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In 1985 Radian Research began production of its first product, the RADIAN Metronic RM-10 Portable Watthour Standard. The RM-10 provided specific innovative features, developed by Glenn Mayfield, which improved accuracy, enhanced testing efficiency and provided greater safety. The Radian RM-10 was the first energy metering instrument in the world to provide a wide range auxiliary power input AND an auto-ranging voltage input. These innovations by Glenn Mayfield dramatically changed the technology of energy meters and reference standards made by all manufacturers of such products around the world. Auto-ranging inputs for current (0 to 50 amps), voltage (60 to 600 volts) and auxiliary power (80 to 600 volts) made it impossible to damage the unit by applying a signal to the wrong tap. A true watthour display with a Kh of 1 on all ranges allowed for a much simpler energy meter error calculation. Remote digital display gating eliminated the need for switching the potential while further enhancing accuracy. With its high accuracy, innovative features and a weight of only 5.5 pounds, the RM-10 soon became the number one selling watthour standard in North America.
In 1986 Radian Research introduced its first primary watthour standard, the RM-11. The RM-11 was the most accurate, precise and stable self-contained primary watthour reference standard manufactured in the world. The RM-11 provided many of the same innovative features which were previously introduced with the RM-10. The RM-11 was so accurate and stable that many laboratories in the US began transferring the watthour directly to NIST instead of using traditional DC to AC transfer methods.
From 1986 to 1990 RADIAN added various meter testing accessories to its product line. These accessories assisted in the automation of testing induction and electronic energy billing meters. During this same time Radian Research was investing several million dollars into the research and development of an automated AC laboratory reference system based on its legendary Syntron signal sourcing technology. The result was the RS-703A Syntron Automated Calibration System with an accuracy of +/- 0.005% +/- traceability uncertainty. The RADIAN RS-703A soon became revered and respected as the most accurate, functionally advanced AC electric energy calibration system in the world.
By 1993 Radian had experienced significant growth requiring it to purchase land and have a 22000 square feet custom facility built. This facility became the Corporate Headquarters for Radian Research and housed all aspects of the business operation.
From 1993 to 2003 Radian continued to introduce new technologies and solutions to their portfolio. The most profound of these was the RADIAN Dytronic RD Series of single-phase and three-phase multifunction reference standards. RD standards featured RADIAN designed Analog to Digital Converters optimized for power and energy measurement. RD standards added profound new capabilities including simultaneous measurement, extensive harmonics measurement and built in comparator options in becoming the replacement for the RM series of energy reference standards.
In 2005 Radian Research purchased Utility Test Equipment Company (UTEC). The acquisition of UTEC enabled Radian to significantly expand its product offering to the electric utility industry by providing turnkey field test systems for energy meters and current transformers as well as individual equipment pieces that allow customers ultimate flexibility in meeting their testing and calibration requirements.
In 2008 Radian expanded its facility to 30,000 square feet with a new Research and Development Laboratory coupled with new offices and break room. The corporation also went through a restructuring of its ownership into an ESOP and 100% Employee Owned.
In 2009 Radian Research, Inc. was recognized as one of the 50 Top Companies to Watch in the State of Indiana. This is a prestigious award given to those companies that have a high growth of revenue and accelerated job creation. The company also started shipping its next generation of Syntron Automated Laboratory Calibration Systems, the RS-933 which featured expanded current sourcing capabilities.
In 2011 Radian Research acquired 100% of Watthour Engineering Company (WECO) stock to combine the companies under one ESOP umbrella. The combination of RADIAN and WECO created the world's largest and most technologically innovative provider of energy reference standards, advanced energy meter testing systems and automated laboratory calibration systems. Radian Research now operates out of two facilities ... a 40,000 square feet facility in Lafayette, Indiana and a 25,000 square feet facility in Pearl, Mississippi.
In 2012 Radian Research introduced a new portable meter test system, Bantam Plus. The highly innovative Bantam Plus provides testing accuracy and versatility of a single-phase meter test board in a light, compact package.
In 2013 Radian Research formed a new business unit named WECO Software Solutions focused exclusively on providing meter test data management software to Electric Utility meter shops. The same year witnessed a significant portfolio expansion as RADIAN launched the WECO 4000 Automated Meter Test Board series that featured a powerful mix of accuracy, convenience, and versatility by leveraging cutting-edge technology. The flagship WECO 4330 with 330 Amp capability provided a fusion of high accuracy and current capacity meter testing never seen before in a meter test board.
In 2014 WATT-Net™ Plus was introduced to the WATT-Net family. WATT-Net Plus is an advanced asset management system featuring the ability to track the full lifecycle of metering assets. The release of WATT-Net Plus made WATT-Net Software platform a comprehensive solution to advanced meter testing, meter test data management and metering asset management needs for the modern utility.
In 2017, drawing on over 35 years of developing and manufacturing the best in class energy standards, Radian Research released their next generation energy reference standard -- the RX Xytronic Series. Extended operating range, increased control versatility and fundamental only measurement metrics exemplify this latest addition to the legendary RADIAN Family.
In 2018 Radian Research designed and built their first WECO AMI Meter Farm, providing an economical way for Electric Utilities to test meter communications and functionality when deploying AMI meters. High-quality components and materials ensure a long lasting, reliable meter testing solution – whatever the environment.
In 2020 RADIAN launched and shipped six new product models including WECO 8000 Series Meter Qualification Boards, WECO 9000 Warm-up Board and WECO 9100 Time Run Board. This unprecedented portfolio expansion further distinguishes RADIAN’s offering of premier electric meter testing instruments, systems, software and services to the Electric Utility.
In March, 2023: Radian Research acquired the Intellectual Property (IP) and associated assets of AMSLLC, a software development and consulting company focused on metering asset management needs of the utility industry. Radian Research also hired the employees of AMSLLC to provide a more comprehensive software development capability focused on the next generation of software solutions to utility companies. The AMSLLC product line is fully integrated within Radian Research’s WECO Software Solutions portfolio. While Eddie Patton and Chuck Hince, founders of AMSLLC, will no longer be involved with daily operations, they will serve as advisors moving forward. Radian Research’s portfolio of WECO Software Solutions effectively manages meter test data and metering assets supporting AMI meter deployments. WECO was the first company in the US to implement meter test data management systems in the meter departments of electric utility companies and Radian Research was the first company to provide energy meter testing software to automate field testing and data collection. The acquisition of WECO in 2011 made Radian Research the largest provider of software solutions to electric meter departments. The acquisition of AMSLLC’s IP and associated assets further escalates the software leadership of Radian Research. If you have a software need, then bring us your challenge and allow us to craft a solution for you. We enjoy working closely with utility meter departments and IT departments to solve data management and asset management challenges.
In September, 2023: Radian Research acquired Accurate Calibration Services (ACS), a field calibration services company focused on providing on-site calibrations of energy meter testing equipment at electric utility companies. ACS is now a fully owned subsidiary of Radian Research and the employees of ACS including Ken Kearney, the founder, will continue working in the same capacity as they have historically done with ACS, but now with the complete collaboration of the Radian Research service and support team providing field calibration services throughout North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. With the acquisition of ACS, Radian Research provides the most comprehensive field calibration services capability complementing our industry leading environmentally controlled ISO 17025 accredited metrology laboratory which maintains direct electric energy measurement traceability to three National Metrology Institutes: NIST in the US, NRC in Canada and PTB in Germany. Radian Research was the first design and manufacturing company in the US electric utility industry to achieve ISO 17025 accreditation and Radian Research continues to be second to none with electric energy measurement and calibration capabilities. More electric utilities, national metrology institutes, energy meter manufacturers, energy meter test equipment manufacturers and energy meter testing companies rely on Radian Research for electric energy traceability and calibration services than any other company.
