Multi-circuit monitoring

05Jun

posted by: Graham Lockhart, Eastron Europe

Eastron Europe has opened Sales and Customer Support offices in the United Kingdom. Utilising the new, high-tech manufacturing facilities of Eastron Electronic Company in China, combined with UK design, the company is providing streamlined support and supply of its extensive range of metering products for the UK and European markets. Here, Graham Lockhart, Sales Director at Eastron Europe, discusses the company’s latest solution for electricity sub metering.

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Eastron Electronic Instruments is one of the leading high-tech companies of electrical measurement instruments in China. It specialises in R&D, production and sales of smart meters and solutions. Eastron strictly follows ISO9001:2008 in operation, service and management of each sale. The company has obtained the MID (Measuring Instruments Directive) D from SGS for its production site and its products have passed the European MID B, CE, ROHS 2.0 authentication and comply with relevant IEC, EN, and G/B standards.

Eastron provides not only existing products and services but can also design and provide products and services requested by customers. Eastron offers a range of meters and solutions, including DIN rail energy meters, panel power meters, current transformers, relays and timers, management systems and much more.

I have 20 years’ experience in the electrical energy metering industry. My career began with a UK agent which was supplying individual analogue instruments such as ammeters, voltmeters, kW meters and kWh instruments. Over the last two decades, the market has significantly evolved, driven by the world we live in today. Now, I work directly with a global manufacturer responsible for designing, marketing and supporting innovation for energy sub metering products.

As Building Management Systems (BMS) and energy monitoring systems are advancing and being used for critical applications such as datacentre efficiency and costing allocation, it seems the need to have a physical meter on each circuit is no longer a necessity. This is due to the fact that the data is typically sent from a metered point via an output (e.g. Modbus RS485) and then managed from a centralised point within the building or remotely accessible. In some cases, once the physical meter is installed, it is sometimes never seen again other than through a monitoring platform on a PC.

Eastron Europe believes in providing solutions that not only suit end users, but also offer innovative ways for metering consumption and quality of electrical energy, as well as dramatically improving the installation process by making it simple, fast, and with a high accuracy of measurement.

Multiclick – multi-circuit monitoring

‘Multiclick’ is a multi-circuit measurement solution that offers savings on labour costs and space. It can read up to 32 x 3ph or 96 x 1ph circuits from just one metered centralised point. The size of the modules required for monitoring the current consumption are one DIN module (17.5mm), the voltage and communication module is two DIN modules (35mm) and the panel-mounted display for the reading of the data point is 96x96mm, making it a compact and space saving solution.

Multiclick has several benefits:

• 80% faster to install when compared to a traditional meter and perfect for retrofit applications

• Space is saved due to having one centralised display, 1 DIN current module, 2 DIN voltage and communication modules and miniature current sensors

• Completely plug and play form current sensors, interconnection of modules and connection to displays

• Class 0.5 accuracy (IEC61557-12)

• No onsite commissioning for real time data. Completely pre-commissioned

• Flexible and modular up to 32 x 3ph or 96 x single phase circuits

• Easy to set up and configure with auto-detect of address conflicts

• Easy and safe to maintain as it utilises low voltage technology (mV)

• One voltage reference point for the entire system

How it works

The MCS-I current modules independently work with three individual current sensors or a 3-phase block current sensor. As we have used mV rather than the 1/5A, it provides not only a level of safety but also the ability to utilise RJ12 plug in connectors for labour saving on the installation. The MCS-I modules do not require a voltage supply or reference. There are three levels of MCS-I modules to offer savings depending on the parameters that end users needs measured.

The MCS-U voltage and communication module will measure the system voltage reference (1ph or 3ph), it will also be the device that reads each MCS-I modules. The MCS-I and MCS-U Modules are interconnected on a daisy chained bus. Again, we have utilised RJ45 plug in connectors for speed and error free installation. The data from the MCS-U module is fed either to a centralised display (MCS -D), our HMI screen or via RS485 Modbus output into any BMS or energy monitoring solution. There are three levels of MCS-U modules to offer further cost reduction depending on end user requirements.

The MCS-D display is the centralised point for measurement readings of all the circuits within the system. This is also the tool for configuration of all the MCS-I modules. We have simplified the process of setting up the devices allowing users to first send a broadcast message to each MCS-I module giving them their unique Modbus ID address. It will also advise if there is any conflict on the network with the Modbus ID number. Once all the modules have been addressed, communication with them can commence. Current ratios can be individually set and are able to give each circuit a label, such as “Lighting”, “Power”, “AC” etc. Each MCS-I module also has a unique serial number printed on the device and is read via the MCS-U for verification. The MCS-D also has optional extras such as SD card which will store 1G of memory, or it can be used as a gateway with built in webserver and Ethernet ports.

For applications where real time data needs to be monitored, we have integrated our new software platform into an HMI screen and Gateway allowing internal and external monitoring and the ability to upload the site’s floor plan for a more efficient experience. The entire system is plug and play, including the gateway and software. There is no need for onsite commissioning when using our end-to-end solution. It is the perfect tool for energy analysis and billing applications.

Why buy from Eastron Europe?

It is important to make the most of our vast knowledge, but we also make a point of listening to the market requirements and working closely with our chosen partners and customers. Over the years, we have deployed 4.5 million meters globally and several bespoke products for specific customer specifications. With an R&D team of 10 engineers we continue to innovate and offer flexibility as well as quality on all our products and remain competitive. When working with Eastron Europe, you deal directly with the manufacturer and have the full support and understanding of a UK based team.

For more information, visit http://www.eastroneurope.com/

About the author:

Graham Lockhart is Sales Director at Eastron Europe. He has 20 years’ experience in the electrical energy metering industry. Graham’s career began with a UK agent which was supplying individual analogue instruments such as ammeters, voltmeters, kW meters and kWh instruments. Now, Graham works directly with Eastron Electronic Instruments, a global manufacturer, responsible for designing, marketing and supporting innovation for energy sub metering products.