Local and Remote Digital Displays Make Water Meter Reading Easy

Every day, we get calls from homeowners, plumbers, and building or property managers looking for the easiest way to monitor their own water consumption or the water consumption of tenants in each unit. This task can be time consuming and inconvenient for many reasons, and it typically happens on a recurring basis, either weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Simplifying this task will save time and frustration each time the meter needs to be read. Fortunately, doing so is quite easy and inexpensive.

Sometimes these customers are working with existing meters; other times, they’re starting from scratch. Either way, the solution is the same: Adding a digital display to the water meter. These displays can be local (right at the meter) or remote (located away from the meter). They can also be installed indoors or outdoors. Installation is so simple that anyone can do it in a few minutes. The only requirement is that the meter is equipped to provide a pulse output. Our best selling WM-PC and WM-NLC water sub-meters from Assured Automation come standard with this ability, and many other makes and models do as well.

These digital displays, often referred to as pulse counters, are connected to the meter with a simple 2-wire cable. One end attaches to the digital display, and the other has a switch that connects to the meter. For a detailed explanation of how Pulse Output works, see this article by Assured Automation.

Local Displays Simplify Reading the Meter in 3 Ways:

Consolidated Reading

Local displays convert the multiple dials on the meter face into a single, easy-to-read number. This saves time and ensures accuracy.

Improved Accessibility

Displays can be mounted in more convenient and visible locations, eliminating the need to crawl, stretch, or maneuver into tight spaces. Backlit displays are available for dark areas.

Reset Functionality

Some digital displays include a reset button to quickly calculate usage for a specific period without needing the previous reading. These buttons can be disabled or controlled via keyed locks—ideal for landlords to prevent fradudulent resets and for homeowners to prevent accidental resets by curious kids. Even if reset, the original meter will always retain the grand "lifetime" total.

Remote Displays Add Even More Convenience

Remote displays offer the same benefits as local displays with the added flexibility of being installed far from the meter. You can run the connecting wire through walls, ceilings, or floors to place the display wherever it's most accessible—perfect for situations where the sub-meter is in a tenant’s private space. This allows readings without disturbing residents or coordinating visits. Wireless and internet-connected options are also available for even greater convenience.

Advanced Options for Multi-Unit Properties

For apartments and multi-unit buildings, there are multi-display boxes that support several meters at once. Advanced wireless systems are also available that transmit meter data to an online dashboard or mobile app.

Ready to Simplify Your Water Meter Reading?

You’ll thank yourself every time you check your meter. Here’s how to get started:

Verify Pulse Output Compatibility
- Your meter must support pulse output. Look for a wire from the register or a small magnet on a dial. If unsure, email a photo to [email protected], and we’ll help you confirm compatibility.
Choose the Appropriate Display Type
- If your meter has a wire from the register: Simply connect the pulse counter to the wire.
- If your meter has a magnetic dial: Install a pulse output switch above the dial and connect the display to the resulting wire.
Select the Right Digital Pulse Counter

We offer a few options:

NCRR4 Get More Info or Buy Now

NextCentury Digital Water Meter Display
Transmits and displays readings for up to two meters
Compact, user-friendly design, with clearly utility and unit labels
Compatible with all Flows.com pulse-output meters and most modern encoded utility meters (water, electric, gas, runtime, and thermal)

NCRR4-TR Get More Info or Buy Now

NextCentury Tranceiver + Digital Display
Reads and displays up to two meters with high visibility
Sleek, consumer-friendly design
Dual Meter+™ tech supports most encoded and pulse-output meters (water, electric, gas, thermal).
Wirelessly transmits data to the NextCentury cloud platform

KAL-D06 Get More Info or Buy Now