What is a Gateway System Such as Your Next Century’s Submetering System?
It is a Remote Water Metering system that includes a central communication hub called a Gateway that collects data, via transceivers, from individual water meters installed at a property. The Gateway functions as the data communication bridge that sends that data to the Next Century cloud platform where a property owner can generate reports, address alerts, evaluate leaks and generally manage water use for the property. This system is also compatible with gas and electric pulse meters.
What is a Transceiver?
A Transceiver is a small battery-operated device attached to (or less often built into) water meters. Transceivers periodically transmit consumption data, readings, and device statuses using low-power radio frequency (like a Walkie Talkie). It's important to evaluate if the radio frequency from each transceiver will reach the Gateway where each is installed.
How Does the Remote Water Metering Systems Gateway Transmit Data?
Data is transmitted in 3 ways:
- Customer provides Wi-Fi to allow network access.
- Hardwired Router connected to the Gateway with the included Ethernet cable.
- The cellular method utilizing the included antenna.
*For this service, there is an additional fee which averages $35/month (billed $420 annually). If T-Mobile or AT&T are available in your area, cellular data transmission can be utilized.
What Property Types are Ideal for Submetering Systems?
Strip Malls, Apartment/Condo Buildings, and Hotels are ideal for submetering systems. The system will work well for smaller properties, like duplexes, but if this system isn’t in the budget, the Bluebot should be considered as an alternative.
When Should You Seek Assistance from Our Sales Technicians?
When your property scenario is:
- An expansive community/building over 10+ acres
- A large indoor mall
- A resort
- A mobile home park
- A building containing metal construction that can block wireless signals.
Variables exist within every property, especially these. The more details you provide, the greater chance we can customize the right system for you! Begin by inputting your property details into our Quote Form!
What Is the Benefit of Using Our Remote Water Metering Systems?
Remote Water Metering Systems remove the need for manual meter readings and ensure usage data is sent accurately and efficiently. Once the data has been reported to the gateway system, check-in times of readings can be viewed; this happens typically every 10 or 15 minutes. This can be helpful, particularly when a property owner is trying to troubleshoot a problem or explain to a tenant when water is being used.
Reading your Next Century water meter online or on your phone is simple once your meter is installed and connected correctly. With data at your fingertips, you can monitor consumption, prevent water waste, and make informed decisions about your usage.
By leveraging the cloud platform and mobile tools, staying on top of your water consumption has never been easier.
Will My Next Century Usage Report Match My Utility Meter Exactly?
While the Next Century System is very accurate when installed and programmed correctly, all water meters can report up to a +/-3% discrepancy. For example, if the city has a 2” meter going into a large property, it might only be accurate starting at 2 gallons/minute and a property with several ¾” meters might be accurate starting at 0.25 gallons per minute. Therefore, the ¾” meters may capture, more accurately, the lower flows. Additionally, utility readings can be taken at different times of the day producing varying results.
The Next Century System Is Compatible with Pulse and Encoded Water Meters. What’s the Difference?
- Pulse meters work by having 2 magnets make a connection regularly. Common pulse rates are 1 pulse/gallon, 1 pulse/10 gallons or 1 pulse/1 cubic foot or 10 pulses/Cubic feet. The magnetic pulse is then sent through the wire connected to the meter to the transceiver and the electronic components then tally these pulses. When using Pulse meters, if there is any chance of back flow between the meters, we highly recommend a check valve at each meter. Back flow can create inaccurate readings with pulse meters and check valves are an easy solution.
- Encoded meters utilize a transceiver that requests readings periodically. This functions without counting pulses or requiring a check valve. They often require a battery to be changed every 5 years, but the data will always match perfectly between your meter and Next Century Gateway system.
For accurate readings, it is important that your gateway system is programmed to the appropriate type of meter it will be connected to.
What is a Water Metering Signal Repeater?
Our Repeater- NCRE4 is a device that extends the wireless range of data transmissions from water meters to the Gateway in large buildings or expansive properties to allow data collection for billing and management systems. It requires an outlet for power and is not weatherproof. It is common for large properties to need multiple repeaters to assist with data communication. Our general rule of thumb is 1 repeater for every 10-12 transceivers. However, if 100 transceivers are contained in the same vicinity as a Gateway, a repeater likely will not be needed.
What Are Some Great Features of Your Next Century Submetering System?
The Next Century Submetering System offers a helpful Mobile Ap for set-up with a web portal that offers property managers comprehensive access to utility data and useful management tools. Key features include Custom Reporting & Alerts, Cloud-based Data Storage, and Multiple User Set-up with Various Roles and Access. It also holds historical data for 6 months!
What Are Common Errors When Installing a Next Century System?
The two most Common mistakes when installing a Next Century submetering system include incorrect wiring and poor placement of wireless equipment. Proper installation is critical for accurate billing and system reliability:
- Wiring - Each Next Century transceiver includes clearly labeled wiring diagrams and comprehensive user manuals containing installation instructions. Following these instructions is critical to ensure successful set up.
- Repeater Location - For optimal equipment performance, we recommend performing a Repeater Placement Test:
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- Plug in Gateway at desired location; connect to Wi-Fi/router/Cellular.
- Take Transceiver to each planned spot.
- Indoor: Tap red button inside unit.
- Outdoor: Swipe magnet on right side.
- Green blink = good, Red = weak.
- Add a Repeater between weak spots and retest (Tip: Clear line of sight and higher placement improve signal range.)
The Next Century Remote Reading system is an incredibly useful tool for property owners and managers who want to take control of their water usage. It is user friendly and is meant to be installed and managed by the customer, providing a tool to assist in determining how to bill their tenants accurately and fairly.
To ensure that our customers have the most success with the products we sell, the specialists at Flows.com are happy to provide resources to assist in the implementation of submetering system.
You may order online or contact our friendly and knowledgeable sales team at 855-457-5933. They are available Monday-Friday between 8:30AM EST and 5:00PM EST.