Remote pulse acquisition succeeds only when the electrical output, edge-detection behavior, pulse constant and cumulative counter all agree. A plausible daily total is not commissioning evidence.
Identify the output circuit
Read the exact meter manual and terminal diagram. Determine whether the output is a volt-free contact, open collector/drain, powered voltage or another defined circuit. Record maximum voltage and current, polarity, isolation, leakage, pulse width, minimum gap and maximum frequency.
Do not assume that “S0,” “pulse” or a two-terminal symbol defines the whole interface. Compare both devices' limits and add an approved isolator or interface when required. Our dry versus active pulse guide explains the distinction.
Record pulse weight at the source
The pulse constant may be stated as pulses per kWh, litres per pulse, cubic metres per pulse or another reciprocal form. It may also be configurable. Record the source display/menu value, units and date; do not copy an old drawing without checking the installed meter.
Use the pulse scaling calculator to expose the entered convention and multiplier. Retain raw counts alongside engineering-unit totals so a scaling correction does not erase the evidence.
Bound the expected rate
Calculate pulses per hour and Hz at the maximum credible process rate. Compare that with the meter's minimum pulse width/gap and the counter input's validated capture rate. Also calculate expected pulses in one reporting interval: very sparse pulses create a stepped short-interval rate even when the cumulative total is correct.
The rollover estimator distinguishes the maximum represented value, 2^bits − 1, from the 2^bits increments required for a zero-start unsigned counter to wrap.
Prove counting with a controlled vector
Record starting source total and remote raw count. Generate or observe a known number of pulses, then verify the raw count changed by exactly that number. Confirm the engineering-unit total using the recorded pulse weight.
For a dry contact, test that contact bounce is not counted multiple times without filtering valid short pulses. For an active output, verify polarity and levels at both logical states. Use test equipment and procedures suitable for the circuit; do not improvise on utility-owned or hazardous wiring.
Test persistence and recovery
Pulse events can occur while upstream communications are unavailable. Prove what the local counter retains across a network outage and gateway restart. Test a counter power interruption only where the product supports it and the test is safe. Document reset, wrap and replacement behavior.
The receiver must not double-apply a retransmitted cumulative count. A cumulative counter and a sequence of interval deltas are different data contracts.
Reconcile with the meter totaliser
Choose a representative period long enough to include many pulses. Record source and remote start/end values at bounded times, account for the pulse resolution, and compare the net change. Investigate discrepancies before applying an unexplained correction factor.
Repeat reconciliation after pulse-weight changes, meter replacement, counter firmware/configuration changes or a suspected reset. For tariff or billing use, the source meter and applicable approval remain authoritative.
Use the pulse meter application guide for the complete system, or start System Builder with the meter output and rate details.
Working out what this needs on your own site? Answer a few questions