The invention discloses a system for recognizing external load switches of an electric energy meter. The system comprises a machine case, testing platforms, strip-shaped light sources, a camera, a straight-line sliding table and a processor; the straight-line sliding table is arranged on the upper portion of the machine case, the camera is arranged on the inner side of the upper portion of the machine case and arranged on the straight-line sliding table, and the camera is used for collecting images of the external load switches of the electric energy meter and connected with the processor and transmits the shot images to the processor; the strip-shaped light sources are arranged in the machine case and used for providing illuminating rays when the camera shoots the images of the external load switches of the electric energy meter, and the external load switches of the electric energy meter are arranged on the testing platforms. According to the system for recognizing the external load switches of the electric energy meter, appearance images are automatically shot through the camera, the images are analyzed and processed, and therefore a corresponding characteristic data signal is formed; the system has the function of conducting automatic appearance shooting on the external load switches of the electric energy meter and has the tripping characteristic testing function on the external load switches of the electric energy meter.