GE EPM 5350, EPM 5200, EPM 5300 Consumption, Demand and Poor Power Factor, Consumption WH = W ⋅ T

CHAPTER 1: AC POWER MEASUREMENT CONSUMPTION, DEMAND AND POOR POWER FACTOR

1.3Consumption, Demand and Poor Power Factor

CONSUMPTION: WH = W ⋅ T

W = instantaneous power T = time in hours

The total electric energy usage over a time period is the consumption of WH.

Typically, the unit in which consumption is specified is the kilowatt-hour (KWH): one thousand watts consumed over one hour. Utilities use the WH equation to determine the overall consumption in a billing period.

DEMAND: Average energy consumed over a specified time interval. The utility determines the interval, typically 15 or 30 minutes. The utility measures the maximum demand over a billing period. This measurement exhibits a deviation from average consumption, causing the utility to provide generating capacity to satisfy a high maximum consumption demand. The highest average demand is retained in the metering system until the demand level is reset.

POOR POWER FACTOR: Results in reactive power consumption. Transferring reactive power over a distribution network causes energy loss. To force consumers to correct their Power Factor, utilities monitor reactive power consumption and penalize the user for Poor Power Factor.

EPM 5300 SERIES ADVANCED POWER METERS – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 1–5