Parts & Function of Kilowatt Hour Meter

Parts

A kilowatt-hour meter contains an aluminium disc, which is supported by a spindle with a worm gear. The worm gear drives the register, or series of dials used to record how much energy is used. The kilowatt-hour meter also contains coils, which work in conjunction with the disc, and a permanent magnet.

Function

Kilowatt-hour meters calculate electrical energy consumption in billing cycles, which are measured in kilowatt-hours, or units of energy equivalent to 1,000 watt-hours. Periodic readings taken by kilowatt-hour meters establish billing cycles utilized by utility companies.

Operation

One coil connects to the disc and creates a magnetic flux in proportion to the voltage received. The other coil generates a magnetic flux proportional to the current. The voltage coil’s magnetic field is delayed via a lag coil, which results in eddy currents flowing through the disc. These currents exert force on the disc proportional to the coil's current and voltage. A permanent magnet exerts an opposing force on the disc. These forces result in a disc-speed rotation proportional to the power generated. The disc activates a register device, which counts disc revolutions in order to calculate energy consumption.