Next Century TR4-X Quick start guide

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TR4-X Transceiver
Outdoor Wireless Meter Transceiver
Operation and Installation Guide
1| Product Overview
The TR4-X Transceiver builds on the NextCentury
RF Connect™ platform, delivering superior wireless
performance in a fully waterproof design.
The TR4-X offers broad pulse and encoded meter
compatibility in a single model. Engineered for long
maintenance-free operation, the TR4-X provides
hourly-read precision with a 10-year battery life.
Meter+™ Advanced Compatibility
The TR4-X Transceiver utilizes Meter+™ technology,
making this single model compatible with virtually all
modern encoded and pulse-output utility meters, including
water, electric, gas, run-time, and thermal meter models.
• Single model supports a pulse or encoded meter
• Easy meter configuration, external programmer is
not required
• Visual LED indicators to verify meter connections
Intelligent Wireless
Utilizing two-way NextCentury RF Connect™ wireless,
the TR4-X has intelligent routing capabilities ensuring
success in a variety of environments, from spread-out
commercial properties to high-density apartments.
The TR4-X is a drop-in replacement for any previous
generation NextCentury Transceiver. Wireless network
operation is seamlessly compatible with all earlier
generation Repeaters and Gateways.
A Superior Platform
Property setup, configuration, and usage data are
managed on the NextCentury Cloud Platform. This robust
management solution connects you to a wide range of
features facilitating property setup and ongoing operation.
2| Technical Specifications
2.1 – Certifications
FCC: 2AB8I-TR4X IC: 20949-TR4X
2.2 – Wireless Communication
• Two-way NextCentury RF Connect™
• 902-928 MHz Unlicensed Band
2.3 – Meter Compatibility
• Pulse or encoded meter types (see section 3)
• Single model supports all configurations
2.4 – Wire Connection
• 5’ (1.5m) wire lead
• Bare wire, field splice required
2.5 – Battery
• Preinstalled, field-replaceable CR18505
• Estimated 10-year battery life*
*Note: 10-year battery estimated with operating temperatures
between 60ºF-90ºF, and 6-hr device check-in.
2.6 – Dimensions
• 3.3in x 1.8in x 1.3in (84mm x 46mm x 33mm)
2.7 – Operation Environment:
• -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F )
• IP 68 rated for outdoor installation

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3| Meter Compatibility
3.1 – Pulse Output Meters
• Passive pulse sensing (including reed switch, solid-state
relay, contact relay, open-drain types)
• Active voltage sensing (max. 16 VDC)
3.2 – Encoded Output Meters
• Neptune (Including ProRead, ECoder, and ProCoder
register models)
• Sensus UI-1203 (Includes most meter models, from
Sensus, Hersey, Mueller, Master Meter, Badger,
Kamstrup, Elster, Metron-Farnier, and Zenner)
• GWF ECO (Includes all GWF encoder meters)
• Elster/AMCO K-Frame (Includes most meter models,
from Elster, AMCO, ABB and Kent)
4| Package Contents
A –TR4-X Transceiver
B –Attached 5’ lead cable (1.5m)
C – Mounting hardware
D – Activation magnet (1 per case)
5| Mounting
5.1 – Wall Mount Option
• Use the included mounting screws and anchors to attach
to wall surface
5.2 – Pit Lid Mount (Optional Accessory)
• For meter pit applications, the Pit Lid Mount accessory
product can be installed on a compatible non-metallic
meter lid
• Couple to the Pit Lid Mount using the receiving threads
on the underside of the TR4-X
6| Wiring Connection
6.1 – Meter Wire Splice Connection
The TR4-X includes a 5’ (1.5 m) wire lead to connect to your
meter. The meter’s output wire should be spliced to the TR4-X
wire using a waterproofed splice connection such as the Field
Splice Kit (FSK) or other waterproof connector product.
6.2 – Field Splice Kit (Optional Accessory)
The Field Splice Kit (FSK) accessory offers a convenient 3-pole
connection to splice the meter and TR4-X wires together. A
special waterproofing compound seals around the wire
connections as the Field Splice Kit is snapped shut.
• Strip the insulation 1/8” (3mm) from the wire ends
• Insert into the terminal block observing the wire color
mapping applicable to your meter model
• Tighten each wire terminal using a small flat-head screw
driver
• Seat the terminal connector in the center of the Field
Splice Kit Cover
• Test and verify the wire connection (sec. 9) before
closing the Field Splice Kit

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6.3 –Wire Color Mapping
7| Configuring Meter Type
The TR4-X can read either pulse or encoded meters. It is initially
pre-configured for a pulse meter. A configuration change using a
magnet is required to switch between pulse and encoded modes.
7.1 – Entering Configuration Mode
• Hold your magnet next to the right side of the TR4-X for
5 seconds to enter Configuration Mode
• The Meter LED will light up blue or red to show the
current meter configuration
7.2 – Toggle Pulse or Encoded Mode
• Swipe your magnet to toggle between Pulse Meter (red)
and Encoded Meter (blue) configurations
• After reaching the desired mode, withdraw the magnet
• After 5 seconds the meter type is accepted, and the LED
will turn off
8| Verify Meter Connection
8.1 – Verify a Pulse Meter
• A pulse from the connected meter is indicated by a fast
blue blink of the Meter LED
• As the meter increments with usage, watch for this blue
blink to verify your installation
8.2 – Verify an Encoded Meter
• Swipe your magnet in the detect zone
• The TR4-X will attempt to read the connected encoded
meter
• A green blink confirms the meter was read successfully
• A red blink indicates the meter could not be read and
wiring should be checked
9| Programming & Wireless Check-In
9.1 – Property Setup
The NextCentury website or NCSS mobile app can be used to set
up and configure the property, units, and meters. Visit
support.nextcenturymeters.com for additional property setup
details.
9.2 – Programming
Property programming is the process of associating Transceiver
serial numbers to the meters they are reading. Scan the barcode
to ensure the serial number is entered accurately.
9.3 – Gateway Management
After programming, the connected Gateway will automatically
sync and communicate with the TR4-X.

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9.4 – Wireless Connection LED Indicators
The RF LED indicator provides feedback to easily check that the
TR4-X is within range of the property’s Gateway (either directly,
or through Repeaters)
• Swipe your magnet in the TR4-X’s detect zone
• The TR4-X RF LED will rapidly blink red, indicating it is
transmitting
• The RF LED will then blink 2x green if communication
with the Gateway was successful
9.5 – Wireless Troubleshooting
If the RF LED does not blink green after tapping the Test Connect
button, then the TR4-X is not receiving a response from the
Gateway. The following steps can help identify the issue:
• If the TR4-X does not blink green, even when close to the
Gateway, make sure it has been programmed to the
property and the Gateway is online
• Try multiple times—if eventually a response is received,
then an additional Repeater may be needed to improve
the wireless network
• Move the TR4-X closer to the Gateway or nearest
Repeater. If a response is received, then an additional
Repeater may be needed
10| Television and Radio Interference
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for
help.
12| FCC Part 15 & Industry Canada
Compliance
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules and Industry Canada
license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
This portable equipment with its antenna complies with FCC’s and IC’s RF
radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment.
Users are advised to maintain a separation distance of 20cm to comply
with FCC and IC RF exposure limits.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables
aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est
autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l'appareil ne doit pas
produire de brouillage, et (2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter
tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible
d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.
13| Warranty/Disclaimer Scope of
Warranty
NextCentury warrants that all communication equipment manufactured
by NextCentury will be free from defects in materials and workmanship
under normal use and in accordance with NextCentury’s documented
installation and operating procedures for a period of three (3) years from
the date of manufacture.
Products not manufactured by NextCentury, including without
limitation, accessories, attachments, meters, or batteries used in
conjunction with NextCentury equipment are warranted, if at all, only
by the original manufacturer. NextCentury’s warranties do not include
replacement of batteries used to power NextCentury products.
Limits of Liability
This warranty only applies to Read Management System components
produced by NextCentury, and does not cover any products which have
been damaged by misconduct, negligence, vandalism, acts of God,
excessive operating conditions, or unauthorized attachments or
modifications. This warranty will be null and void if products are placed in
non-recommended installation application/fashion, or are converted,
altered, or treated by other than NextCentury recommended procedures
and instructions, or are read by equipment not approved by NextCentury.
NextCentury’s liability and customer’s exclusive remedy under this
warranty is expressly limited to repair or replacement of the product at
NextCentury’s option, and is conditioned upon the customer returning
the product(s) to the location designated by NextCentury within the
warranty periods or limits stated herein, and pre-paying the freight costs
both to and from the specified location. In no event shall NextCentury be
liable for costs or expenses associated with the removal or installation of
products under this warranty.
NextCentury shall have no liability or responsibility to the purchaser or
any third party for any loss, cost, expense, damage, or liability, whether
direct or indirect, or for special, incidental, indirect, or consequential
damages of any kind, regardless of whether such liability is based on

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breach of contract, tort, strict liability, breach of warranties, or otherwise,
and even if advised of the likelihood of such damages. Incidental and
consequential damages include, but are not limited to, lost revenue, loss
of profits, data, business, or goodwill. In addition, damages resulting from
negligence on the part of the customer, including, but not limited to, the
care and maintenance of NextCentury products or damages resulting
from negligence regarding periodic testing of the product’s performance,
are not covered under this guarantee.
CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT EXPRESSLY APPROVED BY
NEXTCENTURY MAY VOID THIS WARRANTY AND THE USER’S
AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.
THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
AVAILABLE TO THE PURCHASER AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, GUARANTEES, OR REMEDIES, WHETHER WRITTEN
OR ORAL, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION,
THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ALL OF WHICH NEXTCENTURY
HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS.
14| Contact Information
For any questions or concerns, please contact NextCentury
Submetering Solutions Product Support:
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [email protected]