Elster Solutions EA2G User Manual

September 2010 IL42-5015A

EA_Gas Module

Installation Instructions

Introduction

The EA_Gas Module is designed for use with most residential diaphragm meters. Modules for residential meters are available in three
distinct types:

• Type A = American Meter Company® products

• Type R & R415 = Rockwell / Equimeter / Invensys

• Type S = Sprague / Schlumberger / Actaris / Metris

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Tools, equipment and materials

All or some of the following items may be needed in order to install the module, depending upon the type of meter/index and the
condition of the old index cover and gaskets:

•EA_Gas Module

• Elster’s EA_Installer handheld with software

• Index screws (2 each)

• Meter mounting bolts (3 or 4 each, depending upon the meter type)1

• Index cover (if old one is not reusable)

• Index cover gasket

• Putty knife or scraper (to remove old gaskets)

• #2 Phillips screwdriver

• Awl (to remove existing tamper seals)

• Tamper seals (2 each)

• Pressure compensation factor value, if needed (obtain from Elster)

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Preparation and installation

Preparing

Prior to removing the existing index and index cover, verify that the module style is compatible with the meter style.

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Supplied with the module.

Elster
Raleigh, North Carolina United States
[phone] (US toll free)
[phone] (Canada)
[e-mail]
www.elster.com

IL42-5015A September 2010

EA_Gas module (front side)

EA_Gas module (battery side)

Figure 1. EA_Gas module for Type A meter index

Installing index onto module

1. Remove the existing index cover and index (or module) from the meter.
Use an awl to remove the existing tamper seals.

2. Clean any debris from index and cover.

3. Using a scraper or putty knife, remove the gasket and any adhesive material from the meter.

4. Align index wriggler with module wriggler (battery side), as shown below.

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September 2010 IL42-5015A

Type A

Type R 4 15

Type R

Type S

Figure 2. Gas module battery compartment and wriggler

Figure 3. Alignment of wrigglers

5. Attach the index to module using the appropriate two (2) index screws.

Figure 4. Exploded installation view of the gas meter index with gas module

Caution: Do not over tighten index screws.

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IL42-5015A September 2010

6/32” screw

meter adapter

gears meshed
correctly

Checking mechanical operation

This procedure will verify the attached index rotates freely and without resistance.

1. Rotate the index drive dial 3 times clockwise.

2. If it turns easily, rotate the drive dial 3 times counterclockwise to remove counts or subcounts from the mechanical index.

If it does not turn easily:

a. Rotate the drive dial 3 times counterclockwise to remove subcounts from the mechanical index.

b. Unscrew the index/module assembly and repeat from step 4 of “Installing index onto module” on page 2.

Note: Subcounts added to the electronic index during this procedure will be cleared when the index reading is programmed into the

module.

3. Verify that the gasket material on the index cover is free of rips or tears.

4. If the gasket cover is ripped or torn, removed the damaged gasket from the index cover and replace with a new gasket.

Mounting the module-index assembly

Note: Be sure to have your module/index assembly, screwdriver, index cover and index cover gasket within easy reach before starting

this procedure.

1. For Rockwell 415 modules Only: Install the meter adapter to the meter using the two 6/32” screws supplied in the assembly.

Note: Make sure the gears on the adapter and meter are properly meshed.

Figure 5. Rockwell gas meter with meter adapter (P/N 52870G031) and index wriggler

2. Visually align module wriggler with meter wriggler or meter adapter (drive dog).

• If wriggler cannot be put in a fixed position, position it correctly by rotating the drive dial with your finger.

3. Mate the module wriggler with the meter wriggler or meter adapter (drive dog) and hold the mated assembly against the
meter.

4. While holding the assembly against the meter, gently try to turn the drive wheel clockwise, then counterclockwise.

• If the drive wheel meets resistance in both directions, it is properly mated. Proceed to step 5.

• If it meets no resistance in either direction, and can rotate freely through an angle of 360 degrees and beyond, then make

sure the meter is completely free of old gasket material and forcefully press the module into the meter. Repeat this step
(step 4). If the unit still does not correctly engage with the meter, return it to Elster Integrated Solutions.

• For American Meter modules Only: If the American Meter module meets resistance in one direction then turns 360

degrees the other way before again meeting resistance, it is not properly mated. Repeat from step 1.

Caution:

It is very important that the wriggler on the module is correctly
engaged onto the meter. If it is not, it could produce an
erroneous indication during utility leak test procedures that
monitor drive dial (proving dial) movement. Incorrectly
engaged wrigglers could also cause meter damage. CORRECT
EXECUTION OF STEPS 1, 2 and 3 IS CRITICAL.

5. While holding the module firmly in place so as to not lose the wriggler alignment, place the index cover and index cover gasket
onto the module/ index assembly.

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September 2010 IL42-5015A

• Verify the index cover is properly oriented with its vent holes at the bottom.

• See figure below for orientation cues.

Figure 6. Gaskets by meter type

6. Using the appropriate mounting bolts provides, screw the module/index/cover assembly to the meter and tighten bolts using a
torque driver set to 20 in-lbs (with +/- 4 in-lbs tolerance) to secure assembly to meter.

7. Install the tamper seals into the index cover receptacles.

Figure 7. Meter index assembly with tamper seals

Programming the module using the EA_Installer

Although modules may contain default or utility-specified values that are programmed during manufacturing, it is important to program
certain data only after the module has been installed in the field:

• Modules can accumulate subcounts during shipping, handling and installation due to the movement of its wriggler.

• The module’s tamper sensing switch must be told which orientation should be considered its normal (not tampered) condition.

• During a field module retrofit the meter’s existing index is reused and that index reading must be programmed into the module.

Therefore, all modules (even those mated with indexes set at 0000) should be programmed after installation on the meter.

Note: If required, be sure to have the module’s pressure compensation factor. Contact Elster Support at [phone].

For specific instructions for installing and programming modules using Elster’s EA_Installer handheld please refer to the

User Guide, Chapter 7, “Installing RTMs

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Elster Handhelds

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