Meter design-factors affecting consumer safety [electricity meters]

Some of the potential hazards which could result from a single fault condition within electricity metering equipment are discussed. The safety Standards EN61010 and EN60950 include the requirement for safety in single fault condition and have been held up, by the author, as examples of up to date safety practice. The metering Standards EN61036 and EN60521 include no such requirement. One does not doubt that meter manufacturers take the safety of their products very seriously. The point is made, however, that metering Standards should be brought up to date in safety matters and include provision for safety under single fault conditions. Unless this is done, it is possible for potentially unsafe meters to be approved and placed on the market, with very real risk to consumers. The exclusion of electricity supply meters, from the provisions of the European Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC, might be seen as a gross oversight, unless the various meter Standards are brought up to date in the manner described, and the Pattern Approval procedure takes a more critical interest in the design and construction of meters.