SATEC BFM136 branch feeder monitor designed for detailed multi-circuit power and energy metering at panel and distribution level.

It enables simultaneous monitoring of multiple outgoing feeders from a single device, providing circuit-level visibility of energy consumption, load behaviour and electrical parameters without the need for multiple individual meters. The BFM136 is typically applied where standard meters do not provide sufficient granularity – such as commercial buildings, data centres, industrial panels and multi-tenant installations. By combining high-accuracy current sensing with flexible communications and open protocols, it supports operational monitoring, energy management and sub-metering applications without unnecessary system complexity.

BFM136 Branch Feeder Monitor Installation and Operation Manual

Key functions

• Multi-circuit metering in a single platform – supports monitoring of up to 36 single-phase circuits or 12 three-phase circuits within one device, suitable for both new installations and retrofit projects.
• Branch-level visibility – per-circuit measurement of voltage, current, power and energy, providing clear insight into load distribution across outgoing feeders and final distribution boards.
• Flexible current input options – compatible with SATEC High Accuracy Current Sensors (HACS), split-core sensors for retrofit installations, and third-party current transformers depending on configuration.
• Billing and Time-of-Use (TOU) energy metering – supports multi-tariff energy data, demand registers, tariff schedules and daily profiles for sub-metered circuits.
• Harmonic monitoring – individual voltage and current harmonics up to the 25th order, including THD and K-factor measurements.
• Event and data recording per channel – non-volatile storage of time-stamped events and configurable data logs for each monitored circuit.
• Optional digital fault recorder (DFR) – waveform capture and fault recording for current and voltage inputs (available as a dedicated variant).
• Modular I/O expansion – optional digital inputs, relay outputs and analogue inputs for status monitoring, pulse collection and external signals.
• Security and access control – multi-level password protection for configuration and stored data.

Measurement inputs and I/O

Voltage inputs

SATEC BFM136 supports direct three-phase voltage measurement on low-voltage distribution systems. An optional second voltage input set allows monitoring of parallel or dual-source supplies, ensuring that measured currents are referenced to the correct voltage source.

Current inputs

Current measurement is based on modular input configurations to suit different switchboard and panel layouts. Depending on the selected configuration, the BFM136 branch feeder monitor can be used with SATEC High Accuracy Current Sensors (HACS) for high-density circuit monitoring, split-core sensors for retrofit applications, or conventional current transformers.

Digital and analogue I/O

Optional I/O modules enable straightforward system integration. Digital inputs are typically used for breaker status indication, pulse inputs and alarm signals, while relay outputs provide basic control and signalling. Analogue inputs allow external sensors and process signals to be integrated into the same monitoring point.

Communications and system integration

The BFM136 is intended for use within metering, energy management and monitoring systems where circuit-level visibility is required. Standard communication interfaces include RS-485 and Ethernet, with optional cellular connectivity for remote or distributed sites.

Open communication protocols allow straightforward integration into typical SCADA, Building Management Systems (BMS) and Energy Management Systems (EMS). Supported protocols include Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet and IEC 60870-5-101/104, depending on the selected configuration and communication modules.

This flexibility allows the BFM136 to be deployed both as a standalone sub-metering device and as part of a wider monitoring architecture without vendor lock-in.

Harmonics, events and recording

For distribution-level monitoring, the BFM136 branch feeder monitor provides harmonic measurement and event recording per circuit. Individual voltage and current harmonics are measured up to the 25th order, together with distortion indicators such as Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), Total Demand Distortion (TDD) and K-factor. Built-in data and event recorders store time-stamped measurements and operational events for each monitored circuit. This enables trend analysis, diagnostics and post-event review without reliance on continuous polling from the supervisory system. Recorded data can be accessed locally or via communication interfaces, supporting both operational troubleshooting and long-term energy analysis.

Typical applications

• Commercial and multi-tenant buildings – circuit-level energy metering for tenant sub-metering, load allocation and operational visibility at distribution board level.
• Data centres and critical facilities – branch feeder monitoring of outgoing feeders to track load distribution, detect imbalance and support capacity planning across panels and racks.
• Industrial distribution panels – multi-circuit monitoring of production lines, auxiliary systems and outgoing feeders where individual meters per circuit are impractical.
• Retail centres and office complexes – detailed insight into energy consumption across multiple final circuits for cost allocation and operational optimisation.
• Retrofit projects – installations where existing panels must be monitored without major rewiring, using split-core current sensors and modular input configurations.