Electromagnetic compatibility and protection of electric energy meters from strong magnetic fields

•An approach towards effective shielding of the power meters’ sensitive elements from external magnetic fields is presented.•Methods of combating unauthorized distortion of the power meter's readings under the influence of external magnetic fields are estimated.•Different shielding configurations are simulated and compared basing on their effectiveness.•The refined shape and size of the electromagnetic shield were determined and validated.•A fourfold (precisely 4.08) reduction of the flux density in the cores of the pulse transformers is achieved, compared with the unshielded configuration. Power theft through electric energy meters tampering causes significant revenue losses. One of the meter tampering method involves manipulation using strong magnetic fields to distort the process of energy calculation by saturation of current transformers’ cores. This paper presents an approach towards effective shielding of the power meters’ sensitive elements from external magnetic fields. The theory of magnetic materials and the methods to calculate magnetic fields in the presence of these materials are used to develop a refined protective shield. [Display omitted]