A PREPAID METER IN A HOUSING, IDEAL FOR NEW AND EXISTING PREPAID METERS INSTALLATIONS
The Cashpower Gem prepaid meters are compact, single-
Gem Prepaid Meters Features
- Maximum current of 100A per phase
- Compact meter design with British Standard layout
- Easy to install and ideal for new reticulation as well as retrofitting of credit meters with BS footprints
- Proven Cashpower keypad technology
- Meter provides valuable information to help consumers effectively manage and budget their electricity consumption
- Tamper detection
- Significant Reverse Energy (SRE) detection
- Programmable software power limit
- Advanced commissioning / decommissioning feature
- Prepayment / Credit Mode
- STS compliant
- Large display with language-
independent icons - High surge withstand capability for areas prone to lightning or other line surges
- SABS 1524 and IEC62055-
31 compliant
Full Description of the Gem Prepaid Meters
The Cashpower Gem is a compact, single-
We set the rate of the prepaid meter, according to the rate charged to you on your electricity bill. To work out how much you are paying per kWh, check out our handy electricity calculator tool.
Principle of operation: Meter Modes
The Cashpower Gem meter provides utilities with the utmost flexibility in terms of being able to adapt to a range of different consumer profiles. Three utility-
- Prepayment Mode
- Credit Mode
- Energy Limiting Mode
Prepayment mode
In Prepayment metering mode, it functions as a normal prepayment meter. Credit tokens are purchased and entered into the meter via the customer interface unit keypad. On expiry of credit, the load is disconnected and will only be re-
Credit mode
In Credit metering mode, it functions as a conventional credit meter. Power is continuously supplied to the consumer and total kWh used is continuously measured and recorded. The meter must be read by the utility at regular intervals and the consumer billed accordingly.
Energy Limiting Mode
This mode allows utilities to distribute a fixed, monthly allocation of energy to consumers. It encourages the rational use of energy without severely inconveniencing the consumer. Operation is as follows:
Assume that a monthly energy allowance of 150kWh has been allocated to a consumer. The meter allocates this energy in regular, equal portions, over the thirty-
Assuming that the consumer draws no power at all, the credit level will continue to increase. However, as soon as energy starts to be used, the credit level is proportionately decremented. If the rate at which energy is being used is less than the rate at which it is being incremented, the credit level will slowly continue to increase.
If the rate at which energy is being used is greater than the rate at which it is being incremented, the credit level will slowly decrease. It is in the consumer’s interest to ensure that electricity is not wasted and that unnecessary appliances are turned off. By conserving energy, it will be possible to use it at a high rate for periods when required.
In the event of the consumer exceeding the allocated allowance (credit level reduced to zero), the load is disconnected.
However, the next allocation of credit will be available within a very short period of time (15 seconds) and the supply of electricity restored.
Providing the consumer takes immediate steps to disconnect unnecessary appliances, it will be possible to have at least basic services available e.g. lighting. With a 150kWh monthly allocation of energy, it will be possible to maintain a continuous load of 200W whilst still maintaining a positive credit balance.
Tamper detection
Cashpower Gem prepaid meters are mechanically sealed against tampering through the use of a factory-
In addition, the meter is equipped with a tamper sensor that will automatically disconnect the power to the load in the event of tampering.
The meter includes a Significant Reverse Energy (SRE) detection feature. If the line and load wires are swapped during installation, the meter will continue to operate and decrement credit, however, the meter can be factory-
Optical interface
An IEC 62056-
Surge protection
The Gem prepaid meters has the option of being supplied with a built-
Interrogation port
As a customer option, more detailed information and programming can be achieved via the standard interrogation port at the rear of the meter.