What does it mean for electricity distribution companies to have a completely approved PLC PRIME concentrator? Which PRIME PLC Concentrator has most successfully passed the independent tests of the Energy Technology Institute (ITE)?

In this article we will see how, in addition to having complete approval, it is essential to obtain the best results in a series of tests, performed by a top independent entity like the ITE. These tests are also focused on the parameters of most interest to distribution companies: the concentrator should offer maximum energy meter availability, regardless of who makes the smart meters.

PRIME PLC concentrator SGE-PLC1000 of CIRCUTOR completely approved

Why are we sure that the CIRCUTOR concentrator will meet all of your needs?

• Because of its results in the STG-DG Test

  • Because CIRCUTOR's SGE-PLC1000 concentrator has been CERTIFIED by the external DNV-GL (KEMA) laboratory: DNV-GL's development makes it a landmark laboratory that is widely renowned in the PRIME Alliance, establishing itself as the only laboratory that grants this certification.

• Because for CIRCUTOR, RELIABILITY is a key factor: The CIRCUTOR concentrator was the first concentrator to pass the tests with zero errors. We offer the market the most solid and reliable unit, proven with data entirely from outside our company (DNV-GL (KEMA).

• For the results in the ITE tests

  • Because according to the results of the test (ITE), CIRCUTOR offers the BEST CONCENTRATOR ON THE MARKET: The SGE-PLC1000 concentrator was recently subjected to the interoperability test (Test A) at the Energy Technology Institute (ITE),, the purpose of which is to assess its behaviour by connecting hundreds of energy meters produced by different manufacturers to create a benchmark of the concentrators currently available on the market.

The PRIME PLC concentrator is completely approved

With the complete approval of the PRIME PLC concentrator SGE-PLC1000 of CIRCUTOR energy distribution companies, have a unit that offers maximum reliability and safety when collecting data and managing a network of smart meters.

This concentrator has achieved all of the certifications required by the PRIME Alliance, and has passed all of the different tests specified by the different utilities.

The PRIME PLC concentrator has passed IBERDROLA's STG-DC conformity tests performed by DNV-GL (KEMA)

What is the STG-DC test?

The STG-DC is the test that ensures the implementation of the communications protocol between the concentrator and the telemanagement system (STG) used by a utility.

The test consists of simulating utility telemanagement software, which makes a series of requests to the concentrator to examine the behaviour of the concentrator.

Concentrator interconnection with an energy meter network by PLC and STG systems

Therefore, in addition to being completely approved, CIRCUTOR was the first manufacturer to pass the IBERDROLA STG-DC conformity test for its SGE-PLC1000 concentrator with PRIME PLC technology for reading and managing smart meters. After a long approval process established and standardised by IBERDROLA, we are proud to report that it is fully certified for PRIME PLC applications.

Summary of the report on the IBERDROLA STG-DC conformity certification test performed by DNV-GL (KEMA) on the CIRCUTOR SGE-PLC1000 PRIME PLC concentrator

Obtaining this certification for the PRIME SGE-PLC1000 Concentrator is another step towards the standardisation and interoperability of the PRIME system, which is used by a great many energy distribution companies both in Spain and abroad.

The PRIME PLC concentrator has achieved the maximum qualification in “Test A”, performed by the ITE

The ITE test attempts to reproduce the real conditions of electrical distribution lines with energy meter centralisation, representative wiring lengths, different levels of attenuation and injection of attenuating noise.

For CIRCUTOR the results achieved were truly satisfying. Specifically in the two most important categories for electrical energy distribution companies:

• SGE-PLC1000 achieved an index of 100% in topology (the best benchmarking score). In other words, all of the energy meters remained permanently connected to the concentrator during the days of the test. The official results produced by the ITE can be seen in the table below:

Topology: Average availability (energy meters connected) = 100%

• SGE PLC1000 achieved a mean availability index in the long cycle test of 98.95% (the best benchmarking score). The long cycle test continuously and repeatedly requests loading curves for the energy meters connected to the concentrator. The official results produced by the ITE can be seen in the table below:

Long cycles: Average availability (energy meters connected) = 98,95%

Summary of comparative benchmarking of PRIME Concentrators showing the two most important categories for utilities (Column A: CIRCUTOR PRIME PLC concentrator). Irrelevant data eliminated for greater clarity.

Other certifications achieved which complete the series of tests required for the approval of the concentrator are:

• EN-50065, performed by the LABEIN certified laboratory. Referring to tests on the transmission of signals over the low voltage electrical network in the frequency band of 9-95 kHz (A PRIME Band).

• PRIME test performed by DNV-GL (KEMA). Ensures interoperability at the PRIME level.

• Mechanical, electrical and climatic tests performed by the APPLUS and LRIC certified laboratories.

Conclusions for distributors and utilities

To take a correct reading of the energy meter network,, any distributor and electrical company must ensure that PRIME concentrator units have:

• Complete approval by the PRIME Alliance,

• the best results in a series of tests, performed by a top independent entity.

• Furthermore, these tests should be focused on the parameters of most interest to distributors and utilities:: maximum energy meter availability, regardless of who manufactures the smart meters.

As we have seen in this article, the PRIME PLC Concentrator SGE-PLC1000 from CIRCUTOR perfectly meets these requirements.