Rhein Tech Laboratories 360 Herndon Parkway Suite 1400 Herndon, VA 20170 http://www.rheintech.com AMCO Automated Systems Remote Gas Meter Transponder FCC ID: G8JVRT02 FCC Part 15.231 RTL WO# 2003164 APPENDIX H: MANUAL Please see the following pages.
USER GUIDE TRACE® VRT Gas Transponder
VRT Gas Transponder ― User Guide AMCO Automated Systems • P/N 52870T010 Rev 1 May 2003
Copyright Acknowledgements The contents of this document are the property of AMCO Automated Systems and are copyrighted. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. For additional copies of this document, please contact: AMCO Automated Systems 107 Erskine Lane Scott Depot, WV 25560 Phone 304-757-3300 Fax 304-757-3388 The information contained herein has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate; however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.
VRT Gas Transponder ― User Guide AMCO Automated Systems • P/N 52870T010 Rev 1 May 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS VRT Gas Transponder USER GUIDE Table of Contents Chapter One—Introduction .........................................................................1 About this Document ...............................................................................1 Chapter Two—Automated Meter Reading Overview ................................3 Basic AMR Components .........................................................................3 TRACE AMR System Overview ..........................................
Page ii VRT Gas Transponder ― User Guide AMCO Automated Systems • P/N 52870T010 Rev 1 May 2003
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Chapter One Introduction ® The TRACE VRT™ Transponder is the heart of AMCO Automated Systems’ portfolio of products for automated meter reading (AMR). About this Document The VRT Gas Transponder User Guide provides instructions for installing and troubleshooting transponders. It also includes an overview of both AMR in general and TRACE technology in particular. Actual procedures are covered in two sets of chapters.
Conventions In the interest of brevity and simplicity, this document uses the following conventions: Additional information 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.
CHAPTER 2 AUTOMATED METER READING OVERVIEW Chapter Two Automated Meter Reading Overview The TRACE system uses radio frequency (RF) signals to allow utility personnel to read meters from a distance while the reader is in motion. This technology is called automated meter reading (AMR). This technology greatly increases the speed at which routes can be covered with a high degree of accuracy.
TRACE AMR System Overview In addition to standard automated meter reading functions, AMCO Automated Systems TRACE 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). With the optional Vehicle Interactive Display (VID), TRACE makes driver-to-meter orientation more intuitive and efficient. TRACE interrogators transmit commands at 451.35 MHz and receive transponder messages at 415 MHz.
CHAPTER 2 AUTOMATED METER READING OVERVIEW Meter interface. Using a mechanical-to-digital interface, the VRT gas transponder 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 VRT gas transponder 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.
VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW CHAPTER 3 Chapter Three VRT Direct Gas-meter Transponder Overview Type R Rockwell/ Equimeter/ Invensys® Type S Sprague/ Schlumberger/ Actaris/Metris® Type A American Meter Company® The TRACE VRT™ Direct Gas-meter Transponder (DGT) is designed for use with most residential diaphragm meters.
CHAPTER 3 VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW VRT Direct Gas-meter Transponder and Components The VRT Direct Gas-meter Transponder is available for three types of meters.
VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW CHAPTER 3 VRT Direct Gas-meter Transponder H/W by Meter Type (and P/N) Meter Manufacturer Index screw Meter mounting bolt Index cover gasket Vandal plug (tamper seal) American (A) 52800P063 10529P001 11401P001 52548P010 Invensys/Rockwell (R) Metris/Sprague (S) 10528P002 2 52800P063 1 10529P003 4 10529P002 5 11401P002 7 11401P003 8 11302P002 --11302P003 --- 1 3 6 --- Screws The following photos indicate the actual size and shape of the different screws and inde
CHAPTER 3 VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW How the VRT Direct Gas-meter Transponder Works When a VRT DGT is installed on a meter the installer programs the mechanical index reading into the transponder. Converting Mechanical Count into Electronic Form During normal operation, the mechanical index accumulates its count. The transponder keeps track of the index reading by counting the number of rotations of the index’s drive dial.
VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW CHAPTER 3 1. At the factory during the manufacturing process 2. At the time of installation once the transponder has been attached to the meter 3. In the field as required by the utility 4. During the course of normal transponder operation Columns showing a check mark ( 9 ) indicate the data must be programmed at the given stage. The “+” indicates an optional reprogramming stage for this item.
CHAPTER 3 VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW Specifications The following table shows the specifications of the VRT Direct Gasmeter Transponder: VRT DGT Specifications Power One (1) lithium–thionyl chloride 2750 mAmp-hours; 20 years calculated life under normal working conditions. The battery can be easily replaced in the field. FCC Compliance Part 15, Subpart C: A user license is not required (FCC ID G8JVRT01) RF Transmitter 414.5 MHz, +.05, -1.0 MHz; 4,000 uV/m @ 3m. RF Receiver 451.
VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION CHAPTER 4 Chapter Four VRT Direct Gas-meter Transponder Installation Installing the VRT DGT on any of the three types of meters (A, R and S) is quick and easy. We estimate the complete process (including initial baseline programming) will take an experienced installer about five minutes to complete, assuming all tools, equipment and materials are on hand.
CHAPTER 4 VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION Preparation and Installation Preparation 1. Prior to removing the existing index and index cover, verify that the transponder style is compatible with the meter style. Type A Type R Type S 2. Verify the transponder battery is properly seated, and that the battery wires are tucked neatly beside it, out of the way of the wriggler and other transponder components.
VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION CHAPTER 4 2. Remove the gasket and any adhesive material from the meter. • Use a scraper or putty knife. 3. Align index wriggler with transponder wriggler, as shown below. Type A Type R Type S 4. Attach the index to transponder. • Use two (2) appropriate index screws. CAUTION: Do not over tighten index screws. Checking Mechanical Operation This procedure will verify the attached index rotates freely and without resistance. 1.
CHAPTER 4 VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION Checking Mechanical Index to Electronic Index Operation This procedure will verify the electronic index is properly recording counts and subcounts corresponding with those of the mechanical index. 1. Rotate the transponder wriggler till the drive dial is in the 12 o’clock position. Drive dial hand in 12 o’clock position Type A Type R Type S 2. Electronically read the transponder subcounts. • Use an SRP or other suitable interrogator/programmer.
VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION CHAPTER 4 8. By using an SRP or other suitable interrogator/programmer, verify that the pre-divider is correct. (The pre-divider for a 1-ft drive is 100 and the pre-divider for a 2-ft drive is 50; refer to the Appendix for the definition of pre-divider). 9. Remove any subcounts or counts from the mechanical index by rotating the drive dial clockwise by the same number of counterclockwise rotations that were placed on the mechanical index in the previous steps.
CHAPTER 4 VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION 5. Place the index cover and index cover gasket onto the transponder/ index assembly. • Verify the index cover is properly oriented with its vent holes at the bottom. • See photos below for orientation cues. Top Top Top Bottom Bottom Bottom Type A Type R Type S Top edge of lens has continuous ridges; bottom has intermittent ridges. Left flange contains an “L” P/N 10001P001 Rectangular lens with a curved top and flat bottom.
VRT DIRECT GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION • CHAPTER 4 The transponder’s tamper sensing switch must be told which orientation should be considered its normal (not tampered) condition. Therefore, all transponders (even those mated with indexes set at 0000) should be programmed after installation on the meter. When the transponder is programmed, it also automatically sets the tamper flag to “false” or “not tampered,” establishing its normal condition in the transponder’s memory.
CHAPTER 5 VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW Chapter Five VRT Remote Gas-meter Transponder Overview METER-MOUNT remote transponder (shown with pulser board and cable for 5 ft meters) WALL MOUNT remote transponder (shown with pulser board and cable for 10 ft meters) The TRACE VRT™ Remote Gas-meter Transponder (RGT) is compatible with American Meter C&I meters. VRT RGTs for C&I meters are available in four types as shown below: VRT RGT Style Wall Mount Meter Mount Meter Type Part Number* 5 ft.
VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW CHAPTER 4 How it Works The VRT RGT is designed for use with commercial gas meters where the meter/index design prohibits direct transponder attachment. A “pulser” circuit board is interfaced with the index gears to provide an electronic “pulse” that translates each turn of the mechanical gear into electronic pulses. These pulses are sent via a cable to the transponder where they are recorded as consumption values.
CHAPTER 5 VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW Identifying the Components (Meter Mount) Meter-mount remote VRT gas transponder Pulser board (shown: 5 ft. meter board) Mounting kit with: • brackets (2) • slide screws (2) • mounting screws (2) Spacers (6) Each shipment of VRT RGTs includes all the hardware necessary to successfully install a transponder onto a meter.
VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER OVERVIEW CHAPTER 4 Identifying the Components (Wall Mount) Wall-mount remote VRT gas transponder Pulser board (shown:10 ft meter board) Spacers (6) Mounting screws (2) Each shipment of Wall Mount VRT RGT transponders includes all the hardware necessary to successfully install a transponder onto a meter.
CHAPTER 6 VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION Chapter Six VRT Remote Gas-meter Transponder Installation Installing the VRT RGT on American Meter 5-ft and 10-ft meters is quick and easy. We estimate the complete process (including initial baseline programming) will take an experienced installer about five minutes to complete, assuming all tools, equipment and materials are on hand.
VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION CHAPTER 6 Equipment & Materials • Replacement seals Pulser Installation (Meter- and Wall-mount) NOTE: Although this section illustrates installation of the 5 ft pulser board, the procedure is essentially the same for the 10 ft pulser board. 1. Remove the index box from the meter. • If the meter index box has a back cover, remove the 2 screws that secure it first. • Remove the screws securing the index box to the meter. • Save all screws.
CHAPTER 6 VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION 3. Cut a small notch in the base of the index box (on the left side near the back). Cut a small notch on left side of the base (near the back) to pass cable though. • Use either the nibbling tool or file. • The notch should be only large enough to allow the connecting cable to pass through.
VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION CHAPTER 6 A TALL 1/2” (fat post) B TALL 7/8” (thin post) C SHORT 1/4” (both posts) A+C B+C FAT POST spacer combo THIN POST spacer combo Pulser board spacer types (2 of each type in kit) To Order Additional Spacers Item Part Number* A 1/2” Tall spacer for fat post 52807P002 B 7/8” Tall (2 tiered) spacer for thin post 52807P003 C 1/4” Short spacer (all) 52807P004 * Part numbers are subject to change.
CHAPTER 6 VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION Pulser board (front) Faces toward index, gears engaged INDEX (back) Index post Pulser board (back) Index post INDEX (front) 6. Slip one of the short spacers over the portion of each post protruding above the pulser board. Put short spacers on protruding portion of posts 7. Route the pulser wires toward the notch cut earlier in the index box. • Be sure the wires are not pinched under either the posts or the spacers.
VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION CHAPTER 6 8. Slide the index/pulser assembly into the index box. Route wires toward the notch in the index box. Make sure they’re not pinched under posts or spacers Notch 9. Reattach the index/pulser assembly to the index box. Page 28 • Use the 2 screws removed in Step 2. • Ensure that the wires are not pinched anywhere before tightening screws. • Verify that the index turns without binding.
CHAPTER 6 VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION 10. Position the index box (with index/pulser assembly) over the screw holes in the meter flange. Route the cable through the notch. Make sure the end of the insulated covering is well inside the box. • Ensure that the individual pulser wires are well inside the box and the insulated section of cable exits via the notch made in Step 3. 11. If the index box has a back cover, reinstall it now. • Use the screws removed in Step 1. 12.
VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION CHAPTER 6 VRT RGT Mounting (Meter-mount) Tools, Equipment and Materials For this part of the installation you will need the following: • Metal bracket sections (A & B) • Hex-head slide screws (2) • Phillips-head mounting screws (2) • (Optional) 5/16 ths English socket or adjustable wrench Bracket A (transponder section) Bracket B (meter section) Hex-head slide screws Phillips-head mounting screws Meter Mounting Positions The transponder may be ins
CHAPTER 6 VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION Meter-mounting Procedure The illustrations below show how the meter-mount brackets should be assembled (for right-hand or left-hand mounting) prior to attaching them to the meter. B Attach transponder base here Transponder A Adjust distance between meter mounting holes using slide screws and slot. TOP Brackets assembled for RIGHT-HAND mounting Attach transponder base here Brackets assembled for LEFT-HAND mounting 1.
VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION CHAPTER 6 2. Connect brackets A and B using the 2 hex-head slide screws. • The screw heads should be on the outside of the slot on bracket A, with their threads started in bracket B holes. • Slightly finger-tighten the screws so that the bracket width can still be adjusted. • The hex screws should be on top—regardless which mounting position you use—when the bracket assembly is connected to the meter. Transponder TOP A B 3.
CHAPTER 6 VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION 5. Secure slide screws into position. • You may be able to finger-tighten these sufficiently, but it is recommended you use either an adjustable wrench or a ths 3/16 English socket to secure the slide. 6. Mount the transponder to meter in desired location. Meter slotted screws • Use the 2 slotted screws previously removed from the meter. • Do not over-tighten screws. 7. Dress pulser cable neatly.
VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION CHAPTER 6 Wall-mount Procedure The wall-mounted VRT RGT can be installed on any flat, vertical surface via the mounting flanges on the transponder’s enclosure. Wall-mount remote VRT gas–meter transponder Phillips-head mounting screws (2) 1. Attach the transponder directly to the desired surface. • Position the transponder with the AMCO Automated Systems logo facing upright. • Use the 2 mounting screws.
CHAPTER 6 VRT REMOTE GAS-METER TRANSPONDER INSTALLATION Therefore, all transponders (even those mated with indexes set at 0000) should be programmed after installation (on meter or wall). When the transponder is programmed, it also automatically sets the tamper flag to “false” or “not tampered,” establishing its normal condition in the transponder’s memory. NOTE: Even transponders factory-installed on meters must be programmed at the time the meter is installed in the field.
APPENDIX Chapter Seven Troubleshooting The following table offers troubleshooting tips for some common transponder conditions. For all other matters, contact AMCO Automated Systems.
APPENDIX Appendix VRT Direct Gas-meter Transponders can be programmed (at the factory or in the field) with values specified by the utility. This Appendix highlights some of the types of data that can be programmed at the factory and the range of selections within each type. For comprehensive discussion of all programmable transponder data, please refer to the applicable interrogator/programmer user guide.
APPENDIX • TOU registers can overlap – for example, TOU 1 can run from 08:00:00 AM until 10:29:59 PM and TOU 2 can run from 10:15:00 AM until 2:29:59 PM. • TOU registers can span midnight – a start time of 08:00:00 PM with a stop time of 01:59:59 AM is valid. The table below shows the TOU time slots that are available.
APPENDIX Daylight Savings Time The transponder can be set to switch between daylight savings time and standard time. To do this, however, the transponder must be told when Daylight Savings Time starts and ends. The table below shows the dates (through the year 2030) when Daylight Savings Time begins and ends. Next Daylight Savings Time Start Date The transponder’s internal clock will automatically switch to daylight savings time on the date represented by the value entered into this field.
APPENDIX Table 2 – Daylight Savings Time Start and End Dates Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 DST Start Date DST End Date 04/07/02 10/27/02 04/06/03 10/26/03 04/04/04 10/31/04 04/03/05 10/30/05 04/02/06 10/29/06 04/01/07 10/28/07 04/06/08 10/26/08 04/05/09 10/25/09 04/04/10 10/31/10 04/03/11 10/30/11 04/01/12 10/28/12 04/07/13 10/27/13 04/06/14 10/26/14 04/05/15 10/25/15 04/03/16 10/30/16 0
