What are Data Concentrator Units?
Data concentrators are now more necessary than ever since the introduction of smart metres. This is due to the fact that each metre installation must be done in a particular manner so that it can readily connect with the utility provider. This is the point at which automated metre reading and automated metre infrastructure become crucial. In order for the utility providers to make a profit, it is also crucial to calculate the user’s energy use. The central utility server is connected to thousands of utility metres through the MDAS Meter Data Acquisition System, which benefits the energy suppliers.
Data concentrators gather information about energy use and other customer management metrics from smart metres connected to a wireless or power-line communication (PLC) networks in homes or businesses, and they immediately send this information to a smart grid backhaul network, an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), or a customer centre for additional analysis and processing. You can use the tools like ASE DLMS meter test set for monitoring, testing troubleshooting during meter installation
The essential component of an AMI’s data and energy management is a data concentrator. It offers the tools necessary to gauge and compile information on energy use. It is also possible to programme the concentrator to examine and transmit this data to the main utility database. Utility providers may use this data for billing purposes, but they may also use it to provide better consumer services, like real-time energy analysis and sharing of consumer data, to strengthen customer connections.
A Data Concentrator Unit (DCU) collects data from numerous metres in a substation. The DCU can collect data up to 20 metres away and supports the DLMS/COSEM protocol. The vast majority of Indian metre manufacturers’ metres are compatible with it. DCU collects ABT parameters from all metres through metre polling and stores them on DCU. Load survey, midnight, tamper, and event data from all metres are examples of data that is typically stored. Data from all 20 metres is kept for a maximum of 45 days.
Functions Of Data Concentrator Units
- In order for the PLC or RF network between terminals and the application system to communicate and for devices to exchange data with the application system, the DCU serves as the IoT gateway and provides routing services.
- When the application system sends instructions to terminals, the DCU serves as the data collector, delivering and carrying out those instructions, and periodically collecting data from terminals using the pre-collection template. Through the DCU, the application system may manage and regulate terminals.
Benefits Of Data Concentrator Units
- Because energy production and storage must be tracked, inventory management is also essential in the data energy sector. Additionally, it is important to take into account how it gets to the users and how much energy they use. The data concentrators keep track of all these inventory management activities.
- Since reading the metre and invoicing the information allows the energy provider to invest and make money, metering is a crucial role in the energy consumption and data management unit. These are a few of the data concentrators’ fundamental duties.
The DCU-0720 from AMI Tech is a smart device with an integrated RS485 connector for collecting data from a group of metres and an integrated GSM/GPRS modem for sending data to a remote data acquisition server.
DCU-0720 is utilised in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and automatic metre reading (AMR) architectures. Before sending data to the utility, DCU gathers information and data from energy metres and retains it locally.
A communication tool called a COPS-TARA DCU (Data Concentrator Unit) is used to send metre data to a control centre for real-time access. DCU collects data from metres using the MODBUS/DLMS standard protocol and transmits it in real-time to the control centre through OFC, wired internet, GSM, GPRS, 3G, and 4G networks.
Traditional copper-based interfaces like RS232, RS485, and 10/100-based Ethernet are supported by the HUSKY DCU E70. On a few variants, an Ethernet interface based on fibre optics is also available. A built-in 4G modem with a dual-SIM feature is also available in the Model B and C for wireless communications.
Cahors data concentrator units collect data from metres, which then process and store the information they provide before sending it to a centralised information system.
We hope you got a clear idea on the purpose of a data concentrator unit for energy metres.
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