Southeastern Electricity Metering Association (SEMA) Presents

The 87^th Annual Short Course & Conference

Orlando, FL

Nov. 5-7, 2012

SEMA Officers Message

Up to the 1870’s, electricity had little use beyond the telephone and telegraph. The earliest use of electricity was lighting stringed series of direct current arc lamps. Since the current was constant, the voltage was known, and the string was controlled by one switch; electricity consumption could be measured merely by how long the circuit was on (lamp-hours). However, in 1885, when Westinghouse made the transformer commercially feasible in the US; AC transmission and distribution became possible. AC was preferred since it did not have the same problems of voltage drop and regulation as DC circuits. There was one major obstacle however; there was no meter to accurately record the usage of AC electricity. Many companies created many different approaches to adequately measure the consumption of electricity, but it wasn’t until 1903 that GE produced the Type I meter, which is considered the first modern meter.

In the mid 1920’s an organization saw the importance of accurately measuring the consumption of electricity, and they formed an educational conference for meter-men called the Southeastern Electric Meter Short Course School. This is the same group which we know today as the Southeastern Electricity Metering Association (SEMA). Once a year, meter-men from all over would travel to the University of Florida where the school professors would educate the meter-men about how the electric meter works. Today we still hold that high level of learning by having the University of Florida sponsor and award educational credits to the attendees. However, we have enhanced the educational offerings by having utility meter engineers, utility professionals, and meter manufacturing engineers teach at the conference.

Some of the problems/challenges that faced utility metering in the 1920’s were the lack of standards on how the meter would look, perform, or connect to the service point. This led to safety hazards, improper billing, and difficulty in servicing and changing out an electric meter. There were many accuracy issues with the early electric meters such as meter design, temperature change, and differing loads from the customer. Over time, manufacturers and utility representatives helped to write standards to eliminate these issues. Surprisingly, it wasn’t until the early 1930’s that the National Electric Code added the electric meter to services. Today we find ourselves meeting to help maintain the high accuracy standards to which we have come accustomed, as well as to discuss new topics such as Smart Grid standards.

~ Is your utility staying current with the changes in metering today?

SEMA is here to demonstrate to you what our forefathers knew nearly 100 years ago; this annual learning event is needed now more than ever. As utilities and government regulators mandate performance of the electric system with the Smart Grid, we need to be there to educate the meter technician and all utility workers alike on those standards and how they effect changes to the electric meter. The electric meter has changed from a device that was required to record ongoing energy consumption to a device that interfaces with the customer, the customer’s equipment, and the utility in a real time to near real time manner. For many it will become the communication network for their Smart Grid. Today there is a tremendous amount of technology going into the most common meter; the residential house meter. However, as technology is added to the meter, the cost increases. The common residential meter has become a valuable asset. This is precisely why metering personnel need training to properly apply, troubleshoot, and maintain this asset. Similarly, utility managers, design and planning engineers, customer service representatives, and information technology professionals need meter training to understand all the information that can be gathered from today’s meters and how to interface that information with the myriad computer systems and programs. Ironically, as the utilities are upgrading their systems, the meter personnel who attended SEMA last year, may be changing out meters that were installed by a meter-man that attended the same conference 70 years ago. This is proud tradition of which we are a part. Reiterating, this association and learning event are needed most now.

~ An association of meter professionals that is listening to the needs of its members – you, the utility!

As SEMA officers, it is our duty to stay current on the metering industry as well as the needs of the members; you, the utility. Often, meter departments and information system departments do not interact with each other. This leads to systems that do not reach their full potential. At last year’s event, we were approached by meter technicians that requested specific training on interfacing meter data with the utility’s customer billing systems. This year we are in the process of adding new classes that will bring in Information Technology (IT) and Meter Data Management (MDM) speakers to discuss the migration of the two.

~ Are you getting the most out of your system?

This year SEMA celebrates its 86th Annual Conference October 10-12 in Daytona Beach. We have existed for this long because we deliver the right training and environment for those who want to learn about the electric meter and everything it touches. We continue to offer basic and advanced meter training as well as courses on new technologies. Classroom sessions as well as hands-on activities provide for a unique learning experience. The support from manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, and electric supply distributors and vendors makes the conference possible. SEMA provides a unique networking opportunity for people of all levels and in all disciplines within utilities. We have a diverse group of people all with a single purpose in mind; to help you get the most out of your electric system to serve your customers. Are you getting the most out of your system? If so, come share your experiences. If not, come learn from others and share your experiences too.