Smart metering represents a technological advancement in the field of energy management and utility metering. At its core, smart metering comprises sophisticated digital meters equipped with communication capabilities and integrated into a broader network infrastructure.

Traditionally, energy consumption has been measured using analog meters requiring manual readings, often leading to inefficiencies, inaccuracies, and delays in billing. Smart metering systems revolutionize this process by automating data collection and transmission in real-time, thereby offering numerous benefits to both utility providers and consumers.

A smart metering system (iMSys) consists of a new modern measuring device/digital electricity meter and a communication module, the smart meter gateway. This enables the iMSys to transmit the measured values securely and in encrypted form. This means that the meters no longer need to be read, the device transmits the values automatically.

A smart meter gateway is the communication unit and therefore the centrepiece of an intelligent metering system. Gateway is a general term for an interface and in this case refers to the switching device between the metering device and the communication network.

The smart meter gateway can securely integrate one or more modern measuring devices and other technical devices (e.g. renewable electricity generation systems, gas measuring devices, heat pumps) into a communication network. It also has functions for recording, processing, encrypting and sending data.

Smart meter gateways enable consumers and companies to better manage their electricity consumption and the feed-in of electricity from renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic systems. This not only offers greater convenience, but also opens up the possibility of benefiting from new tariff structures. In addition, smart meter gateways facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources and controllable consumers such as electric cars or heat pumps into the electricity grid, which represents a further step towards a sustainable energy supply.

The smart metering couplings from Telegärtner were specially developed for the data exchange of controllable generators, end devices and communication devices in smart metering systems and are used in the room for meters (RfZ) and the connection point for meters (APZ) at the meter locations. The smart metering couplings ensure reliable data transmission and enable particularly flexible data cabling of the distribution board.

As a system supplier, Telegärtner also offers suitable patch cables with a surge voltage resistance of 6 kV. Only a few patch cables on the market fulfil this high requirement, which has long been standard at Telegärtner.

The RJ45 couplings and the data cable must comply with at least category 5 in accordance with DIN EIN 50173. However, this means that data rates of no more than 100 Mbit/s can be transmitted. For future-proof equipment, most users therefore choose category 6A components. With these, data rates of up to 10 Gbit/s are possible in future applications, which avoids the need for expensive new cabling.