Remote meter reading for water meters involves the installation of an automated system that allows water meter readings to be taken remotely without having to check the meter dial. Remote meter reading can also be used for electricity, gas, and other types of meters.
Remote meter reading can be performed using meters with built-in communication capabilities. If the installed meters do not have wireless communication capabilities, wireless transmitters can be connected to enable remote meter reading.
At Enless, we offer radio sensors for remote water meter reading. These sensors operate using various radio protocols: Wireless M-Bus and LoRa in private mode, and LoRaWAN and Sigfox in the cloud.
How does remote water meter reading work?
To function properly, the remote meter reading system is installed directly on the water meter. Consumption data is then transmittedautomatically on a scheduled basis. In practice, this data transmission system relies on a wireless network or a radio frequency. A receiver or a remotely connected server then receives and categorizes the data to facilitate its analysis.
A meter equipped with a remote reading system allows fordaily meter readings. This feature enables up-to-date billing management. The remote meter reading process also facilitates the rapid resolution of issues such as leaks orunexpected meter stoppages. In the event of a malfunction, the remote reading system helps detect and prevent excessive consumption.
Radio technologies suitable for remote water meter reading
At Enless, the remote meter reading transmitters that can be installed on water meters use various wireless technologies to transmit data: Wireless-M-Bus, Sigfox, and LoRaWAN.
Wireless M-Bus
Wireless M-bus isa long-range radio data transmission technology. Transmitters connected to the meters send their data to a receiver (at a distance of approximately 3 km in open terrain). The receiver stores the data from the transmitters (pulse counts) and makes it available to a controller.
Sigfox
Sigfox technology enables the remote transmission and reception of data from a transmitter connected to a remotely read meter. Once positioned within an area covered by the Sigfox network (98% of the population in France) and equipped with a Sigfox subscription, the transmitter will send its data to the Sigfox Cloud. Consumption data can then be processed via a data visualization platform.
LoRa(WAN)
Transmitters usingLoRaWANtechnologycansend remotely read meter readings either to a cloud or a gateway in LoRaWAN mode, or to a receiver connected to a controller in private LoRa mode.
