What is sub metering?

Measurement refers to the activity of achieving uniform units and accurate, reliable values. Measuring involves defining and converting measurement units. The transfer of quantitative values and the measures, procedures, and legal systems that must be adopted to ensure their uniformity. The measuring instruments we use in our daily lives need to be calibrated by a professional authority before they can be used, ensuring that the measurements are accurate and reliable. In terms of energy, there is corresponding metering equipment. The water, electricity, gas, and heat that fill our daily lives are measured by corresponding electric energy meters, water meters, gas meters, and heat meters. Operators measure based on the measurement values of the metering device. Collect the fees. With the development of society and the rapid growth in leasing markets such as commercial space, industrial factory, home living, and office space leasing, there is an urgent need for energy sub metering. It is difficult to perform sub metering for piped gas, central heating, and central refrigeration. In the past, factors such as population and land area were used to allocate energy consumption.

This sub metering method does not accurately reflect the actual energy consumption of users, resulting in low levels of user satisfaction. In terms of piped gas, many sub metering methods have been replaced by other methods such as bottled gas and induction cookers.  Some solution providers convert charges into usage time in order to achieve the purpose of sub metering. In terms of central heating and cooling, there are also professional teams studying how to accurately carry out sub metering and improve the fairness of charging. It is very feasible to use the method of measuring air volume at the air outlet for many sub metering solutions. Converting the air volume of the air outlet into energy consumption of the air outlet motor realizes the operability of sub metering. This sub metering scheme uses an electricity meter to measure the proportion of power consumption of the air outlet motor, in order to calculate the central heating and cooling costs for each user. This sub metering scheme has been recognized by a majority of users and the market. In terms of domestic water and electricity consumption, sub metering application solutions are relatively common. Just add sub metering for both the water and electricity meters. Among them, electric sub metering is easier to implement, whether in newly designed and constructed buildings or when old ones are renovated. All can be achieved. According to the various objectives that electric power sub metering is required to accomplish, the additional features of the sub metering system vary significantly.
 
1. Rental Market: The power company measures the overall power consumption of the building and collects fees. The owner measures the power usage for each rental area and charges accordingly. In this application scenario, power sub metering extends the prepaid function to solve the problem of difficult charging. The electric energy meter used for sub metering needs to implement prepaid payment in addition to accurate power measurement. It is used for metering that requires recharging prior to charging. When used, the power supply will be automatically cut off when the recharged battery is exhausted.
2. Electricity consumption analysis and energy-saving management of factories and enterprises: Divide the factories and enterprises by region, and conduct sub metering for each area. The more subdivided the regions, the more meters are installed, resulting in a better effect for analyzing electricity consumption and managing energy savings.  Develop energy consumption indicators by conducting a comparative analysis of regional energy consumption to enhance energy conservation awareness. Reduce unnecessary waste by analyzing the linkages between operating conditions and energy consumption during a specific time frame. High-energy consuming areas can be locked to reduce power consumption by managing or transforming them.
3. Improving Power Quality: In order for the power grid to function properly, it is necessary to control both reactive power and harmonics. Submetering can accurately locate equipment with large reactive power and high harmonics, and it can perform targeted small-scale transformations to reduce overall investment.  The sum of sub-metered energy consumption data is compared to the total meter energy consumption data, allowing for a real-time understanding of line losses. Theoretically, the total meter power is equal to the sum of sub-meter powers. The line loss rate can be calculated as (line loss power / power supply) * 100%, which means that it equals the difference between the total meter power and the sum of sub-meter powers divided by the total meter power multiplied by 100%. For factories and enterprises, the line loss rate is generally controlled at 2% to 5%. When the actual line loss rate is higher than 5%, a line inspection and analysis are required to check if the sub-meter is installed correctly, whether there is any leakage, the stability of the line load, and the relationship between wire diameter and power.
4. Lighting on urban and rural roads: Road lighting consumes a significant amount of electricity, impacts public safety, and affects the image of cities. In recent years, smart street lighting projects have improved the operation and management of road lighting. In the smart street light solution, each street light is sub-metered and controlled. sub metering data collection and street light switch control are realized through remote communication.

Through sub metering data analysis, it can be determined whether a street lamp is damaged. Real-time alarms for lamp failures can also be realized, and the level of street lamp management has been improved to better serve the public. sub metering has become indispensable in daily life, and sub metering extension solutions are constantly innovating according to market demand to increase the added value of sub metering. The rational use of energy consumption sub metering can increase energy utilization and improve the quality of energy transmission. A fair sub metering scheme that ensures reasonable and fair charges is conducive to the development of various energy sources. sub metering measuring devices are also metering products and need to be certified by an authoritative organization before they can be sold in the market.