GSM modem aids remote metering

A Jekyll Electronic Technology product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 1, 2004

Water meter manufacturers can now offer all the cost saving benefits of remote automated meter reading via a mobile network by bolting on the latest GSM modem from Jekyll.

Water meter manufacturers can now offer all the cost saving benefits of remote automated meter reading via a mobile network by bolting on the latest GSM modem from Jekyll.

The Telemodem2 Mobile requires from little host power from the meter or batteries, and provides extended reliability in remote locations.

It is currently being evaluated by water companies in the Far East, who see customer demand for fast meter dial-up convenience in utility management.

Introduction of the climate change levy in the UK has forced businesses to look creatively at ways of reducing energy costs.

Remote and sub metering areas on a site by function is one way, which can be achieved by linking up the Telemodem2 Mobile to water, electricity or gas meters and monitoring energy usage remotely.

The benefits to water companies are significant.

Figures have shown that the average two readings per year, per customer typically costs a metering company GBP 5 to perform.

GSM metering not only saves on manual reading costs, but customers also benefit from timely and accurate billing and profiling for time based consumption tariffs.

The Telemodem2 Mobile operates on a typical low power average of 10mW (configurable) and 5uA standby.

It simply plugs in place of a conventional fixed line modem for added cost-efficiency, and draws power extremely smoothly without demanding high current pulses.

To interface with a wide range of meters, data ports are compatible with both logic or RS232 signal levels, and custom interfaces for encoded or pulse output meters are optional.

Setup is quick and easy through a "plug-and-play" installation.

In today's high security climate, accurate metering enables organisations in vulnerable areas to safeguard their water supplies by monitoring usage.

The Telemodem2 Mobile can be used to alert of any abnormal energy usage behaviour indicative of illegal tapping events or leaks.

Traditionally, fixed line telephone modems were used for remote data collection from water, electricity and gas meters.

Line sharing has gone some way to mitigating the elevated costs associated with annual line rental charges, but for many, installation remains an expensive hurdle.

Conventional GSM modems were also far too bulky, and easy to tamper with.

The high power demand rendered existing power supplies from the meter communications port area useless, and the need for additional mains power supplies elevated installation costs.

Telemodem2 Mobile solves all these problems in an instant.

Waterproof IP67, intrinsic safety or other industry specifications can be provided on request, and Jekyll engineers work closely with customers to configure the required telemetry communication protocol for maximum effectiveness.