Troubleshooting and Tech Support
1.) Use shielded 4 twisted pair control cable between the PRT-16 Base Unit and the PRNT-1600
Transmitter/Antenna unit, as well as between the PRR-16 Base Unit and the PRNR-1600
Receiver/Antenna unit. Solid State Instruments’ part number 0715-1050 is an 8-conductor (4
twisted pairs) #24AWG shielded control cable sold by the foot. This cable is not UV rated so
must be enclosed in seal-tight, liquid-tight or other non-metallic conduit. You can acquire your
own twisted pair cable but insure a high-quality communications cable with four #24 stranded
conductor pairs. Do not use solid conductor wire, especially thermostat wire. Do not use any
heavier wire than #22 AWG since there is limited space and it will be difficult to work with.
2.) Make sure that the transmission path between the Transmitter and the Receiver is free of ANY
obstacles or anything that can interrupt the radio transmission line-of-sight path between the
transmitter and receiver. The Transmitter or Receiver Radio/Antenna units MUST be in
continuous sight of each other – no interruptions from cars, trucks, railcars, trees, light poles,
metal buildings, ANYTHING!
3.) Mount the Transmitter or Receiver Radio/Antenna units as high up off the ground as
reasonably possible to prevent RF reflections from the ground. This will increase range and
reliability, and also allow for certain obstacles to be avoided. Do not mount the Transmitter
Radio/Antenna unit next to high voltage powerlines.
4.) Program the pulse constant (Ke value) of the electric meter high enough to allow for a pulse
rate that will not exceed 2 pulses per second at maximum KW demand. This is well below the
system’s maximum pulse throughput rate but insures excellent reliability. NOTE: the PRL-
1600 system does not change or modify the pulse values in any way. The pulse value is
completely determined by the Ke value of the meter and the metering installation multiplier,
which is based on Current Transformer (CT) and Potential Transformer (PT) ratios. Some
meters are different and the programming of the pulse constant may vary from meter brand to
meter brand.
5.) In extremely heavy rain or snow, the system may not be able to accurately receive all pulses
transmitted. Like any other RF system, with enough interference, communications can be lost.
6.) RED System Status LED Light - The PRT-16 and PRR-16 Base Unit boards have Status
LEDs to help the installer determine whether the system is operating correctly. Please see the
tables on the Page 20:
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