Neptune Technology Group highlights newest meter and cellular endpoint offerings

Neptune Technology Group showcased two new offerings — one meter and one cellular endpoint — during AWWA ACE25 in Denver.

Neptune MACH 10)R900i ultrasonic meter

The Mach10)R900i is an all-in-one meter and R900 system endpoint. It uses ultrasonic technology to measure flow and is compatible with both automated metering reading systems and advanced metering infrastructure. It's lead-free bronze case is manufactured at Neptune's foundry and factory in Tallassee, Alabama.

Drew Wilderman, Neptune senior product manager - metrology, said the ultrasonic technology also comes with temperature and pressure readings for utilities looking to maximize their operations. 

"These are ultrasonic: no moving parts, measures four times per second and it just provides more insightful data for utilities," Wilderman said. "With the temperature, you can have freeze alerts or you can monitor water quality because if the temperature gets too high, water quality goes down."

Wilderman said utilities can track which meters have high water temperature and flush them, and with freeze alerts, utilities can contact homeowners about the freeze to avert disaster in their homes. That degree of specificity can be down to the home, rather than the main, offering a closer connection to the customer.

The unit will last 20 years in the ground, which Wildeman said means its battery, accuracy, electronics and case carry a 20-year warranty.

Neptune R900 cellular endpoint

Neptune Technology Group's R900 cellular endpoint has multicarrier support to speed up inventory management and deployment.

Andrea Amato, Neptune senior product manager - cellular, said the endpoint is able to reach the services of AT&T, Verison, T-mobile and UScellular, and it has the smarts to pick the best carrier for the job. It also has several installation configurations.

"We have a number of different pit installation applications to suit the customer," she said. "They don't have to switch their metal pit lids out to use this device."

The unit has a wall mount that is best mounted on the outside of a building, but there also is a mount for installing it in pits that have composite lids that uses an internal antenna. The R900 can also be outfitted to run with an external antenna, which can sit on top of a metal pit lid.

Both devices — along with Neptune's entire product range — integrate into Neptune 360, a web-based dashboard where utilities can view all the data from their meters and other devices. The platform has a modular design and in just two to three clicks, a user can add a device to a dashboard for visibility and review. Triggers and alarms can be set up to alert operators when flow, pressure, temperator or other parameters move outside of desired set-points.