By sion932 
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) released the second edition of IEC 62053-22 in June 2020, titled “Electricity metering equipment – Particular requirements – Part 22: Static meters for AC active energy (classes 0,1S, 0,2S and 0,5S)”. This standard constitutes a significant technical revision to the first edition (2003) and its 2016 amendment, refining the specifications for transformer-operated static watt-hour meters and setting new benchmarks for accuracy and performance in AC active energy measurement. As a critical international standard in the electrical metering field, it plays a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability, accuracy, and interoperability of metering equipment globally.
1. Scope and Application Boundaries
IEC 62053-22-2020 is specifically applicable to transformer-operated static watt-hour meters of accuracy classes 0.1S, 0.2S, and 0.5S, designed for measuring alternating current (AC) active energy in 50 Hz or 60 Hz power networks. The standard focuses exclusively on type tests of such meters, defining the operational parameters and environmental conditions under which they must perform. Key application scenarios include electrical networks (mains) with a line-to-neutral voltage of up to 1000 V AC, where the meters are required to integrate all functional elements (including add-on modules) into a single case, except for indicating displays. These meters may be equipped with integrated or detached displays, or operate without a display, and are intended for installation in specified matching sockets or racks.
Notably, the standard explicitly excludes several categories of equipment, including meters with a line-to-neutral voltage exceeding 1000 V AC, those intended for use with low-power instrument transformers (LPITs) when tested without such transformers, and metering systems consisting of multiple physically remote devices. Additionally, portable meters, equipment for rolling stock, vehicles, ships, and airplanes, as well as laboratory test equipment and reference standard meters, fall outside the scope of this document. It is also important to note that IEC 62053-22-2020 does not cover measures for detecting or preventing meter tampering, as such requirements are left to agreements between manufacturers and purchasers to avoid providing guidance to potential fraudsters.
2. Core Technical Requirements
2.1 Electrical Parameter Specifications
Chapter 4 of the standard details the critical electrical values for compliant meters, including voltage, current, frequency, and power consumption. For current parameters, the standard defines nominal current, starting current, minimum current, and maximum current, which are essential for ensuring accurate measurement across different load conditions. Specifically, the starting current requirement ensures that the meter can reliably measure very low energy consumption, a key performance indicator for high-accuracy metering applications such as industrial energy management and residential smart grids. The standard also specifies operating frequencies of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, covering the main power grid frequencies used globally, and imposes limits on power consumption to enhance energy efficiency of the metering equipment itself.
2.2 Accuracy and Performance Criteria
A major highlight of IEC 62053-22-2020 is the introduction of new requirements for accuracy class 0.1S meters, expanding the range of high-accuracy meters covered by the standard. The standard mandates strict accuracy limits for all covered classes (0.1S, 0.2S, 0.5S) across different load ranges, ensuring consistent performance from minimum to maximum current. Additionally, new requirements for measurement uncertainty and repeatability (Sections 7.3 and 7.8) have been added, further enhancing the reliability of metering results. These criteria are crucial for applications where precise energy measurement is essential, such as commercial and industrial billing, grid efficiency monitoring, and renewable energy integration.
2.3 Environmental and Disturbance Immunity
To ensure the robustness of meters in real-world operating conditions, IEC 62053-22-2020 includes new tests for the influence of fast load current variations (Section 9.4.12) and immunity to conducted differential current disturbances in the 2 kHz to 150 kHz frequency range. These requirements address the challenges posed by modern power grids, which increasingly include non-linear loads, renewable energy sources, and electronic devices that can introduce electrical disturbances. By mandating immunity to such disturbances, the standard ensures that metering accuracy is not compromised by the dynamic and complex nature of contemporary power systems.
3. Key Changes from the Previous Edition
The 2020 edition of IEC 62053-22 represents a comprehensive technical revision with three significant changes compared to the 2003 edition and its 2016 amendment. First, all meter safety requirements have been removed, as these are now covered in IEC 62052-31:2015. This restructuring ensures that safety and performance requirements are clearly separated into dedicated standards, improving clarity and reducing redundancy.
Second, all general requirements and test methods previously contained in IEC 62053-21:2003, IEC 62053-22:2003, IEC 62053-23:2003, and IEC 62053-24:2003 have been moved to IEC 62052-11:2020. As a result, the 2020 editions of the IEC 62053-xx series, including IEC 62053-22-2020, now contain only accuracy class-specific requirements. This reorganization streamlines the standard structure, making it easier for manufacturers, test laboratories, and regulators to locate and apply the relevant specifications.
Third, as mentioned earlier, the standard adds new requirements for 0.1S class meters, measurement uncertainty and repeatability, fast load current variation influence, and immunity to conducted differential current disturbances. These additions reflect the evolving needs of the electrical industry, particularly the demand for higher accuracy metering and improved performance in dynamic grid environments.
4. Industry Implications and Compliance
IEC 62053-22-2020 has far-reaching implications for manufacturers, utilities, and regulators in the global electrical metering industry. For manufacturers, compliance with the standard requires significant investments in research and development to meet the new accuracy and immunity requirements, particularly for the newly introduced 0.1S class meters. Type testing in accredited laboratories, such as those conducting tests per the IEC 62053-22 test procedure, is essential to demonstrate compliance and gain market access.
For utilities and grid operators, the standard ensures that metering equipment provides accurate and reliable energy measurement, which is critical for fair billing, grid optimization, and effective energy management. The improved accuracy and disturbance immunity requirements also support the integration of renewable energy sources and smart grid technologies, which are key components of the global transition to a low-carbon energy system.
Regulators benefit from the standardized requirements, which facilitate international trade by harmonizing metering specifications across countries. Compliance with IEC 62053-22-2020 provides a common benchmark for evaluating meter performance, reducing technical barriers to trade and ensuring a level playing field for manufacturers.
IEC 62053-22-2020 is a vital international standard that sets the technical requirements for high-accuracy AC active energy static meters. Its clear scope definition, rigorous technical criteria, and streamlined structure make it an indispensable tool for the electrical metering industry. The key changes from the previous edition reflect the evolving needs of modern power systems, ensuring that metering equipment remains accurate, reliable, and robust in dynamic operating environments. Compliance with this standard is essential for manufacturers seeking to compete in the global market, for utilities aiming to optimize grid performance, and for regulators striving to ensure fair and efficient energy measurement. As the global energy transition accelerates, standards like IEC 62053-22-2020 will continue to play a critical role in supporting the development of a sustainable and reliable electrical infrastructure.
References
[1] IEC 62053-22 Ed. 2.0 b:2020. Electricity metering equipment – Particular requirements – Part 22: Static meters for AC active energy (classes 0,1S, 0,2S and 0,5S). International Electrotechnical Commission, 2020.
[2] TEST REPORT IEC 62053-22. Shenzhen TCT Testing Technology Co., Ltd., 2021.