MC3
Polyphase Electricity Meter
The MC3 is the latest generation
polyphase electronic meter with
electromechanical registers, designed for
residential and light industrial applications.
Innovative Technology
The MC3 offers the ideal solution for most
systems in active energy metering.
Available for single and double tariff and in
four different registering modes, it can be
used as a three-phase, bi-phase or single-
phase meter depending on the network.
Easy Handling and Installation
The meter’s ergonomic design and
innovative installation guides make
inventory, installation and set-up simple.
Easy to handle in large-scale residential
systems, the MC3 can also be adapted to
different fixing triangles without the use of
tools.
Reliability
In the manufacturing process special care
and attention have been taken to ensure
functionality and accuracy over the meter’s
long life span.
The MC3’s outstanding performance
characteristics provide dynamic range,
linearity and low starting current, with
well-defined accuracy and long term
stability.
Digitally calibrated, the MC3 will never
require recalibration.
Robust features and extensive protection
features minimize risk of interference and
protect the meter from dust and water
penetration in accordance with IP54.

Working Principle
The meter uses state-of-the-art-
measuring technology with Hall Effect
Sensors, which are especially designed
for metering. The output voltage of the
Hall cell is digitally processed by the
ASIC. This provides a calibrated pulse
stream with appropriate status signals.
The signals are processed by a
microcontroller, which in turn drives the
stepping motors of the registers, the
status LEDs, and the pulse output. The
MC3 meter has two or three metering
elements for three-phase three wire, or
four wire networks respectively.
As each metering element is
individually calibrated to class accuracy,
an MC3 with three metering elements
can also be used as a bi-phase or a
single-phase meter.
Utility Benefits
Measuring Modes for Revenue Protection
The MC3 meter is available in four metrology
variants for processing bi-directional energy
flow per phase. Each mode is factory
programmable. Per phase reverse energy can
be added to or subtracted from the meter
reading, recorded separately or simply
ignored. This unique feature is designed for
applications where, due to self-generation,
bi-directional energy flow occurs, or
alternatively, provides additional revenue
protection.
Mode 1 - Per phase anti-reverse:
The meter registers the sum of per phase
import energies.
Mode 2 - Ferraris like:
The meter registers the sum of per phase
energy flows, be it import or export, as long
as this sum is positive.
Mode 3 - Per phase unidirectional:
The meter registers the sum of the absolute
value of per phase energy flow.
Mode 4 - Bidirectional:
The meter registers the sum of per phase
energies import on one of its registers, and
the sum of the per phase energies export on
the other register.
Indication Diodes
Indication diodes for power down, incorrect
phase sequence and reverse energy flow
ensure easy installation and setting into
operation.
Tariff Control Input
The MC3 supports two tariffs, which are
controlled by an external switching device
and auxiliary terminals in the terminal block.
The active tariff is indicated via LED 1 and
LED 2. The high tariff register is active when
the tariff control input is energized.
Alternatively, the high tariff register can be
activated when the tariff control input is not
energized.
End-User Benefits
Easy-to-read Register
The drum register makes it easy for end-
users to read the consumption themselves.
Registering of Export Energy
Possible energy generated by the end-user
can be permanently displayed on the meter
by a second register.
Modern Design
The meter is well accepted because of its
modern design.
Information about operation status
Clearly assigned indication diodes allow the
customer to easily check the operation status
of the meter, such as no load condition,
active tariff, presence of reverse energy flow,
etc.

Operating Indicators

1 2
LED 1 & LED 2 Tariff indicator: For double tariff meters, indicates the active tariff.
LED 3 Metrology indicator: As an operation indicator and for test purposes. Is located in the

4 3
vertical symmetry axis of the meter. Also functions as an anticreep indicator. Is lit when
5 there is no load on the meter.
LED 4 Phase sequence: Lit when phase sequence is incorrect.
Power failure: Flashes when a power failure occurs.
LED 5 Reverse energy: Flashes when export energy is detected in one or two phases. Lit when
the energy direction in all phases is negative.

Input/Output Functions
Pulse Output Pulse output according to DIN 43864/IEC 62053-31. Type A is available.
The pulse constant depends on the meter type.
Description Register Handling and
The meter can be fitted with one or two
electro-mechanical registers, each with seven Installation
Meter Case
The meter case is made of high quality drums, driven by a stepping motor.
thermoplastic material. Its base and terminal
block are reinforced with glass fiber to Multiple Versions
provide rigidity and to accommodate tensions MC3 is available with a series of
caused by connecting cables or by quick- measurement options, offering the ideal
clamp connectors of the test bench. solution for a range of different measurement
needs. Each is designed according to strict
Power Supply standards.
With a transparent For quick
The MC3 has a fully redundant three phase The base and the terminal block form a
meter cover, field installations, the
power supply. The meter works properly as single functional entity, which are available in workers can quickly terminal block easily
long as voltage in the operation range is the following options: view the register and securely
present between any two wires. A For direct connection up to 85 A and status LEDs. connects to the
transformer power supply ensures an (diameter of the current terminals is power source.

extremely wide operating voltage range, very
low VA consumption and impulse voltage
withstand over 8 kV. This type of power
supply also represents a high impedance on
power line carrier frequencies.
7.2 mm) according to DIN 43 857 part 2
For direct connection up to 120 A
(diameter of the current terminals is
9.5 mm)
Other options available upon request

LEDs guide the

Type Key
engineer through
Meter Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 11
set-up sequences,
Polyphase Meter - 4 Wire M C 3
providing a visual
Polyphase Meter - 3 Wire M B 3
check of phase
Metering Versions 4 connections, energy
Active energy, per phase anti reverse 1 direction and power For easy installation,
The meter registers the sum of per phase energy failure. both the meter cover
Active energy, import 2
and terminal cover
Ferraris like with anti reverse device active
snap tightly into the
Active energy, per phase unidirection 3
base and are secured
The meter registers the sum of the absolute value of per phase energies
with two sealable
Active energy, import/export 4
screws.
Imported and exported energy is registered in two separate registers

Accuracy 5
Class 2 0
Class 1 1

Case 6 The MC3's uniquely molded

Maximum current < = 85 A D case allows it to be easily lifted
Maximum current < = 120 A H from flat surfaces, carried in
Tariff 8 9 one hand, and stacked four or
Single tariff R 1 five high, saving significant time
Double tariff R 2 and energy on multiple
installations.
Pulse Output 11
Without Z
SO pulse output A
Dimensions Available Types
Meter Type Static watt-hour meter
Measuring scope Active energy in one or two directions
13.5

Registers with 7 drums Mechanical single or double tariff registers

Measuring principle Hall multiplication
Connection type (phase/wire) 3 p. 4 w. 3 p. 4 w. 3 p. 3 w. 3 p. 3 w.
Reference voltage 3x230/400 V 3x220/380 V 3x230 V 3x220 V
Reference voltage tolerance -15% to +10%
Power supply Three-phase transformer power supply
Maximum under-voltage -20% (on single phase conditions - typically)
Reference frequency 50 Hz or 60 Hz
230

Power consumption < 1.3 W per phase < 3 VA per phase

Class Index according to IEC 61036 Class 1 or Class 2
Basic current 5 A, 10 A, 20 A
Maximum current 40 A, 60 A, 80 A, 85 A, 100 A, 120 A
30

Load capacity Up to 2400%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

14 Meter constant 500 imp/kWh 1000 imp/kWh

16
43 16 Operating temperature range -40 °C, to +60 °C

EL-0013.0-GB-06.02 - © Copyright 2002, Actaris. All Rights Reserved. - Actaris reserves the right to change these specifications without prior notice.
72 16
Limit temperature range of operation -40 °C to +70 °C
101 9
140 Limit temperature range for storage & transport -40 °C to +70 °C
150 Degree of protection Case: IP54 Terminal block: IP31
175
Case dimensions & meter terminal arrangements DIN 43 857 part 2, BS 5685 part 1
Diameter of the current terminals Up to 85 A: 7.2 mm Up to 120 A: 9.5 mm
71,5 Diameter of the auxiliary terminals 3.1 mm
Meter weight 1.4 kg
Protection against electromagnetic disturbance Exceeds the requirements according to IEC 61036
Immunity of electromagnetic HF fields > 30 V/m
Immunity to impulse voltage > 8 kV (1.2/50 µs) > 12 kV on special request
Tariff changeover External
Control voltage 220 V or 230 V
280

2 Voltage tolerance (typical) -30% to +20%

Circuit diagrams
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A89602
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Actaris Zähler & Systemtechnik GmbH

Kuhbrückenstraße 2-4
D-31785 Hameln - Germany t e l +49 51 51 78 20
For more information, see www.actaris.com fax +49 51 51 78 25 88