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Advance Metering Technology, AMR, MRI & BCS

INTRODUCTION

Energy Meters are an integral part of electricity revenue generation system.

Procurement and installation of energy meters will be the key focus area of all power
utilities. Drafting out appropriate technical and functional specifications of the meters is
an important first step, requiring sufficient vision to ensure that the new meters do not
get obsolete within their desired life-period, and to differentiate their application
requirements.

Advanced metering infrastructure/technology

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) are systems that measure, collect, and analyze
energy usage, and communicate with metering devices such as electricity meters, either
on request or on a schedule. These systems include hardware, software,
communications, consumer energy displays and controllers, customer associated
systems, Meter Data Management (MDM) software, and supplier business systems.

IMPORTANCE OF METERING

- Energy meter is the cash register of the utility.

- Energy meters form vital instruments of revenue realization for a utility.
- Inaccurate/ defective metering is catastrophe, both for Consumer & the utility

METERING PLACES/POINTS

- Metering point at 132/33 kV sub-stations, from where we draw the power

(Energy).
- Metering points at our 33/11 kV sub-stations. ( at 33 kV Incoming, 33 kV & 11
kV sides of Transformers and on 11 kV out going feeders).
- Import / Export points in between two s/s.
- Distribution Transformers.(DTR metering)
- Consumers premises.( LT / HT/ EHT)

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PURPOSE OF METERING

- Workout line losses between sending end to s/s ,

- Workout losses in between DTR and consumers
- Workout losses / bus balance in s/s
- Recording consumptions in consumers meters (consumed by the users)
- Obtain data for analyzing system for load pattern/ power quality/ system
strengthening
- tampers & Events analysis.

Type of Meters

- Single phase 230 V Static LT kWh meters

a. Static meters with mechanical dial (old)

b. Static meters with optical port (galvenically isolated port).
c. Static meters with infrared port (wireless port)
d. Static meters with RF port (wireless port)

- Three phase 3X 230 V Static LT kWh meters

a. Static meter with mechanical dial (old)

b. Static meter with optical port . (galvenically isolated port)
c. Static meter with RF port . (wireless port)

- Three phase 3X 230 V Static LT CT tri-vector meters

-For High value LT consumers with AMR

-For DTR Metering (DLMS compliant)

- Three phase Static HT tri-vector meters

-For HT & EHT consumers with AMR

-For feeder metering (DLMS compliant)
Note – all the static meter have LCD (liquid crystal Diod) display

With the introduction of Static Energy meter in distribution system; utilities

have got a big weapon in their hands i.e. Meter data received from the meter for
analysis with the help of AMR/ CMRI and BCS. These meters have ability to record
the electrical parameters of the system in its load survey. In addition this meter is
also capable of detecting any abnormal electrical conditions with its intelligence.
So these meters are also called intelligent and smart meter. The complete data of
meter can be retrieved electronically (either by RMR/AMR or by a hand held device
called CMRI).

COMMON METER READING INSTRUMENTS ( C.M.R.I. )

MRI is an instrument by which we can retrieve meter data of a particular maker’s meter
for that MRI is suitable.

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CMRI is an instrument by which we can retrieve meter data of different maker’s meters
(having different meter’s software ) as per our requirement.

MAKE OF CMRI AVAILABLE IN OUR SYSTEM

1. Analogic make CMRI

2. Sands make CMRI

Before operation of CMRI following should be ensured

1. Battery of CMRI should be charge up to the mark.

2. Sufficient space should be available in CMRI memory.
3. Battery charger , connecting leads should be in healthy condition.

AUTOMATED METER READING

In this process modem is connected with meter through optical or RJ11 port and power
up by available 110 V/230V supply from TTB or as the case may be. Another modem
need to be connected to computer in which BCS is loaded. Energy meter is having its
own protocol or DLMS protocol to which it responds. Schedules for reading are to be
prepared in BCS and then they are run on computer. In schedules the GSM No. which
is to be dialed is fed. When schedule runs it dials that number and send a hand shaking
commend. The meter on the other hand recognizes that these commands and send the
data to BCS . The data when received by BCS is saved in a particular file at some pre
defined location. (So in this manner the data which was to be collected from site by MRI
is collected in computer with the help of BCS and lot of time /man power is saved.)

Equipments required for automated meter reading (AMR)

1. GSM modem (ECD 200 ) at meter end.

2. GSM modem (ECD 100) at PC end
3. Sim cards for PC end as well meter end
4. Base computer software
5. connecting leads

Modes of meter readings via AMR

Meter readings of a particular meter can be access on following mode

In GSM Infrastructure:
1. Store and forward mode : In this mode stored data in GSM modem at
meter end is received as per configuration of modem i.e.
hourly/daily/weekly/monthly. In this mode baud rate is 9600bps . For
receiving all meter data from a meter memory it will takes about 3 to 4
minutes only.
2. Transparent mode : In this mode meter reading data directly received
from meter. In this mode baud rate is 1200bps. For receiving all meter
data from a meter memory it will takes about 30 to 40 minutes .

In GPRS Infrastructure:

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3. We can view the live data of the programmed intervals.

INFORMATION RETRIVED BY CMRI/ AMR FROM METER MEMORY

(data may vary as per type and class of meter)

1. Instant parameters like voltages. Phases current, power factors, Active

power, Apparent power, Reactive Power, system Frequency, Phase
sequence etc.
2. Energy Values like Active/apparent/reactive energy & demand , average
power factor, mid night data, power on/off position etc. meter CT/PT ratio,
meter tarrif program, flag position of meter
3. Load survey data like daily load data of energy & demand for last 30
days at every 15 minutes interval.
4. Events & temper data like PT missing, CT short, CT open, load
unbalance, magnet temper, Over load, neutral disturbance conditions etc.
5. Transactions record : Any changes in meter display or programming or
temper reset with date & time

ADVANTAGE OF AMR

1. No need of man power to take the meter readings data.

2. Manual errors eliminates completely
3. Time saving in reading & billing process.
4. Expenditure saved against vehicles and stationary etc.

BASE COMPUTER APPLICATION SOFTWARE

A BCS play vital role to read the meter remotely and for efficient and speedy
recovery of data read through CMRI/HHU and also to view the downloaded
information in different formats & graphs.

The general specifications of the Base Computer Application Software is as

below:

The BCS software shall be user friendly. Windows based Base computer
software shall be supplied. Base Computer software shall give all details
adequate for analysis and load surveys parameters. The software shall have the
facility to convert all the consolidated information / data of selectable parameters
into ASCII and XML format. EDP department of purchaser can generate its own
DBF (data base files) to downloaded all the required information into it.

i. Platform : The BCS shall be executable on all WINDOWS system. The BCS
shall be suitable to run on IBM compatible PC hardware platform.

ii. Meter Data Display :The software shall show electrical condition existing at the
time of reading the meter in tabular forms as well as graphical format (Phase
diagram)

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All the information about energy, maximum demand and their respective TOD
register reading, billing register readings shall be shown in a manner which user
can easily understand.

All the load survey data shall be available in numerical as well as graphical
format. It shall be possible to view this data daily, weekly, and monthly format.
The load survey graph will show values where the cursor is placed for the
selected or for all parameter.

All the information about abnormality events shall be accompanied with date and
time stamping along with 'snap-shot' of respective electrical conditions. This
information shall be displayed in the sequence in which it happened in
cumulative format as well as summary format.

The software shall be capable of preparing CMRI to read the meter information
or time setting of the meter.

iii. Support Display: There shall be "user friendly" approach for viewing meter data
for the reading collected now or for the reading collected in the past. All
information about a particular consumer will be sorted out and available at one
place so that locating any consumer 's past data is easy. It shall be possible to
retrieve/locate data on the basis of either one of the following particulars:

a) Consumer's ID/Numbers.
b) Meter Sr. No.
c) Date of meter reading.
d) Location.

iv. The Data Transfer :It shall be possible to transfer data to and fro from CMRI
through serial interface.
v. Remote Meter Reading option: It should be possible to read remote end meter
using GSM/ GPRS infrastructure with configurable auto reading mode and
manual mode. The auto dialling and reading mode shall have enough flexibility to
define different groups and their priority orders to read the meter etc.

vi. Configurability :It shall be possible to have selective printing of all available data
of the meter. Print out shall not include anything and everything available with
the BCS. The software shall support "print wizard" whereby user can decide
what to print out. The use of the software need not revert back to the supplier of
the software for modifying the software just to print what he desires.

BCS shall have facility to export data to ASCII or spreadsheet format for
integrating with the purchaser's billing system. Here again an "Export wizard" or
similar utility shall be available whereby user can select file format, what data to
export, the field width selection etc.

vii. Security: The BCS shall have multilevel password for data protection and
security. The first level shall allow the user to enter the system. The different
software features shall be protecting by different passwords. The configurable of
passwords shall be user definable.

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viii. Help: The exhaustive online help shall be available with the software so that user
can use all the features of the software by just reading the help contents.

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Objective type question :

Que 1 : Optical port is

(a) A galvenically isolated port
(b) A electrical contact port
(c) A wireless port
(d) non of above

Que 2: Reading of meter using Infrared communication port is possible

(a) through connecting the cord to meter
(b) through Wireless port
(c) Through optical port

Que. 3 : ECD-200 GSM Modem used at :

a. Meter end
b. PC end
c. Meter as well as PC end
d. None

Que. 4: LCD represent to :

a. Light crystal diode
b. Liquid ceramic crystal diode
c. Liquid crystal diode
d. Light ceramic crystal diode

Que. 5: CMRI is used to :

a. Retrieve data from meter
b. Reading Change in meter
c. Testing of meter
d. Analyzing data of meter

Que. 1: What are the merits of A.M.R.? Explain it in brief?

Ans.- Automated meter reading:- In this process modem is connected with meter
through optical or RJ11 port and power up by available 110 V supply from TTB .Another
modem need to be connected to computer in which BCS is loaded. Energy meter is
having its own protocol to which it responds. Schedules for reading are to be prepared
in BCS and then they are run on computer. In schedules the GSM No. which is to be
dialed is fed. When schedule runs it dials that number and send a hand shaking
commend. The meter on the other hand recognizes that these commands and send the
data to BCS . The data when received by BCS is saved in a particular file at some pre
defined location. (So in this manner the data which was to be collected from site by MRI
is collected in computer with the help of BCS and lot of time /man power is saved.)
Equipments required for automated meter reading (AMR)

6. GSM modem (ELC 200 ) at meter end.

7. GSM modem (ELC 100) at PC end
8. Sim cards for PC end as well meter end
9. Base computer software

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10. connecting leads

Mode of meter readings via AMR

In GSM Infrastructure:
1. Store and forward mode : In this mode stored data in GSM modem at
meter end is received as per configuration of modem i.e.
hourly/daily/weekly/monthly. In this mode baud rate is 9600bps . For
receiving all meter data from a meter memory it will takes about 3 to 4
minutes only.
2. Transparent mode : In this mode meter reading data directly received
from meter. In this mode baud rate is 1200bps. For receiving all meter
data from a meter memory it will takes about 30 to 40 minutes .

In GPRS Infrastructure:
3. We can view the live data of the programmed intervals.

Advantages of AMR
- No need of man power to take the meter readings data.
- Manual errors eliminates completely
- Time saving in reading & billing process.
- Expenditure saved against vehicles and stationary etc.

Que. 2: Brief on the information to be retrieved from the meter with the help
of CMRI/AMR.

Ans: INFORMATION RETRIVED BY CMRI/ AMR FROM METER MEMORY

(data may vary as per type and class of meter)

1. Instant parameters like voltages. Phases current, power factors, Active

power, Apparent power, Reactive Power, system Frequency, Phase
sequence etc.
2. Energy Values like Active/apparent/reactive energy & demand , average
power factor, mid night data, power on/off position etc. meter CT/PT ratio,
meter tariff program, flag position of meter
3. Load survey data like daily load data of energy & demand for last 30
days at every 15 minutes interval.
4. Events & temper data like PT missing, CT short, CT open, load
unbalance, magnet temper, Over load, neutral disturbance conditions etc.
5. Transactions record : Any changes in meter display or programming or
temper reset with date & time