With the introduction of the Ofgem GSOP smart meter service standards, it is more important than ever for energy suppliers to ensure smart meters are fully operational.
Frequently, issues arise due to poor HAN connectivity. Meter location from the Comms Hub means that hundreds of thousands of smart gas meters are not communicating, preventing the gas meter from providing usage data both within the home and for billing purposes.
In many homes, the gas and electricity meters are located in different positions within the property, and these can be in cellars, garages, or on the outside walls of standard houses. Often, due to the range between the meters and obstructions in the path, the gas meters ZigBee signal cannot reach the Comms Hub. Enter SmartXtendPro – a simple, low cost “plug and Play” solution which significantly extends the range of any Zigbee Smart Meter HAN. When plugged into a standard UK socket, positioned between the meters, and joined to that Smart Metering HAN, it will repeat the ZigBee communications between the devices on the HAN.
Installers join the SmartXtendPro to the HAN as a Type 2 device, and can then reposition so that the ZigBee communication is extended between the GSME and the Comms Hub, enabling first time install and commissioning. Similarly, it can be retrofitted to enable the GSME to join to comms hub without the need for an expensive dual band meter swap out or AltHAN.
A further benefit enables the in-home display to be placed in a more convenient location, rather than having to be located in a garage or room not frequently used, which is not ideal, especially for the elderly or those with mobility issues, who often need this information most.
The devices are easy to install, they can be posted out to save expensive installer visits and with an automated joining process, allows homeowners to install themselves.
What’s more, SmartXtendPro works as a CAD, so when joined to the smart meter(s) and Wi-Fi, it sends data to the Fuuli app. It can also be configured to send data directly to a MQTT broker and in future to provide VWAN capability, further enhancing the appeal of this inexpensive device.
To find out more, you can email us at contact@ihdl.co.uk.
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