Adapter for testing energy meters

Abstract

An adapter for coupling a three-port meter to a three-phase meter test board is disclosed. The adapter includes a first interface for coupling to a three-phase meter test board, and a second interface for coupling to a three-port meter. The invention also discloses a meter test system, which comprises the three-phase meter test board; and an adapter, wherein the adapter is received by the three-phase meter test board and is configured to receive a three-port meter. A related method of testing a three-port meter using the three-phase meter test board is also disclosed.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application serial number 63 / 435610 filed on December 28, 2022, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure is in the field of adapters for coupling a meter to a meter test board for testing the meter, and in particular, to an adapter for coupling a three-port meter to a three-phase meter test board. Background Art

[0003] Distributed energy resource (DER) devices may include, for example, solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries, generators, etc. An overall trend is the increased use of DER devices by energy consumers, including residential consumers.

[0004] In resource distribution systems, such as a power grid that delivers electricity, meters can be used to measure and control consumption at customer locations. Meters can include metering components for measuring consumption and monitoring power characteristics, and communication components for communicating with other devices on the network and a central system such as a head-end system. Meters can also include other modules and components.

[0005] When DER devices are located at residential premises, electricity generated or stored by the DER devices may be metered by a multi-port meter and used at the premises or exported to the grid.

[0006] To accommodate DER at residential sites, a new meter has been proposed that includes multiple ports for connecting DER to the grid and the customer. This new meter specification 43S, as defined in the ANSI C12.10 specification, has the ability to release DER from the grid and allow customers to island in the case of solar generation, or release an electric vehicle charging station without disconnecting the customer.

[0007] It is known to test and / or calibrate a meter, such as during production, installation or even at end of life, by mounting the meter on a meter test board configured to simulate typical use of the meter.

[0008] However, common three-phase meter test equipment may include insufficient features and / or may be incorrectly configured for testing the new meter specification 43S. Common three-phase meter test equipment may be relatively expensive.

[0009] As such, it is desirable to provide a relatively low cost and reliable means for testing the new meter specification 43S. Such a means must be safe, reliable, and must not be overly expensive and / or resource intensive to implement.

[0010] Therefore, an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present disclosure is to eliminate or at least alleviate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0011] The present disclosure belongs to the field of an adapter for coupling a meter to a meter test board to test the meter, and particularly relates to an adapter for coupling a three-port meter to a three-phase meter test board. According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an adapter for coupling a three-port meter to a three-phase meter test board is provided. The adapter comprises: a first interface for coupling to the three-phase meter test board; and a second interface for coupling to the three-port meter.

[0012] The adapter includes a first conductive element and a second conductive element for coupling a first a-phase current source terminal and a second a-phase current source terminal of the first interface to a first line port terminal and a first load port terminal of the second interface, respectively.

[0013] The adapter includes a third conductive element and a fourth conductive element for coupling the first c-phase current source terminal and the second c-phase current source terminal of the first interface to the second line port terminal and the second load port terminal of the second interface, respectively.

[0014] The adapter includes a fifth conductive element for coupling a first distributed energy resource (DER) port terminal of the second interface to a second DER port terminal of the second interface.

[0015] The adapter includes a sixth conductive element and a seventh conductive element for coupling the first b-phase current source terminal and the second b-phase current source terminal of the first interface to the first terminal and the second terminal of the line port, respectively, or to the first terminal and the second terminal of the load port, respectively.

[0016] Advantageously, the disclosed adapter or adapters allow a test board having only three current elements to simultaneously send current from the line (grid) through both the load port and the DER port of a three-port meter. Advantageously, the test board is able to obtain accurate energy measurements because it sends current by using the DER port that traditionally serves as the third current element for three-phase service. That is, the disclosed adapter effectively enables simultaneous testing of energy flow through all ports of a three-port meter simultaneously.

[0017] The adapter may include at least one switch (e.g., at least one relay, etc.), and the at least one switch is used to selectively configure the adapter between the following items: a first configuration, used to couple the first b-phase current source terminal and the second b-phase current source terminal of the first interface to the first terminal and the second terminal of the line port, respectively; or a second configuration, used to couple the first b-phase current source terminal and the second b-phase current source terminal of the first interface to the first terminal and the second terminal of the load port, respectively.

[0018] The adapter may be configured to couple the a-phase voltage source of the first interface to the second interface by coupling the first a-phase current source terminal to a first terminal of a first potential link, wherein a second terminal of the first potential link is selectively coupled to the first line port terminal.

[0019] The adapter may be configured to couple the c-phase voltage source of the first interface to the second interface by coupling the first c-phase current source terminal to a first terminal of a second potential link, wherein a second terminal of the second potential link is selectively coupled to the second line port terminal.

[0020] The adapter may include a further conductive element configured to couple the neutral terminal of the first interface to the neutral terminal (230g, 330g) of the second interface.

[0021] The first interface may include a plurality of blades for receipt by a meter receptacle on the three-phase meter test board, each blade coupled to one of the first to seventh conductive elements.

[0022] The second interface may include a plurality of sockets for receiving blades of the three-phase meter, each socket coupled to one of the first to seventh conducting elements.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a meter test system is provided, comprising: a three-phase meter test board; and an adapter according to the first aspect. The adapter can be received by the three-phase meter test board and is configured to receive the three-port meter.

[0024] The three-phase meter test board includes an a-phase current source, a b-phase current source, and a c-phase current source, and wherein the current sources are floating and electrically isolated from each other.

[0025] The meter testing system may include the three-phase meter.

[0026] The three-phase meter may comply with Meter Specification 43S as defined by American National Standard (ANSI) C12.10 for Physical Aspects of Watt-Hour Meters.

[0027] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method of testing a three-port meter using a three-phase meter test board comprises: coupling the three-port meter to a three-phase meter test board using an adapter according to any one of the preceding claims.

[0028] The method may comprise the step of configuring the adapter in a first configuration for coupling the first b-phase current source terminal and the second b-phase current source terminal of the first interface to the first terminal and the second terminal of the line port, respectively.

[0029] The method may comprise the step of configuring the adapter in a second configuration for coupling the first b-phase current source terminal and the second b-phase current source terminal of the first interface to the first terminal and the second terminal of the line port, respectively.

[0030] The method may include configuring a-phase current source, b-phase current source, and c-phase current source of the three-phase meter test board to simulate simultaneous energy flow from the DER port to a line port of the meter and from the line port to a load port of the meter.

[0031] The method may include configuring an a-phase current source, a b-phase current source, and a c-phase current source of the three-phase meter test board to simulate simultaneous energy flow from the DER port to a load port of the meter and from the line port to a load port of the meter.

[0032] The method may include the following step (eg, a preceding step): configuring a first potential link / the first potential link and / or a second potential link / the second potential link of the adapter to avoid a short circuit through the b-phase current source.

[0033] The above summary of the invention is intended to be merely illustrative and not restrictive. The present disclosure includes one or more corresponding aspects, embodiments or features independently or in various combinations, whether or not specifically stated (including claimed) in that combination or individually. It should be understood that the features defined above according to any aspect of the present disclosure or the features related to any specific embodiment of the present disclosure below can be used alone or in combination with any other defined features in any other aspect or embodiment, or form another aspect or embodiment of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 Depicts a specification 43S meter;

[0036] Figure 2 Depicts a suggested solution for testing all ports of a Specification 43S meter;

[0037] Figure 3 Depicted is a method of testing a port of a specification 43S meter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 4 Describes a method for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 3 The method of configuring the adapter;

[0039] Figure 5 Another method of testing a port of a specification 43S meter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted; and

[0040] Figure 6 Describes a method for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 5 The method of configuring the adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1 An example of a size 43S three port meter 100 is depicted. The example three port meter 100 includes a line port 105, also known in the art as a grid port. In use, the line port 105 may be coupled to a grid.

[0042] The example three-port meter 100 includes a load port 110. In use, the load port 110 may be coupled to a load, for example, an electrical energy consuming load at a premises, such as air conditioning, heating, or the like.

[0043] The example three-port meter 100 includes a "DER port" 115. In use, the DER port 115 may be coupled to a distributed energy resource, such as a solar panel, a wind turbine, an electric vehicle battery, a generator, or the like.

[0044] The example three-port meter 100 includes a plurality of blades 120a-g. In use, the example three-port meter 100 may be inserted into a meter receptacle (not shown), and the blades 120a-g may be received in corresponding receptacles of the meter receptacle.

[0045] In use of the example three-port meter 100, two blades 120a, 120b are coupled to the line port 105, two blades 120c, 120d are coupled to the load port 110, two blades 120e, 120f are coupled to the DER port 115, and another blade 120g is coupled to the neutral port.

[0046] The example three-port meter 100 includes circuitry 125 including various current transformers for measuring / metering the current flowing through the ports for each phase, and voltage transformers for measuring / metering the voltage for each phase.

[0047] The example three-port meter 100 also includes potential links 130a, 130b, also referred to as "test links," which are used to disconnect the voltage source during testing to avoid short circuits through the current source.

[0048] The example three-port meter 100 also includes disconnects, denoted as S1A, S1B, S2A, S2C. Such disconnects S1A, S1B, S2A, S2C may be implemented as relays. Disconnects S1A, S1B, S2A, S2C may be used to release a load or supply. For example, disconnects S1A and S2A may be opened to release a grid coupled to the line port 105, or disconnects S2A and S2B may be opened to release a DER coupled to the DER port 115.

[0049] Reference now Figures 2 to 6 A method and apparatus for testing such a three-port meter 100 is described.

[0050] To test such three ports, such as line port, load port, and DER port, using conventional methods, four current sources may be required. Figure 2 Depicted in Figure 2 A hypothetical meter testing scenario is shown. In this embodiment, the example three-port meter 100 is tested using: an a-phase current source 140 coupled between blade 120a of the line port 105 and blade 120e of the DER port 115; a d-phase current source 150 coupled between blade 120b of the line port 105 and blade 120f of the DER port 115; a b-phase current source 160 coupled between blade 120b of the line port 105 and blade 120c of the load port 110; and a c-phase current source 170 coupled between blade 120b of the line port 105 and blade 120d of the load port 110.

[0051] That is, in order to be able to simulate simultaneous energy flow from the DER port to the meter's line port 105 and from the line port 105 to the meter's load port 110, and also to be able to simulate simultaneous energy flow from the DER port to the meter's load port 110 and from the line port 105 to the meter's load port 110, a test board including a total of four current sources would be required. Such a test board implementation may be too expensive to implement.

[0052] Figure 3 A method of testing an example three-port meter 100 is depicted wherein, to test a three-port meter, such as a Spec 43S meter, an adapter may be used to route current in a specific manner that will simulate common uses of a three-port meter.

[0053] Such an approach advantageously implements existing three-phase test boards and three-phase reference standards that are widely used to test three-port meters without requiring new four-phase reference standards and test boards.

[0054] In this approach, adapter 200 is implemented to use the existing B-phase current element and direct it across blades 120a and 120c of line port 105. The existing a-phase current element is placed across blade 120a of load port 110 and blade 120c of load port 110. Blades 120e and 120f of DER port 115 are shorted together. With the grid port closed, the DER will act as a 240V source or load, and the current through it will be equal. Therefore, there is no need for a fourth independent current stage, such as Figure 2 shown.

[0055] Figure 4 Describes a method for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 3 The method of configuring the adapter 200. Figure 4 An adapter 200 is shown for coupling the three-port meter 100 to a three-phase meter test board.

[0056] The adapter 200 includes a first interface for coupling to a three-phase meter test board, such as Figure 4 The adapter 200 includes a second interface for coupling to a three-port meter, such as in Figure 4 Indicated as "connection to a meter" in the table.

[0057] The adapter 200 comprises a first conductive element 205a for coupling a first a-phase current source terminal 230a of the first interface to a first line port terminal 220a of the second interface.

[0058] The adapter 200 comprises a second conductive element 205b for coupling the second a-phase current source terminal 230b of the first interface to the first load port terminal 220c of the second interface.

[0059] The adapter 200 comprises a third conductive element 205c for coupling the first c-phase current source terminal 230c of the first interface to the second line port terminal 220b of the second interface.

[0060] The adapter 200 comprises a fourth conductive element 205d for coupling the second c-phase current source terminal 230d of the first interface to the second load port terminal 220d of the second interface.

[0061] The adapter 200 includes a fifth conductive element 205e for connecting a first distributed energy resource (DER) port terminal 220e of the second interface to a second DER port terminal 220f of the second interface.

[0062] The adapter 200 comprises a sixth conductive element 205f for coupling the first b-phase current source terminal 230e of the first interface to the first terminal 220a of the line port.

[0063] The adapter 200 comprises a seventh conductive element 205g for coupling the second b-phase current source terminal 230f of the first interface to the second terminal 220c of the line port.

[0064] In some examples, the adapter 200 also includes an eighth conductive element 205h that is configured to couple the a-phase voltage source of the first interface to the second interface by coupling the first a-phase current source terminal 230a to the first terminal of the first potential link 240a, wherein the second terminal of the first potential link 240a is selectively coupled to the first line port terminal 220a.

[0065] In some examples, the eighth conductive element 205h can be at least partially combined with or integrated with the first conductive element 205a.

[0066] In some examples, the adapter 200 also includes a ninth conductive element 205i that is configured to couple the c-phase voltage source of the first interface to the second interface by coupling the first c-phase current source terminal 230c to the first terminal of the second potential link 240b, wherein the second terminal of the second potential link 240b is selectively coupled to the second line port terminal 220c.

[0067] In some examples, the ninth conductive element 205i can be at least partially combined with or integrated with the third conductive element 205c.

[0068] The adapter 200 further includes a tenth conductive element 205j configured to couple the neutral terminal 230g of the first interface to the neutral terminal 220g of the second interface.

[0069] Figure 5 A method of testing an example three-port meter 100 is depicted wherein, to test a three-port meter, such as a Spec 43S meter, an adapter may be used to route current in a specific manner that will simulate common uses of a three-port meter.

[0070] Such an approach advantageously implements existing three-phase test boards and three-phase reference standards that are widely used to test three-port meters without requiring new four-phase reference standards and test boards.

[0071] In this method, the adapter 300 is implemented to simulate the following situation: the load port is consuming energy from the DER and the line port (eg, the grid). Figure 5 The current flow for this example is shown in Figure 3 Unlike the example of , in this example, the existing B-phase current element is used and directed to blade 120c of the load port and blade 120d of the load port. Therefore, a fourth independent current stage is not required.

[0072] Figure 6 Describes a method for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 5 The method of configuring the adapter 300 . Figure 6 An adapter 300 is shown for coupling the three-port meter 100 to a three-phase meter test board.

[0073] The adapter 300 includes a first interface for coupling to a three-phase meter test board, such as Figure 4 The adapter 300 includes a second interface for coupling to a three-port meter, such as in Figure 4 Indicated as "connection to a meter" in the table.

[0074] The adapter 300 comprises a first conductive element 305a for coupling a first a-phase current source terminal 330a of the first interface to a first line port terminal 320a of the second interface.

[0075] The adapter 300 comprises a second conductive element 305b for coupling the second a-phase current source terminal 330b of the first interface to the first load port terminal 320c of the second interface.

[0076] The adapter 300 comprises a third conductive element 305c for coupling the first c-phase current source terminal 330c of the first interface to the second line port terminal of the second interface.

[0077] The adapter 300 comprises a fourth conductive element 305d for coupling a second c-phase current source terminal 330d of the first interface to a second load port terminal 320d of the second interface.

[0078] The adapter 300 includes a fifth conductive element 305e for connecting a first distributed energy resource (DER) port terminal 320e of the second interface to a second DER port terminal 320f of the second interface.

[0079] The adapter 300 comprises a sixth conductive element 305f for coupling the first b-phase current source terminal 330e of the first interface to the first terminal 320c of the load port.

[0080] The adapter 300 comprises a seventh conductive element 305g for coupling the second b-phase current source terminal 330f of the first interface to the second terminal 320d of the load port.

[0081] In some examples, the adapter 300 also includes an eighth conductive element 305h that is configured to couple the a-phase voltage source of the first interface to the second interface by coupling the first a-phase current source terminal 330a to the first terminal of the first potential link 340a, wherein the second terminal of the first potential link 340a is selectively coupled to the first line port terminal 320a.

[0082] In some examples, the eighth conductive element 305h can be at least partially combined with or integrated with the first conductive element 305a.

[0083] In some examples, the adapter 300 also includes a ninth conductive element 305i that is configured to couple the c-phase voltage source of the first interface to the second interface by coupling the first c-phase current source terminal 330c to the first terminal of the second potential link 340b, wherein the second terminal of the second potential link 340b is selectively coupled to the second line port terminal 320c.

[0084] In some examples, the ninth conductive element 305i can be at least partially combined with or integrated with the third conductive element 305c.

[0085] The adapter 300 further includes a tenth conductive element 305j configured to couple the neutral terminal 330g of the first interface to the neutral terminal 320g of the second interface.

[0086] although Figure 4 Adapter 200 and Figure 6 The adapter 300 has been depicted as different adapters, but it should be understood that in other embodiments of the present disclosure, a single adapter may be Figure 4 Adapter 200 and Figure 6The adapter 300 is configurable between configurations.

[0087] That is, in some embodiments, the adapter can be implemented to include at least one switch, relay, etc., for selectively configuring the adapter between: a first configuration for coupling the first b-phase current source terminal 230e and the second b-phase current source terminal 230f of the first interface to the first terminal 220a and the second terminal 220c of the line port, respectively; or a second configuration for coupling the first b-phase current source terminal 230e and the second b-phase current source terminal 2320f of the first interface to the first terminal 220c and the second terminal 220d of the load port, respectively.

[0088] Advantageously, the adapter 200, 300, or a combination adapter described above, allows a test board having only three current elements to send current from the line (grid) through both the load port and the DER port of a three-port meter simultaneously.

[0089] The test board is able to obtain accurate energy measurements because it sends current through the DER port using what is traditionally the third current element for three-phase service.

[0090] That is, the disclosed adapter effectively enables simultaneous testing of energy flow through all ports of a three-port meter at the same time.

[0091] Although the present disclosure has been described according to specific embodiments as set forth above, it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative only and that the claims are not limited to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and substitutions based on the present disclosure, which are considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each feature disclosed or shown in this specification may be combined in any embodiment, either alone or in any appropriate combination with any other features disclosed or shown herein.

[0092] Reference numerals

[0093] 100 three-port meter

[0094] 105 line ports

[0095] 110 load ports

[0096] 115DER port

[0097] 120a-g blade

[0098] 125 Circuit

[0099] 130a, b potential link

[0100] 140A phase current source

[0101] 150d phase current source

[0102] 160b phase current source

[0103] 170c phase current source

[0104] 200 Adapter

[0105] 205a first conductive element

[0106] 205b second conductive element

[0107] 205c third conductive element

[0108] 205d fourth conductive element

[0109] 205e fifth conductive element

[0110] 205f sixth conductive element

[0111] 205g seventh conductive element

[0112] 205h Eighth conductive element

[0113] 205i Ninth Conductive Element

[0114] 205j Tenth conductive element

[0115] 220a first line port terminal

[0116] 220b Second line port terminal

[0117] 220c First load port terminal

[0118] 220d Second load port terminal

[0119] 220e first DER port terminal

[0120] 220f second DER port terminal

[0121] 230a First a-phase current source terminal

[0122] 230b Second a-phase current source terminal

[0123] 230c First c-phase current source terminal

[0124] 230d Second phase c current source terminal

[0125] 230e First b-phase current source terminal

[0126] 230f Second phase b current source terminal

[0127] 230g neutral terminal

[0128] 240a first potential link

[0129] 240b Second potential link

[0130] 300 Adapter

[0131] 305a first conductive element

[0132] 305b second conductive element

[0133] 305c third conductive element

[0134] 305d fourth conductive element

[0135] 305e fifth conductive element

[0136] 305f Sixth conductive element

[0137] 305g Seventh conductive element

[0138] 305h Eighth conductive element

[0139] 305i ninth conductive element

[0140] 305j Tenth conductive element

[0141] 320a first line port terminal

[0142] 320b Second line port terminal

[0143] 320c First load port terminal

[0144] 320d Second load port terminal

[0145] 320e first DER port terminal

[0146] 320g neutral terminal

[0147] 3220f second DER port terminal

[0148] 330a First a-phase current source terminal

[0149] 330b Second a-phase current source terminal

[0150] 330c First c-phase current source terminal

[0151] 330d Second phase c current source terminal

[0152] 330e First b-phase current source terminal

[0153] 330f Second b-phase current source terminal

[0154] 330g neutral terminal

[0155] 340a First potential link

[0156] 340b Second potential link

Claims

1. An adapter (200, 300) for coupling a three-port meter to a three-phase meter test board, the adapter include: A first interface, for coupling to the three-phase meter test board; a second interface for coupling to the three-port meter; first and second conductive elements (205a, 205b, 305a, 305b) for coupling first a-phase current source terminals and second a-phase current source terminals (230a, 230b, 330a, 330b) of the first interface to first line port terminals (220a, 320a) and first load port terminals (220c, 320c) of the second interface, respectively; a third conductive element and a fourth conductive element (205c, 205d, 305c, 305d) for coupling the first phase c current source terminal and the second phase c current source terminal (230c, 230d, 330c, 330d) of the first interface to the second line port terminal (220b, 3200b) and the second load port terminal (220d, 320d) of the second interface respectively; a fifth conductive element (205e, 305e) for coupling a first distributed energy resource (DER) port terminal (220e, 320e) of the second interface to a second DER port terminal (220f, 320f) of the second interface; and The sixth conductive element and the seventh conductive element (205f, 205g, 305f, 305g) are used to couple the first b-phase current source terminal and the second b-phase current source terminal (230e, 230f, 330e, 330f) of the first interface to the first terminal and the second terminal (220a, 220b, 320a, 320b) of the line port, respectively, or to the first terminal and the second terminal (220c, 220d, 320c, 320d) of the load port, respectively.

2. The adapter (200, 300) according to claim 1, comprising at least one switch for selectively configuring the adapter between: a first configuration for coupling the first b-phase current source terminal and the second b-phase current source terminal (230e, 230f, 330e, 330f) of the first interface to the first terminal and the second terminal (220a, 220b, 320a, 320b) of the line port, respectively; or A second configuration is used to couple the first b-phase current source terminal and the second b-phase current source terminal (230e, 230f, 330e, 330f) of the first interface to the first terminal and the second terminal (220c, 220d, 320c, 320d) of the load port, respectively.

3. The adapter (200, 300) according to claim 1 or 2, being configured to couple the a-phase voltage source of the first interface to the second interface by coupling the first a-phase current source terminal (230a, 320a) to a first terminal of a first potential link (240a, 340a), wherein a second terminal of the first potential link is selectively coupled to the first line port terminal (220a, 320a).

4. An adapter (200, 300) according to any of the preceding claims, configured to couple the c-phase voltage source of the first interface to the second interface by coupling the first c-phase current source terminal (230c, 330c) to a first terminal of a second potential link (240b, 340b), wherein the second terminal of the second potential link is selectively coupled to the second line port terminal (220b, 320b).

5. The adapter (200, 300) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a further conductive element (205j, 305j) configured to couple the neutral terminal of the first interface to the neutral terminal of the second interface.

6. The adapter (200, 300) of any preceding claim, wherein the first interface comprises a plurality of blades for being received by a meter socket on the three-phase meter test board, each blade coupled to one of the first to seventh conductive elements.

7. The adapter (200, 300) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second interface comprises a plurality of sockets for blades of the received three-phase meter, each socket coupled to one of the first to seventh conducting elements.

8. A meter testing system, include: Three-phase meter test board; as well as An adapter (200, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter is received by the three-phase meter test board and is configured to receive the three-port meter.

9. The meter test system of claim 8, wherein the three-phase meter test board comprises an a-phase current source, a b-phase current source, and a c-phase current source, and wherein the current sources are floating and electrically isolated from each other.

10. The meter testing system according to claim 8 or 9, comprising the three-phase meter (100), and optionally wherein the three-phase meter complies with Meter Specification 43S defined by American National Standard (ANSI) C12.10 for Physical Aspects of Watt-hour Meters.

11. A method for testing a three-port meter using a three-phase meter test board, the method include: The three-port meter is coupled to a three-phase meter test board using an adapter (200, 300) according to any of the preceding claims.

12. The method of claim 10, comprising the step of configuring the adapter to: a first configuration for coupling the first b-phase current source terminal and the second b-phase current source terminal of the first interface to the first terminal and the second terminal of the line port, respectively; or A second configuration is provided for coupling the first b-phase current source terminal and the second b-phase current source terminal of the first interface to the first terminal and the second terminal of the line port, respectively.

13. The method of claim 10 or claim 11, when in the first configuration, comprises configuring the a-phase current source, the b-phase current source and the c-phase current source of the three-phase meter test board to simulate simultaneous energy flow from the DER port to the line port of the meter and from the line port to the load port of the meter.

14. The method of claim 10 or claim 11, when in the second configuration, comprises configuring the a-phase current source, the b-phase current source and the c-phase current source of the three-phase meter test board to simulate simultaneous energy flow from the DER port to the load port of the meter and from the line port to the load port of the meter.

15. The method according to any one of claims 13 and 14, comprising the preceding step of configuring the first potential link / the first potential link and / or the second potential link / the second potential link of the adapter to avoid a short circuit through the b-phase current source.

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