Migration from Neptune Tricon/E3 to the Signalizer

In certain industrial water meter applications, a 4-20 milliamp flow rate output, pulse-per-volume output, or both, is required to provide signaling to a connected batching or telemetry system.

When using a member of the electro-mechanical flow meter family from Neptune Technology Group (Tallassee, AL, USA), a traditional solution was to outfit the meter with Neptune’s Tricon/E3 transmitter.

In my previous work as a control system integration engineer, I had utilized the Tricon/E3 in a number of pumping station applications to collect totalization and flow-rate data from Neptune High-Performance Turbine flow meters.

SCADAmetrics Signalizer Solution…

Today, with the recently announced sunsetting of the Tricon/E3 transmitter, SCADAmetrics is pleased to offer an instrument that has been successfully applied to Neptune’s flow meters to achieve compatible results: the Model EMP Signalizer™.

Furthermore, the Signalizer solution does not simply replace the Tricon/E3 — It provides a superior solution:

1. Environmentally Protected. First, the Tricon/E3 required installation onto the meter body, which may be in wet/flooded vault conditions — yet the Tricon/E3 was not rated for submersion. The Signalizer may, and should, be installed within the target control panel, into environmentally-protected conditions.

2. Non-Interference with Register. The Tricon/E3 featured an internal multipole rotating magnet, which coupled to the meter body’s internal rotating magnet and also coupled to the register’s internal rotating magnet — increasing the static and dynamic drag coefficients, and thus creating a potential source of totalizer error. The Signalizer adds no such physical drag upon the register, as it garners its information electronically via the register’s encoder signal cable.

3. Exact Pulse Ratios. The pulse-to-gallon ratios available with the Tricon/E3 were approximate, and therefore exact totalization could never be determined by the connected pulse-counting system. The Signalizer provides exact pulse-to-gallon ratios, such as 10 pulses per gallon, 1 pulse per gallon, 1 pulse per 10 gallons, etc. As an example, with the 4″ HP Turbine, the Signalizer transmits exactly 1 pulse per 1 gallon, whereas the Tricon/E3 transmitted approximately ~7.556 pulses per gallon.

4. Field-Rangeable 20 Milliamp. The Tricon/E3’s 20 milliamp span was programmed to a fixed rate-of-flow value at the factory, based on meter model and size, whereas the Signalizer provides the user with the flexibility to tailor the 20 milliamp range to anticipated flow conditions.

5. More Standard Pulse Signal. The pulse signal from the Signalizer is an industry-standard solid-state dry contact, whereas the pulse signal from the Tricon/E3 was a less-desirable 0-24Vdc active voltage square wave.

6. One Model Fits All. The same model EMP Signalizer can be field-configured to work with all models and diameter Neptune flow meters, providing the user with greater flexibility regarding spare parts and replacement — whereas each Tricon/E3 is built for a specific meter size and model.

7. More Economical. The cost of the model EMP Signalizer is roughly half the cost of the Tricon/E3.

The Signalizer leverages the high-resolution, 3-wire encoder signal that is available from Neptune’s ProCoder or E-Coder register to generate three (3) telemetry output signals that may be connected to the Automation System:

1. 4-20 Milliamp Analog (per flow-rate)
2. Dry-Contact Pulse (per volume)
3. Alarm Dry-Contact (cut cable/meter fault)

4-20 Milliamp Output. The 4-20 milliamp span is user-settable, via integral dip switches. The following imperial and metric max flow settings are available:

Gallon, Cubic Foot, and Acre-Foot Registers	Cubic Meter Registers
20 gpm	75 lpm
30 gpm	120 lpm
50 gpm	200 lpm
80 gpm	300 lpm
125 gpm	475 lpm
200 gpm	750 lpm
300 gpm	1,200 lpm
500 gpm	2,000 lpm
750 gpm	3,000 lpm
1,200 gpm	4,500 lpm
2,000 gpm	7,000 lpm
3,000 gpm	11,000 lpm
4,600 gpm	17,500 lpm
7,300 gpm	27,500 lpm
11,400 gpm	43,000 lpm
18,000 gpm	68,000 lpm

Pulse Output. The “normal-speed” weight (upper number) and “low-speed” weight (lower number) of the Signalizer’s dry-contact pulse output is based on meter diameter, as follows:

Neptune Meter Diameter	Gallon	FT3	M3
5/8″	1 pulse / 0.1 gallon 1 pulse / 1 gallon	1 pulse / 0.01 ft3 1 pulse / 0.1 ft3	1 pulse / 0.001 m3 1 pulse / 0.01 m3
3/4″	1 pulse / 0.1 gallon 1 pulse / 1 gallon	1 pulse / 0.01 ft3 1 pulse / 0.1 ft3	1 pulse / 0.001 m3 1 pulse / 0.01 m3
1″	1 pulse / 0.1 gallon 1 pulse / 1 gallon	1 pulse / 0.01 ft3 1 pulse / 0.1 ft3	1 pulse / 0.001 m3 1 pulse / 0.01 m3
1.5″	1 pulse / 1 gallon 1 pulse / 10 gallon	1 pulse / 0.1 ft3 1 pulse / 1 ft3	1 pulse / 0.01 m3 1 pulse / 0.1 m3
2″	1 pulse / 1 gallon 1 pulse / 10 gallon	1 pulse / 0.1 ft3 1 pulse / 1 ft3	1 pulse / 0.01 m3 1 pulse / 0.1 m3
3″	1 pulse / 1 gallon 1 pulse / 10 gallon	1 pulse / 0.1 ft3 1 pulse / 1 ft3	1 pulse / 0.01 m3 1 pulse / 0.1 m3
4″	1 pulse / 1 gallon 1 pulse / 10 gallon	1 pulse / 0.1 ft3 1 pulse / 1 ft3	1 pulse / 0.01 m3 1 pulse / 0.1 m3
6″-12″	1 pulse / 10 gallons 1 pulse / 100 gallons	1 pulse / 1 ft3 1 pulse / 10 ft3	1 pulse / 0.1 m3 1 pulse / 1 m3
16″ , 20″	1 pulse / 100 gallons 1 pulse / 1000 gallons	1 pulse / 10 ft3 1 pulse / 100 ft3	1 pulse / 1 m3 1 pulse / 10 m3

As illustrated in the table above, the Signalizer is capable of providing fine-resolution and medium-resolution pulse weights. However, most telemetry and batch controllers are capable of deftly handling most provided pulse weights. In those rare cases where the controller lacks such flexibility, the Signalizer can actually provide two (2) additional, coarser pulse weight options.

By design, the Signalizer reads the ProCoder and E-Coder registers in high-resolution (Neptune) reading mode. However, by switching (via dip switch) the Signalizer into low-resolution (Sensus) reading mode, the additional two (2) coarser pulse weight options are thereby provided, as enumerated in the table below. Please note, however, that activation of this lower-resolution mode will necessarily disable the Signalizer’s 4-20mA output:

Neptune Meter Diameter	Gallon	FT3	M3
5/8″	1 pulse / 10 gallon 1 pulse / 100 gallon	1 pulse / 1 ft3 1 pulse / 10 ft3	1 pulse / 0.1 m3 1 pulse / 1 m3
3/4″	1 pulse / 10 gallon 1 pulse / 100 gallon	1 pulse / 1 ft3 1 pulse / 10 ft3	1 pulse / 0.1 m3 1 pulse / 1 m3
1″	1 pulse / 10 gallon 1 pulse / 100 gallon	1 pulse / 1 ft3 1 pulse / 10 ft3	1 pulse / 0.1 m3 1 pulse / 1 m
1.5″	1 pulse / 100 gallon 1 pulse / 1,000 gallon	1 pulse / 10 ft3 1 pulse / 100 ft3	1 pulse / 1 m3 1 pulse / 10 m
2″	1 pulse / 100 gallon 1 pulse / 1,000 gallon	1 pulse / 10 ft3 1 pulse / 100 ft3	1 pulse / 1 m3 1 pulse / 10 m3
3″	1 pulse / 100 gallon 1 pulse / 1,000 gallon	1 pulse / 10 ft3 1 pulse / 100 ft3	1 pulse / 1 m3 1 pulse / 10 m3
4″	1 pulse / 100 gallon 1 pulse / 1,000 gallon	1 pulse / 10 ft3 1 pulse / 100 ft3	1 pulse / 1 m3 1 pulse / 10 m3
6″-12″	1 pulse / 1,000 gallons 1 pulse / 10,000 gallons	1 pulse / 100 ft3 1 pulse / 1,000 ft3	1 pulse / 10 m 1 pulse / 100 m
16″ , 20″	1 pulse / 10,000 gallons 1 pulse / 100,000 gallons	1 pulse / 1,000 ft3 1 pulse / 10,000 ft3	1 pulse / 100 m3 1 pulse / 1,000 m3

The encoder signal cable from the water meter can be extended up to 100 feet (and possibly more if shielded/grounded cable is used). Therefore, in most instances, the Signalizer should be installed within the control panel in proximity to the equipment that is to receive the pulse signal. The Signalizer requires an external DC voltage power source (9-36V_DC , 1.5W); and it can often be powered by the same supply as the control instrumentation.

How does the Signalizer solution differ from the Tricon/E3?…

First, the user should thoroughly study the specifications of the Signalizer for comparison against the specifications of the Tricon/E3.

As one comparison example, the pulse output of the Tricon/E3 is a 0-24Vdc active voltage pulse output, whereas the pulse output of the Signalizer is solid-state relay (dry contact).

The Tricon/E3 requires external power in the form of 24Vdc voltage. The Signalizer requires an external power supply, anywhere within the 9-36Vdc range. In almost all applications, the connected telemetry or batch controller will require DC power, and the Signalizer may often be powered using the same supply.

The Signalizer also provides additional benefits to the user that previously were not available. For example, the 4-20 milliamp flow output from the Signalizer is user-scalable. The Signalizer also provides a cut-cable/meter-fault alarm.

Furthermore, the Signalizer utilizes the 3-wire encoder signal from a ProCoder or E-Coder register, but it still makes the encoder signal available to other devices via its pass-through port. Therefore, several interesting additions are made possible:

1. Co-connection to an AMI/AMR System (requires an external AMI/AMR endpoint).
2. Connection to a remote water meter display, such as the SCADAmetrics Model TMD TheMeterDisplay™.
3. Connection to both an AMI/AMR System and a remote display.

Setting Up a New Application…

When planning a new Neptune electro-mechanical water meter pulse monitoring project, the following should be on your purchase list:

1. Neptune Flow Meter (T-10, HP Turbine, Trident Turbine, or Tru-Flo Compound)
2. Neptune Register Selection: ProCoder or E-CODER (but NOT the R900i, integrated radio version)
3. SCADAmetrics Model EMP Signalizer
4. Optional: SCADAmetrics DC Power Adapter (not necessary if control panel already has compatible DC power)
5. Optional: Neptune R900 or R450 endpoint
6. Optional: SCADAmetrics Model TMD Remote Display (if remote visual display is desired)

Setting Up a Retrofit Application…

If you already have a Neptune flow meter that is equipped with a Tricon/E3 transmitter, and you would like to replace it with the Signalizer-based solution, then the following should be on your purchase list:

1. Neptune Replacement Register: ProCoder or E-CODER (but NOT the R900i, integrated radio version)
2. SCADAmetrics Model EMP Signalizer
3. Optional: SCADAmetrics DC Power Adapter (not necessary if control panel already has compatible DC power)
4. Optional: Neptune R900 or R450 endpoint
5. Optional: SCADAmetrics Model TMD Remote Display (if remote visual display is desired)

Visual Batch and Flow Monitoring Accessory…

If an additional industrial flow monitor is need, SCADAmetrics is pleased to offer our new Model APK.PLUS “Analog/Pulse Kit-Plus”. With some similarity to the recently-sunsetted Neptune SmartTrol instrument, the APK.PLUS enhances the Signalizer with value-added features:

1. A Visual Master Totalizer (totalizes from the Signalizer pulse – user resettable).
2. A Visual “Day” or “Batch” Totalizer (totalizes from the Signalizer pulse – user resettable)
3. An additional 4-20 milliamp output (user-scalable).
4. An additional dry-contact pulse-output (mirrors the Signalizer pulse)
5. A dry-contact flow-switch output (closes whenever flow > 0 gpm/lpm)

Although the APK.PLUS does not offer a relay-driven batch control feature, this functionality can generally be achieved using most modern PLC’s or dedicated-purpose, third-party batch controllers.

Want to Learn More?…

Are you interested in learning more about how the Signalizer, when paired with a Neptune flow meter, can provide a functional alternative to the sunsetted Neptune Tricon/E3 transmitter? …and more? Give us a call!… We’ll be glad to discuss the details!