1. When the following situations occur, you need to consider purchasing an electronic smart meter :

1. Is the monthly electricity bill expensive for factories and companies?

2. Manual meter reading, labor cost is high?

3. Mechanical meters need to be re-calibrated each season, with high maintenance costs and high transportation costs?

4. Whether it is a computer or a mobile phone, do you want to observe the electricity consumption anytime, anywhere?

5. Difficult to charge electric fees for shopping mall management. Do you want the owner to pay first and then use it?

If you have these problems, you may need to consider the mufti-function electronic smart meter

2. Let the energy meter manufacturer know where you will install it.

At present, most electricity meter companies have different solutions for different usage scenarios of electricity meters, such as data centers, base stations, or photovoltaics. After letting these electricity meter manufacturers understand your usage needs, they will recommend the most economical and convenient solution for you to install.

3. Make sure you know some basic electrical parameters like voltage or current.

In the process of communicating the plan with the digital power meter manufacturer, please make sure to understand some details of the site, such as the single phase/three phase, current on-site and whether there is a ±DC 24 power supply available on site. In meter communication, whether the meter is centrally installed or distributed. These basic parameters and on-site conditions will become an important basis for deciding the final plan

4. The accuracy errors of the remote smart meter.

The accuracy level of commonly used smart meters is generally divided into active power 0.5S level, 1 level, 2 level, and some high-demand substations are also useful 0.2S level. The allowable error of 0.5S level meter is within ±0.5%; the allowable error of level 1 meter is within ±1%; the allowable error of level 2 meter is within ±2%. To make sure the accuracy will meet your request, we recommend you to choose some manufacturers and products with production qualifications, complete production lines, and accuracy certificates.

5. The suitable communication solution for a remote smart meter.

① The meter is installed in a decentralized manner, which is suitable for the use of the 4G or WIFI solution. The meter has the wireless upload function, can directly upload data to the system master station, has no concentrator, no wiring, no distance restrictions, and easy installation.

② The electricity meter is centrally installed, suitable for the use of the RS-485 scheme. The meter is connected to the concentrator with 485 wires hand in hand, and connected to the wireless gateway (a concentrator can connect up to 20 meters which can save costs.

6. Should I use the platform to monitor? With gateway or without a gateway?

To save the cost and monitor the electric parameter any time and any where, the answer is yes. For some companies do not have the CLOUD server, you can also ask your IoT meters provider to host by them. Like Acrel EMS Platform can be based on customer’ cloud server or host by Acrel.

And for gateway, there are two methods to upload the data. One method is Acrel has some smart meters with the 4G/WIFI wireless function that can be directly connected to the cloud service system. Another method is to connect to the gateway by RS485, the gateway will collect the data through the MODBUS-RTU and upload the data by MQTT to the platform.

7. choose some big brand meters to make sure the quality and circle life.

It is best to choose a first-line big brand electric meter directly supplied by the manufacturer when purchasing a smart meter. In this way, it can be guaranteed that it is genuine, the quality is also guaranteed, and the error rate is controlled between three to four ten thousandths. The normal lifespan of smart meters now is 5 years.

8. Prepare the installation.

The installation and wiring of the electric meter and the acquisition equipment are not complicated. An ordinary electrician can meet the needs. The general company does not recommend arranging employees to help with the installation on site. Because if the employee is arranged to go there, the employee's salary, transportation, accommodation, and food will need to be added to the transaction cost, which will be much higher in relative terms. However, the company will arrange professional customer service to explain the installation and use details in detail.