10 Troubleshooting Non-Route
Meter IDs
All Protocols
The Meter ID field in AutoRead is the ECR ID (Electronically Coded Register). The Meter
ID and Meter Type fields in conjunction create the control field or key to the AutoRead
System. The registers are programmed with a unique ID that is entered into billing for each
account and meter to be read. Manually read meters also require a unique Meter ID that
most commonly is either the Meter Serial Number (Brass number) or the Account Number.
A Meter Type field is also required which designates whether it is a manual or electronic
reading and indicates the manufacturer of meter. AutoRead and the various Polling Devices,
(Handheld Systems, Vehicle Systems, PhonRead Systems) attach the reading to the
account based on the match of the Meter ID and Meter Type. If either is incorrect in the
billing system then the electronic reading becomes a Non Route Meter. Regardless of what
Meter Type
was entered, a manual reading can be entered on any account. Following
the procedures outlined below will minimize the need for return trips to the field to sort out
problem accounts.
Note
: If an account is not in the HHD, then it may also be a legitimate Non Route Meter belonging
to another route, a new meter, or just not updated in the Billing System. Also by default, a Bad Read
resulting in "????" for all or part of an ECR ID (Meter ID), becomes a Non Route Meter.
TouchRead Meters
Corrections with AR400X Equipment
Device Error (Message on HHD)
A Device Error indicates that the gun was not making proper contact with the Touch Pad,
or, if good contact is being made, there may be problems with the Touch Pad wiring or a
malfunction of the register requiring additional troubleshooting. A manual reading should be
entered in these cases and a note code or text entered to indicate the problem so that a
return visit may be scheduled to correct it.
ID Not on Route (Message on HHD)
An
ID not on Route
message means that a valid Meter ID, Meter Type, and Reading
was obtained from the register but that it did not find a match at the shown address or for
any of the Meter ID/Meter Types currently in the HHD.
The first thing to do is to verify that you are at the displayed address. Once that is done,
pressing the
Shift
then
Last
key will display the reading. With the reading displayed,
it should be written down or remembered (Meter ID, Meter Type and Reading are also
displayed on 4090 TouchGuns) as the next step is to go back to the address with the
ESC
key and enter the reading manually. This will place the Non Route Meter next to the correct
account on the Master Route Report when sorted sequentially with both having the same
reading, making it clear when viewing the report what the correct Meter ID should be. If
Meter IDs are identical digit-by-digit (no leading, missing or extra zeroes) then the problem is
with the Meter Type entered on that account in the Billing System. If the above procedure is
10 Troubleshooting Non-Route Meter IDs | 121
