Additionally, by using the features inherent in MeterLink, the operator benefits directly from reduced costs via the elimination of site or location visits, reduced billing and the efficiency of remote switching - again reducing labour - with security of in-built tamper detection.

The MeterLink system software and hardware is produced at the Horstmann Controls headquarters facility in Bristol from where the company also provides project management, installation support and post contract service.

The front-end features are a customer display unit (CDU), which gives tenants consumption and tariff information. It can also provide additional data, such as records of credit and a forward cost estimate of power for the next billing period. The CDU may also be programmed to provide consumption and billing information for additional services such as water and gas.

Horstmann MeterLink Mainscom electricity meters can be configured at the time of installation or re-configured afterwards, either as normal credit or prepayment devices without the need of a site visit, removal or exchange of the meters.

The smart meters communicate bi-directionally with Meterlink central operating system software using the low voltage (LV) distribution network between the meter and the local data concentrator (LDC).

A key feature of the Mainscom meter and the MeterLink software is the capability to accept readings from electricity, water and gas meters through a single communications network, a facility available with all Horstmann MeterLink installations.

At the control centre, the entire system is administered using intuitive Windows based software on a PC or PC-LAN.

The system architecture can be extended to accommodate large numbers of meter sites with daily reading - and high levels of accuracy - significantly increasing reading efficiency at lowest cost.

Horstmann Controls T: 0117 9788700. F: 0117 9788701 E: info@horstmann.co.uk W: horstmann.co.uk