Aim of the Experiment:

Testing of single phase Energy meter at different

power factors.

Apparatus Required:
Serial no. Apparatus name Type Specification Quantity
Single phase, 600 rev/KWh,
1 Energy meter One
Induction type, 230 V, (10-20) A
Single phase (0-270) V ,8 A Two
2 Variac
Three phase (0-440) V,12 A One
3 Voltmeter MI type (0-300) V One
4 Ammeter MI type (0-10) A , One
5 Rheostat Cylindrical 200 ohm , 5 A One
6 Connecting wires PVC SWG As reqd.

Circuit diagram:

Theory:
 This method of testing is fictitious loading process. No actual loading is done
while the testing is performed. The pressure coil (P.C.) and current coil (C.C.) are
Separately excited. The PC is fed by single-phase supply whose voltage is used as
reference voltage. The CC is supplied by two single phase variacs as shown in the circuit
diagram through the resistive load. Input supply to the 1-phase variacs are taken from the
phases R and Y of a 3-phase variac. Again the PC is also fed by phase-R.
Now, varying the different tappings of two 1-phase variacs while keeping the
3-phase supply constant, the test can be performed.

Procedure:
1. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure.
2. Adjust the 3-phase variac to a constant output voltage, so the PC is supplied with
a constant voltage.
3. Apply full resistance by moving the rheostat knob.
4. Increase variac1 to full voltage and hold variac2 at zero. So the current through
CC will make an angle of zero degree with the reference PC voltage, which acts
as unity power factor load.
5. Keep the variac1 voltage constant and vary the voltage output of variac2 to full
voltage. The resultant current due to this arrangement will make an angle 60
degree with the reference voltage, which will act as power factor of 0.5.
6. Now move the knob of variac2 keeping variac1 at constant voltage as before. The
resultant current through CC will make an angle of 30 degree with the reference
voltage, consequently a power factor 0.866.
7. For achieving lagging and leading power factor the above two steps(5 & 6) have
to repeat by interchanging R and Y.

Precautions:
• All connections should be neat and tight.
 • Intensive care should be taken while separating the current coil and pressure
coil of the Energy meter.
• High resistance must be provided in the passage of current to the current coil.
• Voltage variations of two 1-phase variacs should be done by removing the
supply.

Case analysis:
An experiment has been performed by applying 400 V. at the output
of 3-phase variac. So, constant voltage of 230 V. at the PC is obtained. Now the steps
4,5,6,7 have to be followed and the result is shown in figure below.

Voltage output of variac 1 Voltage output of variac 2 Power factor

230 V. 0 V. 1
230 V. 230 V. .5
230 V. 115 V. .866

The power factor is lagging when variac1 is connected to R and

variac2 with Y. Leading power factor is obtained by inter changing this connection.

Conclusion:
Single phase energy meters are used for measuring the active power only.
By performing this experiment it can be concluded whether the meter is rotating for
unity, lagging and leading power factor.