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Electric meter transmitting readings: characteristics of accounting equipment
This article discusses the features of such metering equipment as an electric meter that transmits readings: the specificity of devices, their design, advantages and disadvantages, a system for using devices with remote control, a scheme for transmitting readings for electricity consumption and the rules for performing this procedure in accordance with the requirements of regulatory authorities.
Electric meter transmitting readings allows you to automatically send data on the used kilowatts
Electric meter transmitting readings: features of devices
Counters equipped with a remote reading system are suitable for apartment owners who do not want to think every month about how and where to transfer the readings of the metering device. If a consumer of electric energy has a similar device installed at home, data transmission will be carried out automatically without direct human participation.
The use of meters with remote data transmission is convenient for both apartment owners and businesses
Sending the wound kilowatts does not take much time, and the process itself is comfortable and convenient. Electricity supply companies can use these devices to monitor the level of energy consumption by the population.
Globally electric meters, which are capable of transmitting information in a remote mode, allow to rationalize power consumption and achieve efficient operation of the entire system, starting with energy production, ending with its consumption and processing data for paying utility bills using network information and measuring systems.
Note!Accounting equipment with remote transmission of information differs from a standard electricity meter in the ability to switch tariffs.When removing data, the user can see three indicators: night, general and day. In this case, switching is carried out every 15 seconds.
Purpose of information and measuring systems
Network systems designed to collect measurement information on meter readings organize the process of remote data transmission from accounting equipment via the Internet.
The work of such systems is automated. The software reads the information and then sends the received data to the server of the energy supply company.
Counter readings are automatically sent via the Internet
Information and measuring systems are used to automate the following processes:
collection of information;
data transfer;
analysis of indicators for energy consumption.
The use of information and measurement systems by energy supply companies not only gives them access to indicators of electricity consumption, but also provides a number of additional functions. This includes the following options:
operation of accounting equipment in the mode of several tariffs;
remote connection or disconnection of the electricity consumer;
individualization of work with the consumer of electrical energy, taking into account the terms of the signed contract;
forwarding warning notifications;
effective analysis of the collected information, etc.
Note!The consumer's feedback to the energy supply company or service company through the data processing system is carried out using the Internet.
One of the benefits of using a smart meter is energy analysis
Benefits of automatic transmission of meter readings for users
By installing meters in his apartment that have the function of automatic remote data transmission, the home owner receives many advantages.
System benefits for users:
Dispute resolution - meter readings can be recorded every day. Such a data transfer scheme makes it possible to exclude conflict situations if problems arise with receipts or the subscriber does not transfer information regularly;
control of readings - metering devices provide the ability to take indicators from places that the consumer rarely visits, for example, from a rental apartment, garage or country house;
high accuracy of calculation during tariff switching - if there are no indications by the date of tariff change, energy companies make charges based on average indicators. As a rule, the settlement is carried out in favor of the supplier company. The use of metering devices with a remote transmission function avoids such problems;
A meter with an automatic counting system will be convenient for users who use several electricity metering tariffs
remote control of the meter operation - the equipment can be used to preheat housing. It is enough to connect the device a couple of hours before arriving home so that the heater system warms up the premises before arrival. This requires a smartphone;
safety - if the homeowner forgets to turn off the appliance, for example iron or stove, no need to go home. It is enough to de-energize the apartment by remotely turning off the meter;
practicality and time saving - the user does not need to spend time and effort taking readings, queuing at the checkout or transferring information using standard methods.
The energy company can remotely disconnect the consumer from electricity
Important!In case of non-payment of bills, the company can remotely turn off the electricity access to the apartment. For this, employees do not even need to visit the debtor's apartment.
Meter device for remote transmission of electricity readings
The equipment designed for metering electrical energy is a kind of converter that transforms an analog signal into a pulse frequency. By counting these pulses, the amount of electricity consumed is calculated.
If we compare electronic devices with induction-type devices, then the differences affect not only the internal structure, in which there are no mechanical rotating elements.
A feature of a modern electronic counter is extensive additional capabilities
The main distinguishing feature is advanced functionality:
increased time interval for input voltage;
convenient organization of multi-rate accounting systems;
availability of a mode for viewing indicators for the past periods (months);
the ability to measure power consumption;
the ability to connect to systems for automatic data collection and transmission.
With regard to the structural structure, a modern electronic type meter is a housing frame equipped with a measuring current transformer, a terminal block, and a printed circuit board. The latter serves as the basis for the installation of the electronic component of the device.
Note!A large number of additional functions are due to the presence of software in the device microcontroller. Similar components are present in almost all modern generation electricity meters.
The home owner can de-energize the apartment by remotely turning off the electricity meter
The structure of electricity meters transmitting readings in remote mode
The design of a modern electronic counter consists of the following elements:
LCD display;
clock displaying real time;
current transformer;
telemetric output;
bodies exercising control and management;
a power supply for servicing the electronic circuit;
supervisor;
optical port, which can be installed optionally.
The LCD display is a multi-digit alphanumeric indicator. Its main function is to indicate the operating modes of the counter. In addition, the component displays information about consumed electrical energy, current time, and date.
The power supply provides voltage to the microcontroller and other components installed in the electronic circuit. A supervisor is directly connected to it, which generates a reset signal for the microcontroller that occurs when the power is turned off or turned on. In addition, the supervisor monitors changes in the input voltage.
The meter display shows the amount of electricity used, the current time and date
Real time clocks are used to accurately record the date and current time. In some modifications of counters, a similar option is performed by a microcontroller. In order to reduce the load on this part, most often a separate microcircuit is provided for such purposes. It saves the power consumption of the microcontroller by channeling this energy into more important tasks.
With the help of a telemetric output, the meter is connected to a personal computer or a remote data transmission system. The optical port is intended for taking readings directly from the accounting device.
Note!The optical port is not available on all instruments. In some models, it is involved in programming information.
Microcontroller and functions of devices with remote transmission of electricity readings
The most important part of the device is the microcontroller. It performs most of the functions:
converting the input signal from the current transformer into digital data;
mathematical processing of information;
output of the result to the display;
receiving commands from governing bodies;
interface management.
The device can turn off if the assigned energy limit is exceeded
The list of microcontroller functions depends on the installed software. To date, active work is underway to improve such equipment, which consists in adding additional functions. These options include the ability to monitor the state of the power grid, while transmitting data to the dispatch center.
This article will help you understand how the readings of electricity meters are transmitted via the Internet.
Often, meters provide a function that allows you to limit the power level of the network. If the power consumption is exceeded, the device automatically interrupts the electricity consumer's access to the network. This system works with a contactor that controls the voltage supply. The device can also turn off if the consumer exceeds the assigned energy limit or runs out of prepaid electricity.
Note!Some modifications of electricity meters are equipped with readers that accept plastic cards. They are intended to top up your balance. This category of devices includes the STK-3-10 and STK-1-10 models.
Most electronic meters have a module for connecting an automated accounting system
Monitoring system in electricity meters with remote reading
Automated systems designed to control accounting data for electrical energy have been developed thanks to the advent of microprocessors at an affordable cost. The price of these devices was relatively affordable, so only large enterprises in the industrial sector could afford to install such equipment.
With the invention of electronic meters and PCs, automated accounting systems have taken a significant step forward. Thanks to the introduction of cellular communication, wireless systems have been created.
Automated accounting systems perform the following functions:
collection of flows of electrical energy for a reasonable period of time at all voltage levels;
processing of the information received;
generation of reports on the supplied or consumed power (electrical energy);
analysis and forecasting of generation (consumption);
processing of payment indicators;
making calculations for electrical energy.
GSM communication system is used for data transmission from the meter
To organize an automated accounting system, you need to do the following:
Carry out the installation of high-precision accounting equipment. For this, electronic meters are installed at electricity metering points.
Transfer digital information (signals) to blocks with built-in memory. They are called adders.
Form a communication system, for example, GSM. It will be used to transfer data.
Form data processing centers and equip them with computers with appropriate software.
Note!Today, many electronic meters have a built-in interface for connecting an automated accounting system. Even those devices that do not provide such an option allow installing an optical port for locally reading readings.
Measurement of electricity consumption in meters that transmit indicators remotely is carried out every hour
How to transfer readings of electricity meters with an automated system
The process of sending data is carried out without the participation of the subscriber. It is only charged with the obligation to transmit the first indicator.This data must be communicated until the manufacturer sends a notification that it is no longer necessary. Electricity consumption in such meters is measured every hour. Once a day, the information received is sent to the controlling organization. Some models use mobile communication.
How do electricity meters that transmit readings automatically work
The simplest automated data transmission systems carry out their work in stages:
Collection of information.
Transporting data.
Analysis of the information received, its further storage.
The main participants in the first stage are the devices that measure the parameters of the system, and the electricity meters themselves. The category of measuring devices includes all kinds of sensors that are connected to the system by means of analog digital converters or are equipped with an output used to connect an interface.
An automated system collects data, analyzes it and stores it on the server
The interface line used to transmit the information signal has an input resistance of 12 ohms. Since the power capabilities of the transmitter are limited, similar restrictions are imposed on the number of receiver devices that are connected to this line. The maximum number of sensors for which the receiver is designed is 32 pcs.
Note!The automated system can be used not only on electronic, but also on induction meters, in which the converter is installed. It converts the number of disc revolutions into electrical impulse signals.
At the second stage, controllers come into operation, transporting the signal between the interface lines. This procedure is necessary for reading information by a controller or a personal computer. If more than 32 sensors are involved in the connection, then hubs are installed in the system.
The third stage involves a server, PC and controller that collect data, analyze it and store it. The system must have the appropriate software that allows you to configure it.
To transmit indicators, both electronic and induction devices are used remotely
Induction-type electricity meters and automatic data transmission systems
To transmit indicators in remote mode, not only electronic devices can be used. Induction devices marked with the letter "D" are equipped with a telemetry output. In essence, this output is a pulse generator. The SRZU-I670D model can be referred to the category of such devices. Due to the pulse sensor within the two-wire communication line, information is transmitted to the system that collects and processes data. The information contains data on the active electricity that passes through the device.
The source of the pulses is a measuring transformer. It emits a magnetic flux that traverses a metal sector mounted on the axis of an aluminum disk. Further, these pulses are transmitted to the sensor circuit, and then to the communication line that feeds this sensor.
A photo-LED head is installed on the impulse sensor. It is a pair consisting of an LED and a photodiode. The sensor inside the meter has a specific location. The device is installed so that the head is turned towards the aluminum disc. The LED emits a signal that is reflected by the disk and then received by the photodiode. The shaded sector on the disc provides discontinuous signal.
These interrupts are monitored by an electronic circuit, converted and applied to the communication line in the form of a pulse train.The receiving device then receives them, calculates the quantity for a certain period of time and displays the result on the display.
Electricity meters with remote data reading require an uninterrupted network connection
Why are electronic meters beneficial when transmitting readings for light
The previously described system with an induction meter is theoretically possible, but in practice it makes no sense. Such devices are gradually withdrawn from service and replaced by electronic ones. An exception is locally hosted accounting equipment.
Electronic devices in relation to the creation of automated systems for transmitting readings have significant advantages, which are determined by the information component and extensive service capabilities.
The disadvantages of such equipment include the need for a permanent connection to the network. When leaving for a long time, you cannot use the fuse to turn off the meter. A special switch is intended for this. The excluding factor is the conduct of electrical work. Otherwise, the operation of electronic meters that independently transmit readings is accompanied by advantages for the user.
