By sion932 
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has long been at the forefront of establishing global standards for electrical equipment, ensuring interoperability, safety, and accuracy across international markets. Among its numerous influential standards, IEC 60736-1982, formally titled “Testing equipment for electrical energy meters”, stands out as a pivotal technical report that laid the groundwork for the qualification and validation of testing apparatus used in the energy metering industry. This standard, published on January 1, 1982, remains active to this day and continues to serve as a fundamental reference for manufacturers, testing laboratories, and regulatory authorities worldwide.
1. Scope and Application
IEC 60736-1982 is specifically applicable to single-phase and/or three-phase testing equipment designed for type testing and acceptance testing of electrical energy meters belonging to accuracy classes 0.5, 1, and 2 <superscript>1<superscript>4. These accuracy classes are critical indicators of the energy meters’ measurement precision, with lower class numbers representing higher accuracy. The standard’s scope focuses on defining the requirements for testing equipment that verifies the performance of these energy meters, ensuring that they can reliably measure electrical energy in both residential and industrial applications.
Notably, the standard is classified under two International Classification for Standards (ICS) codes: 17.140 (Acoustics and acoustic measurements) and 91.140.50 (Electricity supply systems) <superscript>1, reflecting its cross-cutting relevance to both measurement technology and power supply infrastructure. Its application is not limited to a specific region; instead, it has gained international recognition, with national committees from over 20 countries, including China, Germany, France, Japan, and Brazil, explicitly endorsing its publication <superscript>2.
2. Core Technical Requirements
As a technical report, IEC 60736-1982 outlines comprehensive technical specifications for testing equipment, covering four key aspects that are essential to ensuring reliable and accurate testing of energy meters <superscript>3:
2.1 Equipment Performance Requirements
The standard stipulates strict performance criteria for testing equipment, including accuracy, resolution, stability, reliability, and durability. These parameters are crucial because the precision of the testing equipment directly impacts the validity of the energy meter’s performance evaluation. For instance, the testing equipment must maintain a high level of accuracy to effectively detect deviations in the energy meters’ measurement results, ensuring that only qualified meters enter the market.
2.2 Testing Methods
IEC 60736-1982 provides detailed testing methods for evaluating various performance indicators of electrical energy meters. These methods include measurements of current, voltage, and power; load characteristic testing; time characteristic testing; and error assessment <superscript>3. By standardizing these testing procedures, the standard ensures that testing results are consistent and comparable across different laboratories and manufacturers, eliminating discrepancies caused by varying testing methodologies.
2.3 Calibration and Certification
To guarantee the reliability of testing equipment, the standard mandates that such equipment must undergo regular calibration and certification by internationally or nationally recognized bodies (e.g., the National Institute of Metrology of China) <superscript>3. Calibration ensures that the testing equipment’s performance remains within the specified limits over time, while certification provides formal confirmation that the equipment meets the requirements of IEC 60736-1982.
2.4 Testing Environment Requirements
The standard also specifies environmental conditions for testing, including temperature, humidity, and vibration limits <superscript>3. These requirements are designed to minimize the impact of environmental factors on testing results, ensuring that the performance of the energy meters is evaluated under controlled and representative conditions. For example, extreme temperatures or high humidity can affect the electrical components of both the energy meters and the testing equipment, leading to inaccurate measurements.
3. Historical Background and Development
The development of IEC 60736-1982 was a collaborative international effort led by IEC Technical Committee 13 (TC 13) on Electrical Energy Measurement and Control, specifically its Subcommittee 13A on Electrical Energy Measuring Equipment <superscript>2. The drafting process involved extensive discussions and revisions, with preliminary projects reviewed at meetings held in Warsaw in 1976 and Florence in 1978 <superscript>2. In June 1979, a draft document (13A (Central Office) 43) was submitted to national committees for a six-month approval process, followed by a revised draft (13A (Central Office) 49) in October 1980, which underwent a two-month approval process <superscript>2.
Notably, IEC 60736-1982 was the first IEC publication dedicated to energy meter testing equipment <superscript>2. Given the significant differences in the design and use of such equipment across various countries at the time, the standard includes Annexes A, B, and C, which provide additional notes and guidelines to address these regional variations <superscript>2. In 2007, there was an initiative to restructure and revise the standard, led by IEC TC 13 and the German National Working Group DKE/K 461 on Measuring Equipment and Systems for Electricity<superscript>5, though the original 1982 edition remains active.
4. Significance and Practical Applications
IEC 60736-1982 has played a crucial role in promoting international unification in the energy metering industry. By establishing a common set of requirements for testing equipment, the standard has facilitated the global trade of electrical energy meters, as manufacturers can demonstrate compliance with a widely recognized international standard <superscript>2. Additionally, the standard has enhanced the reliability and accuracy of energy measurement, which is essential for fair billing between energy suppliers and consumers, as well as for efficient energy management in power systems.
The standard is widely referenced in national and international regulations. For example, it is included as a minimum requirement for the design and application of metering equipment in the Customer Metering Regulations of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy<superscript>7. It is also referenced by other international standards, such as BS EN IEC 62053-23, which specifies particular requirements for static meters for reactive energy <superscript>1. In Europe, the British Standard BS IEC 60736:1982 adopts the content of the original IEC standard, further extending its influence <superscript>9.
IEC 60736-1982 remains a cornerstone standard in the field of electrical energy meter testing. Its comprehensive technical requirements, standardized testing methods, and international recognition have made it an indispensable tool for ensuring the quality and reliability of energy metering equipment. Despite being published over four decades ago, the standard continues to be relevant in today’s energy industry, providing a solid foundation for the development and testing of modern energy meters. As the energy sector evolves, with the increasing adoption of smart meters and renewable energy sources, the principles established by IEC 60736-1982 continue to guide the development of new testing methodologies and standards, ensuring that energy measurement remains accurate, reliable, and consistent across the globe.
References
1. IEC/TR 60736. GlobalSpec. Retrieved from https://standards.globalspec.com/std/773949/iec-tr-60736
2. IEC. (1982). Testing equipment for electrical energy meters (IEC/TR 60736 Ed. 1.0). ANSI Webstore.
3. IEC TR 60736:1982 EN-FR Testing equipment for electrical energy meters. 原创力文档. Retrieved from https://m.book118.com/html/2024/0806/5210011022011304.shtm
4. IEC/TR 60736 Ed. 1.0 b:1982. ANSI Webstore. Retrieved from https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/iec/iectr60736ed1982
5. Restructuring and revision of the IEC/TR 60736:1982-01 Testing equipment for electrical energy meters. Link11. Retrieved from https://www.din.de/de/wdc-proj:din21:83681638
6. IEC Standards. 道客巴巴. Retrieved from https://m.doc88.com/p-9953364398496.html
7. Abu Dhabi Department of Energy. (n.d.). The Customer Metering Regulations (Second Edition).
8. BS IEC 60736:1982. European Standards. Retrieved from https://www.en-standard.eu/bs-iec-60736-1982-testing-equipment-for-electrical-energy-meters/