Is My Three Phase Meter Giving Accurate Measurements?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around concerns regarding the accuracy of a three-phase meter measuring power in an office setting. The user reports unusual readings, including a negative power factor (PF) for a duct heater and zero voltage on phase C, raising questions about the meter's functionality and wiring. It is noted that lights do not require three-phase power, but can be distributed across phases for balance, which appears to be an issue in this case. The user seeks confirmation of potential faults before proceeding with repairs, emphasizing the need for clarity on how the meter interprets phase angles and loads. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities of three-phase power measurement and the importance of proper transformer and meter setup.
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Hello all,

Recently one of the power meters on one of our office's panelboards has been giving sensor garbage, calling the others' measurements into question.

I have two 277/480Y transformers, one going to a two phase 480V duct heater and one going to the lighting (the meter reads three phase).

The duct heater reads as follows:
Load:.1KW
A 277.8V 0A 0%PF
B 280.2V .6A -23.9%PF
C 281.8V .5A 72.2%PF

And the lighting:
Load: .4KW
A 280V 0A 0%PF
B 278V 1.5A 99.9%PF
C 0V 0A 0%PF


There definitely seems to be at least one thing wrong: Why am I getting a negative PF for a duct heater? Apart from that, I'm unsure why I'm reading 0V on phase C for a supposed 3 phase unit. It isn't mislabeled; the meter is telling me three phase on the display. I'm not sure why lights would need 3PH power in the first place.

I would like to be sure that something is wrong before I call for repairs again. Anything seem off?
 
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For the heater, the line-to-line load for 480 volts also means the current phase angles will be different relative to the line-to-neutral voltage sensing connections for B and C. The phase angle should be the same, but of opposite direction, on each. Technically, you're still consuming power through both, so the PF should still be positive. But with a resistive load, your PF should be nearly 100%, yet a L-to-L phase angle difference can confuse the readings. Combined, it should show the equivalent of 100%. But I don't really know how the meters work to handle that situation.

Lights don't need three phase. But lights can be distributed among phases to keep things in balance. Yours apparently are not. And it appears that either phase C is not even connected, or the meter connection is not there. Everything is coming on over phase B (which is not necessarily the same phase as phase B on the heater). One way to approach balance is to have the heater on 2 phases like it is, and the lights on the remaining phase. How your transformer phase (mis-)wirings are rotated could in fact do that, anyway.

How big are these transformers and meters? Got photos?
 
The meter is the e-mon-d-mon 3000 series.

http://www.emon.com/products_class3000.html"

Pictures on the way.
 
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So this is not utility measurements, but just internal monitoring? Are the transformers utility transformers or smaller internal units? If non-utility, I'd like to know the primary voltage and type (delta or wye).
 
They're utility. The monitors are set up to measure the office's (it's a leased space within a complex) individual consumption.
 
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