Metering.com 15 SEPTEMBER 2016
Itron has announced that it has received an unconditional 10 year initial seal period for its CENTRON II OpenWay singlephase smart meters.
According to a company release, Itron is the first smart meter manufacturer to receive an unconditional 10 year initial seal period for its smart metering technology, which it received from Measurement Canada for a device that is approved for in-service firmware downloads. [Itron’s Linky smart meters receive G3-PLC certification]
The release adds that the latest certification, Itron’s CENTRON II OpenWay singlephase smart meters in Canada do not need to be re-verified for accuracy until their 10th year in service and, while in service, updates can be performed remotely to metrology and communication control firmware.
Measurement Canada is responsible for ensuring that suppliers and consumers receive accurate measurement of goods. The agency develops and administers the laws and requirements governing measurement, evaluates, approves, and certifies measuring devices, and it investigates complaints involving measurement devices.
In order for the technology and services company to receive the certification, the accuracy of Itron’s meters was verified in accordance with the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and Measurement Canada Regulations. Meters without an unconditional 10-year seal period must be re-verified on or before the sixth year in service.
Jeff Carkhuff, vice president of global solutions marketing for electricity at Itron, said: “Itron is proud of the accuracy of our meters, and we are committed to manufacturing smart meters that are both receptive to in-service updates and are of such high reliability they qualify for extended periods in service. [Itron receives STS certification for smart payment solution]
“[Our] meters undergo extensive reliability testing throughout their product lifecycle to prove field reliability and product lifetime performance.”
Smart meter patents
In other news related to Itron smart meter technology, the company partnered with Landis+Gyr and smart grid energy metering technologies provider TransData to enhance their automated metering solutions portfolio.
Under the deal, the two solutions providers will use TransData’s smart meter patents to allow wireless communication of their smart meters.
In a press statement, TransData explains that its patents are designed to equip digital electric meters with an internal wireless communication circuit and antenna for wireless meter data communication.
The selection of TransData’s patents by the two smart meters manufacturers, Itron and Landis+Gyr, marks an increase in the usage of the patents by leading global manufacturers of smart meters, says TransData.
Aclara, Sensus and Telensa have also signed TransData’s smart meter patents for use in their electric smart meters.
TransData is claiming that its smart meter patents are being used in approximately 90% of smart meters using wireless communications deployed in the US and Canada.
Trace Gleibs, president of TransData, commented: “This further substantiates the overall quality of our smart electric meter patents and their significance towards the manufacturing and operation of smart electric meters.”