Electronic Utility Metering: A Simple Approach

摘要

Electronic utility meters offer several advantages, when compared to the traditional mechanical and/or electromechanical solutions in use today. Whether it is Gas, Water, Heat or Energy being measured, some or all of these features may apply: 1. improved accuracy 2. ease of calibration 3. anti-tampering protection 4. automated meter reading 5. security 6. advanced billing (time of use, pre-pay...) Implementing an electronic meter does not have to be a complex endeavor. The examples shown in this article reduce each of the meter types down to a pulse counter on a microcontroller (MCU). Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a typical counter found on a MCU.