James Mimlitz ‘Slim’, SCADAmetrics
The Siemens FMS500 / FMT020 Magnetic Flow Meter (pictured below) is one of Siemens’ newest and most advanced process magnetic flow meters. It is suitable for a broad range of water and wastewater flow metering applications. The FMT020 is the transmitter, and the FMS500 is the flow sensor tube, which is available in ½–48 inch diameter sizes. For brevity, the complete assembly will hereafter be described as the FMS500.
Mag meters are based upon the principle of measuring fluid flow as proportional to voltage induced across the liquid by its flow through a magnetic field. Read more here.
Mag meters have no moving parts, and they also have no protrusions into the flow tube – thereby lending themselves as suitable for both water and wastewater applications.
The FMS500 features traditional 4-20 milliamp and pulse SCADA signals, as well as fieldbus protocols. Like most process magnetic flow meters, it does not offer native AMI/AMR-compatibility.
However, today, the latest firmware release for the SCADAmetrics Model MBE Encodalizer™ now adds Neptune and Sensus encoder protocols to this important flow meter, so that it may now be easily integrated into today’s modern AMI/AMR systems:
The operational convenience of the MBE Encodalizer is based upon the principle that the User sets the Meter Type (Make & Model) via Encodalizer DIP switches, connects the Encodalizer to the meter via Modbus/RTU (2-Wire RS.485), and the Encodalizer interacts with the target flow meter using the meter’s factory default Modbus/RTU settings. No special setup of the meter should be required beyond normal initialization procedures. When ordering a FMS500, please note that the meter must be outfitted with the Modbus/RTU (RS.485) option, in addition to any other application-specific I/O options. 24VDC Mains Power option is also recommended, but not required.
The following wiring diagram illustrates a typical application of the FMS500 / Encodalizer Pair into a potable water distribution or wastewater system — where both AMI and SCADA signaling made are possible:
Connection of the Encodalizer to the FMS500 could not be easier: Two (2) wires interconnect the instruments: Modbus+(B) and Modbus–(A). Configuration of the Encodalizer is also straightforward, requiring setup via 16 integral DIP switches from a lookup table.
The FMS500 factory default Modbus communication settings should not be modified.
FMS500 / Encodalizer – Basic Wiring for AMI
Documentation
Would you like to download a PDF copy of our FMS500 / Encodalizer Application Note? — Click Here
Special Thanks to Norm Kramer for the gracious loan of a Siemens FMS500 flow meterfor development and testing.
Want to Learn More?…
Are you interested in learning more about how SCADAmetrics flow instrumentation, when paired with the Siemens FMS500 magnetic flow meter, can provide concurrent AMI and SCADA signaling options? Give us a call!… We’ll be glad to discuss the details!