Automatic meter reading uses digital communication technologies to automate the process of measuring utility usage. It works by translating the mechanical movements of a utility meter into digital signals, allowing usage data to be transmitted to the utility company without requiring physical access to the meter. The presentation outlines the history and definition of automatic meter reading, discusses common technologies like fixed networks, mobile and power line communication methods, and explains how the systems work while providing benefits to both utility companies and customers.

1. AUTOMATIC METER READING
PRESENTED BY:-DEBASIS MOHANTY(14020081)
BRANCH:-ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SECTION:-B-2

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE
• DEFINATION
• HISTORY
• METERING SYSTEM
• TECHNOLOGIES
 HANDHELD
 TOUCH BASED
 MOBILE
 FIXED NETWORK
 POWER LINE COMMUNICATION
 WIRELESS FIDELITY (Wi-Fi)
 RADIO FREQUENCY NETWORK
• HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORKS ?
• BENEFITS OF AMR
• CONCLUSION

3. DEFINATION
 Automatic Meter Reading (AMR).
 Automating the process of measurement through digital
communication techniques.
OR
 Automatic meter reading is a technology used in utility meter for
collecting the datas need for billing purposes.it works by
translating the movement of the mechanical dials on a meter into a
digital signals,does not require physical access or visual
inspection.The data can be transmitted from the meter to the
utility company by telephone,power line,satellite,cable or radio
frequency.
Metering Billing Operations Customer service

4. HISTORY
• In 1972, Theodore George “Ted” Paraskevakos, while working
with Boeing in Huntsville, Alabama, developed a sensor monitoring
system which used digital transmission for security, fire and medical
alarm systems as well as meter reading capabilities for all utilities.
• In 1974, Mr. Paraskevakos was awarded a U.S. patent for this
technology.
• In 1977, he developed and produced the first fully automated,
commercially available remote meter reading.

5. METERING SYSTEM
PAST
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL
Low Accuracy
Control – NIL
Communications - Expensive
Theft Detection – Poor
PRESENT
DIGITAL SOLID STATE
High Accuracy
Control – LIMITED
Communications – External through Retrofit
Theft Detection – Node only
NEXTGEN
NEXT GEN SMART METER & IT SYSTEM
Very High Accuracy
Control – FULL
Communications – Built in (on chip / PCB)
Theft Detection – High (Network level)

6. TECHNOLOGIES
 HANDHELD
 TOUCH BASED
 MOBILE
 FIXED NETWORK
 POWER LINE COMMUNICATION
 WIRELESS FIDELITY (Wi-Fi)
 RADIO FREQUENCY NETWORK

7. HANDHELD
• In this technology, a meter reader carries a handheld computer
with a built-in or attached receiver/transceiver to collect meter
reading .
• This is also known as “WALK-BY’’ meter reading .
• Handheld computers may also be used to manually enter readings
without the use of AMR technology.

8. TOUCH BASED
• In this technology, a meter reader carries a handheld computer or
data collection device with a wand or probe.
• The device automatically collects the reading from a meter by
touching or placing the read probe close to a reading coil enclosed
in touch pad.
• When a button is pressed, the probe send signal to the touch
module to collect meter reading.
• The software in device matches the serial number to one in route
database, and saves the meter reading for billing.
• This is also referred as “ON-SITE” AMR.

10. MOBILE
• This technology also known as “DRIVE-BY’’ meter reading.
• The meter reader drives the vehicle while the reading device
automatically connects the meter readings.
• With mobile meter reading, the reader does not normally have to
read the meters in any particular route order, but just drive the
service area until all meters are read.
• Components that are implement to use this technology are :
o laptop or computer
o software (Mapping software)
o RF receiver and transceiver
o External vehicle antennas

11. FIXED NETWORK
• Fixed network AMR is a method where a network is permanently
installed to capture meter reading.
• Components that are implement to use this technology are :
o A series of antennas
o towers
o Collectors
o Repeaters
To collect transmission of meter reading and get the data to a
central computer.
• Different types of topologies used in this technology are :
oStar network
oMesh network

12. • A star network is the most common, where a meter transmits its
data to a central collector or repeater.
• Some systems use only collectors which receive and store data for
processing.
• Some system use a repeater which forwards a reading from a more
remote area back to a main collector without actually storing it.
• A repeater may be forwarded by RF signal or sometimes is
converted to a wired network such as telephone or IP network to
get the data back to a collector.
• Some manufacturers are developing mesh networks where meters
themselves act as repeaters passing the data to nearby meters until
it makes it to a main collector.

13. POWER LINE COMMUNICATION
• AMR is a method where electronic data is transmitted over power
lines back to the substation, then relayed to a central computer in
the utility's main office.
• This would be considered a type of fixed network system the
network being the distribution network which the utility has built
and maintains to deliver electric power.
• Such systems are primarily used for electric meter reading but now
some providers have interfaced gas and water meters to feed into a
PLC type system.

14. WIRELESS FIDELITY (Wi-Fi)
• The city of corpus Christi become one of the first cities in the united
states to implement it city wide (Wi-Fi).
• Many meters are designed on this technology now days. Even if a
Wi-Fi network not available then the meter reading is record by
using a drive-by local Wi-Fi hand held receiver.
• The meters are not directly connected with Wi-Fi but transmit
narrow band signal first which is transmitted to the special receiver
station and then report their data via Wi-Fi.

15. RADIO FREQUENCY NETWORK
• Radio frequency based AMR can take many forms.
o Handheld
o Mobile
o Fixed network
• There are two types of RF system :
o One-way
o Two-way
• In a one-way “bubble-up” or continuous broadcast type system, the
transmitter broadcasts readings continuously every few seconds. This
means the reading device can be a receiver only, and the meter AMR
device a transmitter only.

16. • In a two-way or "wake up" system, a radio transceiver normally
sends a signal to a particular transmitter serial number, telling it to
wake up from a resting state and transmit its data. The Meter
attached transceiver and the reading transceiver both send and
receive radio signals and data.

17. HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORKS ?
• The key to the system is a device called an ERT (Encoder-Receiver-
Transmitter).
• This device is connected directly to a special electronic register on
the meter.
• Normally, the ERT does nothing - it "sleeps" waiting for the meter
reader to approach.
• When an ERT receives the signal, it checks the reading on the meter
register, encodes it into a digital signal, and begins transmitting its
identification number and the current reading.
• After a few minutes, the ERT stops transmitting and goes back "to
sleep," waiting for the next time meter reading.

18. • The computer system matches the ERT identification number with the
property and records the reading. At the end of the day, the meter
reader unloads the information to our billing system.

19. ADVANTAGES OF AMR
 Electrical company benefits :
o Smart automated processes instead of manual work.
o Accurate information from the network load to optimize
maintenance and investments.
o Customized rates and billing dates.
o Detection of tampering of Meters.
o Better network performance and cost efficiency.
o Better company credibility.
 Customer benefits :
o Precise consumption information.
o Clear and accurate billing.
oBetter and faster customer service.

20. CONCLUSION
• Since automatic meter reading is all about “Reading a utility meter
without the requirement for visual inspection of the meter”, it is
indeed an easy and fail-safe method for monitoring consumption
details of a customer.
• Automatic Meter Reading can detect meter tampering and illegal
drawing of power (hooking/power pilfering).
• AMR as a way of improving customer service while reducing the
cost of reading meters.
• The Automatic Meter Reading system enables us to save millions of
dollars every year in meter reading costs and also provide our
customers with better information about water use, more accurate
billings, and keep rates as low as we can.