Experience with multi-function metering for commercial and industrial tariffs

An initiative was launched by Eastern Electricity in 1983 under which a number of UK manufacturers were invited to tender for the development of a low-cost solid-state multi-rate unit containing an integral calender clock and opto input/output port for attachment to an existing domestic credit meter. Much of the specification produced for this device was common to the requirements of a multi-function unit (MFU) for large power metering applications and the launching of the project was a catalyst to the wider development of such devices. The authors discuss the design requirements of such meters, their testing and programming, installation and commissioning, field experience, metering and billing