94th Annual SEMA Short Course and Conference

This presentation will begin with the birth of the electric meter and carry you through its evolution to its modern form.

Exploring the interfaces between the electrical inspector and the utility as regards meters, sockets, point of service, and current withstand ratings of metering enclosures.

Basic principles of electricity; Ohm's Law, measuring voltages/currents with an ammeter.

Basic principles of electricity; Ohm’s Law, measuring voltages/currents with an ammeter.

A look at single phase meters with an explanation of the mechanics and electrical theory behind their functionality. Explains what forces make the disk turn and the relationship between disk revolution & registration, followed by billing.

An explanation of some of the technical terms used by metering personnel. How to speak in terms that the customer can understand. Clarification of meter loads, single phase, two and three wire services as well as three phase loads.

This session covers the reasons why instrument transformers are used in metering and demonstrates selection based on burden and accuracy, ratios and rating factors.

Familiarize personnel new to revenue protection functions with the basics of field investigations. Overview of situations that personnel may encounter on routine inspections.

This session reviews the various single-phase voltages and connections metering personnel will encounter in the course of their work in the field. Also, included will be network connections and their applications.

Discuss existing rate types and structures, parameters that move a customer from one rate to another and how different rate groups impact the utility.

What are demand meters and where are they used? Applications of thermal, interval, rolling interval and other forms of demand meters.

Why time of use? Rate structures. Who benefits? Creating a program.

Explanation of the polyphase meter, different configurations of polyphase meters. How to answer questions like "Why do I have a 3-phase service?" and "Why am I paying more for it?"

A review of "three phase math" including geometry & trigonometry along with definitions and a discussion of phase relationships, phase angle and sine waves. This session also introduces the power triangle (kVA and power factor) and phasors.

What is pulse metering and how is it used in today’s metering systems? Pulse initiators are introduced along with examples of ratio selection and pulse weight calculation.

A lecture on Delta and Wye metering applications, 2, 2-1/2 and 3 element meter selection and Blondel's Theorem. The use of phasors to show correct metering will be discussed. Problems and examples will be presented.

Discussion of the development of the polyphase electromechanical meter and how it works. The basic design of electronic watt-hour meters and the principles they operate on are introduced. Meter forms are also discussed.

Relationship of disk revolution to registration. Practical applications. Math solutions.

We will show and explain the basic function of the internal components that comprise the personal computer. In addition, we will cover basic computer operations for daily activities using computer basics and Windows95. This will be accomplished through a

Examples of instrument transformer selection and connections based on the service and load. Calculations of burden, explanations of accuracy, the use of rating factor and the effect of temperature will be discussed. Students will learn how to apply transformer correction factors and ratio correction factors.

This module will cover the basics of harmonics including non-sinusoidal waves, sources, typical waveshapes and potential effects on the distribution system. Examples of mitigation/reduction techniques will also be discussed.

This session reviews the various polyphase service voltages and connections metering people will encounter in the field including three and four wire Delta, four wire Wye and network service connections.

Why have standards? Which type fits my application. Calibration of standards and why traceability is necessary. What are current criteria for standards accuracy?

Advanced methods for field-testing high-end polyphase meters (inner-tie/large industrials) will be discussed and demonstrated (if time allows). Emphasis will be placed on multi-quadrant testing and testing with KYZ pulses and IR pickups.

Provides specific information on typical grounding, theory, and practical applications. Describes actual meter installation grounding techniques and lightning/surge protection techniques.

Explanation of four quadrant metering, when and where should it be employed. Why is it better than mechanical metering? Does it increase revenue? What does it cost? Is it a viable option for the future?

Calibration of self-contained meters as well as transformer rated meters.

How do you deal with an angry customer? What types of complaints are most common? Communication skills under difficult conditions.

Class members will actually confront irate customers. Session teaches how to handle dangerous situations on the job. Role playing by all attendees.

Will create safety guidelines and develop safety techniques for over the counter customer service representatives.

Questions that are often asked by customers. Session focuses on responding to utility inquiries in many different areas (Electric, Gas and Water)

This is an open session design for utilities to share experiences as they relate to their customer service unit. Most unusual cases.

Conservation audit techniques to explain energy consumption to the customer. Relating home appliances to the meter.

A look at the effect house hold appliances have on utility bills. This session demonstrates the actual electrical consumption of major appliances.

 

This course looks at diagnosing service problems on Wye and Delta 2, 2 ½ and 3 element metering installations using information collected from both the meter and additional analysis equipment.

Problems associated with metering equipment related to the customers bill. Overview of meter multipliers and factors, register ratios/data, assumption calculations, nameplate data, and K-value.

Identifies major components of a customer utility bill. Analysis of electric, water, gas, and others utility services.

This session covers the definitions of terms that will be encountered in establishing demand, time-of-use and reactive metering programs. The basic steps in establishing a program for an electronic register or meter will be discussed along with program parameters and the meter programming process.

This class will cover the fundamentals of collection and analysis of Power Quality data using various metering technologies.

Covers the field usage of power quality instruments for data analysis.

This course will cover instrumentation, usage of instruments, and results analysis.

Reactavar Electronic Sag Protector Energy efficient solutions to protect sensitive electronic equipment from voltage sags, momentary voltage loss and transients.

A presentation on how software can assist the tracking of meters from when they enter the system until they are retired.

“What is MV90” “What does MV90 do” “How does Tampa Electric use MV90”, Master File Setup, Workstation Setup, Security, Data Retrieval, Data Validation, Data Editing, Data Transfers, System Maintenance.

Choosing the right meter for the job. How to size the meter to fit the service.

Concerns and solutions, PQ Standards, Case Studies and problem resolution.

Describes the operation of a typical electric utility distribution system and the impact of typical events on our customers.

This class takes a fresh new look at the age-old debate of “field testing versus shop testing” single-phase residential billing meters. The pros and cons of each are examined with an emphasis on new technology that has changed the dynamics of each testing approach. New data is presented including a unique inventory reduction approach to cost justification of field-testing. Analysis presented includes an actual business case performed by a major Midwestern investor owned electric utility. This business case centers on a meter sample-testing program. Customer complaint testing is also examined as a special case both from a quantitative and a qualitative perspective.

Introduction to the principal of the Hall Effect and how it is used to accurately measure KWH in singlephase electrical meters.

A discussion of the information available from many of today’s meters that helps the meter technician understand and troubleshoot various installations. This class will cover basic terminology, basic concepts and what vectors mean in a metering environment.

This session will review tangible and intangible cost and benefit elements needed to build a business case for an AMR system. A template will be used to model a utility considering an AMR investment. Key benefit and cost elements will be reviewed using sensitivity analyses to show which variables in the model have the biggest impact on the overall business case decision.