Jim ‘Slim’ Mimlitz, SCADAmetrics
Neptune Technology Group (Tallassee, Alabama, USA) 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.
SCADAmetrics offers a wide range of instrumentation that extends the capabilities of Neptune flow meters and AMI systems. Many of those value-added scenarios are documented HERE.
In addition to the scenarios illustrated in the aforementioned article, another application is replacement of the (discontinued) Neptune Smarttrol device.
The combination of SCADAmetrics EMP Signalizer and APK.PLUS Analog/Pulse Kit Plus can often serve as a similar (but not identical) replacement for the discontinued Neptune Smarttrol.
The SCADAmetrics model APK.PLUS is housed in a NEMA-4X enclosure, and it provides an always-on, 2×16 backlit visual LCD display, which emphasizes the following data:
- Rate-of-Flow (GPM or LPM)
- Master Totalization (based on pulse) – User Resettable
- “Day” Totalization (based on pulse) – User Resettable
- Status of 4-20mA Output
During commissioning, the following general steps should be followed:
- The Neptune flow meter should be outfitted with either a PROCODER or ECODER or MACH-10 register (and NOT the R900i version).
- The encoder signal from the register should be connected to a SCADAmetrics EMP Signalizer.
- The pulse output of the EMP Signalizer should be connected to the pulse input terminals of the APK.PLUS.
- The EMP Signalizer dip switches should be set to match the meter type (model, units, diameter), per the lookup tables in the Signalizer datasheet.
Note that EMP Terminals [9,10] should be connected to APK.PLUS Pulse Input Terminals [2,3]. It is important to note that APK.PLUS Pulse Input Terminal [1] should be left unconnected.
Two 4-20mA SCADA outputs are available: One (1) 4-20mA output from the EMP Signalizer, and one (1) 4-20mA output from the APK.PLUS. The APK.PLUS also features one (1) dry-contact pulse output, and one (1) dry-contact flow switch (which can be repurposed as a second pulse output).
If an encoder display is desired, then a model TMD TheMeterDisplay can be connected to the pass-thru terminals of the EMP Signalizer. Alternatively, if an AMI endpoint is desired, then a Neptune R900 MIU can be connected to the pass-thru terminals of the EMP Signalizer (as shown above).
Want to Learn More?…
Are you interested in learning more about how SCADAmetrics flow instrumentation, when paired with Neptune 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!