one of our project requires Automatic Meter Reading of meters on the 11kv Line. The meter data has to be sent on 11kv line using PLCC. has
anyone implemented such project ? can anyone suggest a good scheme?

regards,

aditya vermani

 

In this instance PLC stands for Power Line Carrier, not Programmable Logic Controller. An Italian company called Telettra makes (or used to make) the necessary equipment.

 

If you are making meters to work in Italy, then you should probably use LonWorks Powerline Carrier (PLT-22). ENEL is the big utility in Italy and they are installing an infrastructure and LonWorks powerline devices in over 27 million homes there.

Regards,

Fred Graham
Graham Controls Consulting
Specializing in LonWorks technology
www.grahamcontrols.com
770.887.9024 (voice)
770.216.1668 (fax)
[email protected]

 

Could you please give some details regarding the Italian project?

 

You can find some information if you go to "http://www.echelon.com":http://www.echelon.com and do a search on Enel. You can also find information on the PLT-22 at the same sight.

Basically, Enel decided to install an infrastructure to provide remote meter reading, remote connect/disconnect and other services. They surveyed a number of technologies and ultimately chose LonWorks. They committed to
install over 27 million homes over about a 4-5 yr period. Their architecture basically is a server farm which manages the LonWorks network. From the server farm they communicate via wireless (they are part owners of a GSM network) to concentrators. The concentrators are effectively at the "pole" where they bridge from wireless to powerline via Echelons PLT-22 into the homes. They have been installing for over a year now and are currently installing at a rate approaching 1 million homes a month. Enel is installing the system at their own cost (ie the customer doesn't pay anything) and they estimate a payback of the installation costs within 4 years.

Long term, Enel plans to offer other services into the home although they have not defined or announced any of those services to date. If you read Italian, I suggest you visit the Enel website and do a search to find more details.

I hope this helps,

Fred Graham
Graham Controls Consulting
Specializing in LonWorks technology
www.grahamcontrols.com
770.887.9024 (voice)
770.216.1668 (fax)
[email protected]