Why UK-Manufactured Sub-Meters Matter: Northern Design Metering Solutions

Published: December 17, 2024

When specifying sub-meters for industrial energy monitoring systems, the choice between imported commodity meters and UK-manufactured quality products can determine whether your system is still working accurately in 15 years or needs complete replacement in 5. At Industrial Control Services, we've installed energy monitoring systems across Staffordshire and the West Midlands for over a decade, and we consistently recommend Northern Design (ND) Metering Solutions for facilities requiring reliable, long-term performance.

The Case for UK-Manufactured Meters

Industrial facilities need sub-metering systems that deliver accurate data year after year, regardless of harsh environmental conditions, electrical noise, or sustained overload events. When a meter fails or drifts out of calibration, the entire value proposition of energy monitoring collapses - you're making decisions based on bad data.

Northern Design, based in Bradford, UK, has manufactured sub-meters since 1973. Unlike commodity meters assembled in high-volume factories overseas, ND controls every aspect of design, manufacturing, and quality control in their UK facility. This translates to:

• 5-Year Warranty - Industry-leading coverage because they're confident in reliability
• Direct Technical Support - UK-based engineers who designed the products
• Long-Term Availability - Products supported for 15+ years, not discontinued after 3
• Open Protocol Firmware - No vendor lock-in, works with any energy management platform
• Field-Proven Reliability - Installed worldwide in commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings

When you're implementing BICS 2027 compliance systems or comprehensive energy audits requiring 12+ months of validated data, meter reliability isn't optional.

Northern Design Product Range

ND specializes in CT-connected sub-meters for secondary metering applications. Their range covers single meters for individual loads through to multi-channel systems monitoring 60+ circuits.

Cube Series - Panel Mount Meters (96x96mm)

The Cube family provides panel-mount meters ideal for control panels and switchboards where visual display is important.

Cube 300 - Entry-level kWh meter

• Cost-effective basic metering
• Pulse output for remote monitoring
• 5A CT input, 3-phase capable
• Perfect for simple consumption tracking

Cube 350 - Multi-function meter

• kWh, kW, kVArh, PF, V, A, Hz display
• "Right First Time" installation aids (shows if CT wiring is correct)
• Optional Modbus RTU or Ethernet communication
• Optional harmonics measurement
• Class 1 accuracy for kWh
• Typical pricing: £125-£300 depending on options

Cube 400 - Premium multi-function meter

• All Cube 350 features plus enhanced accuracy
• Expanded data logging capabilities
• Suitable for critical or billing applications

The Cube series' "Right First Time" feature is brilliant - when you power up the meter during commissioning, it immediately displays kW consumption and CT/VT status, so you can verify correct wiring before leaving site. This alone saves hours on large installations.

Rail Series - DIN Rail Mount Meters (18mm width)

The Rail family provides compact DIN-rail mounting for distribution boards and compact installations.

Rail 350 - Three-phase multi-function meter

• Same functionality as Cube 350 in compact 18mm DIN package
• Fits alongside MCBs and contactors in distribution boards
• 5A CT input
• Modbus RTU, M-Bus, or pulse output options
• Typical pricing: £100-£200 depending on options

Rail 310 - Three single-phase meter in one unit

• Monitor 3 separate single-phase loads simultaneously
• 333mV or 5A input options
• Compact solution for multi-tenant or multi-circuit monitoring

MultiCube Systems - Multi-Channel Monitoring

For facilities needing to monitor many circuits, ND's MultiCube range provides cost-effective multi-channel solutions.

MultiCube 650 - 6 single-phase or 2 three-phase loads

• One meter measures multiple independent circuits
• 333mV CT inputs (ideal for split-core retrofit installations)
• Significantly cheaper than 6 individual meters
• Modbus, M-Bus, or Ethernet output
• Perfect for multi-tenant buildings or production cells

MultiCube 950 - 9 single-phase or 3 three-phase loads

• Same concept, larger capacity
• Scales to even larger installations with modular expansion

MultiCube Modular - Up to 60 single-phase or 20 three-phase loads

• Building-block approach for very large installations
• Add modules as monitoring requirements grow
• Centralized data collection from entire facility

The MultiCube approach dramatically reduces installation costs for facilities monitoring 10+ separate loads. Instead of 10 meters, 10 sets of communications wiring, and 10 data points to configure, you have one meter with integrated multi-channel capability.

333mV vs 5A CT Systems

Northern Design offers both 333mV input and 5A input meters, which affects CT selection and installation:

5A Systems (Traditional)

• CTs output 5 amps at rated load
• Short cable runs (max 8m with 4mm² cable)
• Higher burden on CT secondary
• Standard in most industrial applications
• ND Rail 350 and Cube series available with 5A input

333mV Systems (Modern Low-Power)

• CTs output 333 millivolts at rated load
• Extended cable runs (up to 100m)
• Minimal CT burden
• Ideal for retrofit installations with split-core CTs
• ND MultiCube series uses 333mV inputs
• Particularly suited to LoRa wireless systems where transmitters may be distant from CTs

For our LoRa monitoring installations, we often specify 333mV systems because the LoRa transmitter can be mounted remotely from the CT location, simplifying installation.

Communication Options

All ND meters support multiple communication protocols configured at time of order:

Pulse Output (Standard on most models)

• Simple, proven technology
• Ideal for basic data logging or connection to BMS
• Our LoRa systems can accept pulse inputs directly

Modbus RTU (RS-485)

• Industry-standard protocol
• Provides access to all meter parameters (kW, kVArh, PF, etc.)
• Our LoRa transmitters typically interface via Modbus

M-Bus

• Common in building management systems
• Good for multi-meter networks

Ethernet (Selected models)

• Direct TCP/IP connectivity
• Web interface for configuration and data viewing
• Can eliminate need for separate data loggers

The open-protocol approach means ND meters integrate seamlessly with any energy management software - you're not locked into proprietary systems.

Why We Specify Northern Design

After installing hundreds of sub-meters across West Midlands manufacturing facilities, we consistently choose ND meters for several reasons:

Technical Support That Actually Helps

When you call ND's technical support (+44 1274 750620), you speak with UK-based engineers who designed the products. They can answer questions about:

• CT sizing and ratio selection
• Cable run limitations and VA loading
• Modbus register mapping
• Integration with third-party systems
• Troubleshooting installation issues

This is fundamentally different from calling a helpdesk staffed by people reading from scripts.

Long-Term Reliability

We've got ND Cube 350 meters operating in dusty foundry environments, high-vibration press shops, and temperature-cycling heat treatment facilities that have run continuously for 10+ years without calibration drift or failure. The 5-year warranty provides peace of mind, but we rarely need it.

"Right First Time" Installation Aids

The Cube and Rail series meters display installation verification data:

• kW reading shows if CTs are properly installed and phased
• CT wiring display confirms correct connection
• Voltage display verifies supply is present

This catches wiring mistakes immediately during commissioning rather than discovering bad data weeks later.

BICS 2027 Compliance-Ready

Northern Design meters meet requirements for BICS 2027 eligibility:

• Permanent installation (not temporary logging equipment)
• Accurate measurement (Class 1 or better)
• Communication capability for automated data collection
• Long-term reliability (5-year warranty, 15+ year lifespan)
• Open protocol (no vendor lock-in for 10+ year compliance period)

When building documentation for BICS applications, you need meters you can trust.

Open Protocol, No Lock-In

ND firmware uses standard protocols (Modbus, M-Bus, Ethernet). This means:

• Works with any energy management software
• Can switch platforms without replacing meters
• Future-proofs your investment
• Facilitates integration with building management systems

Proprietary meter systems create vendor dependency that becomes expensive over 15-year system lifetimes.

Integration with LoRa Energy Monitoring

We design LoRa wireless monitoring systems using ND meters connected to our LoRa transmitter nodes. Typical architecture:

ND Meter → Modbus RTU → LoRa Transmitter → LoRa Gateway → Energy Portal (Cloud)

The beauty of this approach:

• ND meters provide accurate, reliable measurement
• LoRa handles wireless communication (no facility WiFi dependency)
• Standard Modbus interface means meter choice is flexible
• Energy Portal provides visualization, analysis, and reporting

We handle complete system integration - you get validated data flowing to the Energy Portal dashboard within days of installation.

Typical Applications & Meter Selection

Here's how we typically specify ND meters for different monitoring requirements:

Small Facility (5-10 Monitoring Points)

• ND Rail 350 meters at each major load
• Modbus RTU communication to single LoRa transmitter
• Cost-effective, compact solution
• Typical total: £800-£1,500 for meters

Medium Facility (10-20 Monitoring Points)

• ND MultiCube 650/950 for grouped loads (lighting, offices, HVAC zones)
• ND Cube 350 for major individual equipment (compressor room, production lines)
• Reduces total meter count and installation complexity
• Typical total: £2,000-£4,000 for meters

Large Facility (20-50 Monitoring Points)

• ND MultiCube Modular for high circuit-count areas
• ND Cube 400 for critical/billing-grade monitoring
• Centralized data collection architecture
• Typical total: £5,000-£12,000 for meters

These are indicative examples - we design systems based on your specific requirements during the audit phase.

Sourcing Northern Design Meters

Northern Design products are available through various UK distributors, or you can contact ND directly:

Northern Design (ND Metering Solutions)

• Website: ndmeter.co.uk
• Phone: +44 1274 750620
• Address: 228 Bolton Road, Bradford, BD3 0QW
• Contact for: Technical specifications, custom configurations, distributor referrals

For our installations, we typically source meters through established distributors or directly from ND depending on project scale and timing requirements.

Our Complete Installation Service

Industrial Control Services provides turnkey energy monitoring installations including:

✓ System Design - Meter selection, CT sizing, communication architecture ✓ Equipment Supply - ND meters, CTs, LoRa transmitters, gateway ✓ Professional Installation - CT installation, meter commissioning, system integration ✓ LoRa Network Setup - Gateway configuration, cloud connectivity ✓ Energy Portal Access - Dashboard setup, user training, report configuration ✓ Ongoing Support - Technical assistance, system optimization, troubleshooting

We're based in South Staffordshire and serve manufacturers across the West Midlands.

BICS 2027 Preparation

If you're preparing for BICS 2027 eligibility (25% electricity cost reduction from 2027 onwards), sub-metering with quality meters like Northern Design is essential:

Requirements:

• Permanent sub-metering at major consumption points
• 12+ months of baseline consumption data
• Documented energy efficiency improvements
• Reliable, accurate measurement equipment

Why ND Meters for BICS:

• 5-year warranty covers pre-application period
• Accuracy and reliability for official reporting
• Open protocol enables data export for applications
• UK-manufactured with long-term support commitment

Applications open Q1 2027 - you need sub-metering operational by mid-2026 to establish required baseline data.

Getting Started

Step 1: Free Energy Assessment

We start with a facility walkthrough and electricity bill analysis to identify:

• Major consumption points requiring monitoring
• Potential savings opportunities (typically £50k-£200k annually)
• BICS 2027 eligibility
• ROI calculations for sub-metering investment

Step 2: System Design

We specify:

• Appropriate ND meter models for each application
• CT types and ratios
• LoRa network architecture
• Installation approach and timeline

Step 3: Professional Installation

Typically completed in 1-3 days depending on number of monitoring points:

• CT installation in distribution boards or at equipment
• Meter mounting and commissioning
• LoRa transmitter configuration
• System validation and handover

Step 4: Data-Driven Improvements

With Energy Portal access, you can:

• Identify baseload waste (equipment running unnecessarily)
• Benchmark consumption against production output
• Validate savings from efficiency projects
• Build BICS 2027 compliance documentation

---

Ready to Implement Quality Sub-Metering?

Contact Industrial Control Services for a free assessment of your facility:

Call: 07415 798544

Visit our service pages:

• Energy Audits & Assessments
• Sub-Metering & Monitoring
• BICS 2027 Preparation

For Northern Design meter specifications and technical information, visit ndmeter.co.uk or call their UK technical team on +44 1274 750620.

---

About Industrial Control Services

We provide energy management and industrial automation services to manufacturers across Staffordshire and the West Midlands. From energy audits and LoRa wireless monitoring to PLC programming and SCADA systems, we deliver practical solutions that reduce costs and improve efficiency. Every system we install uses quality components like Northern Design meters because we stand behind our work for the long term.

Tags: Northern Design, ND Metering, Sub-Metering, Energy Monitoring, LoRa Wireless, BICS 2027, UK Manufactured, Quality Meters, Staffordshire, Industrial Automation