February 16, 2015 Meters

meter fireIn the past, design flaws in smart meter units have been known to cause serious fire hazards and spotty performance. This has caused a lot of concern for utilities and manufacturers of smart meters. To prevent problems like this, a new voluntary safety standard – UL 2735 – has been created for electric utility meters.

In the past, meters were tested to UL/CSA 61010-1, as was other Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Equipment.  Meter manufacturers are increasingly migrating from UL 61010-1 to UL 2735.

UL 2735 covers:

  • Meters rated up to 600V which measure, monitor, record, transmit, or receive electrical energy generation or consumption information
  • Socket mounted plug-in (Type S) utility meters, and non-socket mounted, bottom connected (Type A) utility meters
  • Meters provided with one or two-way communication capabilities by means of carrier signals, telephone, cable, or wireless communication
  • Meters that provide signals, directly or wirelessly, for the control of electrical loads or electrical power generation equipment

These construction and performance requirements are included in UL 2735:

Components

  • Compliance with relevant component standards
  • Used within their recognized ratings
  • Includes plastics, PCBs, MOVs, wire, and transformers

Electrical

  • Accessibility of hazardous live parts
  • Electrical spacings over-surface and through-air
  • Isolation of current transformer secondary
  • Endurance of load control switch
  • Single component fault

Fire

  • Polymeric enclosure flammability
  • Battery protection, charging, placement and replacement
  • Single component fault

Mechanical

  • Enclosure environmental considerations
  • Enclosure strength and rigidity
  • Access panels
  • Static
  • Impact
  • Drop

ANSI C12.1

  • Insulation resistance
  • HV line surges
  • Fast transient/burst
  • RF interference
  • RF conducted/radiated emissions
  • Temperature rise
  • Temporary overload
  • Electrostatic discharge

Markings

  • Environmental suitability
  • Electrical ratings
  • Installation instructions
  • ANSI C12.10 nameplate
  • Permanence and legibility

UL 2735 is not yet part of the NRTL Program, however MET Labs is already accomplished in testing to it. Learn more about MET’s highly-regarded testing of meter safety, reliability, and accuracy for manufacturers or utilities.

| New UL 2735 Electric Utility Meter Standard Ensures Safety and Performance | February 16, 2015
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