The Hand Held Data (HHD) Recorder (Fig. ) is a sleek, aesthetically crafted, rugged and fully functional hand-held terminal for meter reading with entrenched features. A comprehensive Application Programming Interface(API) allows a programmer to access the services provided by the Operating System (OS). This device can be developed/manufactured as per the requirements of the user. The features of a popularly available HHD in the market are given in Box
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| The Hand Held Data Recorder |
Box : Features of HHD
• Fully user-programmable, in high level “C”.
• Up to 4 MB data memory − improving over time.
• 64kB program memory − improving over time.
• Real time clock.
• Very lightweight, versatile and affordable.
• High clarity LCD with back light (4 Rows with 20 characters each).
• Standard 5 × 6 Alpha-numeric keyboard.
• High speed RS-232 interface (up to 57 kbps).
• 1.7 Amhr NiMH battery.
We now briefly describe the process of reading the meter by Hand Held Devices.
HHD Meter Reading Process in a Nutshell
Step 1: Installation Confirmation and Consumer Mapping and Sequencing
This is performed as a one time activity for all consumers. All consumers are grouped distribution transformer (DT)-wise for the purpose of energy audit and meter reading. A walking sequence number is also allocated to all consumers according to the sequence in which their meter reading is taken.
Step 2: Planning and Scheduling
Meters/consumers connected to a single DT are read in a single day. The respective DT meter reading is taken twice – once in the morning, at the beginning of reading all meters and then in the afternoon, after completion of all readings. Mean of the two readings is taken as DT meter reading for the purpose of Energy Audit.
Step 3: Base Reading
The source data is downloaded into the HHD from the master database. Meter reading is collected based on this data. This includes parameters like Connection Number, Name and Address of consumer, Meter number, consumer category, etc. Generally in the evening, meter reading data is uploaded from the HHD to the main computer through meter reading software interface and the source data for the next day’s meter reading is downloaded into HHD.
Step 4: Edit List for Pre-Audit of Billing
Some basic checks/validations are incorporated in the HHD itself. The reading is accepted by HHD only if the reading entered by the meter reader passes these checks/validations. Otherwise, an error message is displayed. One such check/validation can be that the current meter reading cannot be less than the previous reading. The correctness of meter reading determines the correctness of the bill and leads to reduction in consumer’s billing complaints.This is the most important input in the revenue management cycle of the power distribution utility.
Step 5: Reading Remarks
At the time of entering the meter reading, the meter reader also enters the reading remarks. These remarks are entered to capture site information in respect of the meter. Some of the basic Reading Remarks used by different power distribution utilities are given in Box .
Box : Common Meter Reading Remarks
• Fully user-programmable, in high level “C”.
• Up to 4 MB data memory − improving over time.
• 64kB program memory − improving over time.
• Real time clock.
• Very lightweight, versatile and affordable.
• High clarity LCD with back light (4 Rows with 20 characters each).
• Standard 5 × 6 Alpha-numeric keyboard.
• High speed RS-232 interface (up to 57 kbps).
• 1.7 Amhr NiMH battery.
We now briefly describe the process of reading the meter by Hand Held Devices.
HHD Meter Reading Process in a Nutshell
Step 1: Installation Confirmation and Consumer Mapping and Sequencing
This is performed as a one time activity for all consumers. All consumers are grouped distribution transformer (DT)-wise for the purpose of energy audit and meter reading. A walking sequence number is also allocated to all consumers according to the sequence in which their meter reading is taken.
Step 2: Planning and Scheduling
Meters/consumers connected to a single DT are read in a single day. The respective DT meter reading is taken twice – once in the morning, at the beginning of reading all meters and then in the afternoon, after completion of all readings. Mean of the two readings is taken as DT meter reading for the purpose of Energy Audit.
Step 3: Base Reading
The source data is downloaded into the HHD from the master database. Meter reading is collected based on this data. This includes parameters like Connection Number, Name and Address of consumer, Meter number, consumer category, etc. Generally in the evening, meter reading data is uploaded from the HHD to the main computer through meter reading software interface and the source data for the next day’s meter reading is downloaded into HHD.
Step 4: Edit List for Pre-Audit of Billing
Some basic checks/validations are incorporated in the HHD itself. The reading is accepted by HHD only if the reading entered by the meter reader passes these checks/validations. Otherwise, an error message is displayed. One such check/validation can be that the current meter reading cannot be less than the previous reading. The correctness of meter reading determines the correctness of the bill and leads to reduction in consumer’s billing complaints.This is the most important input in the revenue management cycle of the power distribution utility.
Step 5: Reading Remarks
At the time of entering the meter reading, the meter reader also enters the reading remarks. These remarks are entered to capture site information in respect of the meter. Some of the basic Reading Remarks used by different power distribution utilities are given in Box .
Box : Common Meter Reading Remarks
How to Use HHD for Meter Reading
HHDs are manufactured and developed as per the utility’s requirement.Hence, there is no standardization for them and special characteristics of HHDs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, operational features of HHDs are common as they need to have wide acceptability. These can be described as follows:
Step 1: Switch on HHD with red button (on/off switch)
The following message appears in the display:
“Enter password __________”
The Meter reader will have to enter the password assigned to her/him.
Step 2: The following three options are reflected on the screen:
F1 – Data Download
F2 – Data Upload
F3 – Reading
Meter reader will have to choose the option F3 for the purpose of reading the meter.
Step 3: The following options (Fig. ) will be reflected on the screen:
F1 – Search (Connection Number)
F2 – Search (MTR Number)
F3 – Unread Connection Number
F4 – General Entry
F5 – Help
HHDs are manufactured and developed as per the utility’s requirement.Hence, there is no standardization for them and special characteristics of HHDs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, operational features of HHDs are common as they need to have wide acceptability. These can be described as follows:
Step 1: Switch on HHD with red button (on/off switch)
The following message appears in the display:
“Enter password __________”
The Meter reader will have to enter the password assigned to her/him.
Step 2: The following three options are reflected on the screen:
F1 – Data Download
F2 – Data Upload
F3 – Reading
Meter reader will have to choose the option F3 for the purpose of reading the meter.
Step 3: The following options (Fig. ) will be reflected on the screen:
F1 – Search (Connection Number)
F2 – Search (MTR Number)
F3 – Unread Connection Number
F4 – General Entry
F5 – Help
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| Options in the HHD |
The meter reader will have to start the meter reading through option F3.However, while reading the meter, s/he also has the option to search for a meter found by her/him, through its 6 digit Connection Number (F1) or through meter number as printed at site (F2). The meter reader has the option to read any meter whose record is not available within HHD (F4). The option “Help“(F5) may be used by the meter reader to read the description of all acceptable meter reading remarks to be used in HHDThe meter reader also has the option to check Connection Number of meters read. At this stage, if s/he presses Shift and R buttons simultaneously then the following information will be displayed on the HHD screen:
Total records:
Reading obtained:
Remarks (No Reading):
Unread:
General Entry:
Step 4: After pressing F3 for normal meter reading in the scroll mode, the meter reader will be prompted to read meters as arranged by the walking sequence. The first information displayed on the screen will be Name. If the meter reader wants to go back from this screen, s/he has the option to “Esc” to go back to main menu. If s/he chooses “Enter” for the next screen, the address of the consumer will be displayed. In the next screen, meter number,Connection Number, walking sequence and load will be displayed. Here the meter reader is asked whether s/he wants to “scroll records – (Yes/No)”. If the meter reader does not choose to read this meter, but wants to carry on for reading the next Connection Number, then s/he has to put “Y”. Otherwise s/he has to put “N” for continuing the reading.
Step 5: The meter reader will be asked to put the reading remark. If the reading remark be such as “MB”, where reading is optional then s/he will be asked “If reading is available? – (Y/N)”. If the reading remark be such as “NM”,where no meter reading is available then meter reader will not be asked for reading and the next screen will come. For other remarks where meter reading is compulsory, meter reader will be asked to enter following:
Reading (kWh)
If kVAh reading available (Y/N)If the meter reader selects option Y then s/he will be asked for KVAH reading,MDI and P. F. (power factor). Only that value will be accepted, which is within the practical range, e.g., power factor value within 0 to 1 will be accepted.
After entering of reading, checks/validations like high consumption, zero consumption or negative consumption will be applied within HHD and if any ofthe reading is found to be exceptional, then meter reader will be asked to enter all readings again. However, after the second time, the entry of data readings will be saved in HHD for both entries.
Step 6: The meter reader will then be asked to enter the observation code. S/he will have to enter the purpose for which the supply is being used, e.g.,AG for Agriculture, DM for Domestic, ND for Non-domestic and IN for Industrial. This is for the purpose of identifying cases where a misuse of sanctioned category of supply is occurring.
Step 7: If the meter reader has put reading remark such as MB (Meter Burnt) then s/he will be asked to put the Activity Slip Number.
If the meter reader has put reading remark such as DL (Door Locked) then s/he will be asked to put Reading Request Intimation Serial Number.If meter reader has put any remark such as AM (Address Mismatch) then s/he will be asked for additional information such as complete address and landmark.If the previous meter reading remark is NA (No Address) and this time meter reader has put any remark other than NA, then also s/he will be asked for additional information of complete address and landmark.
Step 8: The meter reader will be asked whether to save reading (yes/no)? If s/he selects not to save the reading then meter reader will be prompted for entering meter reading for the same record once again.These are the steps to be followed at the time of meter reading. At any stage of meter reading, the meter reader has the option to go back to the previous menu by pressing Esc button. The meter reader also has the option to search for any meter found at site which is not available in normal sequence, by searching through its 6 digit Connection Number (F1) or through the meter number as printed at the site (F2).
The meter reader also has the option to read any meter whose record is not available within HHD (F4). Here the meter reader has the option to put remark XM (Extra meter) or NB (Not Billed). If s/he has any definite information from the consumer that this meter is “Not Billed” then s/he will put the remark as NB, otherwise the XM remark has to be put.For any of these remarks, the meter reader will be asked for the following information in sequence, Connection Number, Meter Number, Name, address, kWh reading. Next s/he will be asked whether KVAH reading is available (Y/N). If yes, then KVAH reading, MDI and P.F. have to be entered. Lastly the meter reader will be asked whether to save the reading (yes/no).
Total records:
Reading obtained:
Remarks (No Reading):
Unread:
General Entry:
Step 4: After pressing F3 for normal meter reading in the scroll mode, the meter reader will be prompted to read meters as arranged by the walking sequence. The first information displayed on the screen will be Name. If the meter reader wants to go back from this screen, s/he has the option to “Esc” to go back to main menu. If s/he chooses “Enter” for the next screen, the address of the consumer will be displayed. In the next screen, meter number,Connection Number, walking sequence and load will be displayed. Here the meter reader is asked whether s/he wants to “scroll records – (Yes/No)”. If the meter reader does not choose to read this meter, but wants to carry on for reading the next Connection Number, then s/he has to put “Y”. Otherwise s/he has to put “N” for continuing the reading.
Step 5: The meter reader will be asked to put the reading remark. If the reading remark be such as “MB”, where reading is optional then s/he will be asked “If reading is available? – (Y/N)”. If the reading remark be such as “NM”,where no meter reading is available then meter reader will not be asked for reading and the next screen will come. For other remarks where meter reading is compulsory, meter reader will be asked to enter following:
Reading (kWh)
If kVAh reading available (Y/N)If the meter reader selects option Y then s/he will be asked for KVAH reading,MDI and P. F. (power factor). Only that value will be accepted, which is within the practical range, e.g., power factor value within 0 to 1 will be accepted.
After entering of reading, checks/validations like high consumption, zero consumption or negative consumption will be applied within HHD and if any ofthe reading is found to be exceptional, then meter reader will be asked to enter all readings again. However, after the second time, the entry of data readings will be saved in HHD for both entries.
Step 6: The meter reader will then be asked to enter the observation code. S/he will have to enter the purpose for which the supply is being used, e.g.,AG for Agriculture, DM for Domestic, ND for Non-domestic and IN for Industrial. This is for the purpose of identifying cases where a misuse of sanctioned category of supply is occurring.
Step 7: If the meter reader has put reading remark such as MB (Meter Burnt) then s/he will be asked to put the Activity Slip Number.
If the meter reader has put reading remark such as DL (Door Locked) then s/he will be asked to put Reading Request Intimation Serial Number.If meter reader has put any remark such as AM (Address Mismatch) then s/he will be asked for additional information such as complete address and landmark.If the previous meter reading remark is NA (No Address) and this time meter reader has put any remark other than NA, then also s/he will be asked for additional information of complete address and landmark.
Step 8: The meter reader will be asked whether to save reading (yes/no)? If s/he selects not to save the reading then meter reader will be prompted for entering meter reading for the same record once again.These are the steps to be followed at the time of meter reading. At any stage of meter reading, the meter reader has the option to go back to the previous menu by pressing Esc button. The meter reader also has the option to search for any meter found at site which is not available in normal sequence, by searching through its 6 digit Connection Number (F1) or through the meter number as printed at the site (F2).
The meter reader also has the option to read any meter whose record is not available within HHD (F4). Here the meter reader has the option to put remark XM (Extra meter) or NB (Not Billed). If s/he has any definite information from the consumer that this meter is “Not Billed” then s/he will put the remark as NB, otherwise the XM remark has to be put.For any of these remarks, the meter reader will be asked for the following information in sequence, Connection Number, Meter Number, Name, address, kWh reading. Next s/he will be asked whether KVAH reading is available (Y/N). If yes, then KVAH reading, MDI and P.F. have to be entered. Lastly the meter reader will be asked whether to save the reading (yes/no).
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