[Elecraft] KPA-500 110 or 220?

[Richard Fjeld]

Unfortunately, I do not have the article, and it was before internet (BI).
I tried to Google it, but found nothing that addressed an unbalanced load.
I don't trust everything I read, but the article was convincing. Enough so,
that I remember it well after many years. But, as a boss once told me,
"if you don't have it documented on paper, it didn't happen".  Put this in
the FWIW dept.

Rich, N0CE

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Milt -- N5IA" <n5ia at zia-connection.com>
To: "Richard Fjeld" <rpfjeld at embarqmail.com>; "elecraft posting" 
<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 1:11 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA-500 110 or 220?


> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Richard Fjeld
> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 9:53 AM
> To: elecraft posting
> Subject: [Elecraft] KPA-500 110 or 220?
>
> I have read that an Electric Meter (wattage meter) will run up the bill 
> more if the load is not balanced across the two feeders in the meter.  By 
> running things on 220 Volts when possible, it may help to balance the load 
> and the meter becomes more efficient for the consumer. YMMV
>
> Richard Fjeld, N0CE
>
> -------------------------------------------
>
> NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> The kWh (kiloWatt hour = energy consumed [thousands of Watts] over a 
> period of time [an hour]) meters are NOT designed in that manner.  And, 
> your Public Utility Commission (PUC) would NOT approve them for use if 
> they were design defective in that manner.
>
> PUCs require periodic testing of ALL kWh meters to assure they are 
> registering power consumed, within the State specified range (typically +- 
> 1.5%), for loading across a single leg (120 V) or across both legs (240 
> V).
>
> In the past (and where they are still used) the electro-mechanical kWh 
> meter typically would slowly slow down over time due to wear on the disc 
> jewels and spindle, or due to dust affecting those same points.  Most 
> meters found out of tolerance are running SLOWWWWWER; an advantage to the 
> consumer.  But, the percentage of kWh meters found out of tolerance during 
> routine testing is very small (less than 1 percent).  And that 'out of 
> tolerance' value typically is less than 2 percent.  The electro-mechanical 
> kWh meter is truly a marvel.  It is a highly accurate, long lived 
> instrument which operates in a relatively hostile environment for years 
> without requiring maintenance.
>
> Today's electronic kWh meters overcome the wear/dust problem as there are 
> no moving parts.  However, change of component values over time may cause 
> similar problems; either under registering or over registering.  So, 
> periodic testing of kWh meters is still mandatory.  The main advantage of 
> electronic meters is the capability of including remote reading, load 
> monitoring, etc., which all contribute to a more efficient, accurate (no 
> manual meter reading person) and less costly operation.
>
> Mis dos centavos.
>
> de Milt, N5IA
>