Energy Metering For Distribution Loss Estimation- Problems and Solution

S. Shyam Sundar K. Devender Rao J. Sreedevi R.Raghunatha

R.S.Shivakumara Aradhya R.K.Hegde

Power Systems Division

Central Power Research Institute
P.B.No.8066,Sadhashivanagar,
Bangalore – 560 080
shyamsundar@powersearch.cpri.res.in

Abstract- This paper presents the problems and errors
encountered by the authors during recording data with
electronic energy meters on 11kV feeders & LT circuits of
distribution system as a part of loss estimation. It emphasizes
the requirement of standardization in this area .The paper also
presents important features of software developed to circumvent
the problem faced.
Keywords: Electrical network, distribution losses, load survey
data, electronic energy mete, discrepancies, software
1. INTRODUCTION
The Indian Power Sector has challenging task to
face during the coming years. The Generation and
Transmission is well managed with regard to future
requirements and maintenance in the country. The
Distribution sector is facing a big challenge as the cost of
generation, transmission and distribution is not recovered in
spite of higher tariff.
maximum demand, voltage, current, power factor, kWh,
kVArh etc. are recorded over a period of, say, one month at
fixed time interval of 30 minutes. This data is known as
Load Survey data (LS data).
CPRI has been recording LS data of about 46
number 11 kV feeders with more than 2000 number LT
feeders in a distribution company for more than one year.
During the course of the recording, numerous problems
were encountered almost jeopardizing the ambitious attempt
of estimating annual energy loss for a large distribution
company network taking into account seasonal variation of
load.
This paper presents the problems faced while
recording the LS data required for loss estimation using
electronic energy meters, downloading the recorded data into a
common meter reading instrument. Corrective measures
adopted while using the data for loss estimation is presented in
detail.

There are various schemes undertaken by the
Government of India such as APDRP (Accelerated Power
Development Reform Programme) and other training
Programmes such as DRUM (Distribution Reforms and up
gradation Management) to improve the efficiency of
distribution network. The first requirement under the
reforms would be to understand the type of losses in power
distribution network and to find the factors influencing the
losses. If 11 kV & LT feeder loss estimation is done
accurately and segregated feeder category and Ampere-
kilometer wise, it would lead to a better understanding of
the technical and commercial losses. If technical losses are
found to be higher, it could be controlled by various
technical methods
such as refurbishment/bifurcation of lines, introducing new
transformers/capacitors etc. On any electrical network, for
the purpose of loss estimation, feeder parameters such as
2. ENERGY METERING FOR LOSS ESTIMATION
Distribution loss involves both technical and
commercial loss. The later may comprise of pilferage, theft,
meter malfunctioning etc. Technical loss estimation involves
calculation of resistive loss for peak load condition and
correcting it with the Loss Load Factor .Commercial loss is
determined by the difference between the input energy to a
certain feeder and deducting the sum of the metered energy at
the consumer end and the technical loss for the feeder.
It is to be recognized that there exists a need for time
synchronized recording of data of all the energy meters in the
Distribution feeder, namely, at the sending end of the feeder,
LT side of the distribution transformer & consumer
premises.As providing such sophisticated meters at the
consumer end, in particular for LT consumer is expensive,
at least the feeder and the DTR meters shall have capability to
store the LS data at the pre-defined time interval.
In order to facilitate adoption of automated
information and data processing to carryout load flow
calculations, it is essential that the LS data collection by all the
energy meters shall be:
i. With standard data format
ii. free from missing data
iii. time synchronized
iv. free from technical difficulties and
v. free from storing abnormal values
In addition it is essential that all the meters are working
for the total duration of the loss measurement exercise, a
minimum of one year.
3 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
3.1 Lack of standardization of data format:
The general observation is that the LS data
parameters to be recorded in the energy meter for loss
estimation are not standardized either by the meter
manufacturers or by the utilities. Below is a reference to the
case where four different manufacturer’s meters are found in a
particular distribution circle, where, the LS data is recorded
for loss estimation.
i. Manufacturer A gives the Parameters in MVA, MW,
MVAr+, MVAR-.
ii. Manufacturer B has interchanged the rows and
columns giving the parameters as Kwh_Imp,
KVARh_Lg_Imp, KVARh_Ld_Imp, KW_D-Imp,
KVA_D_Imp & APF.
iii. Manufacturer C gives the parameters as Energy
(kWh), Energy ( KVArh), Energy (kVAh), Demand
(kW) & APF.
iv. Manufacturer D gives two PF’s, Voltage in V and
current in Amp.
At least there will be two different types of meters for
a feeder, one type for feeder input measurement and the other
type for DTR output measurement. Print out of the recorded
data for the above meters are given in Table 1. Showing
different formats for data recording and storage.
3.2 Time synchronization:
Real Time Clock (RTC) errors were noticed in
many of the meters of manufacturer C. It was noticed that
the date and time on the display of the energy meter to be
different from the actual date and time of data recording. As
seen from Table 2 the recorded data gives date and time
which is unrealistic such as year 2005 instead of the current
year 2006. Some times the data for few hours or days might
be missing from the date and time of downloading which
might cause a problem if those data becomes a requisite for
the estimation of losses and may lead to error in the results.
3.3 Missing data:
The LS data is in the present exercise is to be
logged every 30 minutes .Table 2 shows the missing data
from 00.00 Hrs of 2.9.2005 to 18.30 Hrs of 6.9.2005.
3.4 Technical difficulties:
3.4.1. Incompatibility between probe and meter data
output port :
Optic probes are used for downloading the LS
data from the energy meter to Common Meter Reading
Instrument (CMRI). Firstly, these are different for
different manufacturers. Moreover it was initially
experienced that meters of Manufacturer B with 45% of
the meters in a feeder exhibited communication error due
to incompatibility between probe and the meter optic
circuits. Hence a case for standardization of optic probes
technology and their physical dimension to enhance the
compatibility between the probes and the meter. From the
interest of the work, we recommend a common probe for
all the meters in the market.
3.4.2 Software versions:
As the utilities in general, fail to keep track of
the batch of manufacturing of the meter deployed in a
particular area, it often becomes difficult to use
appropriate version of the Base Computer Software
required to upload the recorded data from CMRI to the
computer. One manufacturer provided at least three
versions of the software. It was also experienced that
unless proper version of software is used, the uploading
takes more time. This process becomes a bottleneck if the
numbers of energy meters to be downloaded per day are
more in number.
Obtaining the correct version of the CMRI
software for all the manufacturer’s meters took CPRI
almost one year wasting valuable time, resources and
money. Hence standardization of the CMRI software and
base Computer Software will also help Energy Audit
work and make it simpler.
3.5 Abnormal values in stored data:
The recorded data on inspection showed
abnormally high values for some of the parameters. Table
3 shows a value of 3439.4 kWh recorded at the output of
100 kVA distribution transformer, which is again a tough
task to physically verify in such a huge data base.
3.6 Meters not working in the feeder:
 During the course of the monitoring, it was found
that initially that 21 % of the total meters were not working
for 14 feeders in which 12 % of meters belong to
Manufacturer B, 5% of meters belong to Manufacturer C
and 4.3% of meters belong to Manufacturer D. It is to be
recognized that accuracy of the loss estimation directly
depends on the number of meter correctly working during
the whole period of data recoding.
4. ATTEMPT TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEMS
With the current experience of performing Energy
Loss Estimation in a large distribution network CPRI is
circumventing the problems faced by modifying the energy
loss calculation software to take care of the problem faced.
the following is the main feature of the software :
i.Provides an indexed access and storage of the load
survey data based on feeder under consideration,
meter type (4 different manufacturers, Feeder
meter or DTR meter), date, time, measured unit
(KW, KVAR, PF, Volts, Amps etc.). The database
can be appended by successive months load survey
data.
ii.Have different drivers to store Load Survey data of
different type of meters into a common database
and in a common data format.
iii.Has built in limit checks and filtering mechanisms
to filter out abnormal data from the Load survey
data, data during power failure conditions and to
convert the load survey data into a common data
format suitable for energy audit and analysis
iv.Synchronizes the load survey data considering the
time span difference between the actual date and
time and the date and time recorded in the meter
under consideration.
v.Synchronizes the first sample of the day of
different type of meters where there is a difference
in definition of first sample. As an example some
meters provide the first sample corresponding to
0:00 hours of the day and some other meters
provide the first sample corresponding to 0:30
hours.
vi.Provides facilities to specify multiplication factor
for each meter to correct the load survey data due
to errors in CT, PT ratios recorded in the meter.
vii.Provides a window of time frame for which the
energy audit studies are needed. User may select
the starting date and ending date defining the time
period for which energy audit calculations are
needed. The software determines the peak load
conditions within specified duration by using two
distinct processes as explained in subsequent
sections
viii.Where the sending end Feeder meter data is
completely available for the study period under
consideration, the peak demand date and time is
determined based on the peak demand recorded by
the feeder meter during the specified period. The
software prepares a load flow data based on the
corresponding date and time using the load survey
data of the DTR meters and feeder meter. While
preparing the load flow data missing data of any
DTR meters are appropriately estimated based on
the corresponding transformer ratings. Further, the
software computes the Loss Load Factor (LLF) and
Load Factors (LF) for the corresponding period and
for the specific feeder under consideration. The
software also performs the energy summation at
each meter for the period of interest for use in the
energy audit.
ix.The software automatically executes the power
flow based on the load flow data prepared at step
viii, computes the technical and commercial losses
and generates the corresponding reports. The single
line diagram of the distribution network is
automatically generated and the results of the load
flow are displayed on the same.
5 CONCLUSION
CPRI has undertaken a loss estimation study for
one of the distribution utilities in the country. It has
encountered the problems mentioned in this paper during
the data collection exercise required for loss estimation.
These have been presented to draw the attention of other
investigators in the loss estimation area. Software has been
developed in-house to overcome these problems as it is
obvious that it cannot be expected that all the meters would
be working at any given point of time and replacing the
faulty meters is herculean task.
Table1: Data recorded in 4 different manufacturer's meters showing different formats

A. Data from meter of Manufacturer A used as 11 kV feeder meter

[DATA]
Date : 2/7/2006
Time For.MVA For.MW For.MVAr+ For.MVAr-

0:30 0.3075 0.2549 0.1719 0

1:00 0.2922 0.2442 0.1606 0
1:30 0.2881 0.2401 0.1592 0
2:00 0.2851 0.2375 0.1576 0

B. Data from Manufacturer B used as LT/CT Meter

Read On : 23/04/2006 10:44:27

DATE UNIT 0:00 0:30 1:00 1:30 2:00

3/19/2006 KWh_Imp 0.75 0.74 0.74 0.75 0.75

3/19/2006 KVARh_Lg_Imp 0 0 0 0 0
3/19/2006 KVARh_Ld_Imp 1.8 1.76 1.77 1.78 1.76
3/19/2006 KW_D_Imp 1.5 1.47 1.49 1.5 1.5
3/19/2006 KVA_D_Imp 1.54 1.5 1.52 1.52 1.52
3/19/2006 APF 0 0 0 0 0

Observations: Average PF = 0

C. Data from meter Manufacturer C used as LT/CT meter

Date Time EGY(kWh) EGY(kVArh) EGY(kVAh) Demand(kW) APF

27--02--06 13:30 11820 1332.5 12727.5 5 0.87
27--02--06 14:00 11820 1332.5 12730 0 0.84
27--02--06 14:30 11820 1332.5 12730 0 0.82
27--02--06 15:00 11820 1332.5 12730 0 0.81
27--02--06 17:30 11820 1332.5 12730 0 0.99
27--02--06 18:00 11820 1332.5 12730 0 0.73
27--02--06 18:30 11820 1332.5 12730 0 0.67
27--02--06 19:00 11822.5 1332.5 12732.5 5 0.94
27--02--06 19:30 11825 1332.5 12735 5 0.95
27--02--06 20:00 11825 1332.5 12737.5 0 0.96
27--02--06 20:30 11827.5 1332.5 12737.5 5 0.94
27--02--06 21:00 11830 1332.5 12740 5 0.96

Observations: a) Demand is always shown as 5 kW or 0 kW

b) Repetitive values for Kwh,kVarh,kVAh

D. Data from meter of Manufacturer D used as feeder meter

DATE UNIT 0:30 1:00 1:30 2:00

4/21/2006 PF 0.903 1 1 0.99
4/21/2006 14 14 15.5 99.5
4/21/2006 PF 15.5 14 15.5 100.5
4/21/2006 V 6667.5 6667.5 6688.67 6604
4/21/2006 Amp 0.1333 0.1333 0.1333 1

Observations: a) Value of 15.5 is shown against PF

b) No unit is mentioned to a few rows of data
 Table 2 : Missing Data in Load Survey data

LOAD SURVEY DETAILS of Manufacturer C

Meter Number 000000 CMRI Number : 0408-32687

Consumer Name : CMRI Date&Time : 13-03-2006 12:38:54

Consumer Number : From : 15/09/05 To 20/09/05

Date Time in Cum. Energy Cum. Energy DEMAN DEMAND APF

Cum. Energy
hh:mm Energy Consumed Energy Consumed D (kVA)
Energy Consumed
(kVArh) (kVArh) (kVAh) (kVAh) (kW)
(kWh) (kWh)

15/09/05 12:30 00000.000 00000.000 00005.000 00002.500 00037.500 00037.500 0.000 75.000 .99

16/09/05 04:30 00000.000 00000.000 00005.000 00000.000 00040.000 00002.500 0.000 5.000 .99

02/02/05 12:00 00002.500 00002.500 00005.000 00000.000 00002.500 00000.000 5.000 0.000 .99

02/09/05 00:00 00002.500 00000.000 00005.000 00000.000 00045.000 00042.500 0.000 85.000 .99

06/09/05 18:30 00002.500 00000.000 00005.000 00000.000 00002.500 00000.000 0.000 0.000 .99

06/09/05 19:00 00002.500 00000.000 00005.000 00000.000 00002.500 00000.000 0.000 0.000 .99

06/09/05 19:30 00002.500 00000.000 00005.000 00000.000 00002.500 00000.000 0.000 0.000 .99

06/09/05 20:00 00002.500 00000.000 00005.000 00000.000 00002.500 00000.000 0.000 0.000 .99

Table 3: Abnormal Values