Energy Meter Testing in New Zealand

We have seen significant technology advancement in nearly all industries over the years in the electrical world. Energy meters are no different.

Continuous improvement to energy meters came along with greater need for product compliance. In some markets, energy meters are required to be tested to a number of requirements including metrology (accuracy), mechanical properties, environmental properties, and EMC requirements. In summary, energy meter testing is a process where a specified electromechanical or electronic electricity meter is compared under various normal and abnormal conditions with a laboratory-standard meter to ensure that measurement accuracy is maintained in the field. The utility company then carries out any future calibration and checks themselves.

Energy Meter Standards

A variety of standards exist regarding the requirements for energy meter testing. At the heart of energy meter testing is IEC 62052-11. There are European and Australian variations to this standard. In addition to the base IEC standard, there are accompanying IEC standards for particular classes of meters (found in IEC 62053-11, 21, 22 and 23) and specific applications of meters (found in IEC 62052, 62053, 62054 and 62055). The other major energy meter standards come from the US (ANSI C12), Australia (NMI M6) and New Zealand (EGR D4). There are also a handful of other standards to which meters must be tested for use in certain markets.

While all the detailed requirements of energy meter testing may seem daunting, expert help is available. UL International New Zealand Limited (UL NZ) has 10+ years of experience in energy meter testing and serves as UL’s — and, perhaps the industry’s — center of excellence for energy meter testing.

UL NZ will be doubling its energy meter testing capacity by the third quarter of this year.

With global accreditation to test and certify towards the standards discussed above, energy meter manufacturers around the world can work directly with this new center of excellence to reach all their desired markets with flexibility and efficiency.

For more information about Energy Meter Testing, contact Matt Toohey at Matt.Toohey@nz.ul.com.