User’s Manual
Neutron3-B+ Remote Pulse Collector
Copyright 2020 - ionSign
www.ionsign.fi
15.6.2020
– v1.4
1 General
Neutron3-B+ is a battery operated remote pulse collector for pulsed
utility meters, e.g. water or gas meters. Pulses are collected auton-
omously, stored locally and sent to the server as set up by the user.
2 Indicator lights
Battery life is managed by only powering up the led indicators;
when the battery is inserted (pulses are not indicated)
when entering the installation mode
when sending the daily data package
Yellow led OFF
Device not configured. See SETTINGS
Yellow led ON
Device has settings and is in operation
Yellow led blinks
Device has settings, communicates to server
Green led OFF
Device is not in a GSM network
Green led ON
Device is in a GSM network
Green led blinks
Device has a poor GSM signal quality
GSM led blinks twice
Device is looking for a GSM network
GSM led blinks
Device is in a GSM network
Red led toggles
Device recorded a pulse from a meter
3 Installation mode
The device receives SMS message commands immediately when
in installation mode. The installation mode is entered by pressing
the button inside the device, or by placing a magnet next to the but-
ton outside of the device enclosure.
4 Commands
The device is controlled with SMS messages sent to the SIM
card’s
number. The message is delivered only at the next scheduled data
transmission, unless installation mode is activated. Except for the
STATUS command, the device doesn’t send replies. In the mes-
sages, commands and parameters are separated by one space
character (
˽
in examples).
SETTINGS
˽<Device identifier>˽<Server address>˽<Server port>˽
<APN>˽<Input
count>˽<Transmission
delay>˽<Server
path>[˽<Step>]
With the SETTINGS command all required parameters for collecting
and sending of pulse data are given and logging starts.
Device identifier
is a unique device ID. Range: 1-1 000 000.
Server address
is the server
’s IP address or a domain name
server name. Maximum length 50 characters.
Server port
is the port number where the server application waits
for transmissions.
APN
is the Access Point Name for the GPRS/3G connection. Your
operator provides this. Maximum length 30 characters.
Input count
is the number of connected meters. Range: 1-3.
Transmission delay
helps to avoid a large number of devices
clogging the server with simultaneous transmissions. Range is 0-
1000 minutes. With value zero (0) the data is sent immediately
when 24 readings have been collected.
Server path
is the path in the server where data is saved. Maxi-
mum length 50 characters.
Step
defines the measurement cycle length, 15, 30 or 60 min. For
legacy server interfaces, may be omitted, defaults to 60.
STEP
˽
<Time>
The measurement cycle set using the SETTINGS command can be
changed with the STEP command. The
Time
parameter defines the
cycle length in minutes. Values 15, 30 or 60.
STATUS
The STATUS command has no parameters. The device replies to it
with an SMS, including the following general information:
Device settings validity: [Yes | No] (If Yes, also device ID)
Data sending to server initialized: [Yes | No]
Most recent device IP connection initialized: [Yes | No]
Most recent TCP/IP connection to server: [Yes | No]
Most recent server reply to device: [No | Success | Error]
GSM operator name
GSM signal strength: [dBm value | Unknown]
Signal strength -113 dBm indicates a value of -113 dBm or less.
Signal strength -51 dBm indicates a value of -51 dBm or greater.
5 Leak Guard Configuration
The device constantly monitors for leaks, using the configured leak
limits. The leak alarm triggers immediately when observed, regard-
less of scheduled data transmission. Leak Guard is not activated by
default, it
’s activated with the command:
LEAKLIMITS
˽<
Channel
>[
˽<
Pulse constant
>]
Channel
is the measurement channel to be configured, 1, 2 or 3.
Pulse constant
of the meter, in pulses/litre. Zero value,
”0” inac-
tivates the Leak Guard. If omitted, current settings are returned.
Limits may be changed with the below command. Prior to change,
it
’s a good idea to query the current settings with LEAKLIMITS˽
<
Channel
>. All parameters need to be given, also the unchanged.
LEAKLIMITS
˽<
Channel
>
˽<
Pulse constant
>
˽<
Flow-1
>
˽<
Flow-2
>
˽
<
Flow-3
>
˽<
Flow-4
>
˽<
Span-1
>
˽<
Span-2
>
˽<
Span-3
>
˽<
Span-4
>
Flow-
1…4
flow limit for leak guards 1-4.
Span-
1…4
minimum duration of this flow as pulses before alarm.
6 Failure recovery
For GSM network failures, the device has a built-in local buffer for
keeping collected data stored for later transmission. The buffer ca-
pacity is 3 years for hourly data, 18 months for half-hourly data and
9 months for quarterly data, for each channel. When the GSM net-
work resumes service, all buffered data is sent to the server without
any need for user intervention. If the GSM signal strength is weak
and the device often needs to buffer data, battery life will be shorter
than expected.
7 Neutron3-B+ technical specifications
Inputs: 3 inputs for pulses.
Replaceable battery.
o
One C cell Li battery: 3,6V 6Ah min 1500mA peak. Compatible
types e.g. SAFT LSH14, ULTRALIFE ER26500M and EVE
ER26500M. Expected battery life 10 years.
o
Two C cell LR 14 alkaline 1,5V batteries. Expected battery life
6 years.
Real-time clock.
Size: WxHxD 145x90x55 mm (flanged PC plastic enclosure).
Protection class: IP43.
Operating temperature: -25 °C...+55 °C.
RH: 5 % - 95 % non-condensing.
Data communication: Integrated 3G/GSM/GPRS module. Con-
forming the following directives and standards:
-
R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC (Radio & Telecommunications Ter-
minal Equipment)
-
Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC, Product Safety Directive
89/336/EEC
-
GSM (Radio Spectrum): EN301 511, 3GPP 51.010-1
-
EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility): EN301 489-1, EN301
489-7
-
LVD (Low Voltage Directive): EN 60 950
Antenna: internal, SMA connector.
8 Warranty
ionSign grants a warranty of two (2) years for all delivered devices and software ser-
vices. The warranty starts on the date of the delivery and it covers material and man-
ufacturing defects. The warranty does not cover defects caused by improper use or
installation nor does it cover defects caused by factors out of ionSign’s control. These
would be for instance grid malfunction or service changes of network operators
’ ser-
vices. ionSign delivers a new device to replace the defected one, without cost. Alter-
natively, ionSign may repair the defected device. The defected device must be re-
turned to ionSign, if required, at ionSign’s cost. The warranty does not cover disman-
tling, installation, and introduction costs and the like. ionSign warrants that the pro-
vided software essentially manage with their designed tasks, at the time of delivery.
All significant software defects are covered by the warranty. The defects will be re-
solved without unnecessary delay. The resolution may be an instruction to circum-
vent the defect. If the delivery includes third party products or services, these are only
covered by the applicable warranty provided by that third party. Title to the delivered
goods transfers to the client, when the invoiced price is paid in full. All immaterial
rights related to devices and services remain the property of ionSign. If the service
was a design assignment, the client assumes the right to use and further develop the
assignment res
ults. ionSign is eligible to use the client’s name as a reference in its
marketing. ionSign is not eligible to disclose the order details without prior consent.
In case of a force majeure, preventing to act according to the purchase agreement,
the affected party will start immediate negotiations to assess the effects of the obsta-
cle on the scope and schedule of the purchase agreement. ionSign appropriately
backs up client’s data residing on its servers. In spite of this, ionSign assumes no
responsibility of possible damage due to loss of data. ionSign assumes no responsi-
bility of direct or indirect damage to property or people, nor work or travel expenses,
caused by using its services or devices, unless due to gross negligence. ionSign’s
financial liability is always limited to the value of the delivered goods and services,
unless otherwise inflicted by the Finnish law.
Limit factory settings Flow, l/h
Span, pulses
1. Seeping leak
1
10
2. Dripping leak
10
100
3. Flowing leak
200
400
4. Burst leak
2000
50
ionSign Oy
P.O. Box 246 | Paananvahe 4 | FI-26100
Rauma | Finland | t. +358 2 822 0097
[email protected] | ionsign.fi | VAT FI21174499
