Communications field trials for total utility metering

The privatisation of the water, gas and electricity utilities under United Kingdom Government legislation has led to new developments of these industries in a new competitive market. Metering systems for all these utilities has developed into a very innovatory market with all three utilities investigating novel and cost effective metering communications systems. This paper discusses current field trials within the London Electricity Board in conjunction with Thorn-EMI for providing metering services to the residential customer.