Non-Intrusive Energy Meter for Non-Technical Losses Identification

We present in this study a method and apparatus for non-intrusive measurement of active energy in low-voltage AC installations. In the proposed method, the active power is calculated from the voltage and current waveforms, and the phase shift between them. No voltage amplitude measurement is required since the nominal voltage of the AC installation is considered as the actual voltage. This approach bypasses the main disadvantage of capacitive AC voltage probing: low accuracy in amplitude measurements due to variations on the sensor coupling capacitance. The energy meter that implements the technique is composed of a commercial non-intrusive current sensor (clamp-on current transformer) and a contactless capacitive voltage sensor – designed to measure the voltage phase and waveform. The voltage sensor includes a shield to isolate it from external electric fields, making the energy meter suitable for applications in polyphase systems. The developed energy meter does not require on-site calibration, galvanic contact to the phase conductors, neither electrical circuit opening, allowing for quick, safe and easy installation on overhead service drop line. Due to these characteristics, it can be used by electricity distribution companies in the pre-inspection of consumer units suspected of fraud. Experimental results proved that the developed energy meter is insensitive to the characteristics of cables (width and insulation), external electrical fields, as well as to the voltage sensor capacitance variations. The error of the active energy measurement under real condition in a two-phase installation was 1%.