NextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader Installation Guide

June 6, 2024
NextCentury

NextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader

Product Overview

The next century RR4-TR Remote Reader is an advanced meter reading solution that provides a high visibility remote display of one or two utility meters. The Remote Reader is an NTEP certified remote display for water, electric, and gas applications. The Remote Reader has an attractive consumer design, making it an ideal solution for apartment and remote metering. The utility and unit of measure are clearly displayed, ensuring an accurate interpretation of the read. In addition to displaying the meter read, the RR4-TR Remote Reader operates as a wireless transceiver end-point to transmit meter read data to the NextCentury cloud platform. The Remote Reader utilizes Dual Meter+™ technology, making this single model compatible with virtually all modern encoded and pulse-output utility meters, including water, electric, gas, run- time, and thermal meter models.

Technical Specifications

Certifications

FCC: 2AB8I-RR4  NTEP : 20-012

IC: 20949-RR4 IP-Rating: Tested to IP65

Wireless

  • NextCentury two-way Communications Radio
  • 902-928 MHz Unlicensed Band

Dual Meter

  • Any combination of two encoded or pulse-output meters
  • Pulse output configuration capable

Configuration Methods

  • A Cloud-connected GW301 Gateway or a DC301 Direct Connect device (sold separately) is required to change the RR4-TR configuration.
  • Pre-programming is available.

Battery

  • Preinstalled, field-replaceable ER18505
  • Up to *10-year battery life

Note: 10-year average battery life calculated and tested at typical operating temperatures between 70ºF-90ºF. Battery life may be reduced when operated outside of this range.

Dimensions

  • Display unit and mounting plate: 5.7” x 4.6” x 1.7” (145mm x 117mm x 44mm)
  • Mounting holes center-to-center: 3.5” (88.4 mm)
  • Compatible with a standard single gang wall-box

Operation Environment

  • -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F )
  • Should be installed in an indoor, dry environment
  • Outdoor Ratings: (coming soon)

Meter Compatibility

The next century Remote Reader integrates Dual Meter+™ technology, allowing for compatibility with virtually all modern meter outputs.

Pulse Output Meters

  • Passive pulse sensing (including reed switch, solid-state relay, contact relay, open-drain types)
  • Active voltage sensing (max. 16 VDC)

Encoded Output Meters

  • Neptune (Including ProRead, ECoder, and ProCoder register models)
  • Sensus UI-1203 (Includes most meter models from Sensus, Hersey, Mueller, Master Meter, Badger, Kamstrup, Elster, Metron-Farnier, and Zenner)
  • Elster/AMCO K-Frame (Includes most meter models from Elster, AMCO, ABB and Kent)

Packaging Contents

NextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader
fig1

  • RR4-TR Remote Reader
  • Mounting Plate
  • Sheetrock Anchors
  • Wall Mount Screws #6-20
  •  Box Mount Screws #6-32
  •  Wire Security Assembly
  • Security Seal Tabs

In-Field Installation

NextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader
fig2

Detach from Mounting Plate

  • Pull down the security tab, the Remote Reader can then be pulled off the mounting plate.
  • Slide the security tab back to its original position when installation is complete.

DO NOT open the Remote Reader unless replacement of the battery is necessary (approx. every 10 years). It is not necessary to disassemble/open a Remote Reader during installation.

Mounting Plate Installation

  • Hold the mounting plate at the desired height and use the integrated level to straighten.
  • Use a pencil to mark holes for pre-drilling
  • Pre-drill using a 7/32” (5.5mm) drill bit
  • Insert plastic anchors and attach the mounting plate with a PH-1 screwdriver and the two screws (fig. 4-D).

Wall Box (optional)

  • Pass the meter wire(s) through the mounting plate access holes
  • Use a PH-1 screwdriver and the two screws (fig. 4-E) to attach the mounting plate

Meter Wiring

The Remote Reader can be connected to one or two meters. Use Meter 1 (left 3 terminals) and Meter 2 (right 3 terminals) to connect meters to the Remote Reader’s mounting plate.

  • Strip meter wire ends to 3/16” (5 mm)
  • Insert the wire ends into the terminal block and tighten securely using a PH-1 screwdriver

Meter Wiring DiagramNextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader
fig3

Tamper Evident Seal

  • The Security Tab Seal (figure 4-F) or Security Wire Seal (figure 4-G) can be used according to your installation specifications.

Configuration Programming Methods

Cloud Configuration

  • Performed using the NextCentury Website or Mobile App
  • Use this configuration method when a Cloud-connected Gateway and Repeaters have already been installed.NextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader fig4

Direct Connect with DC301 Configuration

  • Performed using the DC301 Direct Connect Programmer (available separately).
  • Use this configuration method when a cloud-connected Gateway is not yet available.
  • May also be used for advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics.

Setting the Configuration

Configuration Changes

  • The RR4-TR is capable of accepting new configuration parameters during any wireless check-in.

Initiating Wireless Check-In

  • A wireless check-in can be initiated when the RR4-TR is snapped onto its mounting plate.
  • Subsequent check-ins can be initiated using a magnet within the magnetic activation zone.

Magnetic Activation ZoneNextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader
fig6

A wireless check-in is initiated when a magnet is moved past the activation zone highlighted in this figure.

LED Indicator

The LED indicator provides feedback to easily check the status of the RR4-TR.NextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader fig7

LCD Display

LCD Display ExampleNextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader
fig8

Meter Display Views

The RR4-TR will rotate through the following views at a 5-10 second interval (as applicable to its configuration).NextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader
fig9

Event Count

The RR4-TR maintains a lifetime count of all configuration change instances. (Example: displays as “Event 0001”.) The event count is displayed every 5th- meter view (see section 8.2).

Alerts

The Remote Reader displays an icon for active alerts. Freeze, leak, and low battery alerts are cleared automatically when the alert condition is no longer true. Tamper alerts must be cleared manually using Direct Connect or via the NextCentury Cloud (see section 6).NextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader
fig10

Radio Signal-Strength

An RF indicator icon will appear immediately after the RR4-TR checks in. This indicator provides quick feedback to a technician of network signal strength. NextCentury RR4-TR Remote Reader fig11

LCD Display

Utility Types

The configured utility type is shown on the bottom left of the display.

  • All Water
  • Cold Water
  • Hot Water
  • Commercial Water
  • Gas
  • Electric
  • Run-Time

Units of Measure

The configured unit of measure is shown on the bottom right of the display.

  • Gallons (water)
  • Liters (water)
  • Cubic Feet (water, gas)
  • Cubic Yards (water, gas)
  • Cubic Meters (water, gas)
  • Kilowatt Hour (electric)
  • Watt Hour (electric)
  • Hours (run-time)
  • Minutes (run-time)
  • Seconds (run-time)

Television and Radio Interference

NOTE: 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. The FCC requires the user to be notified that any changes or modifications made to this device that are not expressly approved by Company Name may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Radiation Exposure Statement

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance 20cm between the radiator & your body.

As per 47 CFR §15.21

The user’s manual or instruction manual for an intentional or unintentional radiator shall caution the user that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. In cases where the manual is provided only in a form other than paper, such as on a computer disk or over the Internet, the information required by this section may be included in the manual in that alternative form, provided the user can reasonably be expected to have the capability to access information in that form.

ID Statement

This radio transmitter (identify the device by certification number) has been approved by Industry Canada to operate with the antenna types listed below with the maximum permissible gain indicated.
Antenna types not included in this list, having a gain greater than the maximum gain indicated for that type, are strictly prohibited for use with this device. Immediately following the above notice, the manufacturer shall provide a list of all antenna types approved for use with the transmitter, indicating the maximum permissible antenna gain (in dB).

User Manual Notice for Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus

User manuals for license-exempt radio apparatus shall contain the following text, or an equivalent notice that shall be displayed in a conspicuous location, either in the user manual or on the
device, or both: This device complies with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s license-exempt RSS. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

ISEDC Radiation Exposure Statement

[English] Radiation Exposure Statement: This equipment complies with the IC RSS-102 radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 cm between the radiator and your body.

Contact Information

For any questions or concerns, please contact NextCentury
Submetering Solutions Product Support:

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

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