AUTOMATIC METER READING (AMR) IN DOMESTIC METERING
Meter readers handle large amount of data every day and entering that data manually can increase the chances for human error. With the drive for 100% metering across water utilities this task of the meter reader becomes even more difficult as the load of reading meters will increase. Making sure the data is accurate, on time and analyzed is key to increasing cash flow and customer satisfaction.
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) solutions lets the meter reader automatically collect consumption, diagnostic and status data from the water meter and then transfer that data to a central database for billing and analysis.
Automated Meter Reading (Walk-by/Drive by ) Solution for Water Metering
Remote meter reading system for domestic and commercial connections to fulfill the following objectives:
- Provide a means for profiling the water consumption for consumers
- Provide a solution for accurate, reliable and electronic data transfer from the meter register to the billing system expeditiously leading to customer satisfaction.
- Provide a solution to improve meter reading efficiency and eliminate billing data manipulation without having to intrude into the consumer premises.
- Improve morale of the workforce in being able to use advanced, efficient and easy-touse meter reading system.
Present scenario with Standard Mechanical meter and site issues
- Space constraint at Installation- Electromechanical Meters needs to Be Installed in Horizontal direction – Any change in Installation angle leads to inaccuracy in measurement.
- Drift in accuracy over period of time due to wear/tear of moving parts.
- Meter stop recording due to obstacles /dirt in meter.
- Metering tamper- Reverse connection, Magnetic Tamper, Theft due to high value of Brass
- Low flow range- R80 metrology
- Air flow measurement
Resulting in…… Increase in Non-Revenue Water, Increase Site visits, Increase Maintenance, Customer Complaints
How to fulfill above issues, by using AMR Smart Static Water meters.
- Unrivalled working flow range, offering above R500 metrology through all sizes of product
- Sustained accuracy across complete life of meter
- No Air Measurement
- Data logger facility + Inbuilt Radio (AMR/AMI)
- Performance uninterrupted by the installation
- No upstream or downstream straight lengths required
- Static AMR can be installed in any orientation – flow direction detected on install
- No moving parts
- No obstacles in the water
Resulting in……Reduce Non-Revenue Water, Increase operational efficiency, Reduced Maintenance, Future proof
Technical Scope
In Walk-by/Drive-by AMR, a meter reader carries a handheld computer with a built-in or attached receiver/transceiver (radio frequency) to collect meter readings from an AMR capable meter. The meter reader walks or drives by the locations where meters are installed as they go through their predefined meter reading route.
Advantage
Advantages to utilities
- Lowers the meter reading time, bill preparation time
- Provides accurate billing information, reducing estimated readings and re-billing costs
- Enhances employee and customer safety by reducing the number of personnel on the road and providing safer reading methods
- Reduces billing errors and disputes
- Enables flexible reading schedules, eliminating delays in summary billing of commercial accounts
- Increases cash flow by allowing quarterly or bi-monthly accounts to be converted to monthly billing
- Reduces customer complaint calls and increases customer satisfaction
- Monitors tampering and theft
Advantages to utility Consumers
- Reduces billing errors
- Increases confidence in service
- Increases information about usage and empowers them to conserve resources and save money
Conclusion
The Static water meters with Walk-by/Drive-by AMR for water meter reading provide a simple, reliable & flexible solution to the Indian utility requirement for Walk-by/Drive-by AMR. Electromagnetic AMR smart meters are future ready with the necessary communication, metrology features & the system can be easily upgraded to AMI without disturbing the meters whenever the utility is ready.