Jim ‘Slim’ Mimlitz, SCADAmetrics
Sensus, a Xylem Brand (Morrisville, NC) manufactures a broad line of flow meters and AMI/AMR systems, serving the municipal water utility industry. Here at SCADAmetrics (Wildwood, MO), we manufacture flow metering instrumentation in support of this industry, with the stated mission of helping users extend such meters for enhanced SCADA interoperability and functionality.
the HydroVerse & iPerl Magnetic Flow Meters, plus the SR-II, Mainline Propeller, & AccuStream Mechanical Flow Meters, and the Cordonel ultrasonic flow meter, plus Several Others.
Sensus offers a pulse output on a subset of their flow meter offerings. However, like many manufacturers of AWWA-style flow meters, Sensus’ signaling options are focused upon their 3-wire, encoded protocol for interfacing with AMI/AMR endpoints. Sensus’ encoded protocol is capable of transmitting 8-digit, fine-resolution totalization information — which SCADAmetrics instrumentation leverages to generate additional industrial signal and display options — thereby bridging the gap to solve the unique challenges facing the SCADA, Telemetry, and Building Automation spheres.
This article also highlights our new models APK and APK.PLUS Analog/Pulse Kits. These instruments were designed to serve as improved, modern replacements to the legacy Sensus Act-Pak instrumentation.
Advantages of the APK and APK.PLUS:
- Optically-Isolated Power and I/O Circuitry for Superior Lightning Protection.
- DC Low-Voltage Wiring for Increased User Safety.
- Silicone-Gasketed, NEMA-4X Enclosure for Wall-Mount APK.PLUS.
- Compact, DIN-Rail Footprint model APK, for Easier Integration inside the Control Panels.
- User-Settable DIP Switches Allow APK and APK.PLUS to be Used with Various Models and Sizes, Eliminating Need for Factory Programming.
- User-Selectable 4-20 Milliamp Span (Digitally Self-Calibrated).
- Flow-Switch Output.
The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of several of the main SCADAmetrics devices and methods that we offer to extend the broad line of Sensus flow meters.
Note 1: For brevity, most of the examples illustrated within this article feature the Sensus Omni-T2 Series Water Meter, which features both a 3-wire encoded signal and a 3-wire pulse signal. However, SCADAmetrics generally offers solutions to Sensus’ other flow meters, when paired with the appropriate SCADAmetrics instrument. Other Sensus/SCADAmetrics-compatible meters include the HydroVerse, Mainline Propeller, Omni-R2, Omni-C2, Omni-F2, iPerl, SR-II, AccuStream, Cordonel, and W-Series Turbo (legacy).
Note 2: It is important to note that certain Sensus flow meters support an optional 2-wire (touch-coupled) reading method. SCADAmetrics duplexer technology fully supports 2-wire technology, but SCADAmetrics reading technology does not.
1. Concurrent Basic SCADA and AMI
The following illustrates how a Sensus Omni-series flow meter can provide basic SCADA signaling (4-20 milliamp, pulse-per-volume, flow switch), plus AMI signaling (3-wire encoder protocol). This solution leverages the dual-output capability of the Sensus Omni meter (Encoded + Pulse). Excellent for custody-transfer pump and metering stations. Also excellent for utility-owned water meters at commercial and industrial buildings, where the building owner desires a meter reading into its BMS system, without requiring the installation of a new water meter, or without interfering with the utility’s AMI system. Design Basis: Model APK Analog-Pulse Kit:
2. Concurrent Basic SCADA, AMI, and Remote Display
The following illustrates how a Sensus Omni-series flow meter can provide basic SCADA signaling (4-20 milliamp, pulse-per-volume, flow switch), AMI signaling (3-wire encoder protocol), and a Remote Wall Display. Excellent for custody-transfer stations and commercial buildings. Design Basis: Model APK Analog-Pulse Kit and Model TMD TheMeterDisplay:
3. Advanced SCADA
The following illustrates how a Sensus Omni-series flow meter can provide advanced SCADA signaling (Modbus, Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP). Excellent for custody-transfer pumping and valve stations where revenue-grade accuracy is of paramount importance. Also excellent for military bases and educational facilities. Design Basis: Model EM.100 EtherMeter:
4. Concurrent Advanced SCADA and AMI
The following illustrates how a Sensus Omni-series flow meter can provide advanced SCADA signaling (Modbus, Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP), while at the same time provide signaling to a connected AMI System. Excellent for custody-transfer metering, pumping, and valve stations where revenue-grade accuracy is of paramount importance for both the SCADA system and AMI system. Also excellent for commercial and industrial facilities who wish to internally track the utility-owned water meter. The inclusion of a model SDA or SDAW Duplexer (illustrated below) ensures concurrent AMI connectivity. Design Basis: Model EM.100 EtherMeter and Model SDA SCADA Duplexer for AMI:
5. Basic SCADA
The following illustrates how a Sensus Omni-series flow meter can provide basic SCADA signaling (4-20 milliamp, pulse-per-volume, flow switch). Excellent for well and pumping stations, as well as commercial buildings. Design Basis: Model APK Analog/Pulse Kit:
6. Visual Batching, Visual Rate-of-Flow, plus Basic SCADA Outputs
The following illustrates how a Sensus Omni-series flow meter can provide basic SCADA signaling (4-20 milliamp, pulse-per-volume, flow switch, meter fault alarm), along with an always-ON operator flow and batch display. Excellent for well and pumping stations. Design Basis: SCADAmetrics Model APK.PLUS Analog-Pulse Kit, Plus:
7. Dual-AMI Connectivity
The following illustrates how a Sensus Omni-series flow meter can provide AMI signaling to two separate systems. Excellent for custody-transfer stations, where both the water buyer and seller desire meter connectivity to their separate respective AMI systems. Design Basis: SCADAmetrics Model UDA Universal Duplexer for AMI:
8. Concurrent AMI Connectivity and Remote Visual Display
The following illustrates how a model TMD display can work with a Sensus Omni-series flow meter to provide AMI signaling to the water utility, while concurrently providing a visual remote display whose reading is a perfect match to the Sensus register total. Furthermore, the TMD can also provide a rate-of-flow (gpm, lpm) display, as well. Excellent for utility-owned water meters at commercial and industrial buildings, where the building owner desires a meter reading without requiring entry to a vault or confined-space. Design Basis: SCADAmetrics Model TMD TheMeterDisplay:
9. Basic SCADA Connectivity to AMI-Only Water Meter
The following illustrates how a model EMP Signalizer display can be applied to a Sensus iPerl-series, or Omni-R2-series, or Encoder-Only-Version-Omni+Plus, or AccuStream flow meter that is outfitted with a 3-wire encoded signal. This application provides basic SCADA signaling, while preserving the existing AMI signaling to the water utility. The SCADA signaling is in the form of a pulse-per-volume output. Furthermore, if the Omni register is programmed to transmit 8-digits resolution, then a 4-20 milliamp SCADA signal is also provided. Excellent for utility-owned water meters at commercial and industrial buildings, where the building owner desires a meter reading into its BMS system, without requiring the installation of a new water meter, or without interfering with the utility’s AMI system. Design Basis: SCADAmetrics Model EMP Signalizer:
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Want to Learn More?…
Are you interested in learning more about how SCADAmetrics flow instrumentation, when paired with Sensus/Xylem Meter flow meters, can provide a wealth of value-added SCADA and visual display options? Give us a call!… We’ll be glad to discuss the details!