Selection of electric energy meters in different application scenarios
Against the background of the continuous advancement of the "dual carbon" goal and the construction of smart grids, electric energy meters, as the core equipment for power measurement, are widely used in multiple scenarios from home residences to industrial enterprises, public infrastructure and even microgrid systems. The requirements for electric energy meter functions, accuracy and communication methods in different scenarios vary significantly. Only by deeply understanding these application requirements can suppliers accurately launch highly matching products. The following is an analysis from four typical scenarios:
1. Household electricity use: focus on economy and basic intelligent functions
Selection features:
Equipment type: single-phase electronic electric energy meter or single-phase smart electric energy meter
Key parameters: Level 1 accuracy, 5 (60) A current, 220 V voltage, support rate management
Recommended functions:
Multi-rate billing (peak and valley electricity prices)
Remote meter reading and power-off control (applicable to property management)
Simple LCD display/support mobile app query
Scenario requirements:
The core demands of residential users for electric energy meters are accurate measurement and transparent costs, and they also hope to have certain intelligent functions to achieve energy saving. Low-power smart meters that support NB-IoT or LoRa communication protocols are more popular in the market.
Supplier recommendations: Develop residential smart meters that are cost-effective, easy to maintain, and can be deployed in batches to meet the needs of large-scale customers such as urbanized communities and urban and rural residents.
II. Industrial power consumption: pursuit of high precision and multi-functional management
Selection features:
Equipment type: three-phase smart energy meter (transformer access type)
Key parameters: 0.5S/1-level accuracy, 3×220/380V, 1(6)A (compatible with transformer)
Recommended functions:
Real-time power factor monitoring, load curve analysis
Multiple rates, event recording, over-limit alarm
Support multiple communication protocols such as RS485/Ethernet/Modbus
Scenario requirements:
Industrial users have high requirements for power quality and need to monitor multiple power parameters, optimize power consumption structure, and connect with energy management systems to carry out cost control and energy efficiency analysis.
Supplier suggestion: Provide smart meter products that support expansion modules and protocol conversion, improve system integration compatibility, and expand the application share in large-scale manufacturing, logistics parks and other scenarios.
3. Electricity consumption of public facilities: Emphasis on remote management and multi-point deployment
Selection features:
Device type: single-phase or three-phase smart energy meter (depending on the load situation)
Key parameters: Support remote data collection and centralized management
Recommended functions:
NB-IoT/LoRa communication, adapted to scenarios without manual supervision
Remote threshold warning and fault diagnosis
Built-in circuit breaker control, anti-theft monitoring
Application cases:
Public infrastructure such as urban lighting, traffic signals, subway platforms, park landscape lighting, and smart lamp poles.
Supplier suggestion: Focus on high-stability, low-maintenance energy meter products, and provide centralized management solutions for local governments to help build smart cities.
4. Microgrid and distributed energy metering: support bidirectional metering and energy flow management
Selection features:
Device type: bidirectional metering smart energy meter (bidirectional active/reactive metering)
Key parameters: high accuracy (0.2S/0.5S), wide range, strong communication capability
Recommended functions:
Support access to photovoltaic, wind energy, energy storage and other systems
Energy flow identification and reverse energy recording
Seamless connection with energy management system EMS
Scenario requirements:
With the development of photovoltaic, energy storage and multi-energy complementary systems, microgrids and distributed energy need to accurately measure the inflow and outflow of electricity to provide data support for intelligent scheduling, load balancing and carbon emission management.
Supplier suggestion: Develop high-end energy meters that support three-phase four-quadrant metering and remote configuration management, and focus on emerging markets such as industrial parks, data centers, and industrial and commercial distributed energy users.
Conclusion: Multiple scenarios, multiple products, how can suppliers take the initiative?
The selection of energy meters must be accurately matched around the actual scenario. For suppliers, it is crucial to develop scenario-based product strategies - from the price-sensitive residential market to high-end customized industrial and energy system scenarios, product lines with corresponding configurations and functions need to be launched.
Suggested suppliers:
Establish a multi-level product matrix (basic, functional, and high-end)
Invest in R&D to support future trend technologies such as NB-IoT and three-phase four-quadrants
Combined with platform-based energy management solutions, provide "one-stop smart meter + system" services
