Use this guide to read the radio symbols, error codes and alarms shown on an IUWS B.One display and to decide what to do next. To activate the meter or join it to a network, see Installation and Configuration. Not sure which guide you need? Start at Meters Not Reading or Poor Signal: Where to Start.
What you need
- An NFC enabled Android phone (Android 8 or later) with the B.One Device Manager app.
- Or the ZENNER NFC coupler MinoConnectUSB with the MSS configuration software.
- For a meter with an external NDC module, the MinoConnect Bluetooth Radio Set Opto or the K01 Blue 3000.
- The platform where the meter should appear, such as the LoRaWAN network server or the wireless MBus receiver.
Is the radio on? Read the radio symbol
The radio symbol on the display shows what the radio is doing. The first table shows what each symbol means on a LoRaWAN meter, a wireless MBus meter and a meter with an external NDC module. The second table says what to do.
| Radio symbol | LoRaWAN meter (scenario 2xx) | wMBus meter (scenario 3xx) | With an external NDC radio module |
|---|---|---|---|
| No symbol | Radio off | The symbol does not show the operating mode of the device | Radio off, or the NDC radio module has not yet been discovered |
| Radio on, but not yet joined to the LoRa network, or the join failed | Not applicable | Only for LoRa: radio on, but not yet joined to the LoRa network, or the join failed | |
| LoRa network join request sent, accept not yet received | A wMBus packet is being transmitted | Not applicable | |
| LoRa network joined | Not applicable | LoRa network joined |
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No symbol on a LoRaWAN meter | The radio is off. | Activate the meter (see Installation and Configuration) and check a LoRaWAN scenario, 201 to 204, is set. |
| Antenna only on a LoRaWAN meter | The radio is on but the meter has not joined the network, or the join failed. | See Joining the network in Installation and Configuration. |
| Waves only on a LoRaWAN meter | A join request was sent and no accept has come back yet. | Wait a few minutes, then go to Joining the network in Installation and Configuration. |
| Antenna with waves on a LoRaWAN meter | The meter has joined the LoRaWAN network. | No action. Check the platform for data. |
| Waves only on a wireless MBus meter | A wireless MBus packet is being transmitted. | Normal. Check the receiver (see Joining the network in Installation and Configuration). |
| No symbol on a wireless MBus meter | This does not tell you the radio mode. The symbol only shows while a packet is sent. | Check the receiver (see Joining the network in Installation and Configuration), or read the scenario with the app. |
| No symbol on a meter with an NDC module | The radio is off, or the NDC module has not been found yet. | Check the NDC module is connected and activated with the app. |
| Antenna only or with waves on a meter with an NDC module (LoRa only) | The same as the LoRaWAN meter above: not joined, or joined. | Follow Joining the network in Installation and Configuration. |
Error codes and alarms
The meter has smart functions that detect certain conditions. They show on the display as SF codes and are also sent by radio. On a LoRaWAN scenario a radio packet is sent each time a smart function triggers a warning. On a wireless MBus scenario the status is sent in the header of the telegram. The SF text is cleared from the main display after 7 days, and everything is kept in the data logger so it can be read over NFC.
| Code | Meaning | What triggers it | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| SF01 | Leakage | Constant flow for 24 hours, where flow is never zero. | Look for a dripping tap, running toilet or leaking pipe after the meter. |
| SF02 | Reverse installation | The return volume is higher than the forward volume for 4 hours. | Check the flow arrow and refit the meter the right way round. |
| SF03 | Battery warning | The battery is running down. The battery symbol shows 15 months before the battery is fully discharged. | Plan to replace the meter. The battery cannot be changed or recharged. |
| SF04 | Oversized | Flow never exceeds 10 percent of Q3, averaged over 15 minutes, for 30 days. | The meter is too large for the property. Review the size. It clears for good once 10 percent of Q3 is reached. |
| SF05 | Undersized | Flow stays above Q3 for 4 hours. | The meter is too small for the demand. Check for a larger meter. See also FOR below. |
| SF06 | Burst | A burst is detected for 30 minutes. | Look for a burst pipe and isolate the supply. |
| SF07 | Dry | No water is detected for 48 hours. | Check for a closed valve, empty pipe or air in the meter. |
| SF08 | Frost | Water temperature at or below 0 °C for 3 hours. | Protect the pipework and check the meter for frost damage. |
| SF09 | Backflow | Reverse water flow is detected. | Check for a missing or leaking non return valve and pressure changes. See Water Meter Overview and Diagnosis. |
| SF10 | No consumption | No flow for 1 month. | Check whether the property is empty, the valve is closed or the meter has failed. |
| FOR | Flow Out of Range | The flow went above the upper measuring limit. | The flow display switches off and consumption is not counted while the limit is exceeded. Check the meter size. It is stored as an undersized event. |
| SLEEP | Not activated | The meter has not been filled with water or activated. | See Activating the meter in Installation and Configuration. |
Reading the meter with the app
- Hold a phone running the B.One Device Manager app against the NFC interface to read the state, the error states and the logged events.
- The State field in the app shows the error states of the meter.
- Each new NFC contact moves on to the next menu display: forward flow volume, return flow volume, the segment test, the firmware version, total consumption and the high resolution test.
- The segment test runs every 5 minutes, and the firmware version can be read from the menu.
- The data logger can be exported from the app as a PDF or CSV file.
When to call for support
Call for support if the meter is activated and filled with water, the radio symbol is correct for its scenario, the details match the platform and it still does not report. Have the serial number, the firmware version, the scenario and any SF codes ready.
Need a hand on site? Contact the Sycous Project Lead, or email info@sycous.com, and have the details from the checklist above ready.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the display show SLEEP?
The meter is in sleep mode and has not been activated. It activates about 10 seconds after it is filled with water, or it can be activated with the app.
How do I turn the radio on?
The radio turns on when the meter is activated, either by filling it with water or with the app. A LoRaWAN or wireless MBus scenario must also be set.
Why can I not see the radio symbol on a wireless MBus meter?
On a wireless MBus meter the symbol only shows while a packet is being sent, so no symbol does not mean the radio is off.
Can the meter use LoRaWAN and wireless MBus at the same time?
Yes, on firmware 1.8.5 variants the meter can send on both at once. You can also switch between them with the B.One Device Manager app.
What does the battery symbol mean?
It shows when the battery has about 15 months of life left. The battery is fitted for life, so plan to replace the meter.
What if the meter reads zero flow?
Check it is filled and vented, and read the state in the app for SF07 Dry or SF10 No consumption.