Ngenic Track Opto uses an optical reader to read measurement data. Many electricity and district heating meters feature an optical service interface that allows meter readings to be retrieved digitally directly from the meter. When Track Opto uses this interface, it reads the values that the meter itself has recorded, which means they typically correspond to the values used to calculate your bill.

For district heating meters, this is the method Track Opto uses to retrieve consumption data.

However, some electricity meters do not have a compatible standard optical interface. Instead, they may have a flashing indicator - that is, a small LED that flashes in sync with electricity consumption. Track Opto can also read this type of signal. In that case, the number of flashes is counted to calculate consumption.

The flash indicator often looks like a small round light and is labeled, for example,“imp/kWh”or“flash/kWh,” along with a number indicating how many flashes correspond to 1 kWh. Common values are500,1,000, or10,000.

In short:Track Opto can read data via the optical service interface or via the flashing indicator. The optical service interface provides digital readings directly from the meter, while the flashing indicator counts pulses from a flashing LED.

Track HAN is another version of Ngenic Track and is connected to the electricity meter’s HAN/P1 port instead. It is therefore not used for optical reading, but rather reads digital meter readings via the electricity meter’s customer port when one is available and activated.