Metering Metering Evalutation Attribute Cost (money) Interoperability long term relationship Deployment Readiness Build Quality  Inhemeter  3 5 3 3 5 Gomelong Meter (no PLC meter with built-in relay) Sagewood Meters Calin Meter ? 5 5 ? 5 Spark Meter 3 1 3 1 5 China Brandless Meter  5 1 3 3 1 iSmart Meter 1 5 3 1 3 Hoptele Meter 3 5 5 5 3 Inhemeter China/UG based OEM. Edwin Cho is our contact. 0 774 667667, +86 135 3210 1631. 1way Meter boxed FOB 46Usd Cloud Vending System 100 USD per month up to 1000 meters Free On Board (FOB) Which means not including shipping and inland transport and any clearance fees Sagewood  Sagewood is a UK based logistics supplier. +44 7831 135528 - Manoj Got some feedback on this one . Here goes…
Hi Hilary, all good am still in china snd heading back tomrrow to uk.
China was on national holidays from 30 April to today May 5.
Now working on it.
I have discussed with the team - Due to small number of meters for the system, we suggest a cloud version so you don’t have to invest in hardware. Many endusers are doing this.
Meters we can handle but MOQ is around 2000 metres.
Or we can manufacture them to very with other orders. So you don’t have to worry about MOQ.
Allow me few days and I revert back.  Hoptele  China supplier / OEM. Single phase PLC meter. Wall mount with PLC support and inbuilt relay. DIN rail mount with PLC support but no inbuilt relay. 70 US per meter. No vending system.  Gomelong  China based supplier, has a local distributor in Uganda. Gomelong Meter (no PLC meter with built-in relay). May have none PLC option. Pricing for "digital meter" (probably with no relay) 127k UGX per unit.  Spark Meter  Kenya based. Proprietary system (Meters + AMI). 70 USD per meter. Comes with a DTU that requires line of sight to meters. 1 DTU per 2000 meters max. 600 USD per year per DTU.  Calinmeter  Have a DIN rail PLC with built-in relay. Waiting on quote. May also have AMI iSmart  Found these ones online. They also have a PLC with built-in relay .  The meter sample fee: 10pcs*600USD/pc; the DCU will need 7500USD/pc; the PC software for testing is 5000USD/pc; the optical head is 300USD/pc; the pilot system will need 30000USD; the technical assistance fee is 1500USD; DHL shipping cost is around 5500USD. Wired vs Wireless meters Wireless open standards  Comparison Protocol Frequency Range Data Rate Topology Power Usage Zigbee 2.4 GHz, 915/868 MHz Short Up to 250 kbps Mesh, Star Very Low LoRaWAN 868/915 MHz Long 0.3–50 kbps Star Extremely Low Wi-SUN 868/915 MHz Medium to Long 50–300 kbps Mesh Low to Medium Bluetooth LE 2.4 GHz Short 125 kbps–2 Mbps Star, Mesh Very Low IEEE 802.11ah Sub-GHz (~900 MHz) Medium Up to Mbps Star, Tree Low IEEE 802.15.4 Various Short–Medium 20–250 kbps Mesh, Star Very Low Thread 2.4 GHz Short 250 kbps Mesh Very Low Recommended for Residential Microgrid Applications in Uganda: LoRaWAN : If covering a large geographical area (kilometers), due to its excellent range, penetration, and low power use. Wi-SUN : For robust, medium-to-large-scale smart metering networks, especially if a mesh topology is desirable. Zigbee/Thread : Ideal for dense residential areas where devices (meters) are closer together, benefiting from low power and reliable mesh networking. Wired Open standards  Comparison Protocol Standard OSI Layers Medium Topology Range Data Rate Typical Application Areas Remarks G3-PLC ITU-T G.9903 Layers 1-2 Power Lines Mesh, Star Up to several km 2.4–35 kbps Smart grids, AMI, smart meters Robust, designed for noisy environments; supports IPv6, strong security PRIME ITU-T G.9904 Layers 1-2 Power Lines Mesh, Star Up to several km 21–128 kbps Smart metering, distribution automation Optimized for higher-speed PLC, widely used in European smart meter rollouts IEEE 1901.2 PLC IEEE 1901.2 Layers 1-2 Power Lines Mesh, Star Up to several km 2.4–500 kbps Smart grids, smart cities High interoperability, IPv6 support; ideal for utility and smart city deployments M-Bus (Meter-Bus) EN 13757 Layers 1-2 Twisted pair cable Bus Up to ~1 km 0.3–38.4 kbps Meter reading (water, heat, gas) Widely used in Europe; reliable, low-cost wired solution KNX ISO/IEC 14543-3 Layers 1-2 Twisted pair cable Bus, Star, Tree Up to ~1 km 9.6 kbps Building automation, home control Open standard for building automation, popular in Europe BACnet MS/TP ASHRAE 135 Layers 1-2 RS-485 twisted pair Bus Up to ~1.2 km 9.6–115.2 kbps Building automation, HVAC controls Common in building and industrial automation; robust, scalable Ethernet IEEE 802.3 Layers 1-2 CAT5/CAT6 cable Star, Tree Up to ~100 m 10 Mbps–100 Gbps Networking backbone, smart buildings High-speed, standard networking; widely supported across industries RS-485 (EIA-485) EIA-485 Layers 1-2 Twisted pair cable Bus Up to ~1.2 km Up to 10 Mbps Metering, industrial control systems Simple, robust, widely used for serial data transmission CAN Bus ISO 11898 Layers 1-2 Twisted pair cable Bus Up to ~1 km Up to 1 Mbps Automotive, industrial automation High reliability, robust error detection, common in harsh environments Recommended Wired Protocols for Residential Microgrid Metering (Uganda) PLC-based (e.g., G3-PLC or IEEE 1901.2) : Ideal due to existing infrastructure (power lines). Good for scalable, reliable deployments. RS-485 : Robust, simple wiring suitable for smaller clusters. Common for direct-wired connections (local clusters). M-Bus : Suitable if integrating gas, water, or heat metering alongside electricity Comparison between wired and wireless  Aspect Wireless Option (Wi-SUN/LoRaWAN) Wired Option (G3-PLC, RS-485) Recommendation Installation Cost 🟢 Lower 🔴 Higher (cabling, labor) Wireless ✅ Maintenance Cost 🟡 Moderate (battery replacements) 🟢 Low (no batteries required) Wired ✅ Reliability 🟡 Medium (environment dependent) 🟢 High (consistent, stable) Wired ✅ Scalability 🟢 High (easy additions) 🔴 Moderate to low (harder additions) Wireless ✅ Range/ Coverage 🟢 Good (with repeaters) 🟢 Excellent (using PLC) Wired (PLC) ✅ Security 🟡 Good (depends on setup) 🟢 Very Good Wired ✅ Installation Time 🟢 Short 🔴 Longer Wireless ✅ Physical disruption 🟢 Minimal 🔴 High (trenching, wiring) Wireless ✅ 💡 Recommended Choice: Hybrid or G3-PLC 📌 Primary Recommendation: G3-PLC (Wired) Given your scenario (dense apartment blocks with existing electrical infrastructure and meters located closely on the ground floor), G3-PLC offers significant advantages: Low Ongoing Maintenance: No batteries to manage. High Reliability: Stable signal leveraging existing wiring. Cost-effective (long-term): Minimal ongoing costs after initial installation. Robust & secure : Highly suited for apartment complexes. 📌 Alternate Recommendation: Hybrid (PLC Backbone + Wireless Endpoints) If flexibility or future expansions matter, consider a hybrid setup: Use G3-PLC within each block to connect meters reliably to a local gateway. Connect block gateways to a central system via wireless ( Wi-SUN or LoRaWAN ). This reduces physical disruption between buildings while maintaining the reliability within each block. This hybrid method provides the best of both worlds—flexibility and low maintenance. Links Chatgpt detailed thread CalinMeter We got the API docs here: Calin_API_for_NFE.postman_collection.json User Manuals  User instructions for the CA168-S Single-phase electricity meter (1).pdf CA168 Din Rail Meter- Technical Specification (1).pdf Installation Guide - Calin LoraWAN Smart Meters.pdf ⚡ CalinMeter Status Codes – Postpaid Quick Reference & Action Guide 📑 Common Meter Status / Short Codes (Postpaid Use) Code Meaning Action 01 Cumulative total active kWh consumption Record/check usage trend 14 Load threshold Compare with customer load, adjust if configured too low 31 Current total active power Check load at moment of query 35 Current total power factor If persistently low, investigate load/PF correction 40 Number of meter cover open events Check tamper log; reseal if necessary 41–45 Last 1st–5th cover open times Verify tamper history 46 Number of overload trip events Review load demand; advise upgrade if frequent 47–51 Last 1st–5th overload trip times Identify when overloads occurred 52 Number of power down events Check supply reliability 53–57 Last 1st–5th power down times Cross-check with outage records 58 Number of phase down events Investigate supply-side issues 87 Reason for relay disconnecting Use table below for action (Codes related to credit/tokens are ignored in postpaid setups.) Perfect — let’s build a lookup table that maps your AMI responses (1000–1025) directly to the Code 87 disconnect sub-codes , with meaning and field action tailored for postpaid deployments . ⚡ AMI Operating Status Code Lookup (Postpaid Mode) AMI Code Code 87 Sub-Code Meaning Field Action 1000 00 Relay Closed (normal supply) ✅ No action, meter supplying load. 1001 1 No Credit (Ignore in postpaid) — not applicable. 1003 3 Over Power (load exceeded threshold) Check load vs. configured trip limit; advise reduction or adjust threshold. 1004 4 Relay Test No action needed — relay was tested. 1005 5 Open Upper Cover (tamper) Reseal cover + enter clear tamper token. 1006 6 Open Terminal Cover (tamper) Reseal cover + enter clear tamper token. 1007 7 Remote Disconnect Confirm backend/HES instruction; reconnect if not intentional. 1008 8 Not-active (meter not commissioned) Commission meter (default code: 12345). 1009 9 Over Current Inspect load for surges; advise customer or adjust protection. 1011 11 Over Voltage Supply voltage too high; report to utility/feeder operator. 1012 12 Under Voltage Supply voltage too low; report to utility/feeder operator. 1013 13 Current Reverse (possible tamper/wiring issue) Inspect wiring; correct polarity; clear tamper if needed. 1014 14 Open Enclosure Cover (tamper) Reseal + enter clear tamper token. 1015 15 Magnetic Field Interference (tamper) Investigate possible magnet tampering; clear tamper. 1016 16 Current Imbalance Check for abnormal phase imbalance; troubleshoot load. 1017 17 Neutral Line Interference Inspect neutral wiring/tamper. 1018 18 Bypass (illegal connection) Investigate and escalate if confirmed. 1021 21 Voltage Imbalance Investigate feeder phase imbalance. 1022 22 Thermal Overload Meter overheating; check ventilation/load; allow cooling. 1023 23 Low Power Factor Check load PF; recommend correction (capacitors). 1024 24 Tariff Error Backend tariff configuration issue; escalate to AMI admin. 1025 25 Remote Reconnect + Local Trip Local condition (e.g., overload/tamper) persists; troubleshoot before reconnection. ✅ Key Notes for Postpaid Teams Ignore credit-related codes (1001, and codes tied to tokens/residual amounts). Focus on tamper (1005, 1006, 1014, 1015, 1018) , load/power quality (1003, 1009, 1011–1013, 1016–1023), and backend issues (1007, 1024, 1025). Always check AMI Code → Action before deciding if a site visit is required. Would you like me to now regenerate the PDF reference card with this full 1000–1025 lookup table included, so your team doesn’t need to flip between guides? ✅  Quick Action Guide Summary Tamper-related (5, 6, 14, 15, 18) → Reseal + enter clear tamper token. Load/power issues (3, 9, 11, 12, 16, 21, 22, 23) → Inspect loads and supply conditions; report or advise customer. Backend-related (7, 24, 25) → Confirm with HES/AMI admin. Commissioning (8) → Activate with code 12345. Examples Example #1 You query the meter for meter operating status and you get back this  Answer  Meter operating status = 1008 Step 1: Interpret the Code In many AMI/CalinMeter integrations, codes like 1000 and 1008 map directly to relay/disconnect statuses (Code 87 sub-codes) . 1008 = Sub-code 8 under Code 87 . From the guide:   8 → “Not-active” → Meter not commissioned .   Step 2: What This Means in Postpaid Setup The meter is physically installed, but it hasn’t been commissioned . In this state, the meter will not supply power , regardless of load or tariff configuration. Step 3: Field Action (from Quick Action Guide) Action : Commission the meter using the commissioning token/code .   Default commissioning code is 12345 . Enter this via the CIU (Customer Interface Unit) or backend if supported.   Once successfully commissioned:   Tamper detection is activated. Relay will close and supply will start flowing.   ✅ Summary: Your AMI response of 1008 means “Meter not commissioned.” 👉 To resolve: Enter 12345 (or your site-specific commissioning token) on the CIU/backend to activate the meter. Example #2  Answer Great — let’s now map 1000 through the same guide. Case: Meter operating status = 1000 Step 1: Interpret the Code In the AMI integration, 1000 corresponds to Code 87 sub-code 00 . 00 → “Relay Closed” . Step 2: What This Means in Postpaid Setup The meter is active and commissioned . The relay is closed , meaning the meter is supplying electricity normally. No tamper or abnormal condition is blocking supply. Step 3: Field Action (from Quick Action Guide) Action : No intervention needed. Record this status if troubleshooting, since it confirms the meter is healthy and delivering power. ✅ Summary for your case: Your AMI response of 1000 means “Relay Closed – supply ON.” 👉 Everything is normal; no technician action required. ⚡ So together: 1000 = Relay Closed (meter supplying power) 1008 = Not-active (meter not commissioned; activate with commissioning code) A2EI Data Thank you for showing interest in our data and our efforts here at the A2EI! We are happy to provide you with our latest data releases from our  Solar Killed the Generator Star Project in Nigeria, our  clean cooking pilots, and our research into productive-use appliances in East Africa. Please find a detailed summary of each dataset and latest release below. Please drop us a line via datadatadata@a2ei.org if you have any comments or questions, or in case you would like to unsubscribe from receiving updates. Most recent data releases SKGS 06.04.2022  The A2EI set out to provide the sector with an open-source hardware solar business system. Two years later, we have not only made the solar generator available, but sold over 1,000 systems. Every solar generator is sending real time data on consumption and system state, which allows the A2EI to share millions of data points with the sector as open-source data. Please download our  SKGS Project Update and Data Release Report here . Download the  associated data and readme here. 29.04.2020  To date, we have over 215 smart meters (and counting) connected to small scale generators and grids in Nigeria, located within multiple markets across several regions. You can download the raw data, the meter list as well as the README  here . Find some brief release notes  here . Please find the Executive Summary  here . 02.06.2020  Please find our analysis of generator usage during COVID-19  here . Latest data releases Clean Cooking 15.11.2021  I n a new comprehensive data release report, the A2EI analyses the entire data collected by our smart meters monitoring the usage of electric pressure cookers (EPCs) by 100 pilot users in rural Tanzania from March 2020 to May 2021. Please  download the data release report here. Download the data frames  here . Download the Readme  here . 16.07.2021  The A2EI has been part of a feasibility study to pave the way for mass distribution of electric hotplates to rural households in Malawi. Please download the Study of Hotplate & Grid Use in Rural Malawi  here  and access the associated data  here . Latest data releases Productive Use 14.07.2021  We are sharing our learnings of successful ventures in the agricultural productive use appliance sector by our first "Entrepreneur in Residence", Imara Tech, and are proposing a way forward that we believe could increase the likelihood for successful product development.  Download the  summary of learnings here . 21.09.2020  The Access to Energy Institute has developed a systematic methodology and published a report to jointly discuss the question what makes or breaks a successful solar-powered productive-use appliance - and to help find solutions for successful adoption and scaling. Download the report  here . Please find the associated data and materials  here . Your feedback is very warmly welcomed. We believe that sharing our data is paramount to unlocking further entrepreneurship and engineering, which in turn will help us crack the many nuts of providing a reliable, clean and affordable universal energy supply. In our efforts to deliver meaningful data, we need your feedback in order to collect further data points and to make adjustments to our current measuring practices. For now, we wish you a wonderful day...and cheerful data crunching! All the best, your A2EI Team