Instrumentation and Control: Energy Meter Monitoring Over IoT Project

This project report details the development of an IoT-based energy meter monitoring system. The project aimed to create an advanced energy meter model for reliable and simplified data acquisition, eliminating the drawbacks of traditional electromechanical meters. The student focused on implementing a system that could automatically determine real-time meter readings via a web page, reducing the need for manual effort. Key objectives included eliminating manual meter readings, establishing a wireless network for data acquisition, providing real-time data access to users and providers, and developing an efficient energy meter. The student's responsibilities encompassed setting up the data collection system from the energy meter to the microcontroller using components like an Opto Coupler, Micro-Controller, and Energy Meter. The project involved applying instrumental and control engineering skills, utilizing software stimulation for communication, and implementing a Raspberry Pi as a web server. The report addresses challenges such as time lag and data hosting, presenting solutions like separate command functions for LCD display and using Raspberry Pi for web server establishment. The project aimed to eliminate extra staff and time consumption in meter reading, providing web access to real-time data wirelessly. The team collaborated effectively, guided by their professor, to successfully develop an advanced electric meter.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 1
DARSH PATEL

CE 1.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Energy Meter Monitoring over IoT
Location of the project: Sarvajanik College of Engineering & Technology
Project Duration: 2016 – 2017
Organization: Gujarat Technological University
Role and Designation during the time: Team Member
CE 1.2 Project Background
CE 1.2.1 Characteristics of the project
My team had decided to present a model of advanced energy meter in a reliable and
simplified way. Normal energy meters work on electromechanical principle that has many
lagging factors regarding the data acquisition. We had developed the model that can be helpful in
eliminating this drawback factors and present more efficient and reliable energy meter. I had
executed the project concentrating on the advanced model for better data acquisition of the
energy meter through implementing a platform based on the Internet of Things (IoT). I had
introduced this project idea considering the extra effort and additional employ employed for the
meter that consumes lots of time for the user and the service provider. We had introduced an
advanced system for the determination of real time meter reading automatically on the web page
without any additional effort.

CE 1.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
It was necessary to develop effective goals and objectives for the project, for which I had
developed following objectives:
 To eliminate the additional effort made for the meter reading and record the meter
readings
 To establish a wireless network that can be helpful in getting the meter readings at
the web page
 To provide a platform for the electricity providers and users in manner to access
the real time data acquisition of energy meter
 To develop an efficient and effective advanced energy meter
CE 1.2.3 My area of work
The team leader of the project assigned me in the activities involved for the setup of the
collection of data to the microcontroller from the energy meter. I had done the setup of the
microcontroller and meter as shown in the figure:

Figure 1: “Data Fetching from Energy-Meter to Microcontroller”
We had used three major components for this sector that includes Opto Coupler (MCT2E),
Micro-Controller (Atmega328P), and Energy Meter (3200 imp/kwh) in manner to collect the data
and display it on the LCD as connected in the figure. I had managed the connection of the
microcontrollers output and input ends in manner to execute a close circuit for the output display.

CE 1.2.4 Project Group
CE 1.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I was responsible for the implementation of the setup presented in the above report
including the shopping for the electrical and electronic components. I had tried to keep the
budget low as much possible without affecting the quality of the project. I had to make sure that
the real time data collection is functioning well and microcontroller is able to collect and
transmit the data related to meter readings.
CE 1.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 1.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
I had identified that for the communication purpose between the devices, IoT can be
utilized in an effective and efficient way and thus, it can be utilized in this project. I had
established the project in two parts, the first part was to establish the connection between the

LDR and LED and other section was to program the microcontroller in manner to detect and
decode the pulse produced by LDR and LED circuit.
CE 1.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
Figure 3: implementation of the Microcontroller Circuit
I had applied my Instrumental and Control engineering skills for the establishment of the
connection as shown in the above figure. We had used software stimulation for the
communication purpose. I had implemented the AT89C51 microcontroller and used Proteus
software that will be helpful in pulse transmission. We had used the LCD for the output that will
display the actual meter reading.
CE 1.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
Project leader had already divided the project in sections and every individual had to
contribute in the project through successful execution of the job in their section. We had
executed the “pulse counting software simulation” that will be reading the LDR and LED pulses

and record the data in micro cheap. I had performed the establishment of connection of the
microcontroller with the energy meter for the collection off real time data and LCD output of the
recorded data. Next phase of the project was to establish the “Raspberry pi as Web Server” for
the network connectivity of the data collected. We had installed the operating system in the
microchip and installed the database for the real time data transfer over the network. Thereafter
we had connected the Raspberry pi and Atmega 328p through GPIO connection for the “serial
data transfer”
CE 1.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
1.3.4.1 Issues
I had found that time lagging factor could possibly affect the output of the project and
incorrect data might be displayed on the LCD. Hosting the real time data collected from the
electric meter was one of the struggling part because without hosting the data in the network, the
project would be of no use. Another issued found during the execution of the project was
Identifying the components of high quality at lower price and managing the conflict in the team
was. I had also found certain electrical connections were lose and needed to be ironing again as
this were affecting the flow of power and no results were being collected.
1.3.4.2 Solutions
We had executed separate command functions for the LCD display section that helped us
in minimizing the time lag and produce the actual number of pulses made by the electric meter.
The number of units could be calculated through calculating the pulses generated and recorded in
the chip. We had implemented the Raspberry pi for the establishment of the web server and
allow the device to transmit signals over the network. I had searched the products online and
compared it on various electronic counters at the market to buy the products at low price. I had

re-solded the connections where the estimated wiring was lose and managed the overall closed
circuit for the project to let every component work in an effective and efficient manner.
CE 1.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
I had identified that an additional staff and time is consumed for the collection of meter
reading and thereafter sending the cost of the electricity consumed by the user. I and my team
had contributed in the development of the advanced meter that is helpful in collecting the real
time data related to the meter readings and cost wirelessly. I had developed the project that will
eliminate the extra need of staff and minimize the time consumed in the whole process through
providing web access to the users and electricity providers wirelessly. I had used the
microcontroller, sensor, and various other components for the collection and transmission of the
data on the network.
CE 1.3.6 Collaborative work
This was a team project and every team member had contributed in this successful
deployment of the advanced data acquisition meter reading procedure. We were assigned
different sectors of the project where, every individual made his or her contribution and thus,
resulted in the successful development of an advanced electric meter. Our professor had also
guided us in the right direction for the development of this project through motivating us under
their right guidance. A team member had implemented a simple python script for the
establishment of the Raspberry pi and Atmega 328p connectivity in a manner to transfer the
serial data.

CE 1.4 Project Review
CE .4.1 Project Overview
I had developed the project aiming at producing a product that can help the users and
electricity providers communicate relating the meter readings and electricity bills without any
additional efforts. I had used electronic components (microcontroller, GPIO, Raspberry etc.) and
software (Proteus) for the establishment of a wireless network that can be helpful in collecting
and transmitting the real time data of the meter reading along with the price calculation. The
project was divided in different groups and sections and I tried to work in a team without raising
any conflict. The important concern for this product was to keep it of low budget and we tried to
manage the budget. I had developed the project concerning an innovative product for the
common people at low budget.
CE 1.4.2 My contribution to work
I had implanted the additional circuit with the electric meter that will be collecting the
real time data of the electricity consumed by the user and transmit over the network calculating
price and electric units consumed. I had contributed in this establishment and data collection and
transmission through the microcontroller. I had also purchased the high quality electronic
components from the market and tried to manage the budget low as much possible. I had done all
the circuit connections using iron and paste and made a stable connection for the effective flow
of power in each component.