System for Calibration of Nonintrusive Load Meters With Load Identification Ability

Nonintrusive load meters (NILMs) with a load identification ability have been developed in several institutes and companies. All load identification algorithms (LIAs) have a common characteristic: load identification is based on the current waveform. A system for calibration and testing of meters with load identification ability is presented in this paper. The system was based on generating arbitrary current waveforms of previously sampled home appliances. A tested NILM should measure the waveform and identify the simulated appliance. The load identification probability was measured for a selected LIA. An NILM was simulated by a common power quality meter and load identification was performed afterward in a computer. Simulations and sensitivity analysis were also performed to determine minimal properties of an NILM with selected LIA. The results showed that the system is able to measure load identification probability of an NILM and even detect various problems of the LIA.