GB2306852A

GB2306852A - Remote meter reading

Info

Publication number: GB2306852A
Application number: GB9621739A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Thorpe; Clive Robertson; Hugh Smeaton; Bill Gunn; Fennella Abercrombie
Original assignee: EASTERN GROUP PLC
Current assignee: EASTERN GROUP PLC
Priority date: 1995-10-18
Filing date: 1996-10-18
Publication date: 1997-05-07
Also published as: GB9521313D0; GB9621739D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to the provision of apparatus and system which can be adapted to allow the selected functions of metering the use by consumers of utilities and particularly, but not exclusively any of the utilities of electricity, gas and water and the transfer of other data which allows the performance of, for example, an electricity substation to be monitored by the electricity power supplier. The apparatus comprises Power Line Carrier (PLC) data units 4 which can be linked to utility metering units in premises to allow the transfer of data via power lines between premises and via telecommunication line 13 to a remote collation point where the data can be processed. Thus the remote receipt and transmission of meter and other information data can be achieved.

Description

Communication System and Apparatus For Remote Reading of Utility Meters and Power Demand Management of Power Systems The present invention relates to the provision of apparatus and a system which can be adapted to allow the selected function of metering the use by consumers of utilities and particularly, but not exclusively any of the utilities of electricity, gas and water and the transfer of other data which allows the performance of, for example, an electricity substation to be monitored by the electricity power supplier to be achieved.

At the present time the consumers of utility services are provided with a meter in, or adjacent to, their premises. Typically each utility provider installs their own meters and hence, in many instances, three separate metering systems are installed in a premises. With the meters installed it is then necessary for the same to be read at regular intervals so that the consumption of the utility by the consumer can be calculated and the consumer charged for the consumption.

Conventionallv, the meters are read by representatives of the utility provider who visit the premises and take the reading of the meter which is then reported to the utility provider which then calculates the charge due. When one considers that each utility provider is required to provide representatives to visit each of the premises where meters are installed it can readily be understood that the reading of meters is labour intensive. This method has been followed bv the utility providers for many years.

One reason for the conventional method having remained unchanged for many years is that the utility providers are unwilling to undertake large and expensive upgrading work as, although other more efficient systems may have been proposed in the past, the initial outlay required in terms of new equipment and set up expense has meant that the proposals have not, to date, been implemented.

Indeed there have been attempts to provide systems whereby each meter is provided with a means to individually transmit data to a remote location but these systems have not been successful due to the relative complexity of the same and the resultant expense which would have to be incurred by the utility provider in introducing the systems.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a metering system for utility providers which allows the automatic and remote metering of utility service consumption in premises and to provide a system which is relatively inexpensive to implement and to also selectively allow the performance of the substations which provide the electricity power to the premises to be monitored.

The present invention provides, in a first aspect of the invention, apparatus for monitoring data relating to a utility service for a premises, said apparatus comprising a meter installed in the premises for measuring the consumption of the utility, and a power line carrier (PLC) interface unit which can be selectively connected to the meter to allow transfer of data from the meter.

Typically the apparatus is used for measuring the consumption of a utility service in a premises, said apparatus comprising a meter installed in the premises for measuring the consumption of the utility, and a power line carrier (PLC) interface unit which can be selectively attached to the meter to allow transfer of data from the meter to a remote utility provided via power line or telecommunications line.

The PLC interface unit will typically comprise a PLC transceiver to allow the receipt and transmission of information. Typically the PLC interface unit is powered by the power supply for operation of the meter and typically the PLC interface unit is a "plug-in" module which, when removed, allows the meter to operate in a conventional manner.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for monitoring data relating to at least one utility service, said apparatus comprising a meter installed in a premises for measuring the consumption of the said utility, and a PLC interface unit to allow transfer of data from and/or to the meter and wherein the apparatus further includes a means for transmitting and/or receiving data to and from a remote location.

Preferably the means is a Power Line Carrier and No Ring Call telecommunication (PLC/NRC) interface unit comprising a PLC interface unit and an interface unit for receiving calls via telecommunication line or radio without a ring issuing at the premises where the unit is provided, hereonin referred to as a No Ring Call (NRC) unit, such that the transmittal of data is by telecommunication line.

The NRC unit can be provided for any telecommunication system but is much preferred for use with a system where no ring is issued when a call is made so that the residents in the premises are not disturbed when the calls are made and one such system is the British Telecom Telemetry system. In general these systems allow data from the PLC/NRC interface unit to be transmitted to a remote collation unit from where the meter reading data can be transferred to the utility provider for subsequent analysis.

Preferably the PLC/ NRC interface unit is powered by the power supply for the meter in conjunction with a selective additional power source which can be selectively operated.

Typically the PLC/NRC interface unit is mounted in the premises adjacent the incoming telecommunication line to the premises and is connected to the PLC interface unit on the meter by a power line carrier such that data from the meter PLC interface unit is transferred to the PLC/NRC interface unit for transmission via the telephone line.

Typically the PLC/NRC interface unit receives data from the premises in which the same is located and data from other premises which are fitted with PLC interface units on the meter. Typically the information is transmitted via the power lines between the premises.

In a preferred embodiment the PLC/NRC interface unit also receives data relating to the operation of the power supply substation which is provided with a PLC interface unit to allow the information to be carried via the power distribution lines to the premises in which the PLC/NRC units are provided. Typically more than one PLC/NRC unit can be accessed to gain the required information on the substation. In addition to supplying data from the substation, information and commands can be passed to the substation from the substation operator via the PLC/NRC modem and the power line carrier from the substation.

The meter can be either of a single phase or three phase meter with means for measuring and/or recording any of, or any combination of electricity, water and gas usage. The electricity consumption can be measured by a metering microprocessor chip, such as a "Sames" chip, which accepts inputs from a CT or shunt while the water and gas inputs are pulse inputs to digital channels. The output channels comprise, in one embodiment, a pulse output channel, a serial I/O port for local readings or communications to other products within the premises and a relay output to switch a latching contactor, preferably located in the PLC interface unit on the meter for remote cut off of the electricity supply or to trip and reclose a moulded circuit breaker.

In a preferred embodiment a loss of supply indicator is provided as an integral part of the meter.

The data stored by the meter can be extracted by either of a product to connect to the I/O port in the meter or, if the PLC communications modem is included, the same can be extracted via a custom designed unit plugged into the power supply of the premises.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for collating transmitting and/or receiving data represented the usage of at least one utility to and from the meters for indicating usage in a plurality of premises, said system comprising providing each of the meters with a PLC interface unit and at least one PLC/NRC interface unit and wherein the meters are interconnected so that data from the meters with a PLC only facility are relayed to the PLC/NRC unit whereupon the data is held and then communicated and/or data is received from a remote collation unit.

Typically meter data from up to 100 premises can be received, collated and accessed from the PLC/NRC unit of the invention.

In a preferred form the PLC/NRC unit is set to take data readings from each of the meters connected therewith on a preset time interval, such as every 24 hours, and the data is collated and held therein. This collated data is then accessed by the NRC system on a preset time interval such as weekly or monthly, or on request, whereupon the data is then transferred to the utility provider.

Typically the collation unit allocates the data to particular premises and separates the same into meter readings for particular utilities whereupon the data is relayed to the appropriate utility provider.

Preferably the data from those meters with only a PLC interface unit connected thereto is transferred to the premises with a PLC/NRC facility via power line carriers thus there is no need to install separate telecommunication links between the premises. Typically, for the purpose of collating the reading data from the premises, those premises supplied from the same power supply phase, which are referred to as the Yellow, Blue and Red phases, of the same power distribution line are grouped together in that at least one PLC/NRC interface unit is provided in a premises in each group for the collation of data from each of the other premises in that group and thus many groups can be formed each comprising a plurality of premises whose meters are connected to at least one PLC/NRC interface unit.Alternatively it is envisaged that premises can be grouped in terms of phase of supply only by providing coupling links between distribution lines from the substation or may be grouped in terms of distribution line.

In one embodiment, data relating to the operation of the substation which supplies power to the premises can be transmitted via the system. Typically the data is provided to the premises via the power line carrier on the power distribution line whereupon the PLC/NRC unit connected thereto allows the same to be transmitted to a collation unit for use by the power supplier. In this case the data is transmitted along each of the distribution lines, on the same phase on each, such that the information can be selectively accessed from any of the PLC/NRC interface units on any of the distribution lines connected to receive data on that phase.

Typically the collation unit can hold the telephone numbers for each of the PLC/NRC units and can selectively contact the units to receive the required data. If the selected number is busy the unit can automatically dial the next number for a PLC/NRC interface unit connected to another distribution line and hence obtain data relating to the substation.

The information can comprise any of, indication of blown distribution line fuses, status of earth fault passage indicators.

Preferably the substation can also dial out to allow the power provider to be alerted to a system failure and/or be alerted to an intruder via intruder alarms fitted in the substation.

In a preferred form, the power line carrier facility is provided between the substation and at least the premises on each of the distribution lines provided with the PLC/NRC units. Thus, there is provided a system whereby power is provided to premises by a plurality of distribution lines and at least one of the premises supplied by each distribution line is provided with means to transmit information received from the substation along the distribution line and also to provide meter reading data for utility consumption information collated from each of the premises on that distribution line, to a remote collation unit via telecommunication or radio link.

In one possible embodiment the substation is provided with a PLC/NRC unit with a direct link to the power provider who can dial into the unit via the NRC system to access data relating to the performance and condition of the power distribution lines to the premises.

In a preferred form, for each distribution line, there are provided sufficient meters with a PLC/NRC interface unit to provide two PLC / NRC interface units per supply phase connected to the substation with the remainder of premises provided with meters with PLC interface units only.

Typically the premises with meters with PLC interface units only are connected to a premises on the same power distribution line, via the distribution line, with a PLC/NRC unit such that data can be transferred from those premises to the PLC/NRC unit and transmitted from the PLC/NRC unit to at least the remote meter reading collation unit.

Preferably the PLC/NRC units are provided for each distribution line in those premises which are the closest to the substation thereby reducing the distance which the data is required to travel from the substation to the premises along the distribution lines.

In a vet further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for use with a substation for providing electrical energy via power lines wherein said substation is provided with apparatus to allow the blowing of a fuse to be indicated to the remote power provider, said apparatus comprising a means for indicating voltage in a cable, said means fitted to a cable emitting from a fuse in the substation and to sense the voltage passing along the cable through the insulation of said cable.

Typically an indicating means is fitted in the form of a voltage sensor to each of the cables emitting from a fuse such that if any of the fuses blow at least one indicating means will sense the stop of voltage. Preferably the voltage sensors are connected to a multiplexer which collates the signals and if the condition of one of the sensors changes to indicate no voltage and thus indicating that a fuse has blown the system dials out to indicate to the power provider that the fuse has blown.

The apparatus and method for indicating the blowing of a fuse represent a considerable improvement as, at the present time, the power provider has no means of remotely being aware of the blowing of a fuse in the substation. The only available method at the present time is to fit relays to each of the fuses but this is prohibitively expensive as the substation is required to be closed down to allow the relays to be fitted and hence this is not a practical option to the power provider. Thus the present invention allows the indicators to be fitted while the substation is live as the indicators sense the voltage through the insulation on the cable and this, in conjunction with the system for communicating the signal of a blown fuse represents a solution to a problem currently encountered by the power providers.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1 illustrate a schematic diagram of apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 illustrate a schematic diagram of a three distribution line, three premises per line system indicating the means for receiving and supplying data from the substation; and Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of the supply system according to the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown, in schematic form, apparatus according to the invention which is contained within a premises 2 for which a utility service is to be measured. The apparatus includes a meter 4 for measuring the utility consumption and, connected thereto, a plug in PLC interface unit 6. The low voltage supply to power the power line carrier electronics is supplied by the meter 4 with the additional supply needed for a half second increase from 12 volt to 15 volt, 0.5 amps provided in the PLC interface unit 6.This type of apparatus is provided in all of the premises in the system according to the invention and the PLC interface unit allows data to be transmitted along the power line to a further premises on the distribution line as at least some of the premises on that line are provided with additional apparatus as shown in Figure 1 which comprises a separate unit 8 comprising a power supply with, for example, a 5 minute rating as that is the normal time required to collect data from other meters, a memory 10 to allow the data from other meters to be collected via a PLC interface unit 11 prior to onward transmission to a remote collation unit via an NRC unit 12 and telecommunication line 13. The PLC interface unit 11 also allows data to be transmitted to and received from the substation if required.The PLC/NRC interface unit is located in premises in proximity to the incoming telecommunications line. The unit is connected to the meter and PLC interface unit 6 via the power line carrier and, in turn, to other premises via the power distribution line which acts as the power line carrier which connect the premises and enters the same and the meter.

Thus the apparatus including the additional PLC/NRC interface unit acts as a collator to which data from meters in other premises supplied by the same distribution line and on the same phase, for example, is sent, via the distribution line. When received, batches of data can be transmitted via the NRC modem to provide meter readings to the Utility provider and also data received along the distribution line can also be collated and transmitted via the NRC system for subsequent use by the substation operator to monitor the performance of the same.

Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of the invention which enables control and information data to be communicated between a utility grid control centre 44 and substation 26. The schematic diagram illustrates three premises 14, 16, 18 supplied by a distribution line 20, premises 26, 28 and 30 supplied via distribution line 22 and premises 32, 34 and 36 supplied by distribution line 24 from substation 26. Each of the premises is supplied by one of the three phases of supply of the distribution line marked R,Y,B for the red, yellow and blue phases. Apparatus incorporating a PLC interface unit is incorporated in all the premises and a PLC/NRC interface unit is provided in premises 18, 30 and 36.

Data relating to the substation is transmitted to or from the grid control 44 using PLC via one of the premises 18, 30, 36 and telecommunications line 46. The data is sent via the NRC modem and the NRC telecommunications system. This information allows the substation supply to be controlled remotely and a fault finding capacity to be incorporated therein. In the event of a failure of the communications route through 18, 30 or 36 one of the other routes can be used.

Figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment of a system according to the invention with every premises 52-74 provided with a meter having a PLC interface unit. PLC/NRC interface units are installed in premises 52, 54, 60, 62, 68, 70 so that two units are provided per phase of the distribution lines, and this allows every of the meters of every premises fed from the substation to be connected such that data from the premises can be transmitted to the PLC/NRC units on the same distribution line.A consolidation platform which acts as a collation unit 90 is provided which controls the requests for data to the PLC/NRC interface units and will automatically establish communications contact with one each of the premises 52 & 70, 45 & 60, 62 & 68 to receive the information data held in the memory of the PLC/NRC interface units in those premises via the telecommunications lines 66, 84 and 86. The information provided will include readings from the other premises supplied by the same distribution phase which will previously have been collated in the PLC/NRC interface unit. Historic half hourly consumption readings can also be supplied. If it is not possible to establish communications with a premises the consolidation unit can try and make contact with the next premises and so on.The information data in the form of meter readings will be sent to the utility provider billing system 82 via the telephone exchange and consolidation platform to allow meter charges to be calculated for each premises.

It should be noted that the utility meter readings can be for any of water, gas and/or electricity. The information between the units and the premises and substation are carried along power line 82.

The premises 52, 54, 60, 62, 68, 70 with the PLC/NRC units are connected to the utility providers via the telecommunication data lines 84, 86 to a telephone exchange 88 and collating unit 90 where the data can be collated and then passed to the utility provider 92 in their required format for charging purposes.

A preferred embodiment of the invention would be as shown in Figure 3 with the addition of a link from the telephone exchange to the Utility grid control and this would then provide a system with the combined facilities described for Figures 2 and 3.

Thus the present invention provides a system whereby meter readings from premises can be read remotely yet efficiently and economically. The meter readings from groups of interconnected meters for premises on the same distribution line are carried between meters by the power line to allow the same to be collated and then transmitted to a collation unit where, if data relating to more than one utility is being provided, the data can be processed and supplied to the appropriate utility provider. By providing a system for the collation of a number of readings prior to transmittal to the utility provider the apparatus required is reduced and so is the expenditure. Furthermore by utilising the power distribution lines for the transmittal of data, costs of implementing this system are further reduced and as a further advantage the distribution lines and system can be used to transmit data from the substation supplying the electricity. This then allows the substation operator to analyse the performance of the same and for any faults in the same to be identified and corrected thus improving the efficiency of the system as a whole.

Claims

1.Apparatus for monitoring data relating to a utility service for a premises, said apparatus comprising a meter installed in the premises for measuring the consumption of the utility, and a power line carrier (PLC) interface unit which can be selectively connected to the meter to allow transfer of data from the meter.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the PLC interface unit comprises a PLC transceiver to allow the receipt and transmission of information.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the PLC interface unit is powered by the power supply for the meter.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the PLC interface unit is a plug-in module which, when removed from the meter allows the meter to operate in a conventional manner.

5. Apparatus for monitoring data relating to at least one utility service, said apparatus comprising a meter installed in a premises for measuring the consumption of the said utility, and a PLC interface unit to allow transfer of data from and/or to the meter and wherein the apparatus further includes a means for transmitting and/or receiving data to and from a remote location.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the meter is provided with a power line carrier and No Ring Call telecommunication (PLC/NRC) interface unit.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the NRC unit is provided to be suitable for operation with any telecommunication system but where no ring is issued when a call is made.

8. Apparatus according to any of Claims 5-7 wherein the PLC/NRC interface unit is powered by the power supply for the meter in conjunction with a selective additional power source which can be selectively operated.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims 5-8 wherein the PLC/NRC interface unit is mounted in the premises adjacent the incoming telecommunication line to the premises and is connected to a PLC interface unit connected to the meter by a power line carrier so that data from the meter PLC interface unit is transferred to the PLC/NRC interface unit for transmission via the telephone line.

10. Apparatus according to any of Claims 5-9 wherein the PLC/NRC interface unit receives data from the premises in which the same is located and data from other premises which are provided with PLC interface units on the meter in that premises.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the information is transmitted between the premises to the PLC/NRC interface unit by power lines.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims 5-11 wherein the PLC/NRC interface unit also receives data relating to the operation of any power supply substations which are connected thereto provided with a PLC interface unit to allow information to be carried via the power distribution lines to the premises in which the PLC/NRC units are provided.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein more than one PLC/NRC unit can be accessed to gain the required information on the substation.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein in addition to supplying data from the substation, information and commands can be passed to the substation from the substation operator via the PLC/NRC unit and the power line carrier to the substation.

15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the meter is either of a single phase, or three phase meter with means for measuring and/or recording any of, or any combination of, electricity, water or gas usage.

1 6. Apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein the electricity consumption can be measured by a metering microprocessor chip which accepts inputs from a CT or shunt.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein water and gas consumption is monitored by inputs pulse inputs to digital channels in the meters.

18. Apparatus according to any of Claims 14-17 wherein the meter includes output channels including a pulse output channel, a serial I/O port for local readings or communications to other products within the premises and a relay output to switch on a latching contactor located in the PLC interface unit on the meter for remote cut off of the utility supply and/or to trip and reclose a circuit breaker.

19. Apparatus according to any of Claims 14-18 wherein the meter includes a loss of supply indicator.

20. Apparatus according to any of Claims 14-19 wherein the data stored in the meter can be extracted by either of a product to connect to the I/O port in the meter or, if the PLC interface unit is included, data can be extracted via the unit plugged into the power supply of the premises.

21. A system for collating transmitting and/or receiving data represented the usage of at least one utility to and from the meters for indicating usage in a plurality of premises, said system comprising providing each of the meters with a PLC interface unit and at least one PLC/NRC interface unit and wherein the meters are interconnected so that data from the meters with a PLC only facility are relayed to the PLC/NRC unit whereupon the data is held and then communicated and/or data is received from a remote collation unit.

22. A system according to Claim 21 wherein data from up to a 100 premises can be received, collated and accessed by and from the PLC/NRC unit.

23. Apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein the PLC/NRC unit receives data readings from each of the meters connected therewith at preset time intervals and the data is collated and held therein.

24. A system according to any of Claims 21-23 wherein the collation unit allocates data received from a particular premises to a designated memory area and separates the same into data for particular utilities whereupon the data is relayed to the appropriate utility provider when requested.

25. A system according to any of Claims 21-24 wherein the data from those meters with a PLC only interface unit is transferred to the PLC/NRC facility via power line carriers linking the said premises.

26. A system according to Claim 21 wherein for the purposes of collating the data from the meters with PLC interface units, those meters in premises supplied from the same power supply phase, which are referred to as the yellow, blue and red phases, of the same power distribution line are grouped together and at least one PLC/NRC interface unit is provided connected to that group for the collation of data from each of the other meters in that group and the group of meters supplied by blue phase power supply are provided with at least one PLC/NRC interface unit and the group of meters supplied by the red phase power supply are connected with at least one PLC/NRC interface unit.

27. A system according to any of claims 26 wherein the meters are grouped in terms of phase of supply only, by providing coupling links between distribution lines from the substation.

28. A system according to any of Claims 21-25 wherein the meters are grouped in terms of distribution line.

29. A system according to any of Claims 21-28 wherein data relating to the operation of the substation which supplies power to the premises is transmitted via the system.

30. A system according to Claim 29 wherein the data is transmitted the power line carrier on the power distribution line whereupon the PLC/NRC unit connected thereto allows the same to be transmitted to or from a collation unit for use by the power supplier.

31. A system according to Claim 30 wherein the data is transmitted along each of the distribution lines, from the substation, on the same phase on each, such that the information can be selectively accessed from any of the PLC/NRC interface units on any of the distribution lines connected to that phase.

32. A system according to any of claims 21-31 wherein the power line carrier facility is provided between the substation and at least the PLC/NRC unit on each distribution lines provided with a PLC/NRC units.

33. A system according to any of the claims 21-31 wherein the remote collation point holds telephone numbers for each of the PLC/NRC units and can contact the units to receive and/or transmit the required data, thereto.

34. A system according to any of the claims 21-33 wherein the substation is provided with a PLC/NRC unit with a direct link to the collation point which can dial into the unit to access data relating to the performance and condition of the power distribution lines to the premises.

35 Apparatus for use with a substation for providing electrical energy via power lines wherein said substation is provided with apparatus to allow the blowing of a fuse to be indicated to the remote power provider, said apparatus comprising a means for indicating voltage in a cable, said means fitted to a cable emitting from a fuse in the substation and to sense the voltage passing along the cable through the insulation of said cable.

36. Apparatus according to Claim 35 wherein the indicating means is in the form of a voltage sensor and one means is fitted to each of the cables emitting from the fuses such that if any of the fuses blow at least one indicating means will sense the stop of voltage.

37. Apparatus according to Claim 36 wherein the voltage sensor are connected to a multiplexer which collates the signals and if the condition of one of the sensors changes to indicate no voltage the blowing of a fuse is indicated and the system transmits data to the power provider to indicate the change in condition.

38. The apparatus and system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.