New Electric Meter- Electronic Digital

[longball53098]

Just noticed at the new home across the street the PEA installed the new electric service meter today. Single phase 15(45) service. Anyone seen this yet? Looks like you can see the current supplied and the voltage as the meter cycles through 3 readouts.

[electau]

See "smart metering" the generic term.

http://www.engerati.com/article/thailand-%E2%80%98smart-grid%E2%80%99-project-moves-ahead

[Morakot]

Our neighbour has one like this.

Edited August 27, 2012 by Morakot

[longball53098]

Here's a data sheet on this meter from Mitsu for anyone interested

https://www.meath-co.com/web/es-mit/uploadfile/sx1_catalogue.pdf

[Crossy]

Looking at the Mitsi data sheet that is not actually a 'smart' meter, merely an electronic version of the regular electro-mechanical meter.

On the subject of 'real' smart metering, the idea of letting PEA selectively disconnect part (or even all) of my load at certain peak times in return for a credit against my bill is attractive, bring it on.

[Morakot]

Looking at the Mitsi data sheet that is not actually a 'smart' meter, merely an electronic version of the regular electro-mechanical meter.

With a smart meter, you could externally log on via a network connection and monitor consumption, if I understand this correctly?

Edited August 27, 2012 by Morakot

[electau]

Smart metering requires no meter readers and the tariff structure can be changed at off peak, intermediate and peak periods.

The purpose is to shift power consumption from peak to off peak at a lower rate per kWh. It is possible to have different tariffs for example, storage HWS and switch them on at off peak times.

At present. AF relays are used to switch loads and they have separate meters for each tariff.eg. one tariff for residential power and one tariff for off peak loads / time of day.

The purpose is to reduce peak demand on electricity networks. It is possible to change the tariff structure up to 48 times in one day.

The electricity metering of the future.

As Crossy states, the meter illustrated is an electronic digital version of the standard induction type kilowatthour meter.

[electau]

Looking at the Mitsi data sheet that is not actually a 'smart' meter, merely an electronic version of the regular electro-mechanical meter.

With a real smart meter, you could externally log on via a network connection and monitor consumption, if I understand this correctly.

You log on to a website with your electricity retailer and you can view your consumption up to the last 24 hours.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

3 or 4 months ago in our Moo Baan we were told we needed new lines and poles.

They lowered all wires, some as low as 30 cm from the ground and very hard to drive in or out of the Moo Baan

Our cable was cut as well as internet.

All poles were removed and new ones that looked just the same were installed in just the same places.

New lines were installed to the poles. They look nice but now with 5 wires (I'm thinking 3 phase) All the homes are just single phase.

4 months on, we still are usuing the power from the low lines just above the ground. They want everybody to install new grounds to their homes, though mine is just months old and current to international standards. They have the hook up ires attached now were everybody can touch them at about 2 meters tall not he old lines were nobody could touch the main wires, and I wonder when they will be done, and if I get that new fancy meter ? This is a middle class moo Baan and I am the only Expat living in it.

[Pib]

Maybe it's implemented in some parts of Thailand, but I'm a little surprised Radio Frequency (RF) Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) network electric meters have not been implemented in parts of Thailand with all the zillion little sois, biting dogs, apartments, etc.

Various kinds of RF electric meters, but what I'm talking about is a simple meter which just does a short range transmission of the meter reading. At my last home in the States, once a month you would the see an electric company car/truck just slowly drive around the neighborhood/down each street in order to receive the electric meter readings....almost always on the exact same day each month. Kinda like for me here in Bangkok in that the meter reading man on his motorcycle comes around on the 13th of each month and takes a visual reading. The electric meter at my States-side home looked very similar to a common analog electric meter where it had an analog readout and spinning wheel but it also had RF transmission capability built-in. I expect manpower labor/meter reading costs in Thailand are still more cost effective than buying millions of AMR-type meters. Then again, I also expect the electric company wants to visually inspect each meter to ensure it hasn't been tampered with, bypassed, etc..that is, people getting free electricity...it occurs as I see it happen in my mother-in-laws moobaan.

Plus, in many places in Thailand the meter reading man will also hand you your bill right after taking the reading, take your payment, and give a receipt; or if you are not around just drop the bill in your mailbox....that's how it works out in my mother-in-laws house in a nearby province. Here in Bangkok for my home I just get a bill in the mail from the electric company about a week after the meter reading man comes around.

Here's a partial quote/cut and paste from wikipedia article as to what I'm talking about.

Radio frequency network

Radio frequency based AMR can take many forms. The more common ones are handheld, mobile, and fixed network. There are both two-way RF systems and one-way RF systems in use that use both licensed and unlicensed RF bands.

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. 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. Data goes one way, from the meter AMR transmitter to the meter reading receiver. There are also hybrid systems that combine one-way and two-way technologies, using one-way communication for reading and two way communication for programming functions.

Edited August 27, 2012 by Pib

[David006]

Maybe it's implemented in some parts of Thailand, but I'm a little surprised Radio Frequency (RF) Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) network electric meters have not been implemented in parts of Thailand with all the zillion little sois, biting dogs, apartments, etc.

Various kinds of RF electric meters, but what I'm talking about is a simple meter which just does a short range transmission of the meter reading. At my last home in the States, once a month you would the see an electric company car/truck just slowly drive around the neighborhood/down each street in order to receive the electric meter readings....almost always on the exact same day each month. Kinda like for me here in Bangkok in that the meter reading man on his motorcycle comes around on the 13th of each month and takes a visual reading. The electric meter at my States-side home looked very similar to a common analog electric meter where it had an analog readout and spinning wheel but it also had RF transmission capability built-in. I expect manpower labor/meter reading costs in Thailand are still more cost effective than buying millions of AMR-type meters. Then again, I also expect the electric company wants to visually inspect each meter to ensure it hasn't been tampered with, bypassed, etc..that is, people getting free electricity...it occurs as I see it happen in my mother-in-laws moobaan.

Plus, in many places in Thailand the meter reading man will also hand you your bill right after taking the reading, take your payment, and give a receipt; or if you are not around just drop the bill in your mailbox....that's how it works out in my mother-in-laws house in a nearby province. Here in Bangkok for my home I just get a bill in the mail from the electric company about a week after the meter reading man comes around.

Here's a partial quote/cut and paste from wikipedia article as to what I'm talking about.

Radio frequency network

Radio frequency based AMR can take many forms. The more common ones are handheld, mobile, and fixed network. There are both two-way RF systems and one-way RF systems in use that use both licensed and unlicensed RF bands.

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. 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. Data goes one way, from the meter AMR transmitter to the meter reading receiver. There are also hybrid systems that combine one-way and two-way technologies, using one-way communication for reading and two way communication for programming functions.

lots of info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_meter_reading

[Pib]

Yea, that's the same wiki link in my post.

[Crossy]

It looks like the Mitsi meter has an infra-red link for meter reading. Short range, but since the man prints the bill and puts it in the little box not an issue.

[electau]

Here is some information on "smart metering" as being installed in Australia (Vic).

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/smart-meters/about-smart-meters

No more meter reading, with advantages to the consumer and electricity retailer.

It will take a long time for this type of system to be installed in Thailand.

[electau]

3 or 4 months ago in our Moo Baan we were told we needed new lines and poles.

They lowered all wires, some as low as 30 cm from the ground and very hard to drive in or out of the Moo Baan

Our cable was cut as well as internet.

All poles were removed and new ones that looked just the same were installed in just the same places.

New lines were installed to the poles. They look nice but now with 5 wires (I'm thinking 3 phase) All the homes are just single phase.

4 months on, we still are usuing the power from the low lines just above the ground. They want everybody to install new grounds to their homes, though mine is just months old and current to international standards. They have the hook up ires attached now were everybody can touch them at about 2 meters tall not he old lines were nobody could touch the main wires, and I wonder when they will be done, and if I get that new fancy meter ? This is a middle class moo Baan and I am the only Expat living in it.

3 metres is the standard minimum clearance for aerial cables over driveways.

The PEA/MEA is upgrading their infrastructure. That the point of entry is only 2 meters is unusually low from ground level but that is not a hazard providing the cables are insulated and sheathed ie PVC/PVC.

The 5 wires are 3 phases and neutral with one phase for street lighting. Each property supplied with single phase which is standard for individual residential installations.

Yes your main earth and electrode may comply with "international standards" but the PEA/MEA can legally require you to comply with their minimum standard, ie 10sqmm copper main earth with a minimum16mm electrode buried a minimum of 2.4 metres is the ground.

Your internet cable co-ax or twisted pair is the responsibility of your comms supplier.

Whether you will get new electronic digital metering is up to the MEA/PEA you could of course contact them to find out along with the time frame for connection.

[electau]

Most "smart metering" requires a WLAN to transmit the data to the electricity retailer, the data is encripted for security.

Billing can be fixed rate or TOU.

[monty]

They do.use remote meter reading in Thailand, but it uses a gprs modem to communicate with the PEA system. Same like most.stand alone atm's.

Only seen it on 3phase meters though.

Sent from my GT-I9001 using Thaivisa Connect App

[chris26be]

Do you have to buy a new meter or does PEA just supply one that you can rent?

[Crossy]

Unless you are on a private sub-meter (and pay to your landlord or condo juristic, PEA/MEA always supply and own the meter, it's their property and they will change it when they want to with no charge to you.

There is a deposit payable when the service is connected.

[bankruatsteve]

Unless you are on a private sub-meter (and pay to your landlord or condo juristic, PEA/MEA always supply and own the meter, it's their property and they will change it when they want to with no charge to you.

There is a deposit payable when the service is connected.

I assume that's when THEY want to change something. (?) Every time I have installed new or upgraded the meter, they charge me B500? - something like that. This is upcountry.

[wayned]

Unless you are on a private sub-meter (and pay to your landlord or condo juristic, PEA/MEA always supply and own the meter, it's their property and they will change it when they want to with no charge to you.

There is a deposit payable when the service is connected.

Electric Meter costs:

[Crossy]

Indeed Steve, if YOU want the meter changing then you pay (at least the installation fee).

Wayned, that's what I would call the 'deposit', it's (theoretically) refundable when you upgrade your supply, usually you end up just paying the difference in cost.

[Forkinhades]

hmm, do I need one?