Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide Y21030-TUM R e vi s i o n A www.Aclara.
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Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . Audience . . . . . . . . . . Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . Applicable Industry Standards . Tools Required . . . . . . . . Optional Tools . . . . . . . System Overview . . . . . . . Meter Components . . . . . Support . . . . . . . . . . . Aclara Connect . . . . . . . Aclara University . . . . . . Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of Contents Chapter 5: Features 17 Supported Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daily Shifted and Interval Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Demand Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . End Device Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . On Request Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power Outage and Restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
User GuideTOC.fm) Table of Contents Chapter 9: Testing NIC Communications in the Field Network Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self-Test Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trace Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Testing Communication with a Meter in the Field . . . . Site Testing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Testing Communication with a Meter in the Meter Shop Interferer Test . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of Contents iv Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Purpose This document intends to lay groundwork for the installation, use, and maintenance of the eRF I-210+c NIC. Audience This document is intended for Aclara customers that have signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Scope This document identifies the capabilities of the I-210+c meter when outfitted with an Aclara eRF I-210+c Network Interface Card (NIC). The document will discuss installation, use, and maintenance of the product.
Tools Required Tools Required • Volt Ohm Milliampmeter (VOM) Optional Tools • Spectrum Analyzer System Overview Figure 1.
Chapter 1 • Introduction Figure 1.2 Link Budget for the Aclara RF Network I-210+c Meter Components • The I-210+c or I-210+c RD meter with Gen 5 hardware and firmware 6.0 (or later) • An Aclara RF Network Interface Card (NIC), otherwise known as the eRF I-210+c NIC • A flexible antenna which connects to the NIC and wraps around the meter “under the glass” Support Aclara Connect Aclara’s customer portal (https://connect.aclara.
Support 4 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide
CHAPTER 2 SAFETY GUIDELINES Shock Hazard Warning Shock hazard Electricity can cause burns and interfere with the operation of the heart. Working with electricity can be hazardous. Wear appropriate PPE and observe all applicable safety procedures. The PPE should include insulating gloves, safety glasses, and any other equipment required by the utility or the circumstances of the installation. RF Exposure Hazard RF exposure hazard The equipment will begin communicating once it powers up.
Replacement Parts Replacement Parts Incorrect repair parts may result in equipment damage or create an unsafe condition. Return the equipment to the factory for repair. Inspect Antenna Clearance Risk of performance issues RF energy can be shielded by nearby materials. Proximity to metal walls or fences can inhibit the transmission of RF energy and affect system performance. If the meter is surrounded by metal or in a basement, make note. Further attention may be required at this location.
CHAPTER 3 REGULATORY GUIDELINES It is important that the installer follow all applicable national, regional, and local codes. Failure to do so could result in an unsafe condition or injury. It may also create a situation in which interference is created by the operation of the equipment. This manual will provide examples which are meant to be examples only. Local and regional codes may require a different practice.
FCC/IC RF Exposure Guide FCC/IC RF Exposure Guide Aclara Technologies LLC low power RF devices and their antennas must be fixed-mounted on indoor or outdoor permanent structure(s) providing a separation distance of at least 1 meter from all persons during normal operation. This device is not designed to operate in conjunction with any other antennas or transmitters. No other operating instructions for satisfying RF exposure compliance are needed.
Chapter 3 • Regulatory Guidelines Ce produit est conforme à la norme FCC et aux limites d'exposition au rayonnement RSS-102 d'Industrie Canada définies pour un environnement non contrôlé. Cet appareil est conforme à des règlements Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada exempts de licence standard RSS (s).
Pole Mount Installations Pole Mount Installations When mounting a meter on a power pole, it is important that the safety requirements of the NESC be satisfied. Different regions and utilities may impose additional safety requirements in addition to this North American standard. Local codes and pole owner best practices will be in addition to the NESC and NEC rules. All applicable requirements must be understood and followed by the installer.
CHAPTER 4 Table 4.1 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Product Specifications Specification Description Meter Hardware Version Meter Firmware Version eRF I-210+c NIC (EndPoint) Hardware Version Aclara RF NIC (EndPoint) Firmware Version AclaraONE Release MeterMate EndPoint quiescent power consumption 450 MHz Band antenna port output power 450-470 MHz band receiver sensitivity I-210+c and I-210+c RD Gen 5 platform 6.0.4.1 Y84092-1 1.74 1.10 6.10.0.166 1.5W +30.
Table 4.1 Product Specifications Specification Description LP Channel Capacity 4 channels Notes: The storage duration varies as a function of the way LP data collection is defined. Refer to the Meter User Guide, Chapter 5, Section R2 for more information on LP storage duration. The choice of Interval data transmission rates will have a profound impact on system bandwidth utilization when large quantities of meters are deployed.
Chapter 4 • Product Specifications Compliance Declarations FCC Part 15 Compliance This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. FCC Part 90 Certification This device has been certified as a Part 90 compliant device.
Meter Accommodations 2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. ISED Certification This device has been ISED certified. The meter AMI label (ref. Figure 4.2) will list the various certified components located within the enclosure by their IC ID. RF Exposure This device has been tested for exposure of humans to RF energy.
Chapter 4 • Product Specifications Table 4.
Meter Accommodations 16 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide
CHAPTER 5 FEATURES Supported Messages The Aclara RF Electric Network I-210+c customer configuration worksheet describes several types of messages: • Daily Shifted (DS) • Demand Reset (DR) • Interval Data • On-Request Read (OR) The Aclara RF Electric Network I-210+c customer configuration worksheet has been used at the factory in conjunction with the I-210+c meter configuration worksheet to configure the boards in the meter.
Supported Messages Daily Shifted and Interval Messages The following image shows a typical day in the life of a meter. (However, other messages are possible. These are shown in separate drawings.) Figure 5.1 Daily Shift and Interval Data Messages Typically, every day at midnight (the default daily shift time) the day begins with a series of “daily shifted” readings. These readings are described on the customer configuration worksheet with the “DS” designation.
Chapter 5 • Features Demand Reset Demand may be reset several different ways. The more common approach is to form a group of meters to be reset at the headend using the job scheduler, then issue the commands over the air to individual meters. The retry process can be rather complex and is not depicted in the following image. Figure 5.2 Demand Reset Message It might be noted that there are two demand reset lockout periods. One is enforced by the NIC (and prevents remote demand resets from occurring.
Supported Messages The Aclara RF Electric I-210+c customer configuration worksheet will describe which Reading Types are to be returned to the headend in the DR message response. End Device Events The Aclara RF Network system supports the notion of real time and opportunistic alarms. Figure 5.
Chapter 5 • Features New Meter When a new meter is installed, the meter and its NIC power up and begin to communicate with nearby DCUs. Once the NIC learns that it can communicate on the network, it sends a message to the headend and a durable DTLS security session is created. Once the session is established the NIC will begin sending up registration data as well as other messages that are due. Figure 5.
Supported Messages On Request Reading The customer configuration worksheet defines what the NIC will generate in response to an on-request read. (This is done by placing “OR” in the cells which indicate the desired readings.) The following image describes how a message is issued by the user at the headend to a DCU near the NIC. Figure 5.5 On Request Read Sequence The DCU converts the message to RF and transmits it to the NIC. The NIC processes the request by fetching fresh readings from the meter.
Chapter 5 • Features Power Outage and Restoration When a power outage begins, a timer starts counting in the NIC. The NIC will wait until the Outage Declaration Period has lapsed to ensure that the outage is a not a momentary interruption. If the interruption is sustained, a “last gasp” message will be sent to the headend. As the outage continues, additional messages will be sent. As many as 6 messages may be sent within the first 20 minutes of the outage. Refer to the following image. Figure 5.
Supported Messages Remote Connect / Disconnect The Aclara RF Network I-210+c supports remote connection and disconnection of the service. Figure 5.7 Remote Connect/Disconnect Command (SysML Sequence Diagram) If the switch opens because of a local command over the optical port, or because some threshold tripped, an EndDeviceEvent message will be generated and carry the alarm to the headend.
Chapter 5 • Features Over the air commands are not available in the initial firmware release to operate the switch for direct load control. If a command is given to close the meter, but the meter detects load-side voltage, it will refuse to close in and the response message will indicate the reason why. At some point later, if the load-side voltage is taken away, the meter will automatically respond to the previous command and close the switch. The NIC will report the change in switch position.
Supported Messages Trace Route Users at the headend may ping a meter by using the Traceroute command. As the command travels through the system, it will accumulate a history of timestamps when it arrived and departed each piece of equipment. It will also, for the radio portions, collect Received Signal Strength Indications (RSSI) in dBm. When the signal strength approaches the lower limits described in the specifications, communication will become unreliable. Figure 5.
Chapter 5 • Features Other Messages Other messages are sent over the network beyond the ones depicted here.
Supported Messages Generators create, and transmission lines carry, three phases. Most parts of the country call these A, B, and C. The rotation of the phases may be defined to be clockwise ABCABC… or counterclockwise CBACBA… Each of the three phases are displaced in time by 120° as depicted in the following image. Figure 5.9 Phases A, B, and C Transformer connections are able to shift the phase relationship.
Chapter 5 • Features Ordinarily a single reference meter is sufficient for a deployment. Imagine that the large blue circles in the following image represent the area that a DCU can cover. Figure 5.10 DCU Coverage Ordinarily, RF infrastructure is deployed so that multiple DCUs cover the communication to each meter on each house. This DCU overlap is used to relate the findings within one survey to the findings of other surveys.
Supported Messages Phase detection surveys begin at the headend as depicted in the following image. Figure 5.11 Phase Detection Messages The headend will generate a unique ID number for each survey at each DCU. It will send the survey (beacon) command to the DCU for broadcast to all radios within range. The NICs within the meters will use the phase detect message broadcast to trigger a time measurement between the arrival of the message until the next voltage zero cross.
Chapter 5 • Features Once the analytic algorithm determines the appropriate phasor for each meter it will present its findings to the headend. If the reference meter is given a named phase, then the headend can also determine the names of the phases each meter is connected to. If the reference meter is attributed to an offset of 0°, all of the other phasors will be displaced by 30° relative to the reference value as depicted in Table 5 1. Table 5.
Supported Messages Table 5.2 Example Phasor Name to Number Mapping Phasor Number Phasor Name p10 p11 -B AB The headend will offer a mapping configuration in which phasor names may be attributed to phasor numbers. The Phasor Name attributed to each Phasor Number is configurable at the headend for a number of reasons: 1. The reference meter(s) may be placed on any phase. The system must be configured to accommodate their location. 2.
Chapter 5 • Features • Fringe reception; this occurs when there is a great distance between the meter and the nearest DCU or hilly terrain between the meter and all DCUs • Inadequate data collection due to incomplete infrastructure installation • A large vehicle parked immediately in front of the meter blocking the communication path to the nearest DCU.
Supported Modes of Operation Supported Modes of Operation NIC Modes Figure 5.12 NIC Modes of Operation Once the NIC has powered up in the field, it may go into several different modes of operation. These are depicted in the preceding image. When an outage occurs, it stops reading the meter and publishing readings. Instead it goes into a power-conserving mode and sends last-gasp messages. When power is restored, it goes back into the normal mode and transmits a power restored alarm message.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.3 Meter Softswitch Support Softswitch Description NIC Support A2 Alternate communication E2 F2 Event log Emergency Conservation Demand (ECD) J2 Demand Limiting Function K2 N2 Q2 KVA and kvar measures Billing demands Instrumentation measurements Load profile recording This switch is required to enable communication between the NIC and the meter module. Supported Supported, but requires meter reconfiguration to modify.
Supported Measurements Supported Measurements It should be noted that the meter supports a wide variety of measurements, but the particular measurements available at any given time will be governed by the meter programming. An I-210+c is considered to be a demand meter, demand / load profile meter, or time of use / load profile meter depending on its softswitch enablements. The meter supports 8 Data Accumulations. From this it can support 4 billing measures and 2 demand measures.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.4 LP Measurements Supported with NIC Firmware Version 1.70 IEC 619689-6 Appenidx C Code 0.0.7.4.1.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.0 0.0.5.4.1.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.0 0.0.2.4.1.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.0 0.0.6.4.1.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.0 0.0.7.4.19.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.0 0.0.5.4.19.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.0 0.0.2.4.19.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.0 0.0.6.4.19.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.0 0.0.7.4.20.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.0 0.0.5.4.20.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.0 0.0.2.
Supported Measurements Table 5.4 LP Measurements Supported with NIC Firmware Version 1.70 IEC 619689-6 Appenidx C Code IEC 61968-9 Description thirtyMinute deltaData reverse electricitySecondaryMetered energy (kVArh) fifteenMinute deltaData reverse 0.0.2.4.19.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.73.0 electricitySecondaryMetered energy (kVArh) fiveMinute deltaData reverse 0.0.6.4.19.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.73.0 electricitySecondaryMetered energy (kVArh) sixtyMinute deltaData total 0.0.7.4.20.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.73.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.4 LP Measurements Supported with NIC Firmware Version 1.70 IEC 619689-6 Appenidx C Code IEC 61968-9 Description maximum fifteenMinute 0.8.2.0.0.1.54.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.29.0 electricitySecondaryMetered voltage-rms phaseA (V) maximum fiveMinute 0.8.6.0.0.1.54.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.29.0 electricitySecondaryMetered voltage-rms phaseA (V) electricitySecondaryMetered 0.0.0.6.0.1.54.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.29.0 indicating voltage-rms phaseA (V) minimum sixtyMinute 0.9.7.0.0.1.54.0.0.0.
Supported Measurements Table 5.4 LP Measurements Supported with NIC Firmware Version 1.70 IEC 619689-6 Appenidx C Code 0.9.2.6.0.1.46.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.23.0 0.9.6.6.0.1.46.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.23.0 0.8.7.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.5.0 0.8.5.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.5.0 0.8.2.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.5.0 0.8.6.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.5.0 0.0.0.6.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.5.0 0.9.7.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.5.0 0.9.5.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.5.0 0.9.2.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.128.0.5.0 0.9.6.0.0.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.4 LP Measurements Supported with NIC Firmware Version 1.70 IEC 619689-6 Appenidx C Code 0.8.6.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.32.0.5.0 0.0.0.6.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.32.0.5.0 0.9.7.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.32.0.5.0 0.9.5.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.32.0.5.0 0.9.2.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.32.0.5.0 0.9.6.0.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.32.0.5.0 0.2.7.6.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.32.0.5.0 0.2.5.6.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.32.0.5.0 0.2.2.6.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.32.0.5.0 0.2.6.6.0.1.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.32.0.5.0 0.2.7.6.0.1.46.0.0.0.
Supported Measurements Daily Shifted (DS), On-Request (OR), and Demand Reset (DR) Quantities The DS, OR, and DR measurements supported by NIC firmware version 1.70 are listed in Table 5.5. Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description bulkQuantity forward electricitySecondaryMetered energy (kWh) 0.0.0.1.19.1.12.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.72.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.0.1.0.1.43.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.111.
Supported Measurements Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.0.9.4.1.12.0.0.0.0.2.0.0.0.3.73.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code 0.0.0.9.20.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.73.0 IEC 61968-9 Description summation total electricitySecondaryMetered energy touD (kVArh) 0.0.0.9.4.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.73.0 summation net electricitySecondaryMetered energy touD (kVArh) 0.0.0.9.20.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.71.0 summation total electricitySecondaryMetered energy touD (kVAh) 0.0.0.6.4.1.37.0.0.0.0.
Supported Measurements Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.8.15.6.20.1.8.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.63.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.8.15.6.19.1.8.0.0.0.0.2.0.0.0.3.63.
Supported Measurements Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.8.15.6.1.1.8.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.63.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.8.16.6.4.1.8.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.3.38.
Supported Measurements Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.8.16.6.20.1.8.0.0.0.0.3.0.0.0.3.38.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.15.3.19.1.8.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.38.
Supported Measurements Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.15.3.1.1.8.0.0.0.0.2.0.0.0.3.38.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.15.3.20.1.8.0.0.0.0.3.0.0.0.3.61.
Supported Measurements Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.16.3.4.1.8.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.63.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.16.3.20.1.8.0.0.0.0.2.0.0.0.3.63.
Supported Measurements Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.16.3.19.1.8.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.63.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.16.9.1.1.12.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.3.73.
Supported Measurements Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.16.9.4.1.12.0.0.0.0.3.0.0.0.3.72.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description 0.0.0.6.20.1.37.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.38.
Supported Quality Codes Supported Quality Codes The Aclara RF I-210+c solution may provide any of the quality codes found in Table 5.6. Table 5.6 Quality Code 1.2.3 1.2.32 1.4.1 Supported Quality Codes Description EndDevice.PowerQuality. ServiceDisconnectSwitching EndDevice.PowerQuality. PowerFail EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated. OverflowConditionDetected 1.4.2 EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated. ParitalInterval 1.4.3 EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated. LongInterval EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.6 Supported Quality Codes Quality Code Description Definition 1.10.0 EndDevice.Questionable.Indeterminate 2.6.1002 MeteringSystem.Validation. FailedRule1002 2.4.1 MeteringSystem.DataCollectionRelated. OverflowConditionDetected 2.6.1001 MeteringSystem.Validation. FailedRule1001 2.6.1003 MeteringSystem. Validation. FailedRule1003 Table 5.7 Measurement was taken while meter hardware was operating outside its certified operating temperature range.
Supported Alarms Supported Alarms Alarms can come from many sources. These include: • The meter event log (within the meter) • The voltage event log (within the meter) • Diagnostic indicators (within the meter and the NIC) • Tamper indicators (within the meter) • Last-gasp and power-restored messaging (from the NIC) The NIC processes alarms by logging them and storing them in one of two messaging queues.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.8 Aclara RF Network I-210+c Supported Alarms IEC 61968-9 Description electricMeter.RCDswitch. DisconnectFailed ComDevice.Power.Restored comDevice.Power.test. restored comDevice.metrology.IO. error IEC 61968-9 Appendix E Code Priority Comment Required Switches 3.31.0.84 200 26.26.0.216 26.26.111. 216 26.21.60.79 199 199 electricMeter.configuration. program.lossDetected electricMeter.configuration. program.re-established electricMeter.configuration. program.
Supported Alarms Table 5.
Chapter 5 • Features Table 5.8 Aclara RF Network I-210+c Supported Alarms IEC 61968-9 Description IEC 61968-9 Appendix E Code Priority Comment electricMeter.security.tilted 3.12.0.263 105 electricMeter.Security. magneticSwitch. tamperCleared electricMeter.Security. magneticSwitch. tamperDetected ElectricMeter.Power.Current. ImbalanceCleared ElectricMeter.Power.Current. Imbalanced electricMeter.power.reactive Power.normal electricMeter.power.reactive Power.reversed ElectricMeter.Billing.RTP.
Supported Alarms Table 5.8 Aclara RF Network I-210+c Supported Alarms IEC 61968-9 Description electricMeter…error ElectricMeter.Power.Status. Disconnected electricMeter.battery.charge. minLimitCleared electricMeter.battery.charge. minLimitReached electricMeter.clock.time. changed electricMeter.power.failed electricMeter.power.restored electricMeter.power.phaseA. sagStopped electricMeter.power.phaseA. swellStopped electricMeter.power. phaseAVoltage.sagStarted electricMeter.power. phaseAVoltage.
Chapter 5 • Features AclarONE adds the following reports which can also be useful in building the case against energy thieves: • Reverse rotation • Consecutive days of zero consumption on active meters • Positive consumption on supposedly inactive meters It should be noted that any one of these by itself is not sufficient evidence to convict a person of stealing energy. There are quite often very valid reasons for zero energy use and reverse rotation.
Meter Features Not Supported Meter Features Not Supported • The Aclara RF Network implementation does not support the retrieval of seasonal data from the meter. The AMI system will report readings throughout every season to the data warehouse. If seasonal data is wanted, it should be available from the data warehouse (MDMS). • The Rolling Billing Period (RBP) Peak1 and Peak2 (a.k.a. Cycle Insensitive demand) supported by the meter is not necessary in an AMI environment.
Chapter 5 • Features • The Aclara RF Network AMI system also supports 5, 15, 30, and 60 minute averaging for voltage measurements. Other values are not supported by the AMI system even though they may be supported by the meter. • Seasons are not supported by the Aclara RF Network I-210+c. The AMI system is expected to report readings every day. The MDMS database may be mined to obtain seasonal data. • The Rolling Status feature of the I-210+c is not directly supported by the Aclara RF I-210+c.
Configuration Management Figure 5.13 Meter Reconfiguration Scenario A meter subject matter expert (SME) knows how to use MeterMate to create new meter programs. A variety of meter programs might be created for the I-210+c to adapt it for use in various residential and commercial tariffs. The Engineering department may also desire certain measurements from the meter in order to qualify the soundness of the distribution system.
Chapter 5 • Features population of meters. This way, if a mistake in the programming is present, the problem is more easily remedied. Nuisance alarms are disabled by (re)configuring the meter to not raise the unwanted alarm. Unprogramming the meter clears these settings. If the meter is ever unprogrammed and still connected to a configured NIC module, the meter will start to log and ultimately report table read notifications.
Configuration Management Meter Modes The I-210+c meter can operate in one of three modes. This effectively turns the I-210+c into three different meters. These modes determine what features are operational in the meter. The modes are formally known as: • Demand only • Demand / LP • TOU Users should know that the “demand only” works best for a once-a-month reading of demand in a non-AMI environment. Demand-only meters do not keep time. They are unable to provide a date/timestamp for the demand maximum.
Chapter 5 • Features If RCDC Switch Open and RCDC Switch Close are enabled, the headend will receive alarms twice - one reported by the NIC when it performs the action, and another by the meter in its event log. If a technician uses a HandHeld MeterMate to locally open or close the switch, and logging is disabled, the user at the headend (and MDMS and CIS) will discover the change by monitoring the value of the RCD switch position, which is reported daily by the NIC.
Configuration Management engineering stats) as the means to move these messages. If these other messages are disabled for some reason, the user must also change the configuration of the opportunistic alarm threshold to turn all alarms into real time alarms, or opportunistic alarms will never be sent to the headend. (See Aclara RF Network I-210+c Supported Alarms on page 62 for default alarm priorities.
Chapter 5 • Features Meter Firmware Meters have two types of firmware: a base code, which fully operates the meter, and patches, which safely modify certain portions of the code. The I-210+c Gen 5 meter is able to accept patch updates but not base code updates. The Aclara RF Network is able to deliver patch updates over the air to the meter. The initial meter that supports this feature has base code version 6.0.7. This can support any patch in the family.
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CHAPTER 6 INSIDE THE METER Equipment Layouts The following image shows (in the background) a 12-pin connector between the NIC (lower board) and the metrology board. The photo also shows the NIC connected to the white antenna via a miniature coaxial cable. Figure 6.
LEDs Also note the three surface mount LEDs at the bottom. The antenna connects with a UF.L miniature coaxial connector. The miniature coax is taped down and routed over a metal shield. It leads to the antenna mounted on the left side of the assembly. The antenna is also pictured in the following image. Figure 6.2 Meter and Aclara RF Network Antenna Antenna’s Coaxial Connection The Aclara RF Network antenna is pictured in Figure 6.2. It mounts on the left side of the meter assembly.
Chapter 6 • Inside the Meter illuminates without blinking it indicates that it has retained the correct time despite being powered down, and it doesn’t need to obtain time from the network. The blue LED will extinguish 5 minutes after power-up. The red LED indicates self-test outcomes. A rapidly blinking red LED indicates the self-test is running. A slow-blinking red LED indicates that the test has completed and the processor is running. The LED will extinguish after 30 seconds if no problems were found.
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CHAPTER 7 INSPECTING THE SITE FOR ANOMALIES Observe All Safety Precautions Observe all appropriate safety precautions when visiting a service location and replacing a meter. Antenna Clearance New construction (including fences) may cause metal objects to be installed near the antenna. This will affect the product’s communication performance. The antenna must be mounted clear of metal objects for a distance of two feet. Any metal in the radiation area will result in a corresponding RF shadow on the map.
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CHAPTER 8 INSTALLING THE METER Meter Installation Procedure Installing the meter is nothing more than a meter change out. Follow your company's guidelines for meter change outs. 1. Wear appropriate PPE, such as gloves. 2. Bring suitable test equipment, such as a VOM. 3. Follow all applicable safety guidelines. 4. Notify the home/business owner prior to interrupting power. 5. Document the old meter’s serial number and final dial reading(s) prior to removal. 6. Remove the old meter. 7.
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CHAPTER 9 TESTING NIC COMMUNICATIONS IN THE FIELD Network Status The NIC will write messages to the meter LCD which indicate the network status. A message of “NET---” will be written at power-up and remain until some communication with a DCU occurs, as indicated in the following image. Figure 9.1 Indication of No Communication NET--If the NIC is able to hear time sync broadcasts from the DCU, it will promote the message to “NETREC”, as indicated in the following image. Figure 9.
Self-Test Status Table 9.
Chapter 9 • Testing NIC Communications in the Field Operating Mode The NIC will write messages to the meter LCD, which indicate the NIC operating mode. These messages are intended to appear on the ALT scroll list. Table 9.2 NIC Operating Modes Message LCD Text Meaning Hot HOT The NIC has suspended any RF transmission because it sensed a high operating temperature. It can still receive messages, just not transmit them. The NIC will revert to another mode when it cools down.
Trace Route Site Testing Tools Required: • A portable spectrum analyzer with real-time signal capture Procedure: 1. Tune the spectrum analyzer to filter all unlicensed channels in the 450-470 MHz spectrum. 2. Use the trace route command to ping the meter as described above. 3. Observe the blip that represents a power transmission from the DCU on the DCU Tx channel, and the blip that represents the response on one of the Rx channels. 4.
Chapter 9 • Testing NIC Communications in the Field Interferer Test The health of the network can be observed indirectly using commercial off-the-shelf test equipment. Tools Required: • A portable spectrum analyzer with real-time signal capture. Procedure: 1. Tune the spectrum analyzer to filter all unlicensed channels in the 450-470 MHz spectrum, Or, place the spectrum analyzer in the waterfall mode and allow it to record across the licensed frequencies. 2.
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CHAPTER 10 UPDATES AND REPAIRS The NIC firmware may be updated over-the-air from the headend. The NIC may be installed in a meter in the field or in the meter shop. The meter firmware may be patched over-the-air from the headend. The meter may be in the field. If it is in the meter shop, it is preferable to use MeterMate to perform the firmware update. Replacing a NIC There are no user-serviceable parts inside of the meter, but it is possible to swap out NIC boards and exchange them between meters.
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Index A Aclara University 3 Alarm Notes 67 Antenna Clearance 81 Applicable Industry Standards 1 Audience 1 Meter Features Not Supported 68 Meter Firmware 75 Meter Installation Procedure 83 Meter Modes 72 Meter Passwords 74 Meter Softswitches 34 C N Cautions 72 Compliance Declarations 13 Configuration Management 69 D Daily Shifted and Interval Messages 18 Demand Reset 19 Diagnostics 72 Display 73 E End Device Events 20 Equipment Layouts 77 ESD Caution 5 Events 72 F FCC Part 15 Compliance 13 FCC Pa
Index System Overview 2 T Tamper Detection 66 Technical Support 3 Testing Communication with a Meter in the Field 87 Testing Communication with a Meter in the Meter Shop 88 Testing NIC Communications in the Field 85 Tools Required 2 Trace Route 26, 87 Traffic Classification 27 U Updates and Repairs 91 94 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide
