TYPES AND

CONSTRUCTION
OF
ENERGY METERS
 Contents:

 What is an energy meter?

 Why it is used?
 What is the working Principle of the energy meter?
 Which Components are used in an energy meter ?
 What are the Advantages and disadvantages of usual
energy meters?
 What is the Solution for the drawbacks of commonly used
energy meters?
 meter

1. What is meter ?
a device which measures, indicates and records
certain measurable quantity.

2. What is energy meter ?

a device which measures, indicates and records
electrical power flow (energy) in a specified time
between two points.
 Energy meter
 An energy meter is a device that measures quantity
of electrical energy supplied to a circuit in a given time.
Distribution Energy meter
Distribution Energy meter

Energy meter
 Energy meter v/s wattmeter

 Wattmeter indicates value at a particular instant when it

is read.
 Energy meter is fitted with some type of registration
mechanism whereby all instantaneous readings of power
are summed over a definite period of time
 What is energy?
 Energy is product of power and time for which power is used
i.e.
Energy= Power × Time
unit of energy ---- joule or watt- second
i.e. 1 watt over an interval of one second.

Kwh – energy consumed when power is delivered at an

average rate of 1000 watt for an hour.
Since practical units in which energy meters measure energy is
killowatt-hour , they are also called watt-hour meters
 Types of Meters:
 Following types of meters are commonly used for L.T.
consumers:
 I. Single phase meters
 II. 3-phase 4 wire meters
 III. 3-phase 3 wire meters
 IV. 3-phase 4 wire meters with CT and MD
 V. 3-phase 3 wire meters with CT and MD.
 VI. Special meters: 3- phase 3 wire or 3- phase 4 wire
Tri-vector or bi-vector meters
 VII. Summation meters
 Essential characteristics of energy meters
 Simple in design, must not contain any parts which may
rapidily deteriorate.
 Readings may be given rapidily by dials and must avoid any
multiplier factor.
 Casing must be dust, water , insect proof.
 Permanency of calibration, for this– friction at pivotals,
retarding torque of magnetic brakes must remain constant.
 Minimum friction losses and must remain constant over
long period of time. For this– light moving parts, good
quality jewels & pivotals, kept in good order.
 Min friction in counter device. High Torque of meter so that
friction may not cause inaccuracies.
 Essential characteristics of energy meters
 Meter to maintain accuracy under varying conditions of
vol and load.
 Low energy loss in meter itself.
 Types of energy meters
 1. electrolytic meters- operation depends on electrolytic
action
 2.Motor meters– small electric motors
 3. clock meters– function as clock mechanism
 Energy meters for AC circuits
 Induction type energy meters : Induction type energy
meters are universally used for measurement of energy in
domestic and industrial a.c. circuits.

 Advantages
 Simple in operation
 High torque/ weight ratio
 Cheap in cost
 Correct registration even at very low power factor
 Unaffected by temp variation
 Accurate and retain their accuracy over wide range of
loads
 Construction of Induction type
energy meters:
Single phase induction type energy meter consists of four
systems in operating mechanism
 1. Driving system.

 2. Moving system.

 3. Braking system.

 4. Registering system.
 (a) Driving system :
 Driving system consists of two electromagnets on which
pressure coil and current coils are wounded.
 Core of these electromagnets is made up of silicon steel

laminations. Coil of one electromagnet is excited by load

current . This coil is called current coil.
 Coil of second electromagnet is connected across the

supply and therefore carries a current proportional to

supply voltage. This coil is called pressure coil .
 two electromagnets are known as series and shunt
magnets respectively.
 Copper shading bands are wound on central limb. Position
of these bands is adjustable.
 Function of these bands is to bring angle between flux
produced by shunt magnet and applied voltage equal to
90 degrees.
Internal view of Induction type energy
meter
 Single phase meters

 current coil and potential coil

 Current coil -- consisting of few turns of heavy gauge
copper wire is wound on two limbs of an U shaped
electro-magnet. This is connected in series with load to be
metered.
 Potential coil -- having large number of turns of fine
copper wire, is fitted on middle-limb of an E shaped
Electro-magnet and connected across supply main,
producing some flux.
 (b) Moving system :
 To reduce friction , floating shaft is used
 Rotating disc made up of very light material ,aluminium ,
is not in contact with any of surface. It is mounted on a
vertical shaft and floats in air.
 Disc is positioned in the air gap between series and shunt
magnets. Upper bearing of rotor ( moving system ) is a
steel pin located in a hole in bearing cap fixed to the top
of shaft. Pivot is supported by a jewel bearing . A pinion
engages shaft with counter.
 Rotating shaft consists of small magnets on both upper
and lower surfaces.
 Upper magnet is attracted to an electromagnet in upper
bearing while lower surface magnet is attracted to a
magnet in lower bearing , hence due to these opposite
forces light rotating aluminium disc floats w/o touching
either bearing surface .
 Rotation of this disk is base of energy measurement
 (c) Braking system:
 A permanent magnet is used to produce braking torque
which are positioned near corner of aluminium disc.
aluminium disc moves in field of this magnet and thus
provides a braking torque.
 Position of permanent magnet is adjustable and thus
braking torque can be adjusted by shifting permanent
magnet at diff radial positions.
 Braking
 Why Braking is required ?
 When disc start to rotate it is under a torque and that
torque depends upon current in coil
 so for a large load there will be very high torque and
speed of Aluminium disc is also very high which produce
different mechanical losses (e.g go to run away, disc
become frictionless)
 therefore, a retarding torque is required to prevent from
these losses.
 (d) Counting or registering system :
 Numbers marked on meter are proportion to revolutions
made by aluminium disc
 main function of this system is to record number of

revolutions made by the aluminium disc

 By a suitable system, a train of reduction gears , pinion on
rotor shaft drives a series of 5 or 6 pointers.
 Pointer type of register :These rotates on round dials which
are marked with 10 equal div.
 Cyclo-meter register: can also be used.
Pointer type of register
Cyclo-meter register
 Constructional features
Main parts of an energy meter:
(i) Mainframe
(ii) Registering mechanism
(iii) Terminal block
(iv) Bearings
(v) Rotor
(vi) Anticreep device
(vii) Brake magnet
(viii) Electro magnet
(ix) Current coil
(x) Pressure coil
(xi) Coil formers.
Main parts of an energy meter:
 Single phase meters
 For direct connection to mains.
 Rated for 240 volts A.C. supply,
current rating 2.5/5 / 10/20 amps (maximum)
 Capable to take 400 percent overload continuously
 They start registration with small load of 3.5 and 7 watts
and record up to 4400 watts
 Conform to ISS 722/1990 for Electricity meters.
 outstanding features -- simple, compact , robust design
so that relative positions of supporting parts remain
unaltered.
 widely used in measuring energy in domestic as well as
industrial world.
Operation of single phase induction meter
 Operation of induction type meters

 In all induction meters we have two fluxes which are

produced by two different alternating currents on a
metallic disc.
 Due to alternating fluxes there is an induced emf ,
emf produced at one point interacts with alternating
current of other side resulting in production of torque.
 Operation of induction type meters
 Series magnet is excited by line current and alternating
flux Fs produced is proportional to and in phase with line
current
 Operation of single phase induction meter
 Supply vol is applied across pressure coil. pressure coil
winding is highly inductive as it has large no. of turns and
reluctance is small due to small air gap . Current Ip in
pressure coil is prop to supply vol and lags it by few deg
less than 90 deg.
 Flux Fp produced by it is proportional to supply voltage V
and lags behind it by 90 degrees. This phase
displacement of 90 deg is achieved by adjustment of
copper shading band C ( also known as power factor
compensator or compensating loop.
 Major portion of Fp crosses narrow gap between centre
and side limbs of shunt magnet but a small portion which
is useful flux passes thru disc D.
 Single phase meters

 Two fluxes Fs and Fp induce emf in disc which further

produce circulatory eddy currents . Reaction between
these fluxes and eddy currents sets up a mechanical
torque on non-magnetic aluminium disc located between
2 coils causing disc to rotate.
 Single phase meters

 Rotating disc has to be of non-magnetic material

otherwise disc will not be allowed to move by electro-
magnets as due to electro-magnetic force, disc will get
attracted.
 Rotating disc is mounted on a vertical spindle supported
by a sapphire cup contained in a bottom bearing screw.
Components

 Schematic Diagram
 Movement or rotation of disc set by two fluxes is
controlled by a brake magnet of C-shaped of alloy-steel.
 Disc rotates through narrow air gap of C-shaped magnet
and sets up eddy currents which break with field and
exerts braking effect.
 Working of permanent magnets

 Flux of permanent magnets is cut because of motion of

Al-disc that produce additional eddy current. This eddy
current will develop it’s own torque that is opposite to
driving torque.
 And Retarding torque produced by permanent magnets
is directly proportional to speed of disc so that high for
heavy loads and less for small loads.
At what speed disk rotates?
 Disk should rotate on a speed value where
Driving torque = retarding torque
 Registering system

 Amount of energy is displayed by using mechanical

counter which are coupled with shaft through a gear
train.
Connection diagram of single phase meter
 Errors in single phase energy meter
 Errors caused by driving system
 1. incorrect magnitude of fluxes: due to abnormal values
of current or voltage. Shunt magnet flux may error due to
changes in resistance of coil or due to abnormal
frequency.
 2. incorrect phase angles: there may not be proper
relationship between various phasors due to improper
adjustment , abnormal frequencies, change in resistance
with temp.
 3. lack of symmetry in magnetic circuits: if magnetic
circuits not symmetrical , a driving torque is produced
which makes the meter creep
 Errors in of single phase
energy meter
 Errors caused by braking system
 1.Changes in strength of brake magnet
 2.Changes in disc resistance
 3.Self braking effect of series magnet flux
 4.Abnormal friction of moving parts
 Adjustments in single phase energy
meter
 Some Adjustments are made in single phase energy
meter so that they read correctly and their errors are
within limits. sequence of Adjustments are :
 Preliminary light load :disc is so positioned that holes are
not underneath electromagnet. Rated V to potential coil
with no current to current coil.light load is adjusted until
disc just fails to start.
 Full load unity factor adjustment :
 Rated V to pressure coil, rated full load I at unity pf to
current coil.
 Position of brake magnet is adjusted to vary braking
torque so that meter revolves at correct speed
 Lag adjustment ( low pf adjustment) :
 Rated V to pressure coil, rated full load I at 0.5 pf lagging
to current coil.
 Lag device is adjusted till meter runs at correct speed.

 now
 Rated V to pressure coil, rated full load I at unity pf to
current coil.
 Speed of meter is checked and full load unity pf and low
pf adjustments are repeated until desired accuracy limits
are reached for both conditions
 Light load adustment:
 Rated V to pressure coil, very low I about 5% of full load
at unity pf to current coil.
 Light load adjustment is done so that meter runs at
correct speed.
 Creep adjustment: pressure coil is excited by 110% at
rated V with ero load current
 Light load adjustment is checked.
POLY PHASE METERS
 3-Phase 4 Wire Meters

 3 phase 4 wire meters (10,30,50 Amps) are used for

Agricultural and industrial consumers.
 3- Phase supply is availed by these category of
consumers either at H.T or LT.
 meters are directly connected to supply if load is upto 50
amperes.
 If load is more than 50 amperes it is preferable to
provide C.Ts.
 They are rated for 415 volts.
3-Phase 4 Wire Meters
3-Phase 4 Wire Meters
 3-Phase 4 Wire Meters
 In a 3 phase 4 wire meter , 3 coils of each type i.e
potential coil and current coil are provided.
 In fact , a 3- phase 4 wire meter can be said to be 3
number of single phase meters accommodated in one
frame, each element(i.e., potential and current coil)
maintaining its own identity.
 A single common disc is there to record consumption.
 .
Connections of 3 phase 4 wire meter
Poly phase energy meters
 3-Phase 4 Wire Meters

 It is necessary that operation of each element is checked

separately when it is carrying load current to ensure that
all elements are recording in positive direction and that no
negative torque is exerted in any element.
 In practice, such wrong cases of connections have been
noticed and detected hence this point should be paid
special attention.
 Each of 3 elements of meter produces equal torque i.e,
1/3 of total torque under all conditions of varying power
factor.
Special energy meter
 THANKS
 Draw backs

 Since many mechanical parts are involved, mechanical

defects and breakdown are common.
 More over chances of manipulation and current theft are
higher.
 Incorrect magnitude of fluxes,
 Changes in strength of brake magnet,
 Changes in disc resistance,
 Abnormal friction of moving parts
 Disadvantages of induction type energy
meter

 Induce human error while noting down reading

 Amount of electricity consumed in rupees is not displayed
 Creeping can cause significant error
 Solutions

 To avoid disk resistance and abnormal friction (appears

with time) we have to replace our meters after a specific
time duration for accurate reading.
Benefits of EEM

 Better Accuracy
 Low Current Performance
 Low voltage performance
 Difficult to temper
 Digital display
Electronic Energy Meter
 Working of EEM
 Electronic Energy Meter is based on Digital Micro
Technology (DMT)
 uses no moving parts.
 EEM is known as “Static Energy Meter”
 In EEM , accurate functioning is controlled by a specially
designed IC called ASIC (Application Specified Integrated
Circuit).
 ASIC is constructed only for specific applications
using Embedded System Technology.
 Similar ASIC are now used in Washing Machines, Air
Conditioners, Automobiles, Digital Camera etc.
 Working of EEM
 to “Sample” current and voltage analogue circuits,
Voltage transformer, Current transformer etc are also
present in EEM in addition to ASIC,
 ‘Input Data’ (Voltage) is compared with a programmed
“Reference Data’ (Voltage) and finally a ‘Voltage Rate’
will be given to output.
 This output is then converted into ‘Digital Data’ by AD
Converters (Analogue- Digital converter) present in
ASIC.
 Working of EEM
 Digital Data is then converted into an “Average Value”.
Average Value / Mean Value is measuring unit of power.
 Output of ASIC is available as “Pulses” indicated by LED
placed on front panel of EEM.
 These pulses are as per Average Kilo Watt Hour
 Usually 800 to 3600 pulses / kWh are generated by ASIC
 Output of ASIC are fed to drive a Stepper Motor to give
display through rotation of digits embossed wheels.
 Output pulses are indicated through LED.
 ASIC are manufactured by Analogue Device Company.
ASIC maintains international standard CLASS I IEC 687/
1036.
 Figure shows a system block diagram for a three-phase
energy meter.
 hardware includes a power supply, an analog front end, a
microcontroller section, and an interface section.
 The analog front end is the part that interfaces to the high
voltage lines.
 It converts high voltages and high currents to voltages
sufficiently small to be measured directly by the ADC
(Analog/Digital Converter) of the microcontroller.
 Voltage measurement is done with a shunt resister
(shown as "Load"), while the current measurements
require more precise measurement and thus are done by
Current Transformer (CT) on all phases along with
current measurement on neutral.
 Meter manufacturers often integrate gain amplifiers in
order to amplify voltage as well as current measurements
in the range supported by the ADC. The amount of
amplification required depends on the ADC resolution as
well as the Class accuracy (0.1, 0.2. 1.0 etc.) required for
a three-phase meter.
 A typical energy meter also requires a Real Time Clock
(RTC) for tariff information.
 The RTC required for a metering application needs to be
very accurate (< 5ppm) for Time of Day (TOD), which
involves dividing the day, month and year into tariff slots.
Higher rates are applied at peak load periods and lower
tariff rates at off-peak load periods.
 The energy meter also needs to be calibrated before it
can be used and that is done in a digital domain for an
electronic meter. Digital calibration is fast, efficient and
can be automated, removing the time-consuming manual
trimming required in traditional, electromechanical
meters. Calibration coefficients are safely stored in an
EEPROM that can be either internal or external.
 An energy pulse output (EP) is an indication of active
power, as registered by the meter; the frequency of the
pulse is directly proportional to active power.
EEM
 Electronic energy meters can record energy usage at
different times of day and even different forms of power
(i.e., real versus reactive) to enable multi-rate billing. They
provide improved measurement accuracy and significant
lower power consumption than mechanical meters.
 An electronic energy meter (e-meter) inherently is
programmable, allowing a basic hardware design to be
easily reconfigured by software for different applications.
 A major benefit is the provision of automatic meter reading
(AMR), ability to collect data via networked
communication.
 The heart of the meter is the firmware,
which calculates Active, reactive energy
based on voltage and current
measurement. The firmware also includes
tamper detection algorithms, data logging
and protocols like DLMS and Power Line
Modem communication protocol for
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR).
 block diagram of an e-meter
 incoming line voltage, L1 to L3 and Neutral, are
attenuated via potential dividers in voltage sensor block,
while line currents are measured via shunt resistors in
the current sensor unit.
 Their analog outputs are converted into digital data
through A-to-D converter stage in processor, and also
are fed back to terminal block making e-meter
transparent to electrical installation.
EEM
EEM
 THANKS
FAILURE ANALYSIS
OF
DISTRIBUTION METERS
AND INDICATORS

By
Er. ROMIL KUMAR
Tempering of meters
Tempering of meters
Tempering of meters
Tempering of meters
METER FAILURE
OR
DISCREPANCIES
 Meter Failure or discrepancies

1. Consumer Meters:
 In case consumer reports to licensee about consumer
meter readings not commensurate with the consumption
of electricity, stoppage of meter, damage of seal, burning
or damage of the meter
-licensee shall take necessary steps as per procedures
given in Electricity Supply code of appropriate
Commission read with notified conditions of supply of
electricity.
 Anti-Tampering Features Of Meters

 The meters shall be provide with such anti-tampering

features as per the standards on Installation and
Operation of meters given in the schedule
 Repairs Of Minor Defects In Laboratory
 Following main defects are generally found in meters
 1. Rotor shaft found bent.
 2. Counting train found defective
 3. Rotor disc found bent
 4. Pressure disc has discontinuity
 5. Meter excessive slow fast, even after an adjustment
 6. Upper guide pin broken
 7. Current coil short with body
 8. Wrong name plate meter constant as revolution of
meter does not tally with constant
 9. Demagnetized brake magnets
 10. Broken glass plates
 Out of new meters received from area store, defective
ones are replaced free of cost by supplier and for carrying
out repairs of old meters collected form field by area
stores repairing is being carried out at meter, repairing
section by canalization or by providing spare parts
required.
 After due repairs meters are sent to Lt Meter testing for
calibrating, it is very necessary when electromagnet gaps
have been distributed or when any component is replaced
 First apply the rated voltage to each element in turn for 3
phase meters without any current in current circuit and
adjust the low load adjuster to a point where the rotor
disc becomes stationary.
 If this adjuster is moved in either direction the disc
should start to creep
 Checking/Testing At Site
Routine testing of meters could be once in 3/5 years.
 consumer‟s installation and meters should be checked form
time to time surprisingly.
 Important points to be paid attention while checking are:
 I. Connections of meter are proper
 II. Seals are not tampered
 III. No loose or direct connection exist
 IV. Meter is not damaged to record less
 V. CTs are properly connected. No reversal of any phase
connection exists. Multiplying factor is properly calculated
and applied
 VI. Meter is well-protected from rail, vermins and dust etc.
 VII. Links are connected
 VIII. Terminal block is not damaged
 Errors, Compensations and Adjustments For
 .
Single Phase Induction Energy Meters
 1. Errors.
 In single phase induction type energy meters the errors
may be caused by driving system or braking system. The
driving system may cause error due to incorrect magnitude
of fluxes (produced by abnormal values of current or
voltage or frequency or variation in coil resistance),
incorrect phase angles (produced by improper lag
adjustments, abnormal frequencies, variation in resistance
with temperature etc.) and lack of symmetry in magnetic
circuit that makes the meter to creep. The braking system
may cause error due to change in magnetic circuit, change
in disc resistance, self braking effect of series magnet flux
or abnormal friction of moving parts
 Adjustment for Friction or Light Load.
The friction errors are liable to be serious, especially at light loads.
The friction at the bearings and register mechanism is overcome by
providing a small compensating torque, practically independent of
load on the meter. This is usually attained by placing a small shading
loop, also known as the light load plate, in the air gap of the shunt
magnet. This torque can be adjusted by lateral movement of the
loop. Alternatively arrangements of non-symmetrical shading loops
are also used. Such an error will be evident when the PC is energized
from the rated supply voltage and very low current (say 5% of full
load) is passed through the CC at unity pf.
 For Creeping.
 A slight torque developed by the light load adjustment may cause the
disc to rotate slowly when the potential coils are excited but with no
load current flowing. This defect is known as creeping and is
prevented by cutting two holes or slots in the disc on opposite sides
of the spindle. The disc tends to remain stationary when one of the
holes comes under one of the poles of shunt magnet. In some
cases, a small piece of iron wire is attached to the disc. This deflect
will be evident when 110 percent of rated voltage is applied to the
meter PC with no flow of current through CC.
 For Over Loads.
 The self braking torque, developed due to interaction of eddy
current switch the series magnet field, assumes importance with the
increase in load current and at high load current the registration
tends to be low. This is overcome by keeping the speed of the disc
as low as possible and making current coil flux small in comparison to
the potential coil flux. It is also customary to add an over-load
compensator, which usually takes the form of a storable magnetic
shunt for the series magnet core.
 Full Load.
There may be an error in the registration and such an error is
evident when the meter is checked at rated voltage and rated
current at unity power factor.
The adjustment is carried out, either by varying the position of a
magnetic shunt to control the amount of permanent magnet
flux passing through the disc or by moving the brake magnet
with respect to the disc, so that the meter registers correctly
within the required limit of the error.
Movement of the brake magnet in the direction of spindle will
reduce the braking torque and vice-versa.
 (6) Voltage Variations. Compensation for variations in
supply voltage is provided by making use a storable
magnetic shunt which diverts a large proportion of flux
into the active path when supply voltage increases.
 (7) For Temperature. An increase in temperature causes
increase in resistance of all copper and aluminum parts
and so results in
 (i) a small decrease in shunt magnet flux and a reduction
in angle of lag between supply voltage and shunt magnet
flux
 (ii) a drop in torques caused by all shading bands
 (iii) an increase in eddy current path resistance
 (iv) reduction in angles of lag of the eddy currents.
Some of these effects tend to neutralize each other
and so the errors introduced by temperature variations
are usually small.
 THANKS
ENERGY METER READING
RECORDING
COMPUTERIZATION OF
READING

By
Er. ROMIL KUMAR
 Analogue electricity meter used as an example uses five
dials to give a reading.
 Starting from the left-hand dial (10,000), record numbers
from left to right
 When a dial hand points between numbers, record lower
number
 Numbers recorded should be 3-4-9-4-6. This reading
shows 34,946 kilowatt hours of electricity.
AUTOMATIC METER READING
SYSTEMS
AMR

 Automatic Remote Meter Reading .

 Automating process of measurement through digital
communication techniques.
METERING SYSTEM ELECTRO-MECHANICAL
Low Accuracy
Control – NIL
PAST Communications - Expensive
Theft Detection – Poor

DIGITAL SOLID STATE

High Accuracy
CURRENT Control – LIMITED
Communications – External through
Retrofit
Theft Detection – Node only
NEXT GEN SMART METER & IT
SYSTEM
Very High Accuracy
NEXTGEN
Control – FULL
Communications – Built in (on chip / PCB)
Theft Detection – High (Network level)
 Critical Benefits from AMRS

 Ability to detect tamper events and outage occurrences.

 Remotely Connect/ Disconnect power supply through
meter.
 Calculate transformer loading and sizing from interval
data
 15 minute interval data gives accurate load information
for supply scheduling, switching operations, planning etc
 Monitor voltage at each premise to know conditions
when to operate capacitor switches or regulators
 Consistent and granular data for improved accuracy
 How AMR works ?

 Remotely reads customer meters and then transfers the

data into the billing system
 Reduce the need for meter readers to manually gather
utility meter readings each month.
AMR
ARCHITECTURE
PRIMARY COMPONENTS:

 Meter Interface Module

 Communication System
 Central Office Equipment
 Meter interface module

 AMR system starts at meter.

 Some means of translating readings from rotating meter
dials, or cyclometer style meter dials, into digital form is
necessary in order to send digital metering data from
customer site to a central point.
 Digital Power Meter, to collect and send digital metering
data from customer site to a central point.
 Electro-optical interface
 Signal Processing Electronics
 RAM & Program Memory
 Retrofit Card

 Consists of a single PCB, which converts CF pulses of

Electronic Energy Meters to Electrical pulses,
accumulate them and generate a meter reading with
help of Microprocessor.
 Microprocessor converts this data into Power Line
Modulation.
 Existing Meter Reading, Meter Constant and Meter ID is
stored in NV RAM of Micro controller, before Retrofit is
made operational.
 One unit is incremented when Retrofit senses the pulses
equal to Meter constant.
 The incremented unit are stored in the NV RAM of the
Micro controller.
 Communication System
 Required for telemetry of data and control signals
between meter interface and control room.
 It may be based on one or more of:
 Fibre-Optic Link
 GSM/ CDMA Link
 PLCC
 BPL
 Other means
 Communications systems

1. GSM Based Communication

Single stage communication between Meter and central
station through GSM Modem

2. PLCC Based Communication

Single stage communication between Meter and central
station through electricity network
GSM Communication
 GSM Based Communication

 GSM modem
 Antenna
 GSM Modem
 Dual Band or Triband GSM GPRS modem (EGSM
900/1800MHz) / (EGSM 900/1800 / 1900 MHz )
 Designed for GPRS, data, fax, SMS and voice applications
 Fully compliant with ETSI GSM Phase 2+ specifications
(Normal MS)
 Interfaces
 RS-232 through D-TYPE 9 pin connector
 Power supply through Molex 4 pin connector
 SMA antenna connector
 Toggle spring SIM holder
 Red LED Power on
 Green LED status of GSM / GPRS module
 GSM Network In AMR
 Utilizing an existing cellular network for data transportation
requires no additional equipment or software, resulting in
a significant savings in both time and capital.
 Cellular technology utilizes an encryption technique to
prevent an outside source from receiving the transmitted
data.
 The cellular network provides full two-way
communications, allowing scheduled reads, demand reads,
alarm and event reporting, power outage reporting and
power restoration reporting.
 PLCC Communication
AMR ARCHITECTURE

Central Office
Host Computer
Station.

RF/ PSTN / Modem RF/PSTN / Modem

Distribution Distribution Distribution

Transformer 1. Transformer 2. Transformer 3.

Data Cocentrator Data Cocentrator Data Cocentrator

Unit DCU 1 Unit DCU 2 Unit DCU 3

PLCC
Meter 1 Meter 1 Meter 1
PLCC

PLCC

Meter 2 Meter 2 Meter 2

Meter 3 Meter 3 Meter 3

Meter 4 Meter 4 Meter 4

Meter 5 Meter 5 Meter 5

Meter n Meter n Meter n

 Data Concentrator Unit (DCU)

 Data Concentrator sits on loop of secondary of distribution

transformer.
 Collects meter readings from all meters using Power Line
Communication System at predefined intervals.
 DCU and all meters connected to it can be considered as a
sub-system of HCS.
 Sub-system is set up with a DCU monitoring low voltage
power zone downstream of a Distribution Transformer.
 Power Line Carrier Communications

 Most economically viable technology for transferring

Meter data to DCU.
 Uses technique of communicating data over existing
Electrical Lines which carry LT power to site.
 Employs an ASIC, which accepts digital data & converts
it into FSK modulation and transmits it over power line
by sensing a zero crossing of 220V sine wave.
 Typical frequency used for frequency modulation is
132KHz.
PLCC Schematics
 Control Room System

 Control Room System includes:

 Modems
 Central server
 Client Software for data acquisition and data analysis
 Functions
 Reports/ Analysis of meter readings
 Calculate Statistics: Max./ Min., Abnormal
 Time-of-Day metering/ billing
 Selection Of Communication

 PLCC Best Suited for LT 440 V network for detecting

outages, tamper events and performing remote
disconnect
 Uses same power lines as communication media, so
ideally suited for rural/ agricultural connections
 Communication on HT side can be implemented via a
choice of GSM, CDMA, RF or PSTN
 Meter Data Analysis & Energy Accounting
Metering Billing Operations Customer Service

 Network Schematic Modelling: Modelling the physical

network structure (substation, HT Feeder, Transformer, LT
Feeder) & keeping it updated as changes occur.

 Handle Feeder Switching scenarios for Energy Accounting:

 From One LT feeder to another on the same transformer

 From One distribution Transformer to another distribution

transformer, but with the same LT feeder

 From One HT feeder to another HT feeder but through

the same DT and LT feeder

 - contd.
 Reports/Analysis
 Identifying customers with tampered meters or zero readings.
 Monitoring the energy consumed /supplied and energy accounts
/reconciliation over a particular duration
 by customer category

 by network device (LT Feeder, transformer, HT Feeder, Substation)

 by geographical area (zone, circle, division, subdivision)

 Monitoring the maximum demand, voltage levels, current, power

consumption/ load on each meter.
 Can calculate Max demand of LT / HT feeder, Transformer & Substation
 Abnormal consumption report
 Ability to build ad-hoc reports without having to know any
programming language or query language.
 Energy Balance Report

 Areas of High Loss Report

 Consumption trends Report

 Advantages Of AMR System

ELECTRIC COMPANY BENEFITS

 Smart automated processes instead of manual work
 Accurate information from the network load to optimise
maintenance and investments
 Customized rates and billing dates.
 Streamlined high bill investigations.
 Detection of tampering of Meters.
 Accurate measurement of transmission losses.
 Better network performance and cost efficiency.
 Demand and distribution management.
 More intelligence to business planning.
Better company credibility.
CUSTOMER BENEFITS

 Precise consumption information

 Clear and accurate billing
 Automatic outage information and faster
recovery
 Better and faster customer service
 Flag potential high consumption before
customer gets a high bill.
 Benefits
 Detect tampering and outages.
 Remotely connect/ disconnect power supply.
 Calculate loading and collect audit data
 Store low interval data for better supply scheduling,
 switching operations, planning etc
 Voltage monitoring at each premise for improved profile
 Software-based functions for fast updates
 Advantage: Distribution companies
 Avoid Manual Errors
 Complete & accurate Database
 Flexible rates/ billing and faster changes
 Accurate Audit/ Investigations
 Tempering detection
 Basis of DSM
 More accurate Energy Purchase Planning
 Advantage: Consumer
 Precise consumption data
 Clear, accurate and undisputed data
 Automatic Outage reporting
 Faster & clearer Abnormality reports
 Faster Billing Dispute Redressel, with full audit trail
 Spot Billing
 An offshoot of AMR
 It requires a hand-held microprocessor based unit with a
built-in printer
 While other methods are possible, generally unit is fed at
beginning of shift with basic data, e.g. previous readings,
meter identity, etc
 Meter reader goes from house to house and downloads
meter data
 Spot Billing
 Interface could be:
 Direct connection
 Infrared communication
 Optical link
 Wireless Radio based
 Unit calculates & prints bill on spot , and same is given to
consumer for possible immediate payment
 Results in reduced payment cycle