Evaluating Low-cost Networked Energy Metering Systems: A University Campus Study

Abstract

In this paper we focus on analyzing the precision error of electrical parameters as well as the quality of the data transmission of measurements generated by low cost electric meter devices. The study is based on data collected in a large university campus which includes many non-linear electrical loads. Related harmonic distortions are identified as one possible source of measurement error. Also, we evaluate a quality of service proxy for the deployed data network and discuss design changes to robustify data transmission. After evaluating campus measurements using a standardized power quality analyzer we find that many meters presented high measurement errors and while some may be attributed to harmonics and large non-linear loads, other errors can be related to the transducers and the internal code used by the device. The need for open hardware is motivated throughout the study when discussing limitations of the system evaluated.