ABB has added GSM-SMS technology to its AquaMaster electronic water meters, enabling up-to-date information to be remotely collected from anywhere around the world. Providing immediate access to a host of flow data, GSM-enabled AquaMasters can eliminate the time, cost and potential errors traditionally associated with the manual collection of flowmeter information.
Using the same technology as a mobile telephone, ABB’s AquaMaster flowmeters can now be contacted using a PC or laptop or through a mobile telephone via SMS messaging.
Via a GSM link to their PC or laptop, users will have full access to the AquaMaster’s three integral data loggers, two of which collect data on flow and pressure, with the third providing daily flow totalisation. Data can be downloaded from the flow and pressure loggers, based on both a 15 minute and a high resolution one minute sample rate, to provide a range of information which can be used to pinpoint supply fluctuations and identify potential problems vital to water company leakage teams.
As well as downloading information, operators can also remotely reconfigure and maintain their AquaMaster units online. This makes it possible to change the configuration, read the flowmeter totals or carry out diagnostic tests without the time and cost of despatching an engineer or meter reader to carry out the work on site.
Using SMS text messaging, operators can request updates on current flowmeter status simply by sending a text message to the AquaMaster’s ‘telephone’ number. Via this medium, operators can request and receive data on any of the meter parameters including flow rate, pressure, total water consumption, alarms and tariff totals.
Information on battery status can also be collected where battery-powered AquaMaster units are being used. Users can elect to receive this information either on demand or automatically to an adjustable schedule.
Using simple SMS Gateway solutions, the automated SMS meter readings can also be received, decoded and exported to an existing billing application or database to provide real-time usage information. In addition, users can now remotely configure their AquaMaster flowmeters just by sending an SMS message with the specific parameters they want to change.
The integration of logger, GSM-SMS equipment into the AquaMaster has an additional benefit to leakage teams seeking accurate night line information as it eliminates quantisation errors caused by counting from traditional pulses on discrete electronic or mechanical type meters. The AquaMaster’s integral logger takes the flow rate data directly from the precise true flow rate measurement section of the flow meter and feeds this to the GSM-SMS section for wireless transmission.
The GSM option is available for both the mains and battery powered versions of the AquaMaster. When the unit is powered from an AC supply, the GSM module is constantly powered. To conserve energy, the battery powered AquaMaster uses its display unit’s internal clock/calendar to control a programmed schedule, which ensures that the GSM module is only operational at certain times.
The addition of GSM-SMS technology, together with the availability of mains-independent battery powered units and integral data loggers, makes ABB’s AquaMaster an ideal choice for flowmetering in remote locations.