22.09.2023
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Remote Gas metering: Overview of JOOBY EPHIR radio modules
Resource metering is one of the areas where smart technology is applied. IoT gas metering enables you to significantly simplify, accelerate, and optimize the process of data collection, while also providing consumers and suppliers with a number of benefits and conveniences. In this article we will explain how to implement efficient remote gas monitoring.
What issues does remote gas consumption tracking solve?
Manual metering is becoming a thing of the past, while modern technologies instead allow for the automated collection of resource consumption data. As a result, everyone wins — both service providers and consumers.
IoT-enabled gas metering systems work in the following way: smart devices (meters or metering devices equipped with special radio modules) automatically record readings and send them via a radio channel to a base station and then to the server of the resource provider. As a result, the supplier doesn’t need to send supervisors to the customer, or remind them of the necessity to provide readings as the entire process is automated. The consumer also doesn’t have to worry about missing the date for the transmission of readings or worry that the dispatcher will enter the data into the gas metering system incorrectly.
Summarized below are the main advantages of remote metering:
Accuracy and promptness. Meter data is taken automatically on schedule, eliminating the potential for human error when transmitting readings.
Comprehensive data for analysis. The frequency of data transmission can be adjusted if necessary — this allows suppliers to perform detailed analysis of consumption and optimize their work.
Theft prevention. Many smart devices additionally alert you if someone attempts to break the meter case or alter the meter with a magnet.
Reduce costs. By implementing wireless connectivity for gas metering, suppliers no longer need a large number of supervisors and dispatchers, who until now were responsible for collecting and processing readings.
Standardization. All data is immediately delivered to the software in one convenient format for the supplier — no need to use several different channels (phone, messengers, e-mail etc) to receive it.
Data access. Smart devices record and transmit readings regardless of whether the subscriber is at home and allow the supervisors access to the metering devices.
How remote gas monitoring technology works
Choosing the device. The radio module must match the meter model. JOOBY EPHIR radio modules are devices compatible with Metrix, Elster, and Samgas gas meters.
Installation, configuration, and activation. The radio module is installed on the gas meter using the standard fixing, without having to uninstall the meter. After installing the radio module, the installer activates the device via the mobile application.
It’s possible to set a convenient period of data transmission, from once an hour to once a day. The battery life of the radio module depends on this indicator, as the less frequently the device transmits readings, the longer it will serve without battery replacement (from 5 to 15 years depending on the settings and operating conditions).
Taking and transmitting readings. An integrated magnetic field sensor records the number of revolutions on the meter dial. The radio module then transmits this data via a LoRaWAN wireless network to the base station. There, the information is processed and converted into the required format and then sent to the server of the resource provider or utility management company.
The non-volatile memory of the radio module allows the data to be stored for a certain period of time, ensuring even greater reliability of the device’s operation.
Additional features. Jooby’s radio modules for gas metering also detect attempts to disconnect the device from the meter or to affect the meter with a magnet. Information about such incidents is immediately transmitted to the operator’s metering system.
Who uses gas metering solutions?
Smart gas metering solutions are not only suitable for resource companies; the technology solves issues faced by various organizations and businesses:
- Condominiums receive comprehensive reporting on the gas consumption of each apartment and can accurately record the consumption of resources by the residents of the properties
- Utility management companies reduce the cost of resource accounting and receive accurate consumption data on time
- Developers provide their clients with modern housing with smart technologies, gaining a competitive advantage in the market
Internet service providers get the opportunity to scale their project by offering customers a new service
How it looks in practice: gas metering system overview
Jooby’s team has already successfully completed several remote gas metering projects: customers were provided with radio modules for their gas meters and suppliers were given the necessary hardware and software for gas metering. For a number of years the Jooby solution has been used by the customers of Poltavagaz JSC (Globyno, Poltava region), Two Academicians Residential Complex (Odessa), and Novoselsky Residential Complex (Odessa).
By implementing wireless gas metering, utility management companies and resource suppliers can:
- remotely receive accurate data on time regarding consumption
- reduce costs for resource metering
- increase the collection rate from customers
- prevent resource theft
- accelerate balance sheet compilation and reporting
- provide residents with a convenient and simple system to automatically take readings
Remote monitoring of gas consumption is a promising trend that is becoming increasingly popular. Gas metering technology businesses to optimize the taking and transmission of readings, reduce costs, and increase the comfort of residents.
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