Overview

"Over pulsing" is a technical anomaly where a submetering system records a higher volume of utility consumption (water, gas, or electric) than what has physically passed through the meter. This results in the software showing a higher reading than the actual numbers displayed on the meter’s physical faceplate.

Understanding this issue is critical for ensuring accurate billing and identifying hardware that requires maintenance.

How Pulse Metering Works

Over pulsing occurs when "ghost" or false signals are generated in this chain, causing the system to count consumption that never happened.

Common Causes

Over pulsing is almost always a hardware or installation issue. The two most common causes are:

1. Wiring Faults (The "Chatter" Effect) If the protective insulation on the pulse wires is stripped, damaged, or "bared," the exposed copper wires may touch each other or a metal surface.

• The Result: Every time the bare wires touch, the circuit closes. The system interprets this contact as a "pulse." If the wires are loose and vibrate (chatter) against each other, the system may register dozens of gallons of usage in seconds, even if no water is flowing.

2. Internal Component Malfunction The pulse probe or "reed switch" located inside or attached to the meter can malfunction.

• The Result: A failing switch may get stuck in a "bounce" loop, sending multiple signals for a single rotation of the meter dial. This is common in older meters or meters exposed to magnetic interference.

Symptoms: How to Spot Over Pulsing

You can usually identify over pulsing by looking for these specific data patterns:

• The "Impossible" Spike: You see a sudden, vertical jump in usage on a graph during odd hours (e.g., 500 gallons used between 3:00 AM and 3:15 AM) when no active usage is occurring.
  
  

• Reading Discrepancy: The most definitive proof. When you compare the System Reading (software) against the Physical Meter Face, the System Reading is significantly higher.

  • Note: In some cases the physical meter will NOT match the the System Reading (Consult with our technicians for clarification) 

Troubleshooting 

If you suspect a unit is over pulsing, follow these steps:

1. Visual Confirmation: Take a photo of the physical meter face. Compare this number to the current reading in the software. If the software number is higher, the unit has over pulsed.

2. Inspect the Wiring: Check the wire run between the meter and the transmitter. Look for:

   • Splices that have been exposed to water.

   • Nicks in the wire casing where copper is visible.

   • Loose connections at the terminal block.