Electronic energy meters now exist that measure current in both phase and neutral and calculate power consumption based on the larger of the two currents. As discussed below, these solutions no longer have to be populated with many components on a printed circuit board. Highly integrated solutions exist to reduce cost and improve reliability. Improve the cost and quality of electricity distribution through remote meter reading and efficient data management. Besides reducing the cost of manually reading meters, power outages can be detected, identified, and corrected more quickly for customers whose meters are communicating through a network.
Environmental pollution is minimized by reducing the size of power generation equipment.
Peak usage is minimized despite population growth through multiple rate billing and distribution cleanliness is maintained by monitoring power quality pollution contributed by individual consumers. Electronic energy meters have outperformed the electromechanical meter in terms of functionality and performance, but cost and reliability have historically been questionable in different parts of the world. The manufacturing investment, the measurement accuracy and quality, and fault tolerant billing are each unquestionably superior to the traditional electromechanical meter design. Companies that have an excellent reputation supplying military and aerospace integrated circuits as well as very high volume consumer products are well-positioned to marry the high reliability and low cost that the industry has been waiting for. Analog Devices, Inc. recognizes the cost constraints of single phase energy meters and has identified an opportunity to assist meter manufacturers reach their cost targets, alleviate their reliability concerns, and meet their volume requirements.