
	February 2008

Itron Launches High-Powered 100G Gas ERT Modules

Itron has launched its new high-powered 100G Gas ERT Modules for National/Lancaster residential gas meters and the direct-mount 100G ERT Module compatible with American and Actaris/Schlumberger commercial diaphragm gas meters.

The 100G module joins Itron's industry-leading portfolio of radio-frequency-based meter data collection for gas automated meter reading (AMR), offering more efficient mobile reads and

reduced infrastructure costs for fixed network deployments.

The 100G builds upon the field-proven design of the 40-series gas ERT module, to deliver an industry leading 99.999 percent read accuracy rate. A more powerful module, the 100G offers up to 250 milliwatts of output power, operates in a bubble-up mode and does not require an FCC license. Other customer benefits include:

Easy deployment along side legacy ERT modules

Compatible with updated Itron 900 MHz handheld, mobile and fixed network solutions for additional flexibility

A 20-year battery life regardless of data collection solution to ensure low cost of ownership

Updated housing optimizes antenna performance and maximizes RF signal

In a time when utilities continually search for innovative ways to drive out costs, the 100G provides a sensible pathway from handhelds to mobile to fixed networks.

As Itron continues to expand the Itron 100G gas ERT product line, many inquiries have been generated related to approved reading devices and support publications. Spec sheets are available on the ERTs and ordering guides are available upon request.

Itron will continue to build up the 100G product line for all major meters.If you have additional questions concerning this product update, please contact Ralph Harms at ralph.harms@itron.com.

A Century of Measurement
Now a part of Itron’s industry leading product portfolio, Actaris gas meters tout a long, reliable history

The acquisition of Actaris by Itron in April 2007 brings together two of the world's leading metering companies and introduces a new range of residential and commercial industrial gas meters to the North American market. Although the combined company is less than a year old, one of the products Itron is now able to offer through the acquisition, Actaris gas meters, has been around since the turn of the century.

Henry Hezekiah Sprague founded the Sprague Meter Company, a two-room shop in Bridgeport, Conn., in 1900. The mission of the company was to produce Sprague's invention, a three-chambered, cast iron gas meter. The meter introduced 20th century gas utilities to low flow accuracy and reduced maintenance costs.

As the natural gas industry evolved, so too did Sprague's gas meter. Throughout the years, Sprague was responsible for a number of industry firsts, beginning with a patent for the "wearless" orbital valve in 1903. In 1929, the first adjustable meter, not requiring disassembly, was offered by Sprague. In 1937, the Bridgeport facility produced the first combination meter and regulator set. Today's aluminum alloy meter has its origins in Sprague's design originating in 1946.

In 1959, Sprague pioneered the use of synthetic diaphragm material, which is the standard in gas meters today. In the early 60s, Sprague's next breakthrough came in the form of temperature compensation to diaphragm meters. Still another Sprague innovation, incorporation of lubrication free bearings, came in 1966. This change made the meter virtually maintenance-free. Combination meter/regulator technology was improved upon with the introduction of the 175 residential meter (175RM) in the 70s. This modernization married the meter with the service regulator for an easily installed, aesthetically pleasing set.

In 1985, Schlumberger Limited acquired the Sprague Meter Company. With the acquisition came a name change. The Sprague Meter Company became Schlumberger Industries, Gas Division. Along with the transformation came an infusion of gas industry focus, specifically, world-wide gas measurement resources and resulting acceleration of research and development (R&D). This inspired another industry first in 1995 when the 175RM was replaced by a more compact meter/regulator combination, the Metris RM, which allows the meter to be removed from service, independent of its regulator, improving field maintenance. Also resulting from this R&D effort was the "A" series of commercial meters, combining traditional measurement accuracy with a compact design. These commercial meters still lead the market in terms of reliability, and ease of installation and handling.

In November 2001, through an acquisition of the former business interests of Schlumberger Resource Management Services, Actaris was created. In addition to acquiring Schlumberger's electricity and water meters outside North America, Actaris' product line included the North American gas meters and related products originally pioneered by Sprague.

In 2007, came the Itron acquisition of Actaris, creating one of the largest electricity, gas and water metering companies in the world. The next several years will see the commercialization of many concepts, as Itron takes these reliable, advanced gas meters and related products into a second century of accurate natural gas measurement.

Quickest Way to Build Something is, First, to Build Something Else
Prototyping machine leads to superior production of gas meters and regulators

World demand for gas, a clean, cost-effective energy source, is growing. As a result, its investment is rising and gas transmission and distribution networks are expanding, while deregulation is allowing customers to choose suppliers based on price. Combined, these factors necessitate fast, accurate and reliable measurement for gas producers and distributors.

Actaris, an Itron company, designs and manufactures advanced gas metering products using modern business models that emphasize the importance of producing a high quality product from design inception. We release designs and products that have been optimized for performance and total material costs, minimizing tooling, labor and product resource usage. Research indicates that 80 percent of all product cost savings are accomplished during the design phase. This is especially relevant in terms of the accurate production of prototypes.

In years past, our engineers dealt with outside design firms to contract the production of prototypes at considerable cost (typically $600 per unit). It's was also hard to justify the cost of purchasing prototyping equipment. That recently changed given the affordability and quality of a recent Actaris purchase. Dimension, by Stratasys Inc., is Actaris' in-house prototyping equipment, enabling us to facilitate group design while eliminating significant capital costs.

The equipment is used to produce rapid prototype parts out of ABS plastic, a common thermoplastic used to make light, rigid, molded products. Dimension directly interfaces with Actaris' 3-D computer-aided design system and allows engineers to quickly produce prototypes that streamline the engineering design process.

Dimension lets us tests slight modifications to existing products, or fully conceptualize a new product. Its flexibility and speed lend quick feedback to engineers, manufacturing, marketing and end-customers. Samples made from ABS are very durable, fully machineable and truly functional for the ultimate in engineering feasibility testing and customer demonstrations.

Outside prototypes require two to three weeks for quoting and fabricating of parts. With Dimension, prototypes are within a day's reach, providing faster feedback relevant to quality concerns and improvements. This leads to superior production of our residential and commercial industrial gas meters and regulators, covering all the needs of gas utilities and customers worldwide.