Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) Solution

In 2024, 58% of buildings which Trustek Audited still took manual meter readings from each building, in order to report the level of consumption within the building. This not only takes several hours each month to complete, but also presents a high risk of human error in the process. This can result in inaccurate building and carbon reporting which, for many companies and buildings, is unacceptable. This is why there has been such a significant rise in the number of companies providing Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) solutions. They are designed to automatically collect consumption, diagnostic, and status data from water, gas, or electric meters and transfer that data to a central database. This removes the need for manual billing, troubleshooting and analysis.

How AMR Works

Data Collection: There are several different types of meters which can be applied to any building. These can be battery powered, cabled or self-charging meters. These meters can also be installed directly to distribution boards or as clamps to specific cables. Each meter offers different levels of accuracy, however the meter must be MID compliant in order for the data to be able to be used for recharging or billing purposes. The way in which the data is made available from each solution also varies depending on the AMR. Some solutions are cabled to provide the data directly to the Building Management System.

Data Transmission: This data is transmitted electronically, often using LoRaWAN, powerline transmission, or telephony platforms (both wired and wireless).

Data visualisation

There are a number of ways of visualising the data. Often this can be shown on the BMS alongside other data points. The collected data is sent to a central database for processing and analysis or available in a cloud software platform.

Benefits of AMR

Increased Efficiency: Reduces the need for manual meter readings, saving time and labour costs

Improved Accuracy: Minimises errors associated with manual readings and estimated billing

Enhanced Customer Service: Provides near real-time data, helping customers better manage their consumption and utility providers to quickly address issues

Safety: Reduces the need for utility workers to visit potentially hazardous locations