Maxim > Design Support > Technical Documents > Application Notes > Communications Circuits > APP 3776
Maxim > Design Support > Technical Documents > Application Notes > High-Speed Interconnect > APP 3776
Maxim > Design Support > Technical Documents > Application Notes > Hot-Swap and Power Switching Circuits > APP 3776
Keywords: AMR, Automatic Meter Reading, RS485, Power Meter Application, Meter Interface, Isolated
RS485, Power Meter Interface.
APPLICATION NOTE 3776
Considerations for Selecting an RS-485
Transceiver in Electronic Power Meters
Apr 19, 2006
Abstract:
Automatic meter
reading technology provides a communication port to power meters, allowing
them to be read electronically and remotely. This application note discusses the various features of
Maxim's RS-485 transceivers that make them well suited for communication ports in electronic power
meters.
Automatic meter reading is becoming increasingly popular in electronic power meters. This technology
provides a communications port to the power meter, allowing it to be read electronically and, in most
cases, remotely. This allows power utilities to save both money and time. The key to making this
technology work is to ensure the communications link is both safe and robust. RS-485 is a simple, cheap,
reliable communications specification that is well suited for automatic meter reading. The following article
discusses the numerous features of Maxim's RS-485 transceivers that make them ideal for electronic
power meters.
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