SCADAmetrics

In addition to its ability to read most encoder-type flow meters, the EtherMeter also features pulse-input support.

Sensus High-Speed Pickup

The following Application Note details the procedures for connecting a Sensus High-Speed Pickup (Pulse) Register to an EtherMeter; and it also describes an example of modified Setup Menu parameters for the High-Speed Pickup:

http://scadametrics.com/PDF/App_Note_014.pdf

Note that the Sensus High-Speed Pickup requires an external +12VDC power supply.  In this application, we recommend using a single +12VDC power supply to power BOTH the EtherMeter and High-Speed Pickup.

A new application note has been posted to the support page of scadametrics.com.  The note documents the procedures for programming a Sensus “ICE” register (index) for maximum metering resolution and EtherMeter compatibility.

Maximized resolution improves the connected SCADA system’s ability to monitor realtime flow-rate and totalization from both water and gas meters.

While it is preferable (and simpler) for the customer to request pre-programming by Sensus personnel, it is important to note that Sensus meters may also be programmed in the field with one of Sensus’ field programming devices.

This document details the field-programming procedures for Sensus water and gas meters.

Link to Application Note (#009)

The EtherMeter can be used to enable a SCADA system to collect both water and gas meter totalization and instantaneous flow-rate — even simultaneously.

An interesting application is the use of a single EtherMeter connected to an encoder-based water meter plus an encoder-based gas meter.  In the example illustrated below, a Sensus SR-II water meter and a Sensus R-275 temperature-compensated gas meter are connected simultaneously to an EtherMeter.

The water and gas meters are equipped with Sensus ICE™ (Intelligent Communications Encoder) registers, enabling the EtherMeter — and therefore a connected SCADA system — to collect water and gas consumption data with revenue-grade accuracy.  In other words, the SCADA system’s data will always be a perfect match to the data displayed on the physical meters.

All Sensus water meters — from 5/8″ residential-sized meters all the way up to 16″ turbine and 72″ propeller meters — can be outfitted with an encoder-based register.  The range of Sensus metering equipment supports flow capacities from 0 to 90,000 GPM.    (See sensus.com for details.)

Sensus also manufactures an ICE™ register for natural gas, which may be fitted to a wide range of diaphragm-style meters manufactured by Sensus, American (Canadian), and Schlumberger Meter Company.  These various gas meter product lines support flow capacities from 0 to 630 CFH.  (See sensus.com for a detailed list of compatible gas meters.)

In order for the SCADA system to read the finest resolution totalization and flow rate data available, both the Gas and Water ICE registers should be pre-programmed with a Sensus Programmer/Interrogator so as to transmit 8 totalization digits and a standard consumption message string.

The above photo illustrates Water Meter totalization (cubic feet) on the EtherMeter’s LCD display.  (Click photo to zoom.)

The above photo illustrates Gas Meter Totalization (cubic feet) on the EtherMeter’s LCD display.  (Click photo to zoom.)

At times, it’s necessary to splice a meter’s integral signal cable with an extension cable to increase the overall cable length.

For splice hardware, I recommend the UY2 Scotchlok connectors by 3M:  Datasheet Link

For 3-conductor extension cable, I recommend 5521FE cable by Belden (Part No. 5521FE 008 1000): Datasheet Link.  Note that this Belden cable has three (3) solid, 22-gauge, copper conductors with color-coded insulators (RED, BLACK, WHITE), an outer foil shield and a drain wire.  This cable is riser-rated (CMR).  The drain wire should be tied to ground on only one end (preferably the control cabinet end).

For 4-conductor extension cable (for certain Radio-Read Filter applications), I recommend 5522FL cable by Belden (Part No. 5522FL 002 1000): Datasheet Link.  Note that this Belden cable has four (4) solid, 22-gauge, copper conductors with color-coded insulators (RED, BLACK, BLUE, BROWN), an outer foil shield and a drain wire.  This cable is riser-rated (FPLR). The drain wire should be tied to ground on only one end (preferably the control cabinet end).

An alternate 4-conductor extension cable that features stranded conductors (for certain Radio-Read Filter applications) is the 5502FE cable by Belden (Part No. 5502FE 008 1000): Datasheet Link.  Note that this Belden cable has four (4) stranded, 22-gauge, copper conductors with color-coded insulators (RED, GREEN,BLACK,WHITE ), an outer foil shield and a drain wire.  This cable is riser-rated (CMR). The drain wire should be tied to ground on only one end (preferably the control cabinet end).  However, keep in mind that the other solid conductor-type cable will likely work better with Scotchlok splicers.

All of the above hardware may be purchased from Newark Electronics or other electronic supply vendors.

• Link to buy 3M Scotchlok UY2 splice connectors (Newark Electronics)
• Link to buy Belden 5521FE Cable (Newark Electronics)
• Link to buy Belden 5522FL Cable (RamCorp Wire & Cable)
• Link to buy Belden 5502FE Cable (Newark Electronics)

The evoQ4 MagMeter by Elster-AMCO offers three (3) SCADA signal connection methods:

• Elster-AMCO encoder protocol (K-Frame)
• Sensus encoder protocol
• Pulse-output

The EtherMeter is capable of interfacing with each of these methods.  However, this article will focus for now on the Elster-AMCO protocol.

Connecting an Elster-AMCO evoQ4 MagMeter to an EtherMeter is straightforward.  First, the Elster-AMCO protocol encoder module should be installed onto the meter:

(Click to zoom.)

The following photos demonstrate the above procedures:

After the module is successfully installed, follow these simple steps:

1. Strip away a couple inches of outer cable jacket, exposing the three inner conductors, and connect them to the EtherMeter.  When using meter channel #1, connect according to the following key: WHITE (Terminal 14), RED (Terminal 15), BLACK (Terminal 16).

Alternatively, when using meter channel #2, connect according to the following key: WHITE (Terminal 17), RED (Terminal 18), BLACK (Terminal 19).

Apply power to the EtherMeter, and watch the EtherMeter auto-detect the MagMeter:

The evoQ4 test meter used in this article was provided courtesy of Elster-AMCO Water.

Connecting an Elster-AMCO (ABB-Kent) ScanCoder water meter register to an EtherMeter is straightforward.

Just follow these simple steps:

1. Expose the communication wires by cutting the cable short of the ERT communication adapter:

2. Strip away a couple inches of outer cable jacket, exposing the three inner conductors, and connect them to the EtherMeter.  When using meter channel #1, connect according to the following key: BLACK (Terminal 14), RED (Terminal 15), BARE-SHIELD (Terminal 16).

Alternatively, when using meter channel #2, connect according to the following key: BLACK (Terminal 17), RED (Terminal 18), BARE-SHIELD (Terminal 19).

Apply power to the EtherMeter, and watch the EtherMeter auto-detect the meter register:

A new white paper has been posted to scadametrics.com.
Click here to read.

When connecting a Sensus Omni Meter (T2, C2, or F2) to an EtherMeter, it is important to connect to the proper Omni cable.  A potential point of confusion is that the Omni meter features two identical, integrated cables.  In order to clarify the wiring, an application note (Application Note #6) has been published on scadametrics.com with wiring details.

Here is the link to the App Note:
http://scadametrics.com/PDF/App_Note_006.pdf

And here is the link to the support page:
http://scadametrics.com/support/support.htm

Sample photos of an EtherMeter within an enclosure, connected to a 2″ Sensus Omni-C2 (Compound) Flow Meter, monitoring process water consumption (Application photos courtesy of Pfizer Corp.).: