question

prekursorius avatar image
prekursorius asked

Incorrect AC current smart meter readings

Hello,

we can't resolve a problem all the day. We have 3 phase system with Multiplus Cerbo and smart meter(first photo). The readings from the smart meter are incorrect; they differ by about twice compared to the readings from clamps on phase (3-phase clamps 4.1A and 2.3A in the app on second photo). We tried replacing the smart meter with another of the same model, but it didn't help. Both the phone and Cerbo show the same numbers, which are half of what the clamps indicate.

What could be wrong?


1721831221926.jpeg


1721831824558.jpeg



smartmeter
1721831221926.jpeg (110.0 KiB)
1721831824558.jpeg (74.1 KiB)
2 |3000

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

7 Answers
ldoes (Victron Energy) avatar image
ldoes (Victron Energy) answered ·

Hi @Prekursorius, my first bet would be the configuration of your clamp multimeter. Can you set it to the lower range (60A) and make sure it is configured to measure AC (not AC/DC)?
Furthermore, it looks like there is quite a lot of distortion current (as indicated by low power factor) and your clamp multimeter might not play nicely with those nasty waveforms. Most meters that can handle this are marked as "True RMS" meters and yours doesn't seem to carry that label.

You can also hook all of the CTs over a single wire, and if all of them read the same current its a good indication that the VM-3P75CT is functioning normally.

5 comments
2 |3000

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

prekursorius avatar image prekursorius commented ·

Thank you for your answer.
As for the clamp settings, of course, I chose AC mode. And we're not talking about a difference in percentage; the discrepancy is in multiples. Check what the VRM shows (pay attention to the watts). The smart meter readings are clearly incorrect. I will try the test of hooking the CTs over a single wire.
1721886619233.jpeg

0 Likes 0 ·
1721886619233.jpeg (23.2 KiB)
Show more comments
prekursorius avatar image
prekursorius answered ·


Connected correctly, we've checked it several times


1721891119279.png


1721891119279.png (2.6 MiB)
2 |3000

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

prekursorius avatar image
prekursorius answered ·

Colors are corect


1721891476628.png


1721891476628.png (516.5 KiB)
2 |3000

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

prekursorius avatar image
prekursorius answered ·

This is not the first time we have installed a Victron meter, we didn't have this problem before. the impression is that the CT rotation is wrong

2 |3000

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

filbo avatar image
filbo answered ·

Hello everyone, I had similar problems and could not explain the values.
Phase L3 with over 2A should only supply a few watts? Makes no sense....

The solution was that the transformers (although the plastic clip was correctly closed) were not completely closed. After I additionally pressed them together with cable ties, it looks like the meter is delivering correct values.

fehler.jpg


img-20240731-121736950.jpg


fehler.jpg (61.4 KiB)
2 |3000

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

prekursorius avatar image
prekursorius answered ·

We haven't found the cause yet, so we just installed an Eastron meter, which shows the correct values. However, the Victron smart meter has not been uninstalled yet, so we will try Filbo's solution and I will post the results here.

2 |3000

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

prekursorius avatar image
prekursorius answered ·

Filbo's solution didn't work for us, so the meter was uninstalled, and we used Eastron instead.

2 |3000

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

Related Resources

Additional resources still need to be added for this topic