Development of an automatic meter reading system using low voltage distribution line carrier transmission system by signal injection between common ground wire and the ground

The authors present development and results of the proof test of an automatic meter reading system for watthour meters which uses a ground return system. Monthly manual meter reading for approximately 20 million watthour meters has been carried out in the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). However, the amount of the metering data is going to increase, as various electric tariff options such as time-of-use are introduced. TEPOC have been promoting development of the automatic metering system as being readily applicable to practical use and have successfully integrated an economical and reliable system