Action 97/6.7
SAF97/6.7
Background
At SAF 097, Gemserv took an action to put together a guidance note on the terminology of Meter Types and
Smart Metering with respect to Master Registration Agreement (MRA) governance.
With the imminent roll out of smart meters, there has been considerable confusion over the various Meter
Types and terms used in the industry. Very often terms, such as AMR and AMI, are used with the intention of
signifying that a meter is ‘smart’.
Issue Identified
AMR
Under the MRA, the term Automated Meter Reading (AMR) features within the data item ‘Meter Type’ J0483
(Appendix 1).
An AMR meter signifies that the meter has the capability to have register settings changed without direct
manual intervention. These meter types are listed in the J0483.
AMI
This features in MRA governance under Working Practice 147 – Auxiliary Metering Information (AMI), a
‘workaround’ until Data flow D0313 – Auxiliary Meter Technical Details is implemented in the February 2011
release.
Within the industry, the term Advanced Metering Infrastructure is used relating to smart meters and includes
energy displays, software, hardware, and communications, etc. However, this term is not recognised under
MRA governance.
Conclusion
It should be noted that a regulatory definition of ‘smart’ metering does not yet exist, although there appears to
be a common consensus within the industry as to what the basic functionality should entail.
With regards to the Valid Set within the Meter Type, operating times and register numbers can be found using
the Meter Timeswitch Code.
SAF 097 6.7
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10 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 3BE
Action 97/6.7
SAF97/6.7 Appendix 1
This data item1 displays the codes used for the different type of meter in force at the time of writing:
Item Name:
Meter Type
Item Reference:
J0483
Item Ownership:
MRA
Item Description:
Units:
Valid Set:
Validation:
Domain:
Logical Format:
Physical Length:
Indicates the type of meter - Half Hourly or Non-Half Hourly.
None
Values are: ('_' indicates a space character for illustrative purposes only
and should not be used in the data item)
CHECK
Check
H
Half Hourly
K
Key
LAG_
Lag
LEAD_
Lead
MAIN_
Main
N
Non-Half Hourly
NCAMR
Non-remotely Configurable Automated Meter
Reading
RCAMR
Remotely Configurable Automated Meter Reading
S
Smartcard Prepayment
SPECL
Special
T
Token
As Valid Set
Code
CHAR(5)
5
Has Synonyms:
Has Aliases:
Notes:
RCAMR should be used for AMR metering where the register settings can
be altered without direct manual intervention.
RCAMR and NCAMR should only be used where comms are installed. If
a meter is capable of AMR but no comms are installed then Meter Type
Code ‘N’ (Non-Half Hourly) should be used.
Version History:
Catalogue
release change
takes effect
Version 3.1
Version 4.4
Version 6
Version 9.1
Version 9.2
1
CR
No.
Brief description of the change and its reason
1370
2962
3071
3287
Codes added to Valid Set to replace pre-payment.
Valid Set description changed.
Valid Set description changed and Notes deleted
Changed definition of 'S' from 'Smart' to 'Smartcard Prepayment', to avoid confusion with
Automated Meter Reading
Introduced new Meter Types for AMR, and added Notes for their use
3286
MRA Data Transfer Catalogue v9.5 (Annex D)
SAF 097 Action Appendix 1
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10 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 3BE
Action 97/6.7
SAF97/6.7 Appendix 1
Catalogue
release change
takes effect
Version 9.3
CR
No.
Brief description of the change and its reason
3298
Addition of notes to clarify use of values 'NCAMR' and 'RCAMR'
SAF 097 Action Appendix 1
Page 2 of 2
10 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 3BE