User's Guide

IL42-4036B May 2011

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.