For smart water meters, battery life is always a critical factor influencing product longevity and user experience. Currently, most mainstream smart water meters use lithium-ion batteries, which feature high voltage, high energy density, long battery life, and a relatively wide operating temperature range.

However, in practical applications, the ideal battery life is often difficult to achieve. Currently, water meters used in daily life need to be replaced every six years. Once the battery prematurely degrades, it not only affects metering and remote control operations such as switching valves, but may also lead to issues like water supply interruptions, causing certain costs and losses for water utilities.

In reality, the factors affecting battery life are complex and diverse—high or low temperatures, pressurized pipeline networks, frequent communication requests, and even the battery’s own self-discharge characteristics can all lead to capacity loss. For example, when the signal strength in the installation environment is weak, the device has to repeatedly retransmit data, continuously draining power; significant temperature differences between day and night can also accelerate capacity degradation. Moreover, during data transmission, the battery must simultaneously have sufficient capacity reserve and robust instantaneous power output to ensure stable and reliable communication.

At the "11th National Technical Exchange Conference and Product Exhibition for the Water Meter Industry," recently hosted by the Water Meter Working Committee of the China Metrology Association, Wuhan Haocheng Lithium Battery Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Haocheng Lithium Battery") showcased its "Sinan" series power solutions, leveraging multiple independently developed patented technologies. These solutions offer highly adaptable, long-lasting, and safe and reliable power options for the smart water meter industry.

The “Sinan” series of standard, long-term solutions for conventional application scenarios.

For water meters that utilize LoRa, conventional temperature-condition NB-IoT, and CAT.1 communications, the ER26500D + UPC1520/UPC1550 solution from the “Sinan” series demonstrates superior adaptability and efficiency. In a 4mA low-current discharge test, the battery’s capacity still reached 98.9% of its nominal value, easily meeting the water meter’s annual average low-power consumption requirements. Moreover, this battery solution overcomes the traditional power supply challenge of “capacity being affected by installation orientation”—its power supply stability remains completely consistent whether the battery is placed upright or horizontally. Whether installed on walls in residential communities or embedded in commercial buildings, this solution offers flexible compatibility.

Meanwhile, the solution innovatively adopts a synergistic mechanism of “battery + UPC battery capacitor.” The peak current required for NB communication is rapidly supplied by the battery capacitor, while the tiny current needed during sleep mode is continuously provided by the lithium-iodine battery. Even in low-temperature environments, this setup maintains a stable voltage, effectively preventing interruptions in water meter communication during winter.

The “Sinan” series of high-security, long-lasting solutions designed for extended battery life and strong environmental adaptability.

For NB-IoT water meters that need to be deployed in complex environments and require an operational lifespan of over 10 years, the ER34615D+UPC1520/UPC1550 solution from the “Sinan” series is recommended. This solution further enhances long-term safety performance. The core battery exhibits an annual self-discharge rate of less than 0.7% even in environments below 25°C, and maintains a high discharge capacity after being stored at high temperatures of 85°C for 30 days—effectively reducing late-stage maintenance costs from the very beginning. In terms of safety performance, the solution strictly complies with the GB3836.4 standard; during short-circuit testing, its maximum surface temperature meets the requirements of the ATEX T4 explosion-proof rating, thereby establishing a robust safety barrier for water meter operation under challenging conditions such as high temperatures and proximity to fire sources.

As smart city development accelerates, the power requirements for smart water meters are continuously evolving toward “longer lifespan, higher safety, and lower costs.” Haocheng Lithium Battery will always remain guided by actual industry needs, providing solutions with higher technological standards and broader application scenarios, and becoming a trusted power partner in the smart water meter industry.

Source: Haocheng Lithium Battery

Editor: Li Jingshuai

First Instance: Zhou Qi

Second Instance: Zhang Wenjiang