Gladenbach, September 12, 2022 – In the course of resource scarcity, the need for current gas meter readings and consumption data for real estate owners and managers as well as for energy suppliers is becoming more and more important. Energy consumption must be recorded quickly and intelligently. "The potential of saving more gas or improving its management through real-time consumption data and maximum transparency is currently increasing the demand for smart gas meters enormously," says Martin Meyer, Managing Director at RCT, specialists in remote monitoring technology.
"It couldn't be simpler: With RCT COUNTERview, we have developed a solution that upgrades gas meters in operation IoT-capable in no time at all – without replacement and without wiring - and connects them to a web app or mobile app for data collection and visualization," explains Martin Meyer.
Quick commissioning
The new COUNTERview can be easily installed on existing gas meters by plug & play. To do this, the transmitter unit is simply plugged directly onto the pulse output of a Kromschröder or SAMGAS type diaphragm gas meter and fastened with a screw or seal. Other gas meter types that have an external sensor with pulse output can also be adapted. The device is activated just by inserting the battery. It immediately sends the current data to the web platform "RCT Monitor". There, the value of the counter and the current counter reading are set as the start value. Now the device counts the pulses and transmits them regularly to the RCT web server for detailed consumption recording and control via the Internet.
The pulse acquisition for all common gas meters is contactless via reed contact. Users can choose between GSM, LoRa, SIGFOX or NB-IoT for the data transmission technology.
Safe from manipulation
The transmitter module can be protected against unauthorized access by a lead seal. If it is removed, e.g. for a battery or meter change, a built-in motion sensor detects the vibration and immediately sends a warning message, which is forwarded to the responsible person, e.g. by e-mail.
Individual data management
Meter readings, consumption and system messages can be monitored and evaluated at any time via the Internet using the mobile app or web app. Various interfaces (API, CSV, mail, etc.) are available for external data processing. All these services are provided on a German cloud server. The connection to further services creates an optimal working environment for administration, logistics and end customers with separate access options. Indirect alarms can also be activated in the Web App, e.g. atypical consumption, device and sensor malfunctions, and transmission errors. The Web App and Mobile App are available in RCT's standard design or personalized in the customer's own corporate design.
