Field test on multiple Smart Meter switching to study the effect on power quality at customers level

Smart Meters (SMs) are undergoing an increasing deployment all over the world and have been introduced to several regions. The SMs generally have remotely accessible breakers which offer remote switching functionalities to the Distribution System Operators (DSOs). The DSOs have the possibility of using this unique functionality of SMs for various future applications, e.g., switching some loads during peak loads crisis or outage management during natural disasters. Under these conditions, the DSO can disconnect selected customers by using SM switching while continuing power supply to risk customers and emergency service providers. During multiple SM switching, the power quality (PQ) of the connected loads might be affected. This paper presents results on the impact of multiple SM switching at customer level. Data are used from a field test on multiple SM switching from a DSO in Sweden. The number of customers in this test was higher compared to the previous two tests of the work. Moreover, all customers in the selected test area were not switched in this test. Almost half of the customers in the test area were disconnected remotely using SMs while the other half of the customers remained connected with power supply to investigate the impact of SMs switching in a different way. This work observed some transient events during the SMs switching. Voltage quality was stable during the test except some flickering effects beyond the limit.