Smart gas meters require thorough testing

Company

FLONIDAN, a distinguished leader in the design and manufacture of metering solutions for the gas and water industries, is a part of the AVK Group and has been innovating since 1982. Based in Horsens, Denmark, FLONIDAN serves utility companies and diverse industries with a commitment to developing reliable and efficient metering technologies.

Challenge

As the industry rapidly evolves towards wireless technologies, FLONIDAN faces the critical challenge of ensuring that their smart gas meters complied with stringent regulatory requirements.

The shift from traditional manual meter reading to automated wireless data transmission introduced significant technical complexities, particularly concerning electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and the Radio Equipment Directive (RED). FLONIDAN needed to ensure that their products met these requirements while minimizing time to market, particularly as they aimed to launch two to three new devices each year.

Solution

To tackle these challenges, FLONIDAN partnered with EKTOS Testing & Reliability Services for comprehensive testing of both radio performance and EMC.

Hardware Engineer Bo Friis Hansen explains, “We usually send one or two technicians to Copenhagen together with the equipment that is up for testing. That works well and saves time. With EKTOS providing two test engineers, we can perform tests in two test chambers simultaneously. This means we can do a full ECM and radio test of a new product in three days. That is quick.”

This strategic collaboration also involved Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT), which rigorously assessed the durability of new products. Hansen notes, “We use EKTOS’ test lab in Struer as well, for HALT testing. All new products need a good shake, so we can identify possible weaknesses in them.”

This approach enabled FLONIDAN to identify potential issues early in the development process.

Project Manager at EKTOS, David Busk, elaborates on the collaboration: “FLONIDAN is well acquainted with the tests that have to be done for a new device to meet the standards for gas. Early in their development process, they start testing and continue to run tests together with us in our lab.”

This close working relationship allowed for focused efforts on EMC while EKTOS handled the radio communication tests.

Result

The collaboration between FLONIDAN and EKTOS significantly improved testing efficiency and product reliability. EKTOS’s comprehensive services accelerated FLONIDAN’s certification processes for smart gas meters, ensuring compliance with EMC and radio standards.

David Busk notes, “FLONIDAN is well acquainted with the tests that have to be done for a new device to meet the standards for gas.”

This deep understanding fostered a strong partnership where FLONIDAN’s engineers actively engaged in the testing process. Bo Friis Hansen added, “The 3D measurement reveals a lot about the antenna’s performance… That is important knowledge for us.”

This collaboration enabled FLONIDAN to launch products faster while enhancing quality, reinforcing their industry leadership.

Are you facing similar challenges in navigating compliance testing for your wireless products?

EKTOS Testing & Reliability Services can guide you through the complexities of regulatory requirements and help you achieve efficient product certifications.

Contact Niels Martin Jørgensen at nmj@ektos.net to discover how we can support your testing needs and ensure your products excel in the market.