Will a three phase meter meaure single phase if required?

[chronyx]

I have to install a temporary single phase supply which is getting upgraded to three phase very soon. Will a modern three phase meter measure just the current being used on one phase? Can anyone recommend any particular brand/model?

I've got to come out of an existing TP board so looks like I will have to use singles/tails up to the meter then back to an adaptable box in order to earth the SWA.

 

[spark 68]

What sort of meter are we talking here ? billing ? or just monitoring ? and what size Amps wise ?

 

[johnboy6083]

For a power monitor, a 3ph one will measure 1ph easily. I think a billing meter will be the same, as it's kWh that's measured, and power is power, no matter how many phases!

 

[chronyx]

What sort of meter are we talking here ? billing ? or just monitoring ? and what size Amps wise ?

Good question. It's not an 'official'/DNO meter, I think the landlord just wants to know how much power the new building is using so they can divide the electricity costs accordingly.

Amps wise I will be coming out of an existing EATON MEM TP board so I guess the maximum is 63A as that is the largest breaker I could find.

I was assuming it would be OK because otherwise a 3ph load would need to be perfectly balanced for a meter to work.

 

[spark 68]

Hi JB,

I only needed to know which type of meter to recommend a product, but as you say, a TP one will measure SP

 

[chronyx]

All recommendations gratefully received! I don't mind paying more for good gear either, cheap stuff is a false economy.

 

[spark 68]

As it is equal to, or less than a 100A you can use the inline type, but you will need one that accepts TP+N.

Anything over a 100A usually requires CT's.

Something like this will probably do for what you want

3 Phase 4 Wire KWH Meter| MeteorElectrical.com

 

[chronyx]

Cheers spark, do you know if any links are required for single phase use?

 

[spark 68]

Cheers spark, do you know if any links are required for single phase use?

If you are sourcing it locally you could always ask for a look at the instructions, but I would have said you would not need any links, just supply L+N.

I have come across some meters that required you to use the L1 terminal and obviously the N, in and out, (regardless of actual phase) for SP use, but these were the electronic type.