Effects of Electronic Loads on Electrical Measurements, Power Quality and Billing

摘要

This paper presents results from experimental studies carried out using an electronic device called a Dimmer Flex, developed at the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The Dimmer Flex is able to evaluate the effects of electronically switched loads regarding electrical measurements, especially focusing on billing. It can be concluded from the studies that, depending on the switching characteristics, a switched load can be "transformed" to the meter in a load with inductive or capacitive behavior, therefore "absorbing or injecting" reactive power to the system it is connected to. This finding shows that electronically switched loads can interfere in electrical measurements and consequently may affect the billing process, underlining the need to evaluate, discuss and even review current measurement and billing methods.