Jim ‘Slim’ Mimlitz, SCADAmetrics
Rosemount manufactures a broad line of process instrumentation and flow meters, serving the industrial process, municipal water, and municipal wastewater industries. Here at SCADAmetrics (Wildwood, MO), we manufacture flow metering instrumentation in support of these industries, with the stated mission of helping users extend such meters for enhanced SCADA and AMI interoperability and functionality.
Like many manufacturers of process-oriented flow instrumentation, Rosemount’s signaling options are focused upon 4-20 milliamp, pulse, Modbus, and HART.
Today, the new SCADAmetrics model PTE Pulse Encodalizer™ is able to leverage the available Relay (Pulse) output from a Rosemount model 3490 Open-Channel Flow Meter Transmitter to generate additional AMI signaling and display options — thereby bridging the gap to solve the unique challenges facing the Utility AMI sphere.
Within each Rosemount 3490 Transmitter, programmable relay outputs are available. One of these outputs can be configured to provide a pulse-per-volume output to a SCADAmetrics model PTE Encodalizer and thereby connect to a utility AMI system.
Totalization Reported to AMI System
The following graphic illustrates how the Pulse Encodalizer can be used to transmit Totalization to an AMI/AMR system. Note the connection from the Rosemount 3490 Relay (Pulse) Output. In this example, 3490 Relay #1 (Terminals 11, 13) is connected to the Pulse Input (Terminals 2, 3) of the Encodalizer:
Conclusion
The PTE Pulse Encodalizer translates the Rosemount 3490 totalizer pulse count to a connected AMI/AMR system using the industry-standard, 3-wire encoded protocols: both Sensus Protocol and Neptune Protocol. Therefore, all major AMI systems are supported.
The Encodalizer is powered by a user-replaceable battery pack, which offers a life up to 10 years. The Encodalizer features a 9-digit LCD display of the Pulse Count / Totalization. When commissioning the Encodalizer, the user should pre-edit the 9 digits — in order to synchronize (match) with the totalization displayed on the LCD screen of the Rosemount 3490.
Anticipated Encodalizer / Rosemount 3490 applications include (but are not limited to):
- Connect wastewater custody transfer flow meters to AMI systems
- Connect wastewater lift station flow meters to AMI systems
In addition to the Rosemount 3490, the PTE Pulse Encodalizer can be used to connect other types of Rosemount pulse meters to AMI systems, as well. Examples include the 8750-series Magnetic Flow Meter, and others. The only requirement is that the connected flow meter provide a 2-wire, passive pulse-per-volume output.
Although this article focuses on a Rosemount flow meter, the Pulse Encodalizer is able to count pulses from most 2-wire, pulse-type flow meters (magmeters, wastewater meters, gas meters, steam meters, reclaimed water meters, irrigation meters, etc…) — and convert to the industry-standard 3-Wire Encoded protocol.
Want to Learn More?…
Are you interested in learning more about how SCADAmetrics flow instrumentation, when paired with a Rosemount open-channel 3490 flow meter, can provide a wealth of value-added AMI and visual display options? Give us a call!… We’ll be glad to discuss the details!