watt-hour meter operation in 6 phases

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Suppose the following scenario is set up (and yes, I know it would be a mess):

ONE of the following is chosen to step distribution voltage down to utilization
voltage:

1. 3 separate transformers with 2 phase "Edison split style" 120/240 volt
secondary. Each transformer is fed by a different distribution phase.

2. 2 separate transformers with 3 phase 208Y/120 volt secondary. These two
transformers are fed at 180 degrees relative to the other, such as by
reversing the L-L connections on the 2 bushing primaries, OR by reversing
the 120 volt secondary windings.

The neutrals are all solidly interconnected. The end result is a 6 phase
system with 7 total conductors. I'll label the phases A,B,C,D,E,F around
in a circle. So phases A and C would be 120 degrees apart, and phases B
and E would be 180 degrees apart.

This 6 phase system feeds 5 panels. 2 of the panels are 3 phase panels for
208Y/120 systems. One of these panels is fed with phases A,C,E. The other
is fed with phases B,D,F. 3 of the panels are 2 phase panels for 120/240
"Edison split style" systems. The first of these is fed with phases A,D.
The second is fed with phases B,E. The third is fed with phases C,F. Most
loads are 1 phase loads (120 volt L-N). Some loads are 240 volt L-L and
some are 208 volt delta.

What I am interested in finding out is how watt-hour meters would behave in
this setup. Two possible setups could be used:

1. 2 separate 3 phase watt-hour meters, one wired for phases A,C,E and the
other wired for phases B,D,F.

2. 3 separate 2 phase ("Edison split style" again) watt-hour meters, the
first wired for phases A,D, the second wired for phases B,E, and the
third wired for phases C,F.

The neutrals would be solidly interconnected as needed, and the meters could
be in the same metallic enclosure.

I'm not expecting any particular strangeness from any type of power utilization
based on which transformer scheme is chosen. What I would be concerned with is
how accurate the meters would be in either of the meter configurations.

I suspect the first meter choice (2x 3 phase) would be the most accurate as I
believe these meters are designed as 3 separate voltage-current product meters
internally. I worry the second meter choice (3x 2 phase) *MAY* be inaccurate
in certain cases, because they are designed as a true single phase meter with
a single current transformer where the 2 phases of the 180 degree split system
pass through that one CT in opposite directions, and the voltage is measured
only between those phases, not involving the neutral.

Perhaps as long as the voltages are reasonably balanced across the phases,
either metering scheme could work.

If you were designing a watt-hour meter for such a 6 phase system, would it
be possible to reduce the costs of the meter by using 3 CTs instead of 6, by
having the 180 degree paired phases running through in opposing directions,
and maintain accuracy within the range suitable for use as electric service
meters, within the service voltage remains reasoably in balance?

Some of you may be wanting to ask why have a system like that in the first
place. THIS THREAD is not about WHY to have such a system. THIS THREAD is
about how to meter such a system. If you want to discuss WHY to have such
a system, please start a new thread for it, with a subject "why a 6 phase
system".

 

[daestrom]

Suppose the following scenario is set up (and yes, I know it would be a
mess):

ONE of the following is chosen to step distribution voltage down to
utilization
voltage:

1. 3 separate transformers with 2 phase "Edison split style" 120/240 volt
secondary. Each transformer is fed by a different distribution phase.

2. 2 separate transformers with 3 phase 208Y/120 volt secondary. These
two
transformers are fed at 180 degrees relative to the other, such as by
reversing the L-L connections on the 2 bushing primaries, OR by
reversing
the 120 volt secondary windings.

The neutrals are all solidly interconnected. The end result is a 6 phase
system with 7 total conductors. I'll label the phases A,B,C,D,E,F around
in a circle. So phases A and C would be 120 degrees apart, and phases B
and E would be 180 degrees apart.

This 6 phase system feeds 5 panels. 2 of the panels are 3 phase panels
for
208Y/120 systems. One of these panels is fed with phases A,C,E. The
other
is fed with phases B,D,F. 3 of the panels are 2 phase panels for 120/240
"Edison split style" systems. The first of these is fed with phases A,D.
The second is fed with phases B,E. The third is fed with phases C,F.
Most
loads are 1 phase loads (120 volt L-N). Some loads are 240 volt L-L and
some are 208 volt delta.

What I am interested in finding out is how watt-hour meters would behave
in
this setup. Two possible setups could be used:

1. 2 separate 3 phase watt-hour meters, one wired for phases A,C,E and
the
other wired for phases B,D,F.

2. 3 separate 2 phase ("Edison split style" again) watt-hour meters, the
first wired for phases A,D, the second wired for phases B,E, and the
third wired for phases C,F.

The neutrals would be solidly interconnected as needed, and the meters
could
be in the same metallic enclosure.

I'm not expecting any particular strangeness from any type of power
utilization
based on which transformer scheme is chosen. What I would be concerned
with is
how accurate the meters would be in either of the meter configurations.

I suspect the first meter choice (2x 3 phase) would be the most accurate
as I
believe these meters are designed as 3 separate voltage-current product
meters
internally. I worry the second meter choice (3x 2 phase) *MAY* be
inaccurate
in certain cases, because they are designed as a true single phase meter
with
a single current transformer where the 2 phases of the 180 degree split
system
pass through that one CT in opposite directions, and the voltage is
measured
only between those phases, not involving the neutral.

Perhaps as long as the voltages are reasonably balanced across the phases,
either metering scheme could work.

If you were designing a watt-hour meter for such a 6 phase system, would
it
be possible to reduce the costs of the meter by using 3 CTs instead of 6,
by
having the 180 degree paired phases running through in opposing
directions,
and maintain accuracy within the range suitable for use as electric
service
meters, within the service voltage remains reasoably in balance?

Some of you may be wanting to ask why have a system like that in the first
place. THIS THREAD is not about WHY to have such a system. THIS THREAD
is
about how to meter such a system. If you want to discuss WHY to have such
a system, please start a new thread for it, with a subject "why a 6 phase
system".

I suppose some may call this 'cheating', but for such an unusual setup,
maybe it would be easier to just use PT/CT and instrument the primary side
of your transformers with traditional 3-phase metering??

daestrom