Single Phase vs Three Phase Energy Meter: A Comparative Analysis

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Single-phase vs three-phase energy meters: is there any difference? Of course, there is. Here is a comparative analysis that will explain a lot of differences between these two smart meter systems. Genus meter provides the best power measurement solution for household and commercial uses. However, let’s dive deeper into the two types of meters.

Single-phase meter: What is that?

Typically, the phase-in electricity refers to the load distribution. A single-phase power meter, as the name suggests, is a two-wire AC or altering current power circuit. It changes the supply voltage of the power simultaneously. Generally, it is called “residential voltage” since its usage is mostly found in homes. This type of meter uses phase and neutral wires for power distribution, where the phase wires carry the load and the neutral wire acts as the returning path for the power. In a single-phase meter connection, the voltage starts at 230 Volts and possesses a frequency of about 50 Hertz.

What are the advantages of a single-phase energy meter?

Single-phase electric meters have a lot of advantages like the following:

• Single-phase power connections are mostly intended to install in residential homes and domestic supplies. The reason is that most appliances like lights, fans, television, refrigerator, etc. need a minimum amount of energy to work.
• The operation of this type of connection is ordinary and simple. It has a lightweight and compact unit where if the voltage is higher, the electricity flowing through the wires will be lower. There’s also a 3 phase energy meter and we’ll elaborate on it later in the blog.
• Because of the power reduction, this phase makes sure that electricity from a single-phase power connection works the best and transmits the power in an effective way.
• With units for up to 5 Horse Power, these single-phase power connections work at an optimum level.

Keep reading ahead to know more, we’re here to explain an analytical discussion on single phase vs three phase energy meters.

3 phase energy meter: What is that?

You get three individual electric services with a three-phase energy meter. It needs three conductor wires beside a single neutral wire in a 3 phase power connection. The conductor wires must have a distance of 120 degrees among them. However, there are two different types of configurations in a 3 phase energy meter and these are Star and Delta. Star requires a ground and neutral wire, unlike the Deltas. The advantages of a three-phase meter connection are:

What are the advantages of a 3 phase energy meter?

The advantages of a 3 phase power meter are as follows:

• It doesn’t need any type of added starters to execute heavy industrial motors since it has enough power to provide the required torque.
• The more the number of phases in the supply system, the smoother the voltage of the three-phased power becomes.
• This metering system helps in running large machinery well. For commercial and industrial loads, three-phase meters are preferred due to the heavy power requirement.
• It does not require excessive conducting material to conduct electricity. Hence, these meters are more of a cost-effective and economical solution.

Single phase vs three phase energy meters: Differences

Here is a comparative analysis of single phase vs three phase energy meters:

• The flow of electricity in a single-phase connection is through a single conductor whereas, in a three-phase connection, there are three separate conductors for electric transmission.
• In a single phase meter system, the upper limit of the voltage can be 230 Volts whereas, in a three-phase system, the upper limit can be 415 Volts as well.
• Two separate wires are mostly required in a single-phase meter for smooth electricity flow. But in a three-phase meter, the circuit can be completed with three-phase wires and one neutral wire.
• A three-phase meter transfers minimum electrical energy as compared to the single-phase power meters.
• There are two wires in a single-phase electric meter which makes it a simple network. But in a three-phase meter, there are four different wires that make the network complicated.
• Since there is only one phase in a single-phase meter, any unforeseen event in the network interrupts the entire power supply. On the other hand, in a three-phase meter, if one phase doesn’t work, other phases compensate for it, thereby eliminating the chances of power interruption. However, a super-powerful Genus Meter helps consumers effectively measure electricity and proactively plan on saving electricity bills.
• A single-phase power meter is less efficient than a three-phase connection since the latter needs fewer conductors unlike the former one for the same circuit.

To learn more about a 3 phase energy meter or other smart metering solutions, get in touch with us.

During August 2020, we became the UK’s very first installer to fit 3-Phase SMETS2 smart meters for domestic and business energy consumers.

The installations, the first ever being at the home of a Good Energy customer, and the second at a small business supplied by SSE just two weeks later, marked significant milestones in the UK’s energy system transition and provided a game changing new development for the UK smart meter rollout.

But why exactly does the three-phase SMETs2 smart meter represent such a breakthrough for our smart energy revolution?

And what does it mean for the Automated Meter Reading (AMR) technology already used by many business consumers who are supplied with three-phase electric power? We explain below.

Firstly, what is 3-Phase electric power?

Three-phase electric power is a type of polyphase system (the method of distributing alternating-current electrical power) and is most commonly used to provide heavy loads of electricity, such as those used by industry, business or very high energy-consuming homes.

What is a 3-Phase electric meter?

The 3-phase electric meter is used for measuring the power of three-phase electrical supply, most commonly for commercial use. Currently, consumers using three-phase electricity have not been able to get a digital smart meter installed, however some business users have been able to take advantage of AMR technology – such as three-phase advanced meters – to log their electrical consumption.

In 2018, the UK Government ruled that energy suppliers are allowed to offer SME and larger business consumers a choice between an AMR advanced meter and a smart meter.

What does this mean for domestic consumers? Do I need a 3-phase smart meter for my home?

With the availability of the new polyphase SMETS2 smart meter, it is now possible for high volume and complex electricity users to join the smart, clean, green energy revolution.

Most UK households have what is known as a ‘single phase’ meter, connected at 230 or 240 volts via two wires. But there are hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the country that operate on a three phase connection, connected at 400 or 415 volts by three active wires, or ‘phases’, and one neutral. These sites have a different kind of connection because they use higher loads of electricity, and/or have a more complex home energy set up — such as solar panels, battery storage or an electric vehicle charger. Until now, such homes and businesses have not been able to use the latest smart metering technology.

Goto acrel to know more.

Given the clean energy system of the future will rely on smart homes like these to self-generate and share their power as part of a smarter grid, that’s a problem the energy industry needed to fix and we are proud to say that we have been integral to developing a solution for the market: the new 3-phase SMETS2 smart meter.

Importantly, as a second-generation smart meter this new technology will allow customers to connect to the secure nationwide network run by the Data Communications Company (Smart DCC), enabling seamless switching between energy suppliers.

If you do not currently have a  3-phase smart meter, but are planning on investing in a smart home energy system such as solar generation or an EV charger, you may require a meter upgrade. If you contact your energy supplier, they will be able to advise you on your needs.

What’s the option for my business? 

Whilst the ultimate benefits of smart meters are similar to those offered by an AMR device, the Government ruled in 2018 – in the interests of maintaining a competitive marketplace – that non-domestic customers (with the exception of microbusinesses) will continue to be able to enjoy the flexibility of choice between the two technologies.

The new availability of the 3-Phase SMETs2 smart meter will now extend that choice to business consumers who use 3-phase electric supply, and that can only be a good thing for the smart energy revolution.

So, can I get a 3-Phase smart meter installed now?

If you use three-phase electricity at your home or business, you’re now able to benefit from having a three-phase smart meter (SMETs2) installed at your premises. As the UK’s leading smart meter installer we are now working with out energy supplier partners to roll out the devices across the UK.

Contact your energy supplier today to book an installation.

Some more frequently asked questions

What is the difference between AMR and smart meter technology?

Despite their similarities in terms of benefits, AMR devices and smart meters perform differently and utilise distinct technologies.

Whilst the ultimate benefits of smart meters are similar to those offered by AMR, the Government ruled in 2018 – in the interests of maintaining a competitive marketplace – that non-domestic customers (with the exception of microbusinesses) will continue to be able to enjoy the flexibility of choice between the two technologies.

The imminent availability of the 3-Phase SMETs2 smart meter will now extend that choice to business consumers who use 3-phase electric supply, and that can only be a good thing for the smart energy revolution.

What’s the benefit of a smart meter for my business?

If you are not already using an AMR device at your business, by getting a smart meter installed you can join the smart energy revolution, opening up a world of opportunity to reduce your energy consumption, and therefore helping cut costs and carbon emissions.

A smart meter helps you understand your business energy usage, and when used with an energy management platform (such as SmartVision Pro), you can monitor, track and take action to lower your usage.

Through digitising the country’s energy consumption, SMETs2 smart meters are also helping introduce innovative new tariffs, products, and smart technologies. In coming years, smart meters – for example through facilitating electric vehicle charging – will help encourage more flexible energy usage, thereby supporting decarbonisation and a more efficient grid.

That’s why smart meters won’t just help your business, they’ll also play an important role in achieving the UK government’s target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

If you have 3-phase electric supply, you can register your interest to get a smart meter or AMR device installed by contacting your energy supplier.

Expert Metering Partner

At SMS we are making businesses smarter, partnering with energy suppliers to install smart meters and AMR devices at non-domestic premises. We also serve UK organisations directly through our independent Commercial Metering services, as an accredited Meter Operator, Meter Asset Manager and DCDA provider.

 

Are you interested in learning more about 3 phase power monitor? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!