ALTA Dual Pulse Counter Configuration and Installation Guide

Sensor Overview

The ALTA Wireless Dual Pulse Counter connects to two pulse output devices and simultaneously records the number of pulses counted from each device.

Settings to Configure

Name—Enter a unique name for your ALTA Dual Pulse Counter to easily identify it in many iMonnit views and notifications.
Heartbeat Interval (Minutes)—Set the expected time between communication from the device to the gateway while in the Normal State and without any data-triggering events.
Overflow Limit (Seconds)—When exceeded, the ALTA Dual Pulse Counter reports immediately with an aware flag. The Counter will wait at least this many seconds before assessing overflow counts again.
Synchronize Off (Default)—The next report will occur one Heartbeat after the last report time. This allows devices to self-optimize network traffic patterns and reduce congestion.
Synchronize On—Aligns the next report with UTC (Global) time, regardless of the last report time. This allows multiple devices to generate reports in a synchronized manner. Aware State Transitions will still report on a threshold breach, but the following report will return to the next aligned report interval.

Warning: Too many synchronized reports will increase network congestion. We recommend that no more than 10 devices per gateway are synchronized.

Example: The Heartbeat is configured to 60 minutes, and the device reports at 1:47 PM.

If Synchronization is Off, the next reports are expected at 2:47 PM, then at 3:47 PM.

If Synchronization is On, the next reports are expected at 2:00 PM, then 3:00 PM.

Detection Type—Configures if pulses are recorded at the pulse's positive, negative, or both edges.
Pulse Noise Filter—Used to filter out false detections caused by electrical noise in the line.

Filter Recommendations

Strong—The maximum expected pulse rate is less than 4 times per second.

Medium—The maximum expected pulse rate is less than 20 times per second.

Weak—The maximum expected pulse rate is less than 80 times per second.

None—Will not filter any noise.

Accumulate Off (Default)—Reports the number of pulses detected between Heartbeats.
Accumulate On—Accumulates the readings Heartbeat after Heartbeat. Accumulation rolls over at 18446744073709551615 (64-bit).
Accumulate Reset—Moves the accumulated value to 0. This command is only available when accumulate is turned on and saved.
Overflow Count—When this number of pulses is observed within the Heartbeat period, the Counter reports immediately with the aware flag. This count resets every time the Counter communicates.

Installation Steps

Note: If this is your first time setting up your Monnit system, you must set up an iMonnit account and connect your ALTA Gateway to iMonnit before registering your sensor. See this article for steps to start: Creating an iMonnit account.

Then, follow these five steps.

Step 1.

Remove the ALTA Dual Pulse Counter from the package. If installing an industrial Counter, attach the antenna.

Step 2.

Step 3.

Determine the Counter’s installation location. We recommend placing the Counter in the location and ensuring it reports to the gateway before final installation. If you’re using an ALTA Site Survey Tool to perform a site survey to determine sensor installation location, see this article.

Step 4.

After verifying that the Counter is communicating with the gateway, mount the Counter using the supplied screws or double-sided tape. Ensure the Counter's lead wires have enough room to mount to the contact points.

Step 5.

Attach the wires to the desired endpoints.