read electronically, they report their Meter ID along with the Meter Type in the following
format: "B31128393" where the "B" is the Meter Type and the eight digit number that
follows is the Meter ID. The Sensus system is designed to interpret the first letter of the
string as the Meter Type, and the second part as the Meter ID.
Different meter manufacturers have different Meter Type codes in the Sensus AMR
system. For example, Sclumberger ProRead (ARB VI or Neptune) meters report a Meter
Type of "P." A typical Meter ID string from a ProRead meter may appear as follows:
"P0000127543" (the number of digits can vary greatly on ProRead Register IDs). When
a Sensus reading device reads this string, it "sees" the "P" and classifies it as a ProRead
register. Other manufacturers and models report different Meter Type codes when being
read electronically. Some other Meter Types include: "E" (Sclumberger ARB I-IV), "K" (Kent),
and "G" (Equimeter). If possible, read several meters with a Sensus Reading device and
observe the ID string. The letter that appears at the beginning of the string is the number
that should be recorded as the Meter Type in the billing software. Consult your Sales
Representative for the appropriate Meter Type code for your meters if you are not sure, or
contact Sensus Technical Support at 1-800-638-3748.
3. Service Address
The Service Address field refers to the physical address where the meter is located. This
field is important because it is used to show the meter reader where the meter to be read
may be found. If the billing address differs from the Service Address, this is usually not of
concern to the meter reader. The meter reader should only need to know where the meter
is located so that he or she can find the meter to take the reading. It is possible to add
the billing address to the system for the meter reader, if desired, but typically the Service
Address is sufficient.
There are situations when more than one meter is installed at a given address. AutoRead
does not have difficulty with duplicate Service Addresses, and will allow any number of
meter records to have the same Service Address. It is helpful, however, to denote in the
Service Address for each additional meter, which meter is being referenced. For example,
if two meters are installed at a single address, the Service Address fields can be slightly
different in each record: "1220 Market Street, Meter 1"; and "1220 Market Street, Meter 2."
This is not required, but can be helpful if the meters are to be read manually. If the meters
are to be read electronically, the Sensus AMR system will match the correct reading to each
meter because it uses the Meter ID number to accurately assign the readings. Also, it is
possible to display the Meter ID field on the HHD for the meter reader, so that the meter
reader can visually check that they are at the correct meter when taking the reading. If this
is done, then there is no reason to have different Service Addresses for two meters at the
same location.
4. Account ID
The Account ID field refers to the account number that is associated with a given meter.
There may be situations when there is more than one meter associated with a given
Account ID. AutoRead does not have problems with duplicate Account IDs. Again, as long
as the Meter ID field is different for each meter record, there can be any number of meters
with the same Account ID. It is important to point out, however, that when listing multiple
meters at a single account or address, each meter must have a separate record (or line) in
the route file created by the billing software.
5. Service Type (for FieldLogic Routes)
Must be W, G, P, or E.
7 Additional Route Processing Options | 84
