Hybrid Automatic Meter Reading System

In Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) as the power utility company have two methods to take the metering data from their customer. For their ordinary customers (OPC, ordinary power customer), they used conventional method, by sending meter-readers on monthly basis to do meter reading from meters installed at their customers premises. For large or industrial customers (LPC, large power customer), they used global system for mobile communication-based (GSM) AMR technology. Here GSM module is attached to each LPC's meter, and data reading can be done automatically without visiting their customer's sites. For OPC customers, conventional method is facing some issues that need to be improved. In this paper we described the propose hybrid automatic meter reading (AMR) system which is a combination of ZigBee and GSM technology. In this propose system, ZigBee module will be attached to the meter by using interface board and the data collector will be connected to the central computer by using GSM. The system is suitable with Malaysian condition which already implemented GSM-based AMR in LPC. With this system TNB can save cost in doing meter reading and provide better services to their customers.