(Last updated August 28, 2019)
These tables list endpoint, encoder and meter exceptions and alarms displayed in the Flow Health and Device Health modules on the AAG page.
Find the cause of each exception or alarm and the condition under which it will clear in the Description column. In the Recommended Action column, find the exception/alarm purpose (notification) and if applicable troubleshooting tips.
Flow Health Module
| Exception/Alarm & Detection Method |
Description & How BEACON Handles the Alarm |
Recommended Action |
| No Recent Flow
Calculated by BEACON or detected by the endpoint |
AMI meters: No flow detected during the past 72 hours.
Endpoints affected:
AMR meters: A flag set when no usage is detected for more than 30 days. Endpoints affected:
Auto clears with usage. * ORION CE endpoints with serial numbers between 70000000 and 79999999 are not included in No Recent Flow counts. |
Notification. |
| Leak Detected
Calculated by BEACON or detected by the endpoint |
AMI meters: Indicates locations where flow has been detected every hour in a 24-hour period.
Endpoints affected:
AMR meters: An alert sent by the endpoint to the collection device during reading. Endpoints affected:
Once the leak is corrected, the alert will clear after the next regular endpoint transmission. |
Investigate. Corrective action may be required. |
| Backflow
Detected by the encoder and BEACON |
AMI meters: A condition in which reverse water flow of more than 1 gallon has been reported in the past 30 days. Clears when no backflow is detected for 30 consecutive days.
Endpoints affected:
AMR meters: A flag set when reverse flow is detected. Endpoints affected:
|
Investigate. Corrective action may be required. |
| Continuous Flow
Calculated by BEACON or detected by the endpoint |
Indicates locations that the utility has tagged as places where water runs continuously on purpose. For example, manufacturing facilities and cooling towers. | Notification. |
Endpoint Health Module
| Exception/Alarm & Detection Method |
Description & How BEACON Handles the Alarm |
Recommended Action |
| No Recent Endpoint Communication
Calculated by BEACON |
An exception set when an active endpoint has not communicated successfully with BEACON in the past 48 hours.
Clears when communication is re-established. |
Notification. |
| Endpoint Tamper
Flag set by the endpoint |
An exception triggered by a break in communication between an endpoint and an encoder. Typically occurs when the wire between the meter and endpoint has been cut or disconnected.
Clears after connection is re-established. RTR encoders connected to ORION CE/ME/SE endpoints require reprogramming to clear the tamper. See the FAQ for details on the effects of Tampers and Encoder Errors on read exports. |
Check connections and wiring between encoder and endpoint. If tamper remains after wiring and connections have been checked and/or fixed, try a different endpoint. If tamper still persists, try a different encoder. |
| Exception/Alarm & Detection Method |
Description & How BEACON Handles the Alarm |
Recommended Action |
| Endpoint Alarms | A range of conditions are reported under this status indicator. | |
| Endpoint Programmed
Flag set by the endpoint |
Indicates endpoint parameters have been changed. This notification will last 35 days.
Endpoints affected:
|
Notification. |
| Endpoint Low Battery
For ORION ME and ORION SE endpoints, the endpoint handles the calculation.For ORION Cellular endpoints, BEACON handles the calculation.ORION CE endpoints do not have a battery strength algorithm. Their battery life expectancy is 20 years. |
An alarm triggered when an algorithm detects low battery strength. | Replace the endpoint. |
| Endpoint Reading Changed
Flag set by the endpoint |
This flag is triggered when the reading is changed on an RTR encoder connected to an ORION ME or ORION SE endpoint. | Notification. |
| Endpoint Forced Transmission
Flag set by the endpoint |
This flag indicates network transmission has been forced from a GALAXY TR3 endpoint. | Notification. |
| Mobile Reading Missed | Set when a mobile reader gets within range of a reading location and no read is collected.
Endpoints affected:
|
Notification. |
| Endpoint Magnetic Tamper | This alarm indicates that a high strength magnet may have been used to tamper with the encoder. This notification will last for 35 days.
Endpoints affected:
See the FAQ for details on the effects of Tampers and Encoder Errors on read exports. |
Notification. |
| Endpoint Cover Removed | An alarm triggered when the lid over the encoder register of a gas meter is lifted, breaking the magnetic coupling that keeps the lid shut. This notification will last 35 days.
Endpoints affected:
|
Notification. |
| E Series Meters and HR-E LCD Encoders | ||
| Exception/Alarm & Detection Method |
Description & How BEACON Handles the Alarm |
Recommended Action |
| Meter/Encoder Alarms | A range of conditions are collected and reported under this status indicator. | Refer to the HR-E LCD User Manual and the E-Series Ultrasonic Meter User Manual. |
| Meter/Encoder Programmed | A flag set when HR-E LCD encoder parameters have been changed. Possible parameters that can be changed are: Meter Type, Meter Model/Size, Unit of Measure, Billing Units, Digits from Encoder, Rate of Flow Units and Rate of Flow Time. | These parameters must be configured properly for accurate customer billing. Refer to the User Manual. Contact Technical Support if assistance is required. |
| Meter/Encoder End of Life | This alarm is activated after 19 years on HR-E LCD encoders and after 19 years and 6 months for E-Series meters. | Replace encoder or meter. |
| Encoder Removal | When an HR-E LCD encoder is removed from the meter this alarm is triggered. | Investigate to ensure that the encoder is mounted in place. This alarm could mean that someone has removed the encoder in an attempt to steal water. |
| Meter/Encoder Temperature | This alarm indicates an HR-E LCD encoder or an E-Series meter is approaching the limit of its rated operating temperature. | Insulate meters and piping, or install in warmer areas if possible. Refer to the User Manual. |
| Encoder Magnetic Tamper | This alarm indicates that a high strength magnet may have been used to tamper with the HR-E LCD encoder. | Check for magnetic tampering. |
| Meter Exceeding Max Flow | An alarm triggered when flow exceeds the maximum flow of the meter. | Ensure meter is properly sized and resize if necessary. |
| Meter Sensor Error | This alarm is triggered when there is a problem with the sensor on an E-Series meter that prevents readings from being properly obtained. | Contact Technical Support. |
| Meter Empty Pipe | This alarm is triggered when the meter senses an empty pipe, a condition that prevents accurate readings from being obtained by E-Series meters. | If possible, install the meter in such a way that ensures the pipe is always full and that all air has been purged from the line. |
| Encoder Communication Errors | Triggered when BEACON receives data from an encoder but a reading cannot be obtained. This indicates a communication error between the encoder and endpoint. The condition automatically clears when a new reading is obtained. Endpoints affected:
See the FAQ for details on the effects of Tampers and Encoder Errors on read exports. |
Investigate. Corrective action may be required. |
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