Gas Meter as a Safety Device – Japan Technology

Why has Japan continued to develop advanced technology?>
Part of the answer seems to be the geographical conditions of Japan.
Japan is a small island nation surrounded by the sea and has four different climates during the year.
In very hot summers, typhoons often come from the south. In the cold winter, it snows, and houses can be covered with snow and roads can freeze.
In addition, due to special geographical conditions, earthquakes often occur, and sometimes tsunami damage can occur.
In order to live in such an environment, Japanese people had to devise various ways to coexist with nature.
Moreover, because it is a small country with scarce natural resources, there was no choice but to support the economy in industries such as processing and manufacturing.
Against this background, manufacturing that can withstand the harsh environment has always been an indispensable requirement in all industrial fields, including architecture and urban development.
All types of TOYOKEIKI’s gas meters are accurate and durable to measure accurate numbers in all climatic conditions. Among them, the computer-controlled ultrasonic meter has various functions to analyze and execute all the data read by the sensor as well as to accurately measure the gas flow rate.

Multi-functional ultrasonic gas meter as a SAFETY DEVICE

TOYOKEIKI’s ultrasonic gas meters are equipped with various functions so that gas companies can supply gas more efficiently and users can use gas with better peace of mind.
This is a compact size high quality gas meter with lots of control functions with network including centralized monitoring and remote control.
And at the same time, it is a Multi-functional safety device that responds to various situations, including a seismic function, so that gas can be operated safely in the event of any trouble.
There is no need to install a seismic circuit breaker separately. This compact meter housing has all the functions, so it is a product that we would like to propose to users who place importance on safety such as condominiums and shopping malls.

LPG safety device and the number of LPG accidents – Cases in Japan

LPG accidents dramatically decreased by installation of Smart Meter and Safety Devices

The fuel conversion from coal to LPG has been a great boost to the promotion of Japanese industry in the 1960s.
On the other hand, however, as LPG became more widespread, the number of serious accidents also increased. At its peak in 1979, there were as many as 793 accidents to do with LPG.
Bellow is the record of LPG accidents and safety device installation rate in Japan.
In Japan, the government started taking the initiative in promoting the introduction of safety devices in order to prevent LPG accidents.
And in 1987, Smart Meter with safety functions was developed as new safety device for LPG.
In 1996, 99.1% of LPG equipment was equipped with security equipment, which has dramatically reduced LPG accidents.

Safety Functions of Ultrasonic Gas Meter – ETK series

**External input / output terminal
Other than gas leak alarm terminal, TOYOKEIKI ultrasonic meter has extra terminals for input / output. Also available for LPWA network connection.

N-line terminal (networking)		Connection port for Communication device, NCU (Network Control Unit) to communicate with server platform of AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) or AMR (Automated Meter Reading)
Gas detector terminal		Connection port for Gas leakage detector. **The detector must be non-voltage output signal (dry-contact)
External devices terminal		Connection port for external devices (select from below) -External 1: Gas leakage detector / CO detector -External 2: Auxiliary (Cylinder changeover devices and etc.) -H-line (External valve open/close control devices) -Pulse output
U-BUS terminal		Connection port for Communication device, NCU (Network Control Unit) and external devices such as server platform of AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) or AMR (Automated Meter Reading). **U-BUS is the latest Gas Smart Metering Technology originated from Japan.

 

Features

Networking and remote control – LPWA

You can take advantage of more convenient functions such as remote monitoring and remote operation using a low-cost LPWA network.

• Since the meter can be read remotely, labor and cost can be reduced.
• Since the remaining amount of storage can be monitored from the office PC, cylinder replacement and tank filling can be performed efficiently.
• Opening and closing of gas can also be controlled from the office PC.
• Centralized management enables quick customer service by detecting Shut-off due to trouble.

Specification