the EXACT Meter ID number to be recorded consistently in the billing software for every
meter. This number can be found on Sensus AMR registers on a paper label on the side
of the register. Also, Touch Reading or RadioReading the register will display the Meter ID
in the following format: "B31120293." In this string, only the numeric characters should
be included when recording the Meter ID in the billing software. The "B" at the beginning
of the string is actually the Meter Type field, which is explained below. Different meter
manufacturers will display different Meter Types when read electronically with Sensus meter
reading devices. Also, it is important to include any leading zeros with the string if they
exist on the label, or are displayed when reading the register electronically. For example: if
the meter is Touch Read and displays a string of "P0000232434," the "P" should not be
included in the Meter ID field, but the leading zeros should be. The Meter ID field for this
meter should be recorded as "0000232434" and the Meter Type field should be recorded as
"P."
Why all of the emphasis on the Meter ID number? All of the Sensus AMR systems collect
the same data from a meter. Whenever a meter reading is retrieved by any of the systems,
the Meter ID number is collected along with the reading. These two pieces of information
are stored together. This is how the system "knows" which meter the reading came from.
Consider what would happen if two meters in the field had the same Meter ID number. The
reading device would not "know" which Account to assign the reading to. For example, the
Sensus HHD do not require the meter reader to be at the correct page in the HHD when
performing a TouchRead. This is a great benefit to the meter reader since he or she can
read the route in any order they wish. When the operator performs a TouchRead on a meter
with the HHD, the Meter ID number and reading are collected as a pair by the Touch Gun
and then are sent to the HHD itself. The HHD then compares the Meter ID number to the
one for the current page that is displayed on the HHD. If the number matches, it applies
the reading to that page in the HHD. If the Meter ID number does not match the one on
the displayed page on the HHD, it will search the ENTIRE HHD for a matching Meter ID. If it
finds a match, it will place the reading with the proper account.
If two accounts listed the same Meter ID number, the HHD would not "know" which account
to place the reading with. It is for this reason that the AutoRead program is designed to set
aside any accounts with duplicate Meter IDs before the HHD is loaded. AutoRead keeps
the first account with a certain Meter ID number, and then sets aside any following accounts
that have the same number.
If an account has no Meter ID at all, AutoRead will set aside these accounts as Route
Exceptions. AutoRead is designed to require a Meter ID for EVERY meter, regardless of if it
is read manually, via TouchRead, RadioRead or PhonRead. If a meter does not have AMR
capability and is read manually, it still must have a Meter ID number if it is to be read with the
Sensus AMR system. Any UNIQUE number is acceptable. The Account Number is often a
convenient number to use in place of a Meter ID number because it is readily available and
is usually a unique number.
2. Meter Type
The Meter Type is a single letter reference code that denotes what type of meter it is. This
letter will allow AutoRead and the HHD to determine the manufacturer of the meter, and
whether or not the meter has electronic reading (AMR) capability. For example, with the
Sensus AMR system, any meter that is read manually should be given a Meter Type of "M."
When the meter page on the HHD appears for that meter, the meter reader is prompted to
perform a Manual reading and will not waste time trying to read the meter electronically.
For Sensus meters, any meter to be read electronically via TouchRead, RadioRead or
PhonRead will have a Meter Type code of "B." This alerts the system to the fact that the
meter has electronic capability (has an ECR). In fact, when any of the Sensus meters are
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