Automatic Power Meter Reading

Scenario

Automatic meter reading (AMR) technology automatically collects data from devices such as electricity, water, and gas meters, and transfers that data to a central database for billing or analysis.

A Middle East developer was seeking a solution for its existing building with Ethernet network that has high density of devices and communication mediums on each floor. The control room needed to gather and monitor a great variety of information such as security alarm signals, air conditioner controls, signal controls, power meters, etc. There was insufficient space to install serial communication wiring to connect the power meters to the control room. The client wanted a solution that satisfied the following requirements:

1. Data transmission from each group of power meters to the control room

2. Minimal additional wiring space

3. Minimal additional IP addresses

Solution

The power meters were connected to one of Moxa's NPort 5130's serial ports, which exchanges signals with the control room via Ethernet. By utilising existing Ethernet network, serial signals from the power meter can be transferred without additional wiring effort. An additional advantage of the NPort 5130 is multi-drop support for up to 31 serial devices. Thus, the control room can receive power meter data from all NPort 5130 units in the skyscraper over the Ethernet network and satisfy the following requirements.

1. Uses the existing Ethernet infrastructure to transmit power meter data

2. Scalable number of NPort 5130 devices to serve all RS-485 serial interface power meters