Smart meters | applications
not necessarily require robust weatherability require- ments. However, they do need to maintain their appearance over time and therefore colour stabilisation and UV protection is normally required (meters are often placed in areas where they are exposed to some sunlight). Meters are also frequently placed in base- ments or cellars so may need to be protected against humid or moist conditions.
smart meters and identifies the most critical or unique properties that are needed when selecting a material for that specific element.
Meter display window l Obviously, transparency is needed for the window piece of the smart meter. Functionally, it may not be necessary since the advantage of smart meters is the ability to be “read” remotely via automation but a transparent window provides the option to visually read the meter should the technology fail. The trend to creating transparent covers for differentiation and to add aesthetic appeal to the device is making transpar- ent materials even more in demand. l Other properties important for the window element of the meter include ignition resistance and durability.
Meter housing l Toughness is an essential for a smart meter housing. For the utility provider, it is essential to prevent tampering. For the consumer, it is needed to ensure safety, preventing possible damage to the unit and exposure to live wires. In the case of smart gas meter housings, which can often be installed outside, there can be the additional requirement of use in extreme cold climates. This may require exceptional toughness at sub-zero temperatures. l As smart meters are typically housed indoors they do
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Terminal block l The Terminal Block of an electricity smart meter is the most demanding component with heat distortion resistance of primary importance. Since hot, live wires must pass through this block, the material needs to withstand 135˚C without distortion. Standard polycar- bonate, for example, can only withstand 125˚C and therefore glass reinforcement is essential. Require- ments for smart meter housings are not so demanding so non-reinforced polycarbonate resins can be used but often manufacturers will decide to create the housing out of the same glass reinforced material as the terminal block for simplicity. l Electrostatic dissipation can be essential for gas utility smart meter housings. It is important for this particular meter application that static is rapidly dissipated to reduce the risk of explosion from static build up. Manufacturers can accommodate this need by using specially modified polymers that are permanently anti-static, or by designing the meter is such a way as to shield the gas parts from any potential exposure. l Other properties that need to be considered include fire resistance. Some specifications, for example, mandate use of non-halogenated flame retardants (no bromine or chlorine additives) and some legislation requires materials used to exhibit low smoke, toxicity and corrosivity in the event of fire. Trinseo, formerly Styron, has been focused on the smart meter industry for more than a decade and has supplied materials for projects in countries including Italy, Spain, France and the UK. The company has a range of polycarbonate compounds for both opaque and transparent applications in smart meters that provide toughness and flammability resistance at temperatures well below as low as -60˚C. Polycarbonate has proven itself to be a good choice
for smart meter parts and housings because of its ability to be tailored for specific performance require- ments – a user can maintain the primary properties of the polycarbonate material while customising the formulation to exacting requirements. It also offers freedom of design - polycarbonate materials for smart meter housings can be formed into countless shapes and sizes. In addition, the high strength, stiffness and
June 2015 | INJECTION WORLD 35
Left: Emerge PC8701HH12 glass-rein- forced PC from Trinseo can be used to manufacture the smart meter terminal block, housing and internal components
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