Branch Circuit Metering
Branch circuit metering or dense circuit metering is a form of metering multiple circuits together in close proximity. This is typically prevalent in switchboards and sub panels when the individual circuits need to be monitored for sub metering or isolated readings.
Emergence of TOU
TOU has been implemented to change consumer behaviour and to ease the strain of energy usage required at its most in-demand time. This decreases the likelihood of power outages as well as over-generation of power supply. TOU has become an effective way for utilities provider to manage their power production, record energy consumption and allowing consumers to take control of their energy bills. This added control has led consumers to cut energy costs. By reviewing their energy consumption and making use of peak analysis tools, consumers applied load shedding by running machines at off-peak hours whenever possible.
TOU Implementation
Accuenergy has multiple metering models which allow customers and businesses to take control of their operational costs with the TOU functionality. In addition to its fundamental use (from a building management standpoint) the TOU is also an effective tool for landlord's energy management strategy - to correctly align charges with tenants, saving money and rewarding efficient energy usage. Without the use of this TOU feature in environments that have time based tariffs, tenants can dispute charges on the grounds that incorrect tariff rates are being applied. TOU features can be found in the Acuvim-EL, the Acuvim IIE and the AcuRev 2000 series power meters which cover a variety of different metering applications.
Acuvim EL Multi-function Time of Use Power Meter
The Acuvim-EL meter is a multifunction power meter equipped with TOU for single and three phase circuits. The Acuvim-EL features a Modbus RS485 serial connection in which the meter can connect to the Acuview free data logging software to take advantage of this feature. While connected to the software the meter is able to segregate up to 4 different tariffs, 12 seasons and 14 schedules.
This option is a cost-effective solution for users monitoring a single circuit that are able to connect the meter to a dedicated computer and are typically featured in smaller applications where TOU billing has been implemented.
Acuvim IIE Time of Use Power & Energy Meter
The Acuvim IIE is an intelligent multifunction power meter with TOU enabled for single and three phase circuits. The Acuvim IIE meter features Modbus RS485 communication standard and can be upgraded to include Modbus TCP Ethernet, BACnet, Profibus, and a variety of other communication protocols and I/O expansions for added versatility. The meter can be serially connected to a computer hosting the free Acuview software or can be remotely connected to the computer utilizing an Ethernet connection. In addition to the proprietary software the Acuvim IIE also has the means to connect to any third party software or server that is able to take advantage of the meters innate TOU functionality.
As this meter has remote metering capabilities multiple units are able to be connected to the same central computer or system allowing for utilization in larger projects with multiple users such as residential or commercial buildings or for a more granular look at machines and devices in order to take control of operating costs, generate cost allocation, and determine if load shedding is required.
AcuRev 2000 Multi-Circuit Power & Energy Meter
The AcuRev 2000 series meters are multi-circuit power and energy meters capable of reading up to 18 single phase circuits or 6 three phase or single phase three line circuits in one compact meter. This multi-circuit metering line is the preferred choice for dense or branch circuit metering applications. Both the 2010 and 2020 models come with TOU as an innate function; the 2010 measures basic energy and demand, while the 2020 measures power, energy and demand as well as power quality parameters and other advanced metering parameters.
The meter features Modbus RS485 communication standard and also has the option to upgrade to the remote metering compatible Ethernet communication allowing for multiple meters to be monitored by one central computer and a greater application freedom. The meter offers the same application benefits as the Acuvim IIE but is specially designed for large branch circuit or dense circuit metering where multiple tenants or metering points can be derived from a single panel.
Application Summary
These three TOU enabled meters can be used to manage single point, medium sized projects, and large branch circuit monitoring applications in which a TOU tariff structure is in place to effectively take control of consumption charges and effectively manage time-based energy usage. TOU enabled meters are necessary in applications in which there are time-based tariff rates to properly align charges with usage, these TOU meters can also be used to reduce costs by reviewing machines and devices cost allocation and making use of tools and practices such as load shedding and running machines at off-peak hours.
Branch circuit metering or dense circuit metering is a form of metering multiple circuits together in close proximity. This is typically prevalent in switchboards and sub panels when the individual circuits need to be monitored for sub metering or isolated readings.
Application Overview
Branch circuit metering is used in HVAC applications or multiple user applications in which the individual circuits as opposed to the panel as a whole are monitored. This method allows for the segregation of multiple users, tenants, or devices with the convenience of using a single device while maintaining the integrity of each individuals measurement. As a cost–saving tool branch circuit metering simply replaces the use of multiple meters, but more than simply cost-saving this practice enables a granular look at power consumption with abilities that are unmatched by single circuit meters. This ability to isolate independent circuits ensure that in sub metering applications each user or tenant is being fairly and accurately charges, and in monitoring applications that the correct cost or consumption is allocated to each individual device.
Branch Circuit Metering Implementation
AcuRev 2000 Series
The AcuRev 2000 series meter allows users to monitor up to 18 single phase circuits with one hot leg and 6 three phase systems in one dynamic device and features two different current input options. The first utilizes the AcuCT 333mV output CTs and is ideal for retrofit projects, higher rated current applications and metering points that have several different current ratings. The second option features an internal CT allowing for the direct input of circuits with a rated current between 20-80A and is ideal for new designs with limited space.
Application Summary
After capturing the data from the individual circuits users can extrapolate this information for the use in reports, billing, and data management the same as with traditional meters. Using this metering method allows for efficient sub metering and monitoring within dense circuit panels that is both a cost-effective and detailed solution.