Prepaid Meters
A prepaid meter is a type of electricity meter that requires you to pay for energy before you use it. Credit is loaded onto the meter—typically through a token, card, or online purchase—and the meter deducts units as electricity is consumed.
Single Phase Meters
A single-phase prepayment meter is an electricity meter designed for single-phase power systems (common in homes and small businesses) that requires users to pay for electricity before using it.
Key features include:
- Topping up the meter using a token obtained from 3rd party vendors, online banking or mobile banking apps e.tc.
- The meter deducts credit as electricity is consumed.
- If credit runs out, the power supply is cut off until more credit is added.
Below is an overview of some of the Single-Phase Prepayment Meters we have to offer but not limited to:
- ACTOM DDSY238SR Din Rail Meter
- ACTOM DDSY283SR BS Meter
- ACTOM DDSY283 Integrated Meter
3-Phase Meters
A Three phase prepayment meter is an electricity meter designed for three-phase power systems, where users pay in advance for the electricity they consume. These meters are commonly used in commercial, industrial, and large residential settings where energy demand is higher than what a single-phase system can handle.
Key features include:
- Topping up the meter using a token obtained from 3rd party vendors, online banking or mobile banking apps e.tc.
- The meter deducts credit as electricity is consumed.
- If credit runs out, the power supply is cut off until more credit is added.
Main Applications include use in:
- Power Stations and Municipal Substations:
Where large amounts of energy must be measured while being transmitted and distributed. E.g. Eskom Generation and Transmission - Factories and workshops:
Where large motors and equipment require balanced power. - Apartment complexes or large homes:
Especially those with high energy usage. - Shops and small businesses:
That need more power than a single-phase supply can offer. - Off-grid or prepaid utility setups:
Where energy budgeting and control are essential.
Data Concentrator
A Data Concentrator Unit (DCU) in prepayment metering is a critical component of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) used in smart grids.
It acts as a central hub that collects, processes, and transmits data from multiple smart meters to the utility provider’s central system. These are available in LTE/4G uplink and RF and PLC downlink to meter variants and are dependent on the prepayment meters being of the same communication protocol.
Uses in Prepayment Metering
In a prepayment metering system, the DCU plays a vital role in:
- Real-time Monitoring: Tracks energy usage and credit levels to ensure customers don’t exceed their prepaid limits.
- Load Control: Supports remote disconnection or reconnection of supply based on credit status.
- Billing and Recharging: Facilitates accurate billing and enables remote top-up of prepaid accounts.
- Outage Detection: Helps utilities quickly identify and respond to power outages or faults.
- Energy Profiling: Provides usage patterns that help utilities and consumers manage energy more efficiently.
