MULTICHANNEL ENERGY METERS: Multiprocessor Integration for Smart Solution

Abstract

The number of electric energy meters (smart or otherwise) installed at consumer premises increases with urban development.
These meters are developed for single supply purposes making multi-apartment homes and commercial environment to enchanter
high metering space complexities. These complexities create wiring, maintenance, monitoring, and billing difficulties that results
to economic challenges both for suppliers and users of electricity. This paper presents a direction towards the design and
development of multichannel meters through multiprocessor integration. The approach enables multiple independent users to
connect to a single supply meter and billed separately through different account entries. The integration method ensures that
complex functions of measurement, data processing, communication, and load control are handled at different level of
functionality in simple algorithms. The developed prototype meter maintained accuracy and consistency over time for all
connected users simultaneously. It is envisaged that its adoption for use will highly reduce metering complexities and improve
economics of operation and consumption.