinusoidal
condition and adjusted to the tolerance before
installation. The results showed above, that
electromechanical meters recorded higher values
than the electronic ones which can be expressed
economically as36 KWH
If the energy price is O. I 8 .LE / Kwh (for large
consumers) this indicate extra charge of 6.48 LE /
day, i.e 2365.2 / year which is a significant value,
so it is favorable to use electronic meters.

Case
study
with
power
improvement
capacitors
disconnected from the load.

factor
were

table (3.5) shows the energy recorded by the meters

and computed from the fundamental parameters .

Error based on consumption of induction meter.

Ex.: Exchange
T: Textile Factory
F: Food factory
P: Paper mill M: Metal factory
The energy meters were calibrated and tested under
sinusoidal conditions and they were found to
operate within the tolerance limit for rated
sinusoidal condition. The effects of power factor
improving capacitors were studied.

Case study with

power factor
imprevement capacitors were connected
to the load.
Over 24 hours the analyzer recorded the energy
(KWI-I m) and the parameters of the load, total
harmonic distortion of voltage and current, and
individual harmonic components (3rd, 5th , 7th) of
voltage and current. The fundamental energy
component(KWHi ) was computed.
Electromechanical t1''HJ digital meters were used to
record the energy consumed table (3.4) shows the

- 549-

KWH 1: Fundamental component energy

KWHm : Measured energy by the analyzer
KWHcm : Recorded energy by the electromechanical
meter
KWHce: Recorded energy by the electronic meter
"rom the above table:
The percentage deviation between KWH I and
electro-mechanical meter is 2.6%, while that of the
electronic meter is 1.76,4
The electromechanical meters recorded more
:~y greater than' the electronic meter and can be
~xpressed economically as 20KWH which can be
translated as'3.6 LE / day i.e 1314/ year

THE ELEVENTH INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE EAST POM(ER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE

This ShO~NS t.hat the consumer will pay less if

replacing the electromechanical meter by the

(MEPCON'2oo6)

Transactions on power delivery, Vol. 11, No.

t ,January 1996, pp'.' 64-72

electronic meter.

V Conclusions
Current

and

voltage

unbalance

may

cause

registration error of the energy measured by meters.

The presence of voltage total harmonic distortion

(VTHD) and current total harmonic distortion
(ITHD) add to the deviation in readings of energy
meters. The degree of deviation depends on the
degree of harmonics in the loads. The error in
measurements due to unbalanced loads with power
factor improving capacitors is more significant than
that without capacitors.
Electronic digital energy meters are more accurate
against electromechanical energy meters especially
if they are subjected to the same non-linear loads
and all similar conditions. Using the electronic
digital energy meters may save about L.E 4.5
million per' annum for the Alexandria distribution
company. We recommend to distribution
companies would replace the old electromechanical
meters by electronic digital energy meters for their
benefits.
More detailed economical study has to be
considered in the future concentrating on
prepayment and remote energy readings.

References
[1] K. Yousef, "The harmonics in electrical
networks", Alexandria Electricity Distribution
Company (ADEC. Press), p. 5, 1994.
[2] M. Ibrahim, "Minimization of the Effect of
Power Systems Harmonics on.
Protection'
Schemes", M.' Se. Thesis In Electrical Engineering,
Alexandria University, 1998.
[3] Energy Conservation. And Efficiency Project
(ECEP),
"Power
Factor
Improvement"
Developlnent Research and Technological Planning
Center Cairo, Sep. 1992, pp. 1-9.
[4] P. Koponen,..J.Farin, B. Lemstrom, "Problems
and Possibilities with Billing Meters and Power
Quality", VTT Energy, Energy Systems, P.Vanhala..
".Energy, e-mail: pekka.Koponen@vtt.fi. 2005
[5]Task Force on Harmonics Modeling and
Simulation, IEEE PES Harmonic Working Group,
"Characteristics and Modeling' of Harmonic
Sources- Power Electronic Devices", IEEE,
Transactions on power delivery, Vol. 16, No.4,
200 I, pp_!19 1-800
[6]Yen-Ju Wang, Robert M.O'Connell, and Gary
Brownfield, "Modeling and Prediction of
Distribution System Voltage Distortion Caused by
Nonlinear Residentail Loads", IEEE, Transactions
on power delivery, Vol. 16, No.4, 2001, pp744751.
[7] A. Domijan and G. Lamer "Watthour Meter
Accuracy Under Controlled Unbalanced, Harmonic
Voltage and Current Conditions", IEEE

- 550-

VI Biography
Reda Mohamed Hasan, B;:)\.I III ~l~"'Ul\.lal tJUW~1
engineer 1982, master in electrical power engineer
2005, Alexandria University, General Maneger Of
Metering in Alexandria Distribution Company.