RR4-TR Remote Reader FAQ
Roles: Admin, Technician
Last updated: November 2023
Situations that Require a Remote Reader Reset
- Accidental pulses were recorded during installation or maintenance
- Credit Card Payoff battery was replaced
- Meter's reed switch was replaced
- The meter was replaced
- Any other situation where the meter's visual read does not match the read appearing in the NextCentury system
Resetting the Remote Reader will revert its pulse count back to 0. A new IMR is entered, which compensates for the drop in the pulse count.
How to Reset a Remote Reader
The Remote Reader does not have a reset button. The pulse count can be reset using the Direct Connect, or manually by bridging the meter 1 or meter 2 pins
- Remove the Remote Reader from its mounting plate
- With a metal object, bridge the corresponding pins on the back of the Remote Reader
- For meter 1, bridge the first 2 pins from the right
- For meter 2, bridge the first 2 pins from the left
Once the LCD adjusts its reading, this indicates that the pulses have been reset
Note
A reset will not clear the IMR. A new IMR should always be recorded when a Remote Reader is reset. This can be done using the Direct Connect tool in the NCCS App. The IMR (initial meter read) is the meter's exact read at the time the Remote Reader was reset. The IMR should only include whole numbers, decimals are excluded.
The following points apply to the installation and function of a new Remote Reader
- Remote Readers ship in sleep mode to meet shipping requirements. The Remote Reader will wake up once removed from its mounting plate for installation. The Remote Reader cannot return to sleep once woken up.
- Tamper alerts will be inactive for 30 minutes after the Remote Reader is re-attached to its mounting plate for the first time
- Once woken up, Remote Readers will need to be configured using the Direct Connect tool in the NCCS App
- After installing and configuring the Remote Reader, it will then begin to record and display meter reads
Pulse Types
The Remote Reader can read the signals of both "passive" and "active" pulse-output meters. This includes meter models for gas, electric, run time, thermal usage, and water utilities.
Polarity
Meters that have no polarity in their wiring are typically circuit closure type devices. This includes meters that use reed switches or mechanical relays to create the pulse signal. This type of signal is referred to as a "passive pulse" since the meter's pulse mechanism does not generate any electric current. It simply completes a circuit between the two pulse output ports. With this type of output, the voltage to detect the contact closure comes from the Remote Reader.
Some meters emit an "active pulse" which gives off a voltage when they pulse. These types of meters use voltage charge coils, solid-state relays, or digital I/O pin to give off the signal. In this case, one wire is connected to the - ground/common ("-") port of the meter, and the other is connected to the + positive. Because an actual voltage is being emitted in this case, it is important that the common port/wire is connected to the "-" terminal on the NextCentury Remote Reader and the positive wire is connected to the "+" terminal. Some examples of meters that emit this type of "active pulse" are the Hershey 430 water meters and Leviton electric meters.
Encoded
The Remote Reader can interpret signals from most encoded meters. Meters that use Neptune, Sensus, and Elster/AMCO protocols are supported.
Battery Type
The Remote Reader comes with a field-replaceable CR18505 lithium-ion battery. Replacements can be purchased from your distributor
Battery Replacement
The Remote Reader battery is replaceable. To ensure the meter read & usage is recorded correctly, the Remote Reader should be reset after the installation of a new battery and a new IMR recorded.
Battery Life
The Remote Reader has an estimated 10-year battery life, based on normal operating conditions between 70°-90°F. Temperature extremes reduce the battery's capacity and lifespan.
Impedance Threshold During a Pulse
We recommend a closed impedance of fewer than 1k ohms (the closer to 0 ohms the better) and an open impedance of more than 3 MegaOhms.
Maximum Pulse Frequency and Pulse Width
The minimum pulse width required by the NextCentury Remote Reader is 9ms. Meaning that an open impedance of more than 3 MegaOhms must be present for 9ms and then an impedance of fewer than 1k Ohms must be present in order for a pulse to be counted as valid.
In addition to pulse-width specifications, please note that the Remote Reader has a limit on the pulse frequency. A maximum of 8 pulses per second is recorded as valid. Pulses received at a higher frequency will be filtered out as potential false pulses.
Please contact Support if you need help determining whether a specific meter will meet with the specifications
Specification
Value
Closed impedance
<1k ohms
Open impedance
>3 MegaOhms
Minimum pulse width
>9 ms
Maximum pulse frequency
<8 per second
Observed at Any Time
- Single blue blink each time a pulse is recorded from meter 1
- Single purple blink each time a pulse is recorded from meter 2
Observed After Activating Magnetic Sensor or Tamper
- Two green blinks mean that the Remote Reader received a confirmation message from the mobile app when using Direct Connect.
- Eight rapid red blinks mean that the Remote Reader is attempting to communicate with the mobile app when using Direct Connect.