Electricity energy meters for use in the Australian market must be Pattern Approved, this involves a process of assessing and testing the electricity energy meter to comply with metrology conditions per NMI M 6-1.
The NMI approval process is to ensure confidence and integrity of the electricity measuring instrument complies with both Australian and international standards to ensure business and consumers are not impacted with billing of electricity energy meters being in error.
The testing of pattern approval is to ensure the electricity energy meter complies with various operating conditions, such as voltage, frequency, harmonics, impulses, temperature, humidity, solar radiation, dust, moisture, shock, vibration, magnetic induction, phase sequence, voltage unbalance, electrostatic discharge (ESD), insulation, electromagnetic interference, security, sealing, along with Accuracy and markings for unit of measurements.
NMI’s document NMI M 6-1 Electricity Meters sets out requirements for pattern approval of electricity meters covering metrology and technical standards while NMI’s document NM M 6-2 Electricity Meters sets out the testing requirements its format and reporting needs.
Electricity energy meters for use in the Australian market for trade and billing must be tested and comply to these requirements. Once all test reports are completed and are accessed by NMI, once processed and approved NMI will provide the NMI Number for use in the Australian market.
NMI’s document NMI M 6-1 Electricity Meters sets out requirements for pattern approval of electricity meters covering metrology and technical standards while NMI’s document NM M 6-2 Electricity Meters sets out the testing requirements its format and reporting needs.
NMI approval is required for all Embedded Network applications, meters defined as sub-meters, check meters used for trade or billing and for the electricity energy meter to be used in the NEM.
While currently it is not mandatory under NMI rules to incorporate a clock, interval data logging, communications and other features to the electricity energy meter, NMI does test these conditions if the electricity energy meter has been designed with these features.
Electricity energy meters for use in the NEM must be NMI approved but also must incorporate such features as clock, interval data logging, communications, disconnect and reconnect capabilities.
Upon Electricity Energy meters obtaining NMI approval further on-going quality control conditions are required with testing per NMI NITP 14.
All testing conditions must be traceable, all NMI approved electricity energy meters must have serial numbers with full traceability of test reports.
SATEC’s NMI approved electricity energy meters are factory tested under ISO 17025 standards with testing to NMI NITP 14. SATEC’s NMI approved electricity energy meters incorporate real time clock (RTC), event logs, interval data logs, communications along with disconnect and reconnect functions.
Contact SATEC to discuss all your metering needs.
