User's Manual

IL42-4036A April 2010
2
Location of antennas
See Figure 1 for the location of the Wireless WIC internal antenna. If the A3 ALPHA meter is serving as an
EA_Gatekeeper, then the A3 ALPHA meter has two antennas: the Wireless WIC internal antenna is in the upper
position and the EA_LAN internal antenna is in the lower position.
The Wireless WIC internal antenna and the EA_LAN antenna (if present) are fix-mounted to the periphery of the
A3 ALPHA meter’s electronic housing. The Wireless WIC antenna and the EA_LAN antenna (if present) are not
adjustable or removable.
Alternatively, A3 ALPHA meters may be ordered with an external WIC antenna. With this option, the meter is shipped
with an RF “pigtail” output cable which allows connection to a dual-band cellular antenna external to the meter. This is
advantageous in locations with lower cellular signal strength. Also, certain Wireless WIC configurations (for example,
GSM GPRS) are presently only available with an external WIC antenna.
See Figure 2 for the recommended location of the Wireless WIC external antenna. Elster recommends mounting the
external Wireless WIC cellular antenna on the top of the meter socket box as shown, centered in the available space
on the meter box’s top surface.
■ Drill and/or punch the specified antenna mounting hole in the top of the meter socket box and install the
antenna using the antenna manufacturer’s instructions.
■ Connect the meter's RF “pigtail” output cable directly to the antenna via its integral N-type connector. The
Wireless WIC antenna output cable may be ordered in two lengths: 19 or 36 inches. Choose the length based
on the distance from the meter to the Wireless WIC external antenna, which is in turn determined by the size
of the meter socket box.
NOTICE
Please note that external cellular antennas must be purchased separately, either from Elster or a third party, from a list
of approved antennas. Please ask your Elster Sales Representative for the current list of approved external cellular
antennas.
WARNING
!
Use approved utility safety procedures while installing the external antenna and meter RF output cable in the
meter socket box. Dangerous voltages may be present. Assure that there is sufficient clearance between any
line-energized socket part and the exposed metal of the antenna connectors. Also assure that the external
antenna is electrically bonded to the meter socket box. Failing to follow approved utility safety procedures,
failing to allow sufficient clearance, or failing to electrically bond the external antenna to the meter socket box
may result in equipment damage, personal injury, or death.