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Sensus AR5000 User Manual

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Sensus AR5000
User's Guide
Models AR5001 & AR5002

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Summary of Contents for Sensus AR5000

  • Page 1 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide Models AR5001 & AR5002...
  • Page 2 Refer to separate Sensus warranty documents for product warranty coverage and specifics. Sensus Metering Systems, 8601 Six Forks Road – Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27615. 919-845-4000. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits FCC notice for Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Configuring the AR5000 ........
  • Page 4 Review Route Statistics ........3-23 Review Previous Transactions ......3-25 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 5: About The Ar5000

    About the AR5000 The AR5000 is the latest hand-held data collection device from Sensus Metering Systems. This system provides a wide range of options for collecting information and simplifies many of the functions associated with reading utility meters. Use the information in this document as a reference for the basic features and setup options available in the AR5000.
  • Page 6 Chapter 1: About the AR5000 Office staff add route information into the AR5000 and extract your meter readings and notes from it by connecting it to a PC via a communication stand. The stand also charges the battery, which should last through your shift.

  • Page 7: Device Care & Handling

    Do not submerge the unit for extended periods. If your AR5000 is going to be used in an environment where it will be regularly exposed to substances such as oil or tar that require stronger cleaning supplies, check with Sensus Customer Support for a list of approved cleaning chemicals that will not damage the case or seals on the AR5000.

  • Page 8: Use The Hand-Held Device

    The batteries are designed to keep the unit operating for more than enough time to complete an average work shift. Typically, you can use the AR5000 for a shift and then place the unit into the charging stand with the power...

  • Page 9: About The Key Controls / Functions

    About the Key Controls / Functions The Function keys on the AR5000 can be defined and used as AR5000 Keypad & Display shortcuts to many of the functions that you use frequently for adjusting configuration settings and viewing information.
  • Page 10 Chapter 1: About the AR5000 Mark Locations easily go back to it later (see page 2-20). • F5 - Transaction History - Use this function key to display the transaction history of meter readings collected on the route from the beginning of the route to the most current...

  • Page 11: About The Meter Display

    Use the Hand-Held Device The remaining keys on the AR5000 keypad work in much the same way as a standard typewriter keyboard. You can use these keys to enter alpha/numeric information or to navigate around the screens and menus as described in the various sections of this guide.

  • Page 12: How To Carry & Hold The Ar5000

    Straps on the AR5000 to the attachment points at the top and bottom of the AR5000. Use the clips on the end of each strap to connect to the device, as shown in the illustration. When you are carrying the AR5000 with the shoulder strap, you do not need to hold the device in your hands while walking.

  • Page 13: Configuring The Ar5000

    Device (SmartGun/AutoGun) If you are going to use a TouchRead gun to collect meter data, then you need to link that gun with the AR5000. Linking enables the AR5000 to receive readings from the gun. Typically, this link is already established when you pick-up the...
  • Page 14 Chapter 1: About the AR5000 equipment at the start of the shift. However, you should always verify that the gun and the AR5000 are linked. If they are not, you need to perform the following procedure. To link a TouchRead device...

  • Page 15: Change The Display Font & Size

    Change the Display Font & Size Some users need to view large numbers and letters on the AR5000 screen. Other users prefer the text on the display to be smaller. You can adjust the appearance of the characters (display font) or the size of the on-screen text.
  • Page 16 Chapter 1: About the AR5000 • While you are working on a route, press the F6 key. The system displays the Configuration Menu Note F6 is the default key assignment for the Configuration menu. Key assignments can be changed. For more information, see About the Key Controls/Functions.

  • Page 17: Adjust The Display

    Adjust the Display Users carry the AR5000 into many different types of environments. This means that the users are operating the unit under many different lighting conditions. You can switch the screen backlight on/off to enhance visibility in dark conditions.

  • Page 18: View The Battery Status

    View the Battery Status Before you take the AR5000 into the field, check to verify that the battery is charged. If you run the system on long routes or for more than 8 hours in a day, you may also want to check the battery during the day to verify that it is carrying enough charge to complete your work.

  • Page 19: View The Current Hhd Id & User

    1-22. View the Current HHD ID & User The office staff can setup an ID number for each AR5000 hand-held device (HHD). They also can assign an ID for the operator (user) that is assigned to a specific HHD.

  • Page 20: View The Date & Time

    IDs. View the Date & Time The AR5000 puts a date and time stamp on every data entry you make. Before you pickup the device to begin reading, the date and time are set automatically each time the device is connected to a PC using the Communication Stand.
  • Page 21 Date and Time Screen The system displays the Date and Time screen. Once you finish, press the Esc key until you return to the screen that you were viewing before checking the date and time. 1-17 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...

  • Page 22: Set Up & Use The Communication Stand

    - AC power, PC communication, and communication to another stand. Once you have setup and successfully connected the communication stand(s), you only need to place the AR5000 into the stand to have it 1–18 Sensus Metering Systems...
  • Page 23 For each additional 25 stands, you need one additional AC power cable to connect to the wall socket. Connect the cables. Connect the signal cables between the first stand and the PC. 1-19 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...

  • Page 24: Mount The Stand

    Transfer the hole pattern from the back of the stand to the desired location on the wall. Drill and anchor screws sufficient to support the weight of the stand and the AR5000, along with the stress of placing/removing the device. Connect the...

  • Page 25: Place The Ar5000 In The Stand

    Set Up & Use the Communication Stand Place the AR5000 in the Stand Once you have setup the communication stand, you can place the AR5000 into the stand to begin charging (see Charge the AR5000 on page 1-22). The office staff performs all of the data transfer and file synchronization between shifts.

  • Page 26: Charge The Ar5000

    AR5000 battery. Charge the AR5000 using the Wall Charger • on page 1-24 - Use a wall charger if you need to charge the AR5000 when the stand is not available. Battery Maintenance •...
  • Page 27 AR5000 battery. • Charging HandHeld - The second LED from the top is red. This LED is lit when the AR5000 battery is charging. • Charging AutoGun - The third LED from the top is red. This LED is lit when the AutoGun battery is charging.

  • Page 28: Charge The Ar5000 Using The Wall Charger

    Chapter 1: About the AR5000 Charge the AR5000 using the Wall Charger If you need to charge the AR5000 when the stand is not available, you can use a Sensus-approved wall charger that plugs into a standard AC outlet to charge the device.
  • Page 29 1-14). Warning Never use any charging device other than the approved Sensus charging equipment with the AR5000. The use of any other charging device may cause damage to the AR5000 and will automatically void any warranties. A battery can withstand many cycles of charging and use.
  • Page 30 Slide the two latches down to lock the lid in place. Place the AR5000 into the charging stand. When you place the AR5000 into the charging stand, the New Battery Detected Screen system displays the New Battery Detected Screen.

  • Page 31: Contact Customer Support

    Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Call 1-800-METER IT (638-3748) and select Option 2. • E-mail Support - If you are trying to reach Sensus Customer Support after regular business hours, you can E- mail your questions to amr.support@sensus.com.
  • Page 32 Chapter 1: About the AR5000 1–28 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 33: Collect Meter Data

    Collect Meter Data This chapter describes how to use the AR5000 to collect data in the field. Use the instructions in this section to set up routes, enter information into the AR5000, and resolve any conflicts between the stored routes.

  • Page 34: Start Collecting Data

    About Meter Read Behaviors information, see on page 2-8. Once the office staff has setup the AR5000 with the route and configuration information, you can use the information in this section to start collecting data. You need to select a route and you have the option of changing some system behaviors.

  • Page 35: Select A Route

    Select A Route Before you can begin collecting information, you need to select one of the routes stored in the AR5000. The office staff typically programs route information and loads that information into the AR5000. Each route in the AR5000 is labeled with a unique name.

  • Page 36: Alter Route Behaviors

    You can begin entering data. For more information on entering data into the Enter Data AR5000, see the on page 2-14 section. Alter Route Behaviors You can change several settings that affect how the system responds during a route.
  • Page 37 To alter the route behaviors... Startup Screen Open the Configuration menu. • If you have just removed the AR5000 from the charging stand, the system automatically displays a startup screen. Use the PgUp/PgDn key to highlight Configuration on the Startup Screen and press the Enter key.
  • Page 38 Press the Esc key when you finish setting your preferences on the Reading Management screen. The system returns to the Configuration menu. Press the Esc key again to exit the Configuration menu. 2–6 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 39: Manage Reading Scenarios

    ID that is not included anywhere in the stored route. Resolve Reading Malfunctions and Bad Reads • page 2-12 - What to do if the AR5000 encounters reading errors (ex.: malfunctions or no-read messages). Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...

  • Page 40: About Meter Read Behaviors

    Answer Questions information, see on page 2-21. • AR5000 Configuration Settings - The office staff can set several AR5000 parameters that will affect the way that the equipment will react in certain scenarios. By the time you are ready to pick up a hand-held unit from...

  • Page 41: Resolve Readings That Don't Match The Displayed Location

    During the course of reading a route, you can encounter a mismatch between the actual ID on a meter and the meter ID displayed on the AR5000 screen. To resolve this type of mismatch, you can apply the reading to the current location or search the route for the ID.

  • Page 42: Resolve A Non-Route Meter

    Chapter 2: Collect Meter Data To resolve a mismatch... Read a meter with the TouchRead or RadioRead system. If the AR5000 detects a mismatch, the system either prompts you for action or automatically stores the reading into memory, depending on the configuration settings. For...
  • Page 43 Manage Reading Scenarios the AR5000 cannot find the ID, you can search the route for the meter ID or apply the reading to the current location. Note This error only occurs with TouchRead or RadioRead systems. For more information, see...

  • Page 44: Resolve Reading Malfunctions And Bad Reads

    Bad Reads During the course of reading a route, you may encounter errors when the AR5000 captures partial data. This can include errors in the meter ID or errors reading the data from the meter. When the system encounters a bad read, you can re-read the meter ID or you can manually enter the read for the current location.
  • Page 45 For more information, see About the Key Controls/Functions. Resolve the error. Try to read the meter again. If the read fails again, manually enter the ID and Enter Manual Readings Reading information (see page 2-14). 2-13 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...

  • Page 46: Enter Data

    Enter Manual Readings The most common method of entering meter read data into any AR5000 is to manually type the read information for a location. You may need to use this method for an entire 2–14...
  • Page 47 You can exit the Enter Text screen by pressing the Esc key, or use the TAB key to select Cancel and press the ENTER key. Use the number keypad to enter the reading. Use the TAB key to select Press the ENTER key. 2-15 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...

  • Page 48: Enter Touchread Readings

    Link the AR5000 to a TouchRead AutoGun is available in Device (SmartGun/AutoGun) on page 1-9. • AR5000 - When the AR5000 is linked to a gun, the system stores meter data in the routes or in the system memory. 2–16 Sensus Metering Systems...
  • Page 49 Note You can attempt a TouchRead on any meter equipped with an encoder, regardless of the information on the AR5000 display. Place the flat disk face of the reading gun against the TouchPad remote or pit-lid mounted TouchPad (TR/PL) module and squeeze the trigger.

  • Page 50: Enter Radioread Readings (Ar5002 Only)

    Chapter 2: Collect Meter Data Enter RadioRead Readings (AR5002 only) The Sensus RadioRead System allows you to collect meter data without manually typing information on the keypad. In this system, a radio transmitter sends meter data directly to the AR5002.

  • Page 51: Enter Notes

    F2 is the default key assignment for the Note function. Key assignments can be changed. For more information, see About the Key Controls/Functions. Enter the note by one of two methods. Use the keypad to enter an alpha-numeric note. 2-19 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...

  • Page 52: Mark Locations

    To Mark/Unmark an address... To mark an address, complete the following steps: Use the TAB key to scroll through the route to the location you want to mark/unmark. Use the F4 key to mark the address. 2–20 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 53: Answer Questions

    Typically, office staff setup the AR5000 and load route Start Collecting Data information (see on page 2-2). Depending on the route setup, the AR5000 may prompt you to answer questions during the route. Note Questions are attached to specific addresses.

  • Page 54: Add New Meters To Route

    Add New Meters to Route During the course of reading a route, you may encounter a meter or an address that is missing from the information stored in your AR5000. For example, areas with new development or construction activity may have new buildings 2–22...
  • Page 55 Also include meter ID numbers, if they are available. Use the Tab key to select OK. Press the ENTER key. The system displays an Enter Text screen for the reading information from the new meter. 2-23 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...
  • Page 56 Press the ENTER key. The system saves the information and returns to the route. Note You can use the Tab key to select Cancel and press Enter to exit the any Text screen in this instruction. 2–24 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 57: Chapter 3: Find Route Information

    Find Route Information Routes are primarily made up of addresses and Meter IDs. The AR5000 can also store descriptive text, marks, notes, limits, and statistics for each route. You often run a route from start-to-finish without needing to check any information.
  • Page 58 Chapter 3: Find Route Information You can find general information on the AR5000 in Chapter 1: About the AR5000 . You can find instructions for entering data Collect Meter Data into the AR5000 in Chapter 2: 3–2 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 59: Search The Route

    The AR5000 has a set of features that you can use to search for addresses, meter IDs, and specific displayed text.

  • Page 60: Search For An Address

    F3 is the default key assignment for the Search menu. Key assignments can be changed. For more information, see About the Key Controls/Functions. Use the PgUp/PgDn key to select Address. Press the ENTER key. The system displays an Enter Text dialog box. 3–4 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 61: Go To The First Address

    Go to the First Address No More Matches Found Message By default, the AR5000 displays the first address when you open a route. You can use the search function to return to Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...

  • Page 62: Go To The Last Address

    Press the ENTER key. The system displays the first location on the route. Go to the Last Address By default, the AR5000 displays the first address when you open a route. You can use the TAB key to page through every 3–6...
  • Page 63 Note The first and last route address are interchangeable, depending on how you have the AR5000 configured. You can set the system to traverse forward, starting at one end of the route (ex.: address#1 through address#10). Or, you can set the system to traverse in reverse, starting at the opposite end of the route (ex.:address#10 through...

  • Page 64: Search For A Meter Id

    Press the ENTER key. No Matches Found Message The system displays the results of the search. • If the system cannot find the information you entered, then the screen displays a No Matches Found message. 3–8 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 65: Search Displayed Text

    Message message and end the search. Search Displayed Text The AR5000’s search displayed text function allows you to search for any alphanumeric information stored in the route. This could include meter IDs, account numbers, address information, text entered into notes, customer names, and questions.
  • Page 66 Next Location - Press the TAB> key and the system displays the next location in the search results. You can use the TAB> key to scroll through the entire list of search results. Once you reach the end of the 3–10 Sensus Metering Systems...
  • Page 67 Search the Route search results, the system displays a No More Matches Found message. Press the Esc key to clear the No More Matches Found No More Matches Found Message message and end the search. 3-11 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...

  • Page 68: Find Unfinished Sections Of The Route

    • on page 3-15 - How to find questions that have not received any response. Find UnRead Meters The AR5000 typically associates read information with a Manage Reading Scenarios meter ID (see on page 2-7). When you reach the end of a route you may want to verify that all of the meters have readings associated with them.

  • Page 69: Find Unvisited Location

    Press the Esc key to clear the No More Matches Found message and end the search. Find UnVisited Location The AR5000 typically associates meter IDs with a particular Manage Reading Scenarios location or address (see page 2-7). When you visit a location, you typically enter 3-13 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...
  • Page 70 • If the system finds more than one match for the information you entered, the screen displays the first match, along with the following choices: Stop here - Press the ENTER key to stop the search on the displayed location. 3–14 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 71: Find Unanswered Questions

    Press the Esc key to clear the No More Matches Found message and end the search. Find Unanswered Questions Depending on the way the system is configured, the AR5000 may prompt you to answer questions during the route (see Answer Questions on page 2-21).
  • Page 72 Once you reach the end of the search results, the system displays a No More Matches Found message. Press the Esc key to clear the No More Matches Found message and end the search. No More Matches Found Message 3–16 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 73: Find Special Entries

    For example, you can mark a location that you were unable to read during the route. At any time during the reading process, you can review a list of marked locations. 3-17 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...
  • Page 74 • If the system finds more than one match for the Search Results Screen information you entered, the screen displays the first match, along with the following choices: Stop here - Press the ENTER key to stop the search on the displayed location. 3–18 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 75: Find Noted Locations

    Search Route... Menu Note F3 is the default key assignment for the Search menu. Key assignments can be changed. For more information, see About the Key Controls/Functions. Use the PgUp/PgDn key to select Noted Locations. 3-19 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...

  • Page 76: Find Limit Violators

    As you are reading meters, you may encounter readings that do not fall within the preset limits. If a reading does not fall within this range, the AR5000 sounds an audible warning and displays Enter Data Enter...
  • Page 77 • If the system cannot find the information you entered, No Matches Found Message then the screen displays a No Matches Found message. Press the Esc key to clear the No Matches Found message and end the search. 3-21 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...
  • Page 78 Once you reach the end of the search results, the system displays a No More Matches Found message. Press the Esc key to clear the No More Matches Found message and end the search. No More Matches Found Message 3–22 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 79: Review Read Information

    ID that has had activity during the time you are on the route. Review Route Statistics As you are reading meters, the AR5000 collects statistics in the following categories: • Read/Unread - Lists the number of locations that have been read or remain unread.
  • Page 80 Key Controls/Functions. Use the PgUp/PgDn key to select Route Statistics. Press the ENTER key. The system displays the Statistics screen for the route you Statistics Screen have open. Press the Esc key to exit the Statistics screen. 3–24 Sensus Metering Systems...

  • Page 81: Review Previous Transactions

    The system displays the first item in the Transaction Transaction History Item History. Note F5 is the default key assignment for the Transaction History. Key assignments can be changed. For more information, see About the Key Controls/Functions. 3-25 Sensus AR5000 User’s Guide...
  • Page 82 When a transaction is displayed, pressing F3 causes the system to exit the list and display the location associated with that transaction. Note Once you find a location, you can perform any of the functions described in Chapter 2: Collect Meter Data. 3–26 Sensus Metering Systems...
  • Page 83 ..... . 3-20 placing AR5000 in ....1-21 limits .
  • Page 84 ID ......1-15 text size ......1-11 Sensus Metering Systems...
  • Page 85 time and date ..... . 1-16 TouchRead ....1-9 2-16 transactions, reviewing .
  • Page 86 Sensus Metering Systems...

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