Programming the 2.4ZR OpenWay Mesh Range Extender

Install Itron’s battery-powered 2.4ZR OpenWay Mesh Range Extender when data is not being exchanged between an OpenWay CENTRON electric meter and a 2.4GZ OpenWay Gas Module. If both the CENTRON meter and the gas module are working properly, there may be radio frequency (RF) signal constraints preventing the module from communicating with the meter. RF signal constraints may be caused by physical barriers, such as foliage, walls, or vehicles, between the components, or there may be too great a distance between the electric meter and the gas module. Installing a range extender between the electric meter and the gas module provides an extension to the gas module's RF range, enabling data flow.

Important! You must first program the 2.4GZ OpenWay Gas Module with which the range extender will be connected before you can program the extender.

1. Start FDM and display the FDM Tools endpoint selection menu and select the applicable range extender type—2.4ZR (IPP) or 2.4ZR (SEP).

2. Go to the physical location of the 2.4ZR Mesh Range Extender and select Program Endpoint on the menu to display the Program Endpoint screen.

3. Do the following:

   • In the Endpoint ID box, type the range extender’s identification number.

   • Select the existing key type.

     • Select Factory if the module has not been programmed.

     • Select Customer if it has been programmed.

     Note: The key you use to program the 2.4ZR must match the key set for both the OpenWay 2.4GZ module and the CENTRON electric meter that the range extender is to communicate with.

4. In the Utility Data field, enter any utility-defined number (up to four digits) and select Next.

   

5. The system displays a summary screen with the information you have entered.

   

   Select Next.

6. The system starts the Zigbee radio and prompts you to activate the range extender.

   

   Tip: The Magnet swipe required message may not appear if you previously swiped the range extender and it is still activated.

   Position and hold an Itron magnet against the bar code label on the front of the range extender until the device’s internal red light blinks three times (about five seconds), and then remove the magnet.

   

7. The device becomes activated and the system displays its progress as it programs the range extender.

   

   After a pause, if the range extender succeeds in connecting to the CENTRON electric meter, its internal red light blinks five times, and the handheld displays the following screen.

   

   Select Finish to return to the action command menu.

   After another pause, the range extender’s internal amber light blinks from one to five times at one-minute intervals, indicating the signal strength of the connection to the meter.

   Note: At this point, you have a 10-minute window of time to complete the remaining steps of the procedure.

8. Go to the OpenWay 2.4 GZ gas module. Use the magnet to activate the module (see To activate a 2.4GZ OpenWay Gas Module).

   The module’s internal red light blinks three times to indicate that it is trying to connect to the range extender. You can see the light behind the gas meter register, through the side of its transparent plastic cover

   After a pause, if it succeeds in connecting to the range extender, the module’s light blinks five times.

9. Return to the 2.4ZR Mesh Range Extender.

   The range extender’s internal green light blinks from one to five times at one-minute intervals, indicating the signal strength of the connection to the 2.4GZ gas module. It continues to blink until the expiration of the 10-minute window of time that began when the range extender first connected to the CENTRON electric meter.