Problems with AMM RC creation

Main features of the «Mercury -PLC» equipment

      «Mercury -PLC» - is a set of hardware and software for creation of an AMM (AMI) which provides registration of energy consumption supplied to residence or business connected to 0,4 kV low voltage distribution network.

      Our system features a direct control of energy consumption via 0,4 kV power distribution network which makes it different from many other systems, i.e. PLC technology is used as the most suitable for registration point price cost reduction criterion since no communication channels required for a stand alone electricity registration.

      Suitable automation objects are residential areas with apartment blocks, villages and summer cottages and other buildings with energy consumers and large number of registration points, for example shopping centers. A simpler modification, in which energy providers are interested first of all, features energy supply registration from 0,4 kV transformer substations feeders, moreover, registration points can be located at transformer substations themselves and also outside them, for example, at a block of flats or different subtenants inlets.

      In PLC communication technical means are used up-to-date hardware and software solutions typical for this type equipment. For example, a special modem built in the meter base which simplifies arrangement of a registration point and provides exclusively digital data transmission from meters, and this in turn guarantees identity of meters readings and data received by a data collection and transmission unit. Technical solutions used in PLC communication equipment designs are protected by two patents of the Russian Federation.

      Unlike AMM built based on meters with traditional wired RS-485 or similar interfaces and because no integrating interface cable is required, the system assembly and further use costs are reduced and at the same time its functional reliability and vandal proof features are improved. The system total costs are practically completely defined by total costs of meters.

      Not the least of the factors is that one that start-up works do not require specially qualified staff and can be carried out by local specialists. If correctly mounted, PLC communication equipment will require no adjustment.

      At the moment there are two modifications of data collection system construction offered. Each modification suggests using PLC communication equipment of certain type, i.e. PLC-I and PLC-II. PLC-I equipment is more designated to create AMM for residence consumers, where the main criteria is registration point cost. PLC-II provides much higher functionality, which allows carrying out practically any tasks. AMM designed based on PLC-I will carry out statistical functions, i.e. data collection and processing for specified periods of time base on which analysis and calculations of consumed energy are made. AMM based on PLC-II equipment additionally to statistic registration can carry out operational metering functions, i.e. to monitor consumption and quality of energy in close to real clock time.

Purpose of use

AMM based on PLC-I or PLC-II equipment allows fulfilling the following range of tasks:

• Receiving of remote data on supplied and consumed energy from each registration point in automated or manual mode.
• Calculating object internal balance of energy supply and consumption in order to detect and eliminate losses.
• Using sanctions against persistent non-payers using limitation of power load capacity or total power supply cut off (only for PLC-II).
• Control of electricity supply network parameters (only for PLC-II).
• Detection of unauthorized interference in operation of metering instruments or changing the mains connection circuits.
• Analysis of technical conditions and failure of energy metering devices.
• Preparation of energy consumption reports.
• Reports export to billing systems.

Typical diagrams of instrumental metering based on PLC-I or PLC-II equipment.

Pic. 1 Metering in residential area

Pic. 2 Metering in suburban cottages

Pic. 3 Metering energy supply from TS-04kV feeders.

Mercury -PLC equipment components:

      Irrespective of what PLC communication equipment will be used for arrangement of automated data collection its instrument components remain unchanged. System equipment for receiving metering data from consumers connected to one transformer substation (TS) 6(10)kV\0,4kV in its minimum complete set consists of three single-phase Mercury 225.1 or Mercury 225.2 hubs and many single-phase and three-phase Mercury meters equipped with built-in PLC-modems of corresponding type. The hubs are installed in any suitable place of three-phase four-wire 0,4 kV mains, for example, in a residential building switchboard, but more often in a transformer substations itself. Each hub is connected to its own phase in one of bus sections. If TS consists of two transformers, a connection filter is used for data receiving fromтаж и наладка other bus sections.       Hub functions as an access point to PLC network for communication with metering instruments. They permanently receive and process data from electricity meters in automated mode in accordance with algorithms adopted in PLC-I or PLC-II networks.      Hubs are equipped with RS-485 digital interface, which using a twisted pair integrates them together in single local network and also with other additional devices for data transmission to control office remote PC. We recommend using Mercury 228 GSM-gate and also radio modems, telephone networks, Ethernet gates etc. can be used. If required, in RS485 network also can be integrated Mercury electricity meters, for example, meters held inventory in TS. In this case there will be a possibility to control remotely all possible parameters registered by meters. 

Installation and adjustment

      Deployment of the system in its most simple modification comes to installation of an individual consumer meters, a building’ common meters serving lifts and lighting, a building’s lead-in switchboard inventory meters and TS itself, a TS’s concentrator and simple adjustment of the equipment. For more information regarding installation and adjustment works for using the PLC-I or PLC-II equipment, please refer to each system technical description page respectively.