What Are the Common Remote Meter Reading Solutions for Smart Electricity Meters?

At present, the remote meter reading methods of domestic smart meters are divided into two types: wired meter reading and wireless meter reading. One of the most widely used is the RS-485 wired remote meter reading program. In addition, there are three different schemes for wireless meter reading: power line carrier meter reading, NB-IoT/4G meter reading, and LoRa meter reading. The following briefly introduces the applicable scenarios and respective advantages of these remote meter reading methods.

First: RS-485 wired meter reading solution

Today's smart meters all have their own RS-485 interface, and then multiple smart meters can be directly linked to the concentrator by using the RS-485 transmission line to establish a data transmission network. Because of the need for transmission lines, in order to save costs. This solution is suitable for rental houses, residential buildings, office buildings and other scenarios where electricity meters are centrally installed.

Advantages: The smart meter has its own RS-485 interface, no additional expensive cost modules are required, and the hardware cost is low. The concentrator has been modularized, and one concentrator module can read 256 electricity meters. High data stability and fast transmission speed.

Second: NB-IoT/4G wireless meter reading solution

The smart meter has a built-in NB-IoT/4G module. After the front-end collects the meter data, it transmits the data to the server through the wireless network, and then stores, analyzes, and displays the data.

Advantages: low installation cost, no need to arrange communication lines, meters can be installed in a decentralized manner, and remote meter reading can be realized as long as there is a signal. The operation is simple, and the data can be directly uploaded to the system when it is powered on.

Third type: LoRa wireless meter reading solution

LoRa is a wireless communication technology dedicated to long-distance and low-power consumption and is widely used in the field of long-distance low-rate IoT wireless communication in various occasions.

Advantages: small size, low power consumption, long transmission distance, strong anti-interference ability. The meter data is directly connected to the system, saving the cost of configuring collectors and concentrators.

Fourth: carrier meter reading scheme

This scheme realizes high-speed transmission of data signals through power line carrier technology and is mostly used for projects with few transformers after power supply lines have just been built or after renovation of old lines. Such as newly built communities, schools, dormitories, shopping malls, etc.

Advantages: no additional wiring is required, the networking is fast and simple; the transmission is fast, the on-site construction is simple, and the installation labor cost is cheap.

The four common meter reading methods of smart meters are briefly introduced here. If you don't know how to choose the most suitable meter reading solution for you, there is contact information on the right side of the website, welcome to consult!