Mueller SYSTEMS LLC Cellnode Mueller Installation Guide

Mueller Cellular Node User
Installation Manual

FCC Information:

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Mueller Systems could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, the antenna used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co- located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

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.

IC Information
Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio transmitter may only operate using an antenna of a type and maximum (or lesser) gain approved for the transmitter by Industry Canada. To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that necessary for successful communication.

This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Introduction

The Mueller Systems Mueller Cellular Node is intended for indoor and outdoor use as an unattended Automatic Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and control device. The Mueller Cellular Node is a fully self-contained and battery- powered device with no user-accessible controls.

The Mueller Cellular Node for Residential Metering (“Mueller Cellular Node”) is a device that incorporates a microcontroller, an LTE MODEM, and a battery (DC power supply) for the purpose of logging and forwarding water meter readings to the Mueller Systems servers. The Mueller Cellular Node comprises 2 primary communication and processing modules, the SIERRA HL7800 LTE MODEM, and the Silicon Labs BlueGecko EFR32BG12. The Mueller Cellular Node provides a direct connection to all Mueller water meters equipped with a Mueller encoder register. The primary function of the Mueller Cellular Node is to provide full, two-way reliable, and secure data communications via the existing cellular networks. The Mueller Cellular Node will also autonomously send messages to the server when various events or alert conditions are detected, such as potential leaks or theft of service.

The meter reading interval is remotely settable. Information retrieved from a water meter is stored temporarily within the Mueller Cellular Node unit’s internal memory. As a default, the Mueller Cellular Node will transmit hourly meter data at a predetermined time once per day, via the cellular network to the Sentryx system host server for analysis and storage. On-demand reads to the Mueller Cellular Node can be requested at any point in time.

The contents of this installation manual are intended for technically qualified personnel of water and energy distribution utilities who have been trained and are technically qualified in local safety procedures for the installation of the device.

Construction

The Mueller Cellular Node product consists of a printed circuit board that is encapsulated to provide complete protection against shock and water intrusion. The enclosure is made of UV stable, high-density thermoplastic and is completely waterproof. The UV stable, thermoplastic housing design provides a compact, waterproof enclosure that is lightweight and easy to handle and install. The Mueller Cellular Node has integral mounting brackets for both pit and wall installations. One D-size lithium battery provides plenty of power for reading the register and sending RF data.

• To protect the AMI device electronics from moisture ingress the design incorporates the use of thermoplastic injection molded housings, rubber seals, a potting compound that completely incases the internal electronics, and a coated circuit board which combine to provide a formidable barrier of protection against water intrusion.
• Internal wire strain relief has been built into the housing to protect the wire connections against damage. Please note that meters or registers should never be carried while supported only by the Mueller Cellular Node transmitter or wiring.
• An LTE PCB antenna is located in the upper housing to provide RF communication.
• A single D cell long-life Lithium battery is located in the lower housing which provides power for register interrogation and data transmission for a calculated battery life of up to 10 years.
• There are no customer serviceable parts inside the Mueller Cellular Node housing. Batteries are not replaceable.
• The electronic design utilizes the latest RF microchip technology which increases reliability when compared to older RF designs.

Installation

Mueller Cellular Node modules support two mounting options, either mounting to a ½” PVC pipe for pit set installations or affixed to the side of a building. Pit set installations require no drilled holes through the lid and are mounted beneath the polymer meter box lid for security and ease of installation on PVC pipe. Surface mounts are easily accomplished with the integral mounting brackets and two screws (not included).

Pit Set Installation

** Please note that meters or registers should never** be carried while supported only by the AMR transmitter or wiring.
Tools Required: Length of ½” PVC pipe for pit depth, hammer

1. PVC pipe should be cut to the proper length and installed deep enough on the floor of each meter box that subsequent flooding will not allow the stake and Mueller Cellular Node to change position. The Mueller Cellular Node includes a ½” female PVC pipe fitting for an easy pit installation.

2. For maximum radio performance, once installed, the top of the transmitter should be located approximately ½” inch below the pit lid in the center of the meter box to maximize RF performance.

3. Once the PVC stake is installed, the Mueller Cellular Node should be pushed down onto the stake by hand until the interference fit engages securely. Two solid stops are molded into the PVC Installation Slot to prevent the wire from being pinched when installed.
   Never hammer Mueller Cellular Node onto the stake since this may result in damage to the electronic components inside the unit.

4. Always mount the Mueller Cellular Node in a vertical orientation, with the antenna compartment on top and the battery compartment on the bottom.

Exterior Wall Mounting

**** Tools required: 1 – 1 1/2 inch galvanized, or stainless wood or sheet metal screws (2 per), Phillips screwdriver

1. The open-ended wire from the device permits routing through interior walls for external wall mounting when required or direct mounting to exposed floor joists above grade level.
2. Mueller Cellular Node can be directly mounted to almost any flat surface by using the holes are shown and common screws in most instances.
3. The vertical orientation of the device is required to maximize RF performance.

Wiring

Tools Required: 3M-2Y connectors, splitting tube, and a 3M Crimping Tool

Table 1. Mueller Cellular Node Meter Interconnect

Verification- Activation [Bluetooth]

The EFR32 Bluetooth subsystem is primarily responsible for one-time device activation and verification. Device activation must be in close proximity of Mobile Bluetooth Hand-Held [<5ft] Device Bluetooth activation is initiated by a magnet swipe located in a pre-determined area on the device.
After magnet swipe, the device initiates Bluetooth communication and is configured in discovery mode. For one-time activation, the Bluetooth Hand-held should be used to verify proper installation and operation. Verify device operates per customer settings and is starting with the default profile.
Bluetooth subsystem is deactivated after verification/activation and the device enters normal mode and supports the profiles based on situational logic.
Bluetooth subsystem will be shut down and non-functional until new activation is initiated by the local magnet swipe.
Please refer to the Bluetooth Mobile Hand-held application manual for more app. details.
Shipping mode — How the device leaves the factory and is shipped to a warehouse or distribution center
Operational mode — device operates per customer settings and is starting with the default profile.

Maintenance

There are no user-serviceable items within a Mueller Cellular Node. The battery is sealed within the module and is not replaceable. No cleaning is required.

Product Labeling

Product and FCC/IC Identification

This label is affixed to the face of the Mueller Cellular Node unit. This allows the installer to easily scan the label with the Bluetooth handheld device during the installation process. This label includes the Date of Manufacture, the Hardware Version, and the Mueller Cellular Node/Serial Number (Node ID) that is used to uniquely address the device and assembled in the USA. The FCC ID is SM6-CELLNODE.

Figure 1. Sample Product Identification Label

IC Information

This AMI transmitter, model Mueller Cellular Node, contains FCC ID: N7NHL78M/
IC:2417C-HL78M, MODEM that operates in LTE bands and is also certified for operation in Canada. The device IC ID is 9235A-CELLNODE. Information pertaining to the certification can be found on the web at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cebbhst.nsf/eng/home.

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