For 3-wire service loads with a 120-208 volt network, meters shall be what type?

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Multiple Choice

For 3-wire service loads with a 120-208 volt network, meters shall be what type?

In a 3-wire system on a 120-208 V network, there are two hot conductors feeding loads, and the currents on these legs can be different (unbalanced). To measure energy accurately, the meter must monitor both lines. A two-element meter has separate current paths for each hot leg, with two registers, so it can capture the energy contributed by each leg and sum it correctly. A single-element meter would only follow one current path, missing the other leg’s contribution when loads aren’t equal, leading to a biased reading. A three-element meter is used for three-phase systems with three hot conductors, which isn’t the configuration here.

In a 3-wire system on a 120-208 V network, there are two hot conductors feeding loads, and the currents on these legs can be different (unbalanced). To measure energy accurately, the meter must monitor both lines. A two-element meter has separate current paths for each hot leg, with two registers, so it can capture the energy contributed by each leg and sum it correctly. A single-element meter would only follow one current path, missing the other leg’s contribution when loads aren’t equal, leading to a biased reading. A three-element meter is used for three-phase systems with three hot conductors, which isn’t the configuration here.

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