Chinese manufacturer Eastron has introduced dual-tariff smart meters for industrial operations.

They provide precise, time-based energy tracking, helping users save and manage power with greater insight.

As energy prices remain volatile worldwide, electricity is a growing expense for manufacturers. At the same time, time-of-use (ToU) rate structures are expanding across markets to balance grid demand, with peak rates often 50% higher than off-peak. In this environment, dual-tariff smart meters provide a tool for controlling operational costs.

Factories, large plants and energy-intensive sites can consume hundreds of thousands of kWh each month. When heavy usage falls during peak periods, costs surge. For sectors such as metals, chemicals or manufacturing, running high-power processes during peak hours can significantly erode margins. Dual-tariff meters give the clear, hourly data needed to shift schedules, move energy-intensive tasks to off-peak times and capture lower rates. It is a practical, data-driven way to reduce energy spend.

These meters accurately record consumption across peak, off-peak and shoulder periods, aligning with local ToU rates. This enables users to avoid expensive peak pricing and increase low-cost off-peak power. For large users, these data also help optimise production planning and support grid stability.

Built to stringent accuracy standards, these meters ensure reliable measurement for billing and reporting. They carry relevant international certifications such as MID, ETL and UL, making them suitable for trade settlement and compliance across different regions.

With support for RS485, Modbus and other industrial communication protocols, these meters enable remote reading, real-time monitoring and centralised data management. They reduce manual effort and errors while providing insights into usage patterns. Some models also offer load control, alerts for unusual consumption and historical reporting, turning raw data into actionable intelligence.

Eastron (www.eastrongroup.com) offers four dual-tariff smart energy meters, each designed for specific scenarios.

The SDM230-2T single-phase meter is for homes, small businesses, offices or single-phase EV chargers. The SDM54-2T three-phase unit is for small to medium industrial and commercial sites. The SDM630-2T three-phase industrial meter is for demanding environments such as data centres or solar-integrated facilities. And the SDM630MCT-2T high-current model is for heavy industries with very high current loads – think metallurgy, chemical processing or hydrogen production.