Fludia FM232 Series User manual

FM232 and F-Link –User Guide

LoRa IoT sensors and micro-bridge for remote monitoring

Document Ref FLD10053 version 1.0.2

Product references:

FM232e: electricity meter optical reading

Ref: FM232e_nc_1mn, FM232e_nc_10mn, FM232e_nc_15mn

FM232ir: electricity infrared meter optical reading (SML protocol)

Ref: FM232ir_nc_1mn, FM232ir_nc_15mn

FM232g: gas meter optical reading (ATEX)

Ref: FM232g_nc_10mn, FM232g_nc_15mn

FM232p-a: pulse reading (ATEX)

Ref: FM232p-a_nc_1mn, FM232p-a_nc_10mn, FM232p-a_nc_15mn

FM232p-n: pulse reading (non-ATEX)

Ref: FM232p-n_nc_1mn, FM232p-n_nc_10mn, FM232p-n_nc_15mn

FM232t: temperature measurement

Ref: FM232t_1mn, FM232t_10mn, FM232t_15mn

F-Link: micro-bridge forwarding LoRa radio messages through Internet

Ref: F-Link_dc

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Firmware versions

FM232e

Optical head: FM210em_v5.4 (FM232e_nc_1mn), FM210em_v4.6 (FM232e_nc_10mn,

FM232e_nc_15mn)

Radio/battery box: BPR07_V3.1.7

FM232ir

Optical head: FM210ir_v1.7 (FM232ir_nc_1mn), FM210ir_v1.2 (FM232ir_nc_15mn)

Radio/battery box: BPR07_V3.1.7

FM232g

Optical head: FM210g_v3.2

Radio/battery box: BPR07_v3.1.8

FM232p

Radio/battery box: BPR07_v3.1.9 (FM232p-a_nc_1mn), BPR07_v3.1.7 (FM232p-a_nc_10mn,

FM232p-a_nc_15mn)

F-Link

F_Link_v1.1.7

Revision history

Version

Notes

Date

1.0.1

New doc replacing ref FLD9491 (IMC User Guide EN_v1.0.5)

2022-05-17

1.0.2

Minor corrections

2022-05-17

 
 
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Table of Contents 
Overview...............................................................................................................4 
Setting up the F-Link..............................................................................................5 
1 Powering up...........................................................................................................................5 
2 Connecting to Internet ..........................................................................................................5 
Pairing a sensor with the F-Link.............................................................................6 
1 Open the pairing time window on the F-Link........................................................................6 
2 Initiate the pairing on the sensor side ..................................................................................6 
Installing the sensors.............................................................................................7 
1 Installing the FM232e (optical reading of electricity meters)...............................................7 
2 Installing the FM232ir (optical reading of electricity meters in Germany)...........................8 
3 Installing the FM232g (optical reading of gas meters)........................................................10 
4 Installing the FM232p (detecting meter pulse outputs: gas, water, elec, heat…)...............11 
5 Installing the FM232t (measuring temperature).................................................................11 
Replacing batteries in a sensor............................................................................ 12 
Accessing the dashboard to check communication and data .............................. 12 
Retrieving data from the server with the API ...................................................... 14 
1 Device list request ...............................................................................................................14 
2 Interval data request ...........................................................................................................15 
3 Index data............................................................................................................................16 
4 Message list.........................................................................................................................17 
Contact................................................................................................................18 
Annex A: product references and what they mean ............................................. 19 
 
 

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1. Overview

The basic principle of this remote monitoring solution is to install IoT sensors (FM232x on the graph) using

LoRa long range radio to transfer measurement messages to a micro-bridge (F-Link on the graph).

The F-Link forwards these messages to a server through Internet.

The different types of sensors available are:

- FM232e: optical reading of electricity meters (detecting rotating disk, or blinking light)

- FM232ir: optical reading of electricity meters in Germany (detecting rotating disk, or infrared port

with SML protocol)

- FM232g: optical reading of gas meters (detecting digit rotation)

- FM232p: detecting pulse outputs of some meters (gas, water, electricity, heat…)

- FM232t: measuring temperature

The installation process consists of three main steps:

1. Configuring the F-Link: providing the F-Link with your Wifi password (not necessary if you are using

an Ethernet cable)

2. Pairing the sensors with the F-Link: pressing twice the button on the F-Link side, then starting one of

the sensors, then doing the same for the next sensor (pressing twice the F-Link button, then starting

a sensor), and so on.

3. Installing the sensors: sticking the optical sensor to the existing meter, or connecting the wires, or

just positioning the box, depending on the type of sensor.

Retrieving the data can be done in one of two ways:

- Connecting to the server’s API https://fm430-api.fludia.com/v1/API/

- Selecting data and downloading related files from the dashboard

Page 5 / 19

2. Setting up the F-Link

2.1 Powering up

Use the provided power adapter to power the F-Link up.

2.2 Connecting to Internet

Option 1: use the provided Ethernet cable

This option is the fastest: just connect the Ethernet cable between the F-Link and your existing

modem/router (connected to Internet). The F-Link LED on the left will turn green to confirm that it is

connected to Internet.

Warning: only works if your local network configuration is “DHCP” (most Internet modems in residential or

SOHO).

Option 2: use the Wi-Fi connectivity

This option relies on a pre-existing Wi-Fi connected to Internet. In this case, you need to provide the F-Link

with the Wi-Fi password.

This can be done in two ways:

- If you have an android smart phone, the easiest is to download the F-Link android App from Google

Play and follow the instructions.

- If you don’t have an android smart phone, the way to proceed is to connect to the F-Link embedded

Web server.

With the android App:

1. Press long (4 seconds) on the F-Link button to open its Wi-Fi access point. The blue LED should

blink.

2. Start the F-Link Android App on your phone or tablet.

3. Follow the instructions.

Without the android App:

1. Press long (4 seconds) on the F-Link button to open its own Wi-Fi access point. The blue LED

should blink.

2. On your phone, tablet, or PC, connect to the F-Link Wi-Fi access point, which names looks like “F-

Link-70B3D54Axxxxxxxx”. This will disconnect you temporarily from Internet.

3. Open a web browser (chrome for example)

4. In the web browser, type the following URL: 192.168.1.1/flink (it is a configuration page build by the

F-Link itself)

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5. The configuration page appears. You must click on the Wi-Fi icon and select the Wi-Fi you use for

Internet connection (usually your Internet box or router). Enter the corresponding Wi-Fi password

and click on “OK”. The F-Link green LED turns steady ON once it has managed to connect to the

Internet.

3. Pairing a sensor with the F-Link

3.1 Open the pairing time window on the F-Link

Press twice shortly on the F-Link button. The yellow LED should start blinking, indicating the activation of the

pairing time window. This pairing time window closes after 5 minutes.

3.2 Initiate the pairing on the sensor side

FM232e: connect the cable between the optical head and the radio/battery box.

FM232ir: connect the cable between the optical head and the radio/battery box.

FM232g: connect the cable between the optical head and the radio/battery box

FM232p: connect the cable on both sides (radio/battery box side and meter side) and make sure the meter

generates at least one pulse during the pairing time window of 5 minutes.

FM232t: take out the battery and put it back on.

Once the pairing has been initiated, the LEDs on the radio/battery FM232

box will show the progress:

- Red and Green LED blinking together (pairing in progress)

- Green LED blinking alone (pairing successful)

- Red LED blinking alone (pairing failed)

If the LEDs on the radio/battery side blink green twice, red once, green twice, red once

and so on, it means that the device has been previously paired to an F-Link (but not

necessarily this one). If you want to make sure, remove the batteries, wait for 10 seconds,

and put them back on. It resets the pairing so that you can pair from a fresh start.

On the F-Link side, the yellow LED blinking stops when the pairing has been performed.

If another sensor needs to be paired, go through the process again (open the pairing time window on the F-

Link, then initiate the pairing on the sensor side)

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4. Installing the sensors

4.1 Installing the FM232e (optical reading of electricity meters)

First identify the type of meter you want to measure. It could be either an electronic electricity meter (with a

blinking light) or an electromechanical electricity meter (with a rotating disk).

In case the white cable is plugged in the radio/battery box, it is recommended to unplug it (and leave only

the optical side connected) before proceeding with the installation.

If it is an electronic meter, you must position the optical head switch on B,

and if it is an electromechanical meter, you must position the switch on A:

If it is an electronic meter, stick the adhesive plastic mount on the

meter in front of the meter blinking light (aim through the hole)

Then, position the optical head on top of the

plastic mount and tight the black screw.

If it is an electromechanical meter, make sure the optical head

is properly attached to the adhesive plastic mount with the help of the black screw:

Stick the system on the meter glass panel, making sure the two arrows are perfectly aligned with the meter

disk (face the meter and keep your eyes at disc level for better result):

If the arrows are not completely lined up with the disc, loosen the screw, adjust

position, and tighten the screw

Connect the white cable between the optical head and the FM232e battery/radio box.

In the case of an electromechanical meter, make sure the optical head is still perfectly aligned with the disk.

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The FM232e starts measuring automatically.

The optical head LEDs (lights) should blink this way:

1. Calibration: red LED blinks for 20 seconds.

2. Validation: green LED blinks every time the meter light blinks (electronic meter) or every time the

disk mark (black or red) comes in front of the sensor (electromechanical meter).

3. After 3 minutes, the green light stops completely to avoid wasting battery load.

On the FM232e battery/radio box, LEDs (lights) should blink Green-Green-Red. (it only means that this

sensor has already been paired to an F-Link). The blinking stops after 30 seconds.

4.2 Installing the FM232ir (optical reading of electricity meters in Germany)

First identify the type of meter you want to measure. It could be either an mME electricity meter (with an

infrared port supporting SML protocol) or an electromechanical electricity meter (with a rotating disk).

In case the white cable is plugged in the radio/battery box, it is recommended to unplug it (and leave only

the optical side connected) before proceeding with the installation.

If it is an mME meter, you must position the optical head switch on B, and if

it is an electromechanical meter, you must position the switch on A:

If it is an mME meter, stick the adhesive plastic mount on the meter in front

of the meter infrared receiving LED (aim through the hole)

Page 9 / 19

Then, fasten the optical head to the plastic mount.

Use the black screw to tighten the optical head to the mount.

If it is an electromechanical meter, make sure the optical head

is properly attached to the adhesive plastic mount with the help of the black screw:

Stick the system on the meter glass panel, making sure the two arrows are perfectly aligned with the meter

disk (face the meter and keep your eyes at disc level for better result):

If the arrows are not completely lined up with the disc, loosen the screw, adjust

position, and tighten the screw

Connect the white cable between the optical head and the FM232ir battery/radio box.

In the case of an electromechanical meter, make sure the optical head is still perfectly aligned with the disk.

The FM232ir starts measuring automatically.

The optical head LEDs (lights) should blink this way:

1. Calibration: red LED blinks for 20 seconds.

2. Validation: green LED each time the disk mark (black or red) comes in front of the sensor

(electromechanical meter) or each time a correct infrared signal is detected (mME meter).

3. The green light stops completely to avoid wasting battery load (after 3 minutes for electromechanical,

after 1 minute for mME).

On the FM232ir battery/radio box, LEDs (lights) should blink Green-Green-Red. (it only means that this

sensor has already been paired to an F-Link). The blinking stops after 30 seconds.

Page 10 / 19

4.3 Installing the FM232g (optical reading of gas meters)

In case the white cable is plugged in the radio/battery box, it is recommended to unplug it (and leave only

the optical side connected) before proceeding with the installation.

Clean the meter window.

Paste the holder on the glass of the meter, in front of the prior-to-

last digit of the index, using the provided adhesive (already fixed on

the holder).

>> Make sure the arrows of the holder are perfectly at mid-height of the

frame.

>> In some cases, the digit can be higher or lower than normal. Position

the arrows at mid-height of the frame, not at mid-height of the digit.

Clip the optical sensor to the holder.

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