General
Areas with less than 2 hours of sunlight per day for significant periods of time (for example: Alaska,
northern Canada, etc.) are not suitable locations for the EA_Repeater with the solar power option.
For information regarding solar insolation, visit the following Web sites:
• Within the United States, see the National Renewable Energy Laboratory at
http://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html
• Within Canada, see Natural Resources Canada:
https://glfc.cfsnet.nfis.org/mapserver/pv/index_e.php (English)
https://glfc.cfsnet.nfis.org/mapserver/pv/index_f.php (français)
In less densely populated areas, the range ofa gatekeeper’s EA_LAN can be extended by deploying a
repeating device called the EA_Repeater. EA_Repeaters enhance network performance with two-way
communications in rural or remote areas where EnergyAxis-enabled electricity meters are not
sufficiently dense to support reliable mesh network communications. The EA_Repeater can also be
used to create the EA_LAN for water-only or gas-only utilities or utility service areas.
There are two versions of the EA_Repeater. Both versions use a NEMA 4X rated polycarbonate
enclosure that provides different installation options. If the antenna needs to be elevated to increase
communications distances, version 2 offers the ability to add a remote external antenna.
• Figure 1 shows the approximate dimensions of version 1
• Figure 2 shows the approximate dimensions of version 2
• Figure 3 shows the approximate dimensions of the solar panel
Before installing the EA_Repeater (version 2), you must tear off the foam cubes located inside the
surface of the enclosure door. Failure to remove the foam cubes may result in allowing moisture and
dust to enter the enclosure. See “Removing the foam cubes” on page 3 for more information.
Solar EA_Repeater installation instructions
IL42-5020B