Elster Solutions EAGAS01 User Manual

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Copyright Acknowledgements

The contents of this document are the property of Elster Integrated
Solutions and are copyrighted. All rights reserved. Any
reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. For
additional copies of this document, please contact:

Elster Integrated Solutions
208 South Rogers Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]

The information contained herein has been carefully checked and
is believed to be accurate; however, no responsibility is assumed
for inaccuracies. Elster Integrated Solutions reserves the right to
make changes without prior notice. This document is not covered
by any warranty either expressed or implied. Any correction,
comments or additions to the contents of this document should be
directed to Elster Integrated Solutions at the above address.

Copyright 2003 Elster Integrated Solutions. Printed in USA.

EnergyAxis are trademarks of Elster Integrated Solutions. All rights

reserved.

EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide Page i

Elster Integrated Solutions • P/N 52870T010 Rev 3 March 2007

FCC & Industry Canada Compliance

EnergyAxis Gas Module™ has been granted authorization as a low power

modular radio transmitter by the Federal Communications Commission
under 47 CFR Part 15.247 and by Industry Canada under RSS-GEN and
RSS-210. FCC ID: G8JEAGAS01. Industry Canada ID: 3599-EAGAS01.
The device transmits and receives in the frequency range 902.8 – 927.6
MHz. The device may also receive on 451.35 MHz.

The user of this device must maintain a distance of 20cm between the
device and any part of the human body, to comply with FCC RF exposure
requirements.

This device complies with FCC Part 15 & Industry Canada RSS-GEN/RSS­210 rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and

2. This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation.

This equipment generates uses and radiates radio frequency energy, and if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation distance between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected (not applicable for the battery-powered

EnergyAxis Gas Module™).

• Consult the equipment dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.

WARNING! Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Elster

Integrated Solutions void the user’s authority to operate the

equipment.

Page ii EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide

Elster Integrated Solutions • Draft Rev A Nov. 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EnergyAxis Gas Module

USER GUIDE

Table of Contents

C hapter One.............................................................................................. 1

Introduction .........................................................................................................................................1

About this Document 1

Chapter Two.....................................................................................................................................3

Automated Meter Reading Overview................................................................................................. 3

Basic AMI Components 3
EnergyAxis AMI System Overview 4

Chapter Three..................................................................................................................................5

EnergyAxis Direct Gas-meter Transponder Overview ....................................................................5

EnergyAxis Direct Gas-meter Transponder and Components 6
How the EnergyAxis Direct Gas-meter Transponder Works 9
Specifications 10

Chapter Four................................................................................................................................... 11

EnergyAxis Direct Gas-meter Transponder Installation ...............................................................11

Tools, Equipment and Materials 11
Preparation and Installation 12
Programming the EnergyAxis Direct Gas-meter Transponder 17

Chapter Five ................................................................................................................................... 19

EnergyAxis Remote Gas-meter Transponder Overview ...............................................................19

How it Works 20
Features and Capabilities 20
EnergyAxis Remote Gas-meter Transponder Construction 20
Identifying the Components (Meter Mount) 22

Chapter Six ..................................................................................................................................... 23

EnergyAxis Remote Gas-meter Transponder Installation ............................................................23

Tools, Equipment and Materials 23
Pulser Installation (Meter-mount) 24
EnergyAxis RGT Mounting (Meter-mount) 30
EnergyAxis RGT Programming (All) 34

Appendix..........................................................................................................................................36

Pre-Divider 36
Pressure-Compensation Factor 36

EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide Page i

Elster Integrated Solutions • P/N 52870T010 Rev 3 March 2007

Page ii EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide

Elster Integrated Solutions • Draft Rev A Nov. 2007

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Chapter One

Introduction

The EnergyAxis Gas Module is the heart of Elster Integrated
Solutions’ portfolio of products for automated metering infrastructure
(AMI).

About this Document

The EnergyAxis Gas Module User Guide provides instructions for
installing and troubleshooting transponders. It also includes an
overview of both AMI in general and EnergyAxis technology in
particular.

Actual procedures are covered in two sets of chapters. One is set
for direct mounted transponders (transponders connected directly to
the meter index) and the other set is for remote-mounted
transponders (transponders mounted some distance away from the
meter index):

• Chapters 3 and 4 discuss the installation, operation and
programming of direct-mounted transponders. These are
typically used for residential applications with 1ft and 2 ft
meters.

• Chapters 5 and 6 cover installation, operation and programming
of remote-mounted transponders. These are typically used for
commercial applications with 5 ft and 10 ft meters.

Audience

This document is designed for utility industry installers and
supervisory staff. In order to establish appropriate levels of detail for
the material, this document assumes the following:

 The user i s proficient in in stalling and EnergyAxis transponders

and possesses all the skills necessary to conduct meter
installation reading meters of the type currently compatible with
and reading by conventional means.

 The user has little or no prior expertise in the EnergyAxis AMI

technology.

 The user i s familiar with common data entry devices and

techniques.

 The user will receive (or has received) instructions for operation

of an appropriate EnergyAxis programmer elsewhere (in a
separate document or training program).

EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide Page 1

Elster Integrated Solutions • Draft Rev A Nov. 2007

Conventions

In the interest of brevity and simplicity, this document uses the
following conventions:

 Additional inf ormation relevant to a given instruction step may

be shown in one of three ways:

1. A bulleted item covers “how-to” and verification information.

2. An italicized NOTE contains relevant background

information.

3. An italicized and bolded CAUTION contains information
important to the safety of either the user or the equipment.

 Where reference to other parties is made, the generic

masculine pronouns (he, his, him) are used. This in no way
reflects bias or gender discrimination in any manner related to
the users, publishers or authors of this document.

Page 2 EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide

Elster Integrated Solutions • Draft A Nov. 2007

CHAPTER 3 VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW

Chapter Two

Automated Meter Reading Overview

The EnergyAxis system uses radio frequency (RF) signals to allow
utility personnel to automate meter reading activities. This
technology is called automated meter infrastructure (AMI). This
technology greatly increases the speed at which routes can be
covered with a high degree of accuracy.

Basic AMI Components

An automated meter reading system requires the following basic
components:

 Endpoint—The EnergyAxis Gas Module interfaces with the

meter index drive, counts the number of drive dial (proving dial)
rotations, receives commands from an interrogator and
transmits the index reading and other meter data.

 Interrogator—At its simplest, the interrogator remotely reads

meter data transmitted by transponders. At more sophisticated
levels an interrogator may also program transponders, store
route data and verify transponder conditions and data, among
other functions.

EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide Page 3

Elster Integrated Solutions • Draft Rev A Nov. 2007

VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW CHAPTER 3

EnergyAxis AMI System Overview

Elster Integrated Solutions EnergyAxis system portfolio of products
permits the remote recording of tamper conditions and the linking of
meter latitude and longitude data using the Global Positioning
System (GPS).

In every meter reading transmission, gas modules send total
consumption data as well as interval consumption data for each of
the last 24 hours. The data are stored in the EnergyAxis collector as
well as the module’s nonvolatile memory, protecting the data
against loss. All the data are available for on-request reading.

EnergyAxis Gas modules communicated with an unlicensed
frequency hopping spread spectrum RF technology compliant with
FCC Rules, Part 15 and Industry Canada RSS-210 in a rage of 902
MHz to 928 MHz.

How the EnergyAxis System Works

Installing EnergyAxis electricity meters builds the infrastructure that
allows gas AMI metering to be added at an incremental cost.
Therefore, expanding the EnergyAxis network to cover gas metering
requires the installation of the EnergyAxis Gas module to the gas
meter.

The information acquisition, storage and handling process includes
several basic elements:

Meter interface. Using a mechanical-to-digital interface, the
EnergyAxis Gas Module senses the output of a utility meter,
translates this into electronic form and stores it in the transponder’s
memory.

Tamper sense and flagging. When the EnergyAxis Gas Module is
installed and programmed, a baseline orientation for its internal
tamper sense is set. Any deviation from that baseline setting will
trigger a tamper indication.

Transponder data acquisition. The EnergyAxis Gas Module is
programmed with a unique serial number at the time of
manufacture. Upon installation on a meter, the current (or baseline)
meter index reading is also programmed into the transponder’s
memory. As the meter measures consumption and the index is
advanced, the index reading stored in the transponder’s memory is
automatically updated. The transponder also records changes to the
tamper detection sensor.

Pressure-compensation factor. For EnergyAxis Gas Modules a
pressure-compensation factor can also be programmed into the
transponder memory ensuring the transponder readings match the
pressure-compensated mechanical index reading.

Page 4 EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide

Elster Integrated Solutions • Draft A Nov. 2007

CHAPTER 3 VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW

Chapter Three

EnergyAxis Direct Gas-meter Transponder
Overview

Type R & R415

Rockwell/

Type S

Sprague/
Schlumberger/
Actaris/Metris®

Equimeter/
Invensys

®

American Meter Company®

The EnergyAxis Direct Gas-meter Transponder (DGT) is designed
for use with most residential diaphragm meters. EnergyAxis Direct
Gas-meter Transponders for residential meters are available in
three distinct types:

Type A

®

• Type A = American Meter Company

• Type R & R415 = Rockwell / Equimeter / Invensys

• Type S = Sprague / Schlumberger / Actaris / Metris

products

®

®

The EnergyAxis DGT can be programmed for use with a fixed
factor, pressure-compensated index.

The EnergyAxis DGT maintains the current time and date, which are
used to manage the recording of real-time data for retrieval as
required during the normal read cycle.

In addition to maintaining index reading, the transponder:

• Stores 35 daily index readings in separate electronic indexes
recorded at the start of the utility day. (The utility day start time
is programmable).

• Maintains interval data for each 15 minute, 30 minute or 60
minute interval (default). Up to 35 days of 60 minute interval
data will be stored by our module.

EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide Page 5

Elster Integrated Solutions • Draft Rev A Nov. 2007

VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW CHAPTER 3

EnergyAxis Direct Gas-meter Transponder and
Components

The EnergyAxis Direct Gas-meter Transponder is available for three
types of meters. The transponder has a high impact plastic housing
with rubber gasket and it includes the following components:

• RF transmitter

• RF receiver

• Tamper switch

• Transmit and receive antennas

• Battery

• Electronic components

The meter’s existing index and index cover are attached to the
EnergyAxis gas-meter transponder during installation.

The index cover is not
may be purchased separately, if needed. (See page 16)

Identifying the Components

To determine the transponder type for each meter, refer to the photo
on the previous page.

Each shipment of transponders includes all of the hardware
necessary to successfully install a transponder onto a meter. This
hardware includes index screws to attach the index to the
transponder, three or four longer bolts to attach the
transponder/index assembly to the meter, two vandal plugs, and an
index cover gasket as shown in the photos below. Index covers are
sold separately.

shipped with the standard transponder, but

Type A hardware

Type R & R415 hardware

Type S hardware

This hardware can also be purchased separately.

Page 6 EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide

Elster Integrated Solutions • Draft A Nov. 2007

CHAPTER 3 VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW

EnergyAxis Direct Gas-meter Transponder H/W by Meter Type (and

P/N)

Invensys/Rockwell

Meter Manufacturer American (A)

(R & R415)

Metris/Sprague (S)

Index screw 52800P063 1 10528P002 2 52800P063 1
Meter mounting bolt 10529P001 3 10529P003 4 10529P002 5
Index cover gasket 11401P001 6 11401P002 7 11401P003 8
Vandal plug (tamper seal) 52548P010 --- 11302P002 --- 11302P003 ---

Screws

The following photos indicate the actual size and shape of the
different screws and index cover gaskets used.

Index

Screws

3/8” Sheet Metal

1

(A, S)

2

7/8” Sheet Metal

(R & R415)

Meter

Mounting

Bolts

3

2¼” partial

thread

(A)

4

3” partial

thread

(R & R415)

5

2” full

thread

(S)

EnergyAxis Gas Module ― User Guide Page 7

Elster Integrated Solutions • Draft Rev A Nov. 2007