TransPondIT Installation and Operation Manual Version 2.2 Updated February 1, 2001 AT RAMAR LLC • P.O. Box 110127 • Research Triangle Park • North Carolina • 27709 (919) 991-9924 • Fax (919) 991-9946 www.ramartech.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Contents Introduction ....................................................................………………………. 3 System Overview ..................................................................................……… 4 Getting Started .....................................................................…………............. 7 Hardware Description ...........................................................................….….. 8 Physical Characteristics .........
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Introduction Utility meters were traditionally read by eye, with the data being manually keyed into a hand-held computer or written down on a clipboard carried by the meter reading personnel. RAMAR has developed its 900 Series remote meter reading (RMR) system to read utility meters via radio frequency (RF) using the 902-928 MHz Industrial, Scientific & Measurement (ISM) band.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual System Overview The TransPondIT is a radio unit that can be connected to a variety of water meters. A TransPondIT collects the consumption data from the water meter via a connecting cable and stores the data inside the TransPondIT. The TransPondIT then periodically transmits that data to a range of receiving devices - HandTrackIT, FastTrackIT and CellTrackIT.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Figure 2 - A HandTrackIT connected to a hand held computer TransPondITs can interface to a wide range of utility meters. However, before they can be read, TransPondITs need to be configured to ensure that: • The TransPondIT is switched on and transmitting; • The TransPondIT is configured/set-up to interface to the particular water meter to which it is connected. This configuration process is accomplished by a unit called the ConFigIT.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Figure 3 - A TransPondIT being configured in a ConFigIT (The TransPondIT is inserted into the ConFigIT housing which then switches the transmitter on/off and configures the TransPondIT to interface to a particular meter type) The ConFigIT is connected to a laptop PC and allows the user to select various parameters of the TransPondIT, e.g. the meter type, serial number, etc. See ConFigIT Installation and Operating Instructions.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Getting Started The 900 Series TransPondIT is shipped from the factory with the transmitter switched off. Before attempting to do a reading of the TransPondIT, the transmitter must be enabled by the ConFigIT. Please refer to the ConFigIT Installation and Operating instructions for detailed instructions. The 900 Series TransPondIT is shipped from the factory programmed for a specific meter type.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Hardware Description The TransPondIT is a battery operated AMR unit completely sealed in a plastic housing. The product has a lifetime of ten years and will connect to a wide range of water meters. Physical Characteristics The plastic square box casing containing the TransPondIT is approximately 3¼” x 3¼” x 1” (80mm x 80mm x 25mm).
00 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Figure 6 - Photograph of a TransPondIT Labels The labels describe the type of TransPondIT and include: • Front label 1 - RAMAR logo and generic product name • Front label 2 - Product code; See Product Codes section • Side Label 3 - The FCC Part15 approval number to use the equipment without a license. (Refer to Figure 5 for location of labels.) In addition, the TransPondIT box will also have the week of manufacture on the side, i.e.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Cable Connection to Meters A standard TransPondIT will come fitted with a 1-meter length of cable. This cable will be terminated in a number of ways depending on the type of water meter to which the TransPondIT is being connected.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Restraining Nut This nut seals the cable to the TransPondIT to ensure that the TransPondIT is waterproof. It must never be loosened. The nut is tightened and glued during manufacture to a specified torque, and tampering with this nut will void the warranty and destroy the waterproof seal. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Version 2.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Product codes The product codes are listed below: Product Specification Product Information TT-915/F-01 Single Pulse (ABB Pulser, Badger RTR, Metron Farnier, reed switches, etc.) TT-915/F-02 Master Meter Dual Pulse TT-915/F-03 ABB Scancoder TT-915/F-04 Sensus ECR Protocol TT-915/F-05 Schlumberger ARB V TT-915/F-06 Schlumberger ARB ProRead TT-915/F-07 Pulse Generator Type Meter Register TT-915/F-08 Not Assigned Version 2.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Detailed Description of TransPondIT Variants TT915/F-01 This TransPondIT will connect to many types of pulse output water meter, including the Badger Meter’s Piezo switch meter (the RTR index). This TransPondIT can be interfaced to the Hersey ER-1 utilizing a specially designed probe. The TransPondIT can be configured at installation using the ConFigIT to its reading to match the meter reading to the dial of the water meter.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Customer/Utility code and the ID number have to be entered at the ConFigIT stage as before. The ID number may be the unique utility serial number of the water meter. The TransPondIT will “refresh” its meter reading from the ABB Scancoder every one-hour or more; this interval is configurable at the ConFigIT stage. However any interval less than one hour will have an adverse effect on battery life.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual TT915/F-05 This TransPondIT will read the Schlumberger ARB V register type. On configuration, the TransPondIT will read the Schlumberger water meters using the Schlumberger ARB V protocol, and the TransPondIT will transmit the absolute meter reading as appears on the water meter dial. The Customer/Utility code has to be entered at the ConFigIT stage as before. The Schlumberger ARB V register does not have its own ID number embedded in its index.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual The TransPondIT will “refresh” its meter reading from the Schlumberger Pro Read index once an hour or more; this interval is configurable by the ConFigIT. However any interval less than one hour will have an adverse effect on battery life.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Installation Procedure Equipment Required for TransPondIT Installation The following equipment is required for TransPondIT installation: • A programmed and configured TransPondIT (the ConFigIT stage can be completed after the meter has been connected to the TransPondIT, but it must be before the TransPondIT has been mounted in position.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Wall-mounted TransPondIT Attach the probe assembly to the metering device or, in the case of the wire-terminated unit, connect the wires to the existing cable and seal the joint to prevent ingress of moisture (glue-filled or jelly-filled splicing materials are recommended). If outdoors, a Direct Burial Connector must be used, or the wire-end must be potted into the meter using an epoxy type sealing and potting compound.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Brackets designed especially for the TransPondIT may be available from your RAMAR distributor. Please check for availability and pricing. Perform a radio-read with a HandTrackIT and a visual-read in order to check that the information received is correct. If possible, repeat last step after some meter activity to confirm correct metering activity and configuration of the Meter Interface.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Pipe-mounted TransPondIT Attach the probe assembly to the metering device or, in the case of the wire-terminated unit, connect the wires to the pulser mechanism and seal the joint to prevent ingress of moisture (glue-filled or jellyfilled jointing materials are recommended). If outdoors, a Direct Burial Connector must be used, or the wire-end must be potted into the meter.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual If possible, repeat last step after some meter activity to confirm correct metering activity and configuration of the Meter Interface. Figure 8 - Pipe-mounted TransPondIT Version 2.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Pit-mounted TransPondIT For a pit-mounted TransPondIT, the TransPondIT will either: • Come potted into the meter, or • Be connected via a water proof direct burial connector or • Come with a reed switch probe moulded onto the cable for inserting into the meter. It is feasible to apply an epoxy-potting compound in the field to “pot” the TransPondIT wire-end into the head of the meter.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Drill a 0.25” diameter (6mm) hole in the wall/surface to which the TransPondIT will be attached, approximately 1” (25mm) above the centre of the TransPondIT case and tap the plastic plug (LOK01B) into the hole with the hammer. Attach the TransPondIT case to the plastic plug using the LOK350 tie-wrap. Perform a radio-read with a HandTrackIT and a visual-read in order to check that the information received is correct.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual Wiring Instructions for TransPondIT One TransPondIT is connected to one meter; the wiring of the TransPondIT is as follows: • GREEN wire to be connected to Pulse 1 Output or Meter Clock/Power • BLUE wire to be connected to Tamper/Pulse 2 Output or Meter Data • SHIELD wire to be connected to Ground Water Meter Connection Chart Error! Not a valid link. To determine the correct TransPondIT and wiring connections: 1. 2. 3. 4.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual HandTrackIT Installation and Operating Instructions ConFigIT w/ Cable HNDOPC03 ConFigIT Installation and Operating Instructions Hand Held Computer Lap top Computer (Required to isolate hand held from system) 9-Volt Battery or power supply 1. Disconnect the HandTrackIT from the hand held computer. 2. Connect the HandTrackIT to the lap top computer using cable number HNDOPC02. 3.
900 Series TransPondIT - Installation and Operation Manual 6. Monitor the TransPondIT signal for correct utility code, identification number, and meter reading: • If the TransPondIT signal is OK, then check the TransPondIT ID # and utility code in the hand held configuration file. • If the TransPondIT signal is not present, place the TransPondIT in the ConFigIT (Refer to the ConFigIT Installation and Operating Instructions) and “Read” the TransPondIT configuration parameters.
