An approach to standardisation of meter reading through FLAG and CHIRPS

This paper briefly describes the development of the IEC1107 protocol for local communications, the structure of the FLAG Association Ltd. that promotes the use of the protocol and an application for meter data reading as implemented by one of the UK RECs. The implementation involves the use of the IEC1107 protocol and the CHIRPS (Common Hand Held Unit Integrated Reading and Programming System) support software and demonstrates how the co-operation of utility with meter manufacturers and a software developer in close contact through the Association provided a cohesive result for meter data collection.