Itron PETRPTR User Manual
Installation Guide for the PETRC and
PET Repeater Units used in the
PETNET Submetering System
Installation of this equipment can only be accomplished by experienced, trained
professionals.
The guide details a number of Safety Requirements which must be followed in
order to protect the general public.
Submitted February 20, 2001
In accordance with FCC Regulations
Itron Inc. 2001
Installation Guide: PETNET System Components
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 OVERVIEW................................................................................................................3
2.0 FCC REGULATORY INFORMATION..............................................................................4
3.0 SERVICE REQUIREMENTS...........................................................................................5
4.0 REGULATORY APPROVALS ........................................................................................5
5.0 SCOPE .....................................................................................................................5
7.0 INSTALLATION AND DIAGNOSTIC SETUP....................................................................12
8.0 CONSOLE COMMANDS.............................................................................................12
9.0 TROUBLESHOOTING THE PETNET SUBMETERING COMPONENTS ...............................15
Installation Guide: PETNET System Components
1.0 Overview
This document is intended to guide the user through the initial set-up of a Water Submetering
System. The system is made up of usually one or more PETRC units and up to 1000 PET
modules.
PETRC units are a receiving device that collects information from the PET modules via Radio
Frequencies in the 902 to 928 MHz band and stores this information for later retrieval by various
“head end” software. The device is powered by 110 Volts AC and incorporates a 3dBd gain
antenna.
PET Repeater unit operates similar to the PETRC in that collects information from the PET
modules however , the collected information is forwarded to the PETRC unit via RF. This unit is
equipped with a 5 DbD gain antenna and associated coaxial cable. This antenna and cable
assembly must be used without modification.
The PET module is a transmit only device that transmits its consumption information once each
10 to 15 minutes. The consumption information is gathered continuously from any pulse output
device including Water. The device is for indoor use in a non-condensing environment. The unit
has a battery life of greater than 4 years.
This document is intended to guide professional and trained installer through the initial set-up of
a Water Submetering System. The system is made up of usually one or more PETRC units, PET
Repeaters and up to 1,000 PET modules.
Installation Guide: PETNET System Components
2.0 FCC Regulatory Information
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 can radiate 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 between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
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.
Important Installation Notes: This device complies with Part 15.247 of the FCC rules
governing spread spectrum devices. The Pet module operates in the 900 MHz unlicensed
band at a maximum peak power level of 40 milliwatts with a transmission rate not to
exceed one transmission every 10 minutes and a transmission time not to exceed 50
milliseconds. This device must be permanently mounted such that it retains a distance of
20 centimeters (7.9 inches) from all persons in order to comply with FCC RF exposure
levels. The device cannot be modified in any way and contains no user serviceable
parts.
The PET Repeater unit complies with Part 15.247 of the FCC rules governing spread
spectrum devices. The Echo unit operates in the 900 MHz unlicensed band at a maximum
peak power level of 200 milliwatts with a transmission rate not to exceed one
transmission every 20 seconds and a transmission time not to exceed 400 milliseconds.
This device may be mounted in any location however the antenna must be permanently
mounted such that it retains a distance of 2 meters (6.7 feet) from all persons in order to
comply with FCC RF exposure levels. In order guarantee FCC complaints and the
performance of the PETNET system, the antenna, coaxial cable must be used exactly as
provided from Itron. The device antenna and coaxial cable cannot be modified in any way
and contains no user serviceable parts.
Caution to users: This device, antenna and coaxial assembly shall not be changed or
modified without the expressed approval of Itron. Any modification could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
Installation Guide: PETNET System Components
3.0 Service Requirements
The PET modules, PET Repeater and PETRC units have no user serviceable parts. In the event
of equipment malfunction, all repairs should be performed by Itron. It is the responsibility of
users requiring service to report the need for service to our company. For service call 1-800635-5461 and ask for the Customer Service Department.
4.0 Regulatory Approvals
As detailed later in this document, Itron believes the PETRC and PET Repeater units require the
following approvals:
• FCC Part 15: Class B digital device, per Rule 15.9(a), 15.107(a)
• FCC Part 15: Receiver at 902-928 MHz, per Rule 15.109
• FCC Part 15: Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum Intentional Radiator, per Rule 15.247
• CSA: Listing for compliance with US National Electric Code
5.0 Scope
This document is intended to aid installation personnel involved in the installation and operation
of the SubMetering network’s PETRC, PET Repeater unit and PET module and become
familiar with the details of the design. This document describes how the units operates as a
system and does not detail the specified limits or the performance.
5.1 Basic Components of Itron’s Submetering Network
Itron, Inc. (“Itron”) is the manufacturer of remote utility meter reading products. Itron’s meter
end point RF devices or PET modules encode consumption and tamper information, then
transmit this data and other information via RF to the network PETRC units and/or the PET
Repeater units.
5.1.1 PET Module
The PET modules for water meters are self-contained low-power units, powered by long-life
batteries. PET modules can be installed by the meter manufacturer during the manufacturing
process or easily retrofitted into most existing meters.
5.1.2 Network PETRC and PET Repeater Units
The network PETRC unit receives water usage data via RF from the PET modules, and transmits
the data to the head-end MV-RS meter reading software via telephone or cellular telephone.
Two types of units are utilized in the network: the PETRC unit and PET Repeater units. The
base PETRC unit is similar to the PET Repeater unit except that it is equipped with a telephone
connection. The telephone connection can be either a standard line or a cellular type.
An optional cellular phone interconnect can be utilized on either a temporary or permanent basis
depending on the application. As a temporary option, the varying lead time of telephone
installation can be circumvented by utilizing the cellular phone interconnect option until a cost-
Installation Guide: PETNET System Components
effective solution can be installed. In large scale roll-outs, often in areas large enough to span
multiple telephone companies’ service territories, a single contact within one telephone company
is often not available, which inevitably results in delays. With the cellular telephone option,
these delays can be eliminated. Additionally, the cellular telephone option can be migrated from
new installation to new installation as hard-wired telephone services are eventually installed at
each site.
The base PETRC unit is mounted at a central point in an apartment complex where ease of
interconnection to power and telephone lines are available. This base unit can monitor and retain
data on up to 1000 Water PET modules. Water usage data is gathered from the PET modules via
a Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum RF technology. Having the PET modules utilize a very
slow “bubble up” rate minimizes the power consumption of the PET module, thus providing a
much longer field life. The slow bubble up rate also minimizes unnecessary RF interference to
other users in the RF band.
The PET Repeater unit provides a store-and-forward functionality in the network. This unit
receives PET module RF transmissions from surrounding PET modules, adds a time stamp, and
upon a predetermined time, forwards the stored PET module data to other PETRC units (either
through additional PET Repeater units or the base PETRC unit). Up to 7 levels can be configured
in a string of PET Repeater units. Each level can communicate with all of the units at lower
levels. Thus, the system can be configured to provide universal coverage in typical multidwelling or highrise environments.
The ruggedized PETRC and PET Repeater units are capable of being mounted outside and is
impervious to weather and potential vandalism.
Water usage data transmitted by the network PETRC unit via telephone or cellular telephone is
processed by the head-end MV-RS Meter Reading Software. The MV-RS system runs on a
standard PC. MV-RS not only processes data received from network PETRC units, it provides
an interactive, graphical user interface to allow users to extract and report key information.
Itron’s MV-RS Meter Reading Software has been deployed throughout the world at over
hundreds of locations. Originating within the utility market, this Multi-Vendor Reading
Software has years of reliable service with millions of meters read. Itron has chosen the MV-RS
Meter Reading Software, along with the network PETRC units and the PET modules, as key
components in Itron’s PETNET Submetering Network because of their substantial history of
reliable operations in the utility meter reading environment around the world.
Loading...