Solar Radiation Effect on Measurement of the Electronic Energy Meter

Electricity meters are devices that record the electrical energy consumed by the customer. Recently, the electricity meter has developed as a result of technological progress, and it transformed from an electro-mechanical energy meter to become an electronic meter. The electronic energy meter consists of electronic components which may change its properties due to exposure to different climatic environments, so climatic tests must be conducted on the electricity meter [1]. Solar radiation testing is considered most important for an outdoor electrical energy meter, performed to ensure that the meter does not change its characteristics or that its insulation does not fail during exposure to solar radiation [2]. Electricity meters are classified according their installation for either indoor or outdoor energy measurements [3]. Outdoor electricity meters are mostly protective class two which means that the insulation level is higher than that used in indoor energy meters and can be more exposed to direct sunlight. Solar tests are carried out on electricity meters according to the international standard of IEC62052-11:2020, and IEC60068-2-5:2010 [3], [4] at an irradiance value equal to 1120 W/ m
²
± 10%.