01
Water passes through the meter
The meter is installed in the water line with the flow arrow aligned to the direction of water flow.
Residential Ultrasonic Prepaid Water Meter Guide
Understand the ZLINK LXC STS Prepayment Ultrasonic Water Meter
A residential ultrasonic prepaid water meter using STS token credit, a separate CIU EV900 customer interface, valve-controlled supply and high-resolution static measurement for domestic water applications.
UltrasonicSTS PrepaidDN15 / DN20 / DN25Class 2IP68CIU EV900
ModelLXC-15 / LXC-20 / LXC-25
BrandZLINK
01 / Understand the meter
Start with what the meter actually does
The ZLINK LXC prepaid ultrasonic water meter is a static residential meter available in DN15, DN20 and DN25 variants in the supplied user manual. It uses ultrasonic measurement, supports STS prepaid credit through a separate CIU, includes valve-control functions, and provides local LCD information including flow direction, alarms, credit and valve status.
Unlike a traditional mechanical meter, the ZLINK LXC uses ultrasonic measurement with no mechanical measuring gears. In the prepaid configuration, the customer purchases a 20-digit STS token, enters it through the CIU EV900, and the meter updates the available water credit. The meter can close the water supply when credit is exhausted and can report key information through its display and short codes.
02 / How it works
How the ZLINK LXC prepaid water system works
Follow the measurement, credit and valve-control process from the water supply to the customer interface.
02
Ultrasonic measurement records consumption
Static ultrasonic measurement determines water consumption without mechanical measuring gears or wearing measurement parts.
03
Customer buys prepaid credit
Water credit is purchased in advance and issued as a 20-digit STS token.
04
Token is entered on the CIU
The customer enters the token on the CIU EV900 keypad. The CIU communicates with the paired meter by RF.
05
Credit is transferred to the meter
Once accepted, the prepaid balance is updated and displayed as available water credit.
06
Valve controls the water supply
The prepaid configuration supports valve status and automatic water disconnection when the available credit is exhausted, with re-opening after successful recharge according to system configuration.
01Water SupplyThe incoming residential water supply enters the installed ZLINK ultrasonic meter.
→ 02ZLINK LXC MeterUltrasonic sensing measures consumption while the meter monitors flow, alarms, battery and valve status.
→ 03STS Credit + ValvePrepaid credit is stored against the meter and supply is controlled by the valve functions.
→ 04CIU EV900The customer uses the RF customer interface for token entry, balance information and selected meter queries.
03 / Explore the functions
Learn what each part contributes
Function explained
Static ultrasonic measurement
The meter uses ultrasonic measurement and has no mechanical moving measuring parts, supporting long-term stability and low wear.
04 / See the system
See the meter beyond the specification sheet
Use the real product and installation visuals to understand how the meter, customer interface and smart-metering pathway fit together.
Meet the CIU
The CIU is the customer's interaction point for supported token entry, balance enquiries and meter information.
Understand the smart-metering path
This visual supports the documented communication path shown in the technical reference below.
See the installation
Use the installation image to understand the physical context in which the meter is fitted and accessed.
05 / Where to use it
Match the meter to the property
A meter should be selected for its application, not simply because it is prepaid.
Residential prepaid water metering
Designed for household water measurement where customers purchase water credit before consumption.
Rental and multi-unit properties
Useful where individual occupants need separate prepaid water control and an indoor customer interface.
Managed residential developments
Suitable for residential projects requiring accurate low-flow measurement, customer credit control and valve-managed supply.
Smart water projects
The broader ZLINK residential ultrasonic platform supports multiple communication technologies for connected metering deployments.
06 / Selection guide
Should you choose this meter?
Use the requirements below as a practical starting point, then confirm the site-specific technical requirements before installation.
Choose the ZLINK LXC when...
- You need an STS prepaid residential ultrasonic water meter.
- You want a separate keypad CIU for customer token entry.
- The installation requires DN15, DN20 or DN25 according to the supplied prepaid manual.
- You want static ultrasonic measurement without mechanical measuring gears.
- The project requires valve-controlled prepaid supply.
- Low starting flow and high-resolution household consumption measurement are important.
- An IP68 meter body is required for the installation environment.
Check these points before ordering
- Confirm whether DN15, DN20 or DN25 is required for the actual site flow rate.
- Confirm the exact supplied model and dimensions before preparing pipework because ZLINK publishes more than one residential ultrasonic configuration.
- Confirm that the prepaid meter and CIU are supplied as a matched/compatible configuration.
- Confirm RF conditions and the practical CIU location at the property.
- Confirm the STS vending and meter configuration required for the EDM Solutions deployment.
- Confirm the valve configuration and commissioning procedure before installation.
- Follow the manufacturer installation guidance: correct flow direction, avoid air accumulation at high points, and use the specified connectors/fittings.
07 / Technical reference
Key documented functions
This guide explains documented functions and selection considerations. Final product suitability must be confirmed against the project requirements and the current manufacturer documentation.
08 / Teaching gallery
Look closer at the meter
Browse additional product and field images. Select any image to view it larger.
09 / Questions
Common questions about ZLINK LXC
Is the ZLINK LXC a prepaid water meter?
Yes. The supplied manual is specifically for the STS prepayment residential ultrasonic water meter and describes charging the meter with a 20-digit prepaid token.
How does the customer enter a water token?
The customer enters the 20-digit STS token on the paired CIU EV900 keypad. The CIU then communicates with the water meter.
How does the CIU communicate with the meter?
ZLINK describes the CIU EV900 as an RF customer interface. The current manufacturer page lists RF communication at 443 MHz.
What sizes are covered by this prepaid guide?
The supplied STS prepayment manual covers LXC-15, LXC-20 and LXC-25, corresponding to DN15, DN20 and DN25.
Does the meter close the water when credit runs out?
The supplied manual states that when the available prepaid water is exhausted, the meter disconnects the water supply and the customer must recharge.
What information can be queried with short codes?
The supplied manual lists functions including total water consumption, meter balance, date/time, meter number, overdraft water, emergency overdraft, total recharge volume, last recharge amount, battery voltage and valve status.
Does the meter detect reverse flow or an empty pipe?
Yes. The manufacturer display documentation includes forward/reverse flow and empty-pipe indications, and the current product page also lists leakage and dry-pipe detection.
Is the meter waterproof?
The manufacturer lists the residential ultrasonic meter as IP68.
Can ZLINK ultrasonic meters support remote communications?
Yes. The broader residential ultrasonic product family supports several communication configurations including RF, M-Bus and NB-IoT. Exact communication hardware must be confirmed for the meter configuration being supplied.
Why should the exact dimensions be confirmed before installation?
The supplied prepaid manual and the current ZLINK family webpage show slightly different dimensions for some variants, indicating multiple configurations or revisions. EDM Solutions should confirm the actual supplied model before pipework is prepared.
Understand it. Select it. Install it correctly.
Ready to take the next step?
View the product listing or speak to EDM Solutions about the property, quantity, installation and smart-metering requirements.