An AMR (Automatic Meter Reading) meter is a digital meter that automatically collects quarter-hourly electricity consumption data and sends it to a central system.
This type of meter is systematically installed for:
- all high-voltage electrical connections;
- low-voltage electrical connections where a smart meter cannot be installed for technical (limited to 100 A) or regulatory reasons (see table below).
Summary table for low voltage
| LOW VOLTAGE PTECH ≤ 56 KVA |
LOW VOLTAGE PTECH > 56 kVA |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit-breaker rating |
230 V single-phase |
230 V three-phase |
400 V three-phase + N |
|
| I ≤ 63 A | Smart | Smart | Smart | NA |
| 63 < I ≤ 80 A | NA | Smart | Smart | NA |
| 80 < I ≤ 100 A | NA | Smart | NA | AMR |
| 100 < I ≤ 120 A | NA | AMR | NA | |
| 120 < I ≤ 140 A | NA | AMR | NA | |
| I > 140 A | NA | |||
What is the difference between a smart meter and an AMR meter?
Smart meters
Smart meters are installed exclusively on low-voltage connections:
- for power ratings less than or equal to 56 kVA;
- or when the protection rating is less than or equal to 100 A.
Like an AMR meter, a smart meter can store and communicate daily data on a quarter-hourly basis. The method and frequency of the meter reading vary depending on the customer's situation or billing preference.
- Conventional annual meter reading: partial invoices are billed each month and a regularisation invoice is issued each year on the basis of the meter readings taken each year.
- Remote monthly reading: from 2025, customers will be able to opt for a monthly invoice based on their actual monthly consumption.
- Remote quarter-hourly meter reading: in the case of energy sharing or dynamic rates, the actual or shared consumption is billed on a monthly basis.
AMR meters
For high-voltage connections - or low-voltage connections above 56 kVA (400 V) and 40 kVA (230 V) - an AMR meter must be installed.
The data from the AMR meter is sent automatically to Sibelga once a day. Unlike a smart meter, the data sent is not index data but quarter-hourly power data.
Various data can be used to bill the consumption recorded by an AMR meter:
- peak power in kW (high voltage connection, low voltage connection > 56 kVA);
- the active energy injected and/or taken off in kWh;
- for high-voltage connections, the reactive energy (inductive and capacitive) injected and/or taken off in kVArh.
For these meters, invoices based on actual consumption are billed each month. There is therefore no regularisation invoice.
What types of AMR meter are there?
Sibelga places the following types of AMR meter, among others:
 |
 |
| Direct meter up to 125 A |
Semi-direct and indirect meters over 125 A |
We also install L&G ZMD410CT44 and ITRON SL761X070 meters.
How can I view data from an AMR meter?
The AMR meters we are currently installing do not yet have a communication port like the P1 port that smart meters have. This feature is planned for the next generation of meters. However, there are already several ways of monitoring your energy consumption.
How much does it cost to install an AMR meter?
If an AMR meter is mandatory for your connection, you can consult our rates here to get an idea of the costs.