What is the principle of remote meter reading for smart meters?

The remote meter reading of smart meters is based on the Internet of Things and communication technology, and is achieved through three core links: data collection, transmission, and processing. Its principle can be decomposed into the following steps:

1、 Data Collection: The Perception Layer of Smart Meters

The smart meter is equipped with high-precision sensors and measurement chips, which collect real-time data on electricity such as current, voltage, and power, and calculate the electricity consumption (such as kilowatt hours) through a microprocessor. These data are stored in the form of digital signals in the meter's memory, ensuring accuracy and traceability of the data. For example, the electricity meter records electricity consumption data every 15 minutes, forming a time stamped electricity consumption curve.

2、 Data Transmission: Building a 'Connecting Bridge'

The electricity meter sends data to a remote server through a built-in communication module, and the transmission methods include:

wireless communication

GPRS/3G/4G/5G: Real time data upload using mobile communication networks, suitable for decentralized deployment scenarios (such as residential areas).

NB IoT/LoRa: Low power wide area network technology with wide coverage and low cost, suitable for remote areas or large-scale deployment.

Wi Fi: Directly connects to local networks, suitable for scenarios such as apartments and hotels, but relies on existing Wi Fi infrastructure.

wire communication

RS485 bus: connects the electricity meter and collector through twisted pair cables, and then converts them to TCP/IP protocol to access the network. It is commonly used in industrial parks or large buildings.

Power line carrier (PLC): the data is transmitted through the home power line, and the signal is modulated and demodulated in the live line and zero line, without additional wiring, but vulnerable to grid noise.

hybrid networking

Combining multiple communication methods (such as RS485+GPRS) to ensure redundancy and reliability of data transmission. For example, the electricity meter first aggregates the data to the concentrator through RS485, and then the concentrator uploads it to the cloud through GPRS.

3、 Data Processing: Cloud based 'Intelligent Brain'

After receiving data, the remote server performs the following processing:

Data cleaning and storage

Filter abnormal data (such as negative values and abrupt changes), store valid data in the database, and support historical queries and trend analysis.

Measurement and Statistics

Generate electricity consumption reports based on dimensions such as time, region, and user, calculate key indicators such as peak valley electricity consumption and maximum demand, and provide a basis for electricity bill settlement.

User Interaction and Management

User end: display real-time electricity consumption, electricity bill and electricity consumption suggestions (such as peak and valley electricity price optimization) through mobile APP, web page or WeChat official account.

Management end: The power company monitors the status of the entire network's electricity meters through a cloud platform, performs load analysis, line loss calculation, and abnormal alarms (such as electricity theft and equipment failure).

4、 Technological advantages: from "manual meter reading" to "intelligent management"

Efficiency improvement

Automatic meter reading replaces manual on-site operation, reducing the meter reading cycle from once a month to once every 15 minutes and increasing efficiency by over 90%.

Accurate data

Eliminating manual copying errors, achieving a data accuracy rate of 99.99%, and reducing user disputes.

cost saving

According to statistics, remote meter reading can reduce operating costs by 60% -80% by saving labor, transportation, paper and other costs.

function extension

Real time warning: Monitor abnormal electricity usage (such as sudden increase and decrease, lid opening alarm), and promptly push notifications.

Energy efficiency analysis: Based on big data, generate energy consumption reports to help users optimize their electricity habits (such as adjusting air conditioning operating time).

Prepaid management: supports remote recharge, automatic power-off for overdue payments, and improves electricity recovery rate.

5、 Typical application scenarios

Residential communities: Use Wi Fi or NB IoT electricity meters to check battery levels and pay electricity bills on your mobile device.

Industrial Park: Adopting RS485+GPRS hybrid networking to monitor the electricity load of large users and optimize power grid scheduling.

Remote areas: Use LoRa or solar powered electricity meters to solve the problems of no signal and no power supply.

Intelligent building: Integrating water and gas meter data to achieve unified management of multiple energy sources.

summary

Smart meter remote meter reading upgrades traditional meters into intelligent terminals with real-time monitoring, data analysis, and remote control capabilities through the technology chain of "perception connection intelligence". This technology not only improves the efficiency and accuracy of power management, but also lays a data foundation for the construction of energy Internet and smart city, and promotes the transformation of energy consumption from "passive measurement" to "active management".