hey there..am a guy who has never been interested in computer stuff but it turns out that i have a project and it requires computer stuff. first i want is to ask if my project is possible to be created and i think you are the right people to ask.

So the project deals with digital meter reading in water. i want it to be for a company that supplies water in our town.so the project needs to have (a coordinate map location for each house, meter reading in real time, alert warning if water opened illegally if it is disconnected). so my question is, ''is it possible to create such?.....and if yes, i would really use your help''

 

Welcome to AAC!
It's certainly doable, but an undertaking with major difficulties and best left to professionals. Problems to overcome include getting meter readings back to a central monitoring station reliably and preventing or detecting tampering with the meters or bypassing them.
A co-ordinate map would not be needed if each meter could transmit a unique ID code.

 

Welcome to AAC!
It's certainly doable, but an undertaking with major difficulties and best left to professionals. Problems to overcome include getting meter readings back to a central monitoring station reliably and preventing or detecting tampering with the meters or bypassing them.
A co-ordinate map would not be needed if each meter could transmit a unique ID code.

i like the idea, and with this will it be able to detect if the consumer is disconnected due to debts then intends to open it illegally?

 

Yes, that would be a simple flag in the computer application. However, such a meter is going to require electric power. Water meters typically are out at the street far from power so how are you going to power them? Battery? Water flow generated? Look into how the power companies do this with electric meters.

 

Yes, that would be a simple flag in the computer application. However, such a meter is going to require electric power. Water meters typically are out at the street far from power so how are you going to power them? Battery? Water flow generated? Look into how the power companies do this with electric meters.

okay us here each house a a meter located in the consumer's premises, so power i would say it is close. but looking at how power companies do their electric meters i like the idea and would like to look into it. so if you have any link that i can easily grab on please it would be helpful

 

http://watt-logic.com/2018/06/13/smets2/

 

In many areas of the United States, it is common to have remote reading of water, gas, and electric meters. Here's an undated announcement from Cleveland, OH: http://www.clevelandwater.com/customer-service/clear-reads

Those meters are at the house, not street.

 

In many areas of the United States, it is common to have remote reading of water, gas, and electric meters. Here's an undated announcement from Cleveland, OH: http://www.clevelandwater.com/customer-service/clear-reads

Those meters are at the house, not street.

yes and each and every house has a meter

 

Yes, that would be a simple flag in the computer application. However, such a meter is going to require electric power. Water meters typically are out at the street far from power so how are you going to power them? Battery? Water flow generated? Look into how the power companies do this with electric meters.

so for how what are the hardware resources do i need to buy and some other requirements needed for the project to commence?

 

There is lots of consumer info out there but not much on the devices. I did a lot of metering industrially but living rural the only public metered utility is electric here.

 

There is lots of consumer info out there but not much on the devices. I did a lot of metering industrially but living rural the only public metered utility is electric here.

so your suggestion is i first gather consumer's info then hardware devices will later. isn't it?

 

so for how what are the hardware resources do i need to buy and some other requirements needed for the project to commence?

Have you searched on remote reading utility (or water) meters? Not only do they exist, they are in common use. How will your new "invention" compete? Seems like a business plan is your next step and/or another project.

 

I would suggest doing some internet research and contact your local utilities and find out who they buy their meters from and who the smart meter vendors are. I did a lot of data acquisition and flow control from various types of flow meters in industrial process control but have no inkling about consumer utility meters other than that they are becoming the norm now.

 

Also, if you were to build a meter, it will have to be certified if you are charging customers based on the readings. That certification process may cost a lot of $$$.
As has been started above, there are a number of systems already to do all this. What will set your meter apart from them?
Do you have the expertise and resources to make a system that can run reliably for many years?

 

Have you searched on remote reading utility (or water) meters? Not only do they exist, they are in common use. How will your new "invention" compete? Seems like a business plan is your next step and/or another project.

am not actually looking for competition with what is out or start some kind of a business. am student by way and this is my final year project, my lecturer said it has to be practical that's why i came to ask for help here. so please you have to help out guys

 

Also, if you were to build a meter, it will have to be certified if you are charging customers based on the readings. That certification process may cost a lot of $$$.
As has been started above, there are a number of systems already to do all this. What will set your meter apart from them?
Do you have the expertise and resources to make a system that can run reliably for many years?

certification process i think that won't be needed because its just my final year's project, and looking at resources and expertise am actually looking forward to your guidance and the rest of the team here.

 

I would suggest doing some internet research and contact your local utilities and find out who they buy their meters from and who the smart meter vendors are. I did a lot of data acquisition and flow control from various types of flow meters in industrial process control but have no inkling about consumer utility meters other than that they are becoming the norm now.

ill surely do that, then get back to you

 

A lot of meters use Zigbee radios, so that may be worth a look.

 

A lot of meters use Zigbee radios, so that may be worth a look.

thanks ill surely do that then get back to you