ACR-EX in water utilities: remote reading of pulse water meters

In water utilities today, reality is not black and white. Walk-by readings are still in use, in many locations gradually complemented or replaced by fixed remote reading systems, while at the same time a large number of pulse water meters remain installed across the network. These meters still work reliably and are not outdated; they are simply sometimes overlooked when discussions turn to modernising meter reading. This is where ACR-EX a pulse converter with display for the remote reading of pulse water meters comes into play.

Key takeaways

• Many existing pulse-output water meters remain suitable for continued operation. A converter can connect them to remote reading systems without replacing the meters, provided the pulse interface and configuration are compatible.
• Originally developed for gas metering, ACR-EX can also be used with pulse-output water meters. Each converter connects to one meter and transfers its readings to a remote system.
• The built-in display allows technicians to compare the converter’s recorded value with the mechanical meter register directly on site, without a laptop or service tool.
• ACR-EX stores hourly values for up to 40 days and monitors maximum flow. These records can support investigations into suspected leaks, bursts, abnormal consumption or discrepancies in meter readings.
• A protected pulse input and pulse processing logic help reduce the risk of interference affecting recorded values. Pulse counting is designed to continue during temporary communication outages, with data aligned once communication is restored.
• ACR-EX is designed for more than ten years of battery operation under normal measurement conditions, with actual lifetime depending on the configuration and operating environment. Most parameters can be adjusted remotely, and a non-ATEX variant is available for installations where ATEX certification is not required.
• ACR-EX complements walk-by reading and M-Bus or wireless M-Bus solutions rather than replacing them. It suits individual meters with pulse outputs where replacing the meters is unnecessary, and is less suitable where replacement with smart meters is planned in the near future.

ACR-EX pulse converter with display

ACR-EX pulse converter was originally developed for the gas sector, but it soon became clear that what works for gas utilities works just as well for water sector. Pulse output is a simple, widely used and long-established method of measuring consumption. In most cases, the issue is not the water meter itself, but how to reliably convert the pulse signal and transmit the data onwards, with confidence that the recorded values truly match the physical reading. This is exactly what ACR-EX addresses, acting as an interface between the mechanical water meter and the remote reading system.
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One aspect that field technicians value the most is the display on the pulse converter. It may sound like a minor detail, but in practice it is a significant help. A technician arrives at the water meter, checks the mechanical register and immediately sees, next to it, the value used by the converter. There is no need to consult a system or connect a laptop or service tool. This allows a quick check on site, saving time for technicians and providing confidence to operators.
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ACR-EX converter does not focus only on the current reading. It stores hourly values for up to 40 days, so when there is a suspicion of a water leak, a burst or abnormal consumption, there is a history available that can be relied upon. The device also monitors maximum flow, which often indicates that something is happening in the network that would not necessarily be apparent during standard walk-by readings.

Reliability in everyday water utility installations

Considerable attention has also been paid to reliability in everyday water utility installations. Pulse cables often run alongside power lines, and interference is a practical reality. Thanks to a protected pulse input and intelligent pulse processing logic, the device is not easily disturbed and does not begin to produce implausible consumption values. Even if there is a temporary network outage or the device restarts, pulse counting continues without interruption. Once communication is restored, the data is automatically aligned, preventing discrepancies between the mechanical register and the digital record.
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From an operational perspective, simplicity and long-term maintenance-free operation are important. ACR-EX pulse converter is designed to operate for many years without intervention, with a battery life of more than 10 years. Most parameters can be set and adjusted remotely, without the need for site visits. As water utility installations are typically not located in hazardous environments, a non-ATEX version is also available. Functionally, it is identical, but avoids paying for certification that is not required in this context.
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ACR-EX is a practical solution for the remote reading of pulse water meters. It helps bring together walk-by readings, fixed systems and existing pulse-output water meters in a way that reflects how water utilities actually operate. Simply, clearly and with confidence that the data in use corresponds to reality in the field.

Glossary of terms used

• ATEX: the EU framework governing equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
• Concentrator: a device that collects data from multiple meters or sensors and forwards it to a central system through a communication network
• Converter: a device that converts a signal or data from one interface or format into another, enabling different sensors, meters or communication systems to work together
• Fixed remote reading system: a permanently installed system that collects meter data automatically at regular intervals, without requiring on-site visits for routine readings
• Maximum flow: the highest flow rate recorded within a given period, which can help identify unusual consumption or potential problems in the water network
• M-Bus (Meter-Bus): a wired European standard for reading data from utility meters such as water, heat and gas meters
• Mechanical register: the counter on a water meter that displays the cumulative volume measured
• NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT): a cellular low-power technology running in mobile operators’ licensed networks, suited to devices that send small amounts of data
• Pulse output and S0: a pulse output represents measured consumption as electrical pulses; S0 is a standardised type of pulse interface
• Walk-by reading: a reading method in which a technician collects meter data on site using a mobile receiver
• Wireless M-Bus (wM-Bus): the wireless variant of M-Bus used for radio transmission of meter data