User's Guide

Chapter 5 • Features
A c l a r a R F E l e c t r i c I - 2 1 0 + c U s e r G u i d e 25
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.
Refer to the I-210+c Meter User Guide for more information on the various
Remote Disconnect modes of operation.
Aclara recommends that a measurement of the switch position be brought back as
a daily read. A backoffice software application can then be used to confirm that the
switch position agrees with the account status. If a customer calls with questions
about the quality of his or her service, the customer service representative (CSR)
may issue a command to the meter to retrieve a measurement of the voltage(s)
being provided, e.g., “indicating electricitySecondaryMetered voltage phaseA
(V)”. However, if a meter has the RCD switch opened, this measurement will only
indicate the (line side) voltage supplied to the meter. There is a way to sense if
there is voltage on the load side. The “electricitySecondaryMetered
energizationLoadSide (status)” measurement will indicate TRUE (1) if voltage is
present and FALSE (0) if it is not. Sometimes when the RCD is opened, customers
connect their own generator to power appliances in their house. If they fail to also
open the main circuit breaker at their house, the generator voltage will backfeed up
to the meter. The load side voltage status measurement will sense this voltage. If a
command is then given to close the RCD, the meter will reject the command and
return an event saying that the command failed. It will also supply the loadside
voltage status measurement as a clue to indicate the cause.
There is also the case that when the RCD switch is opened, some customers bypass
their meter and steal energy. The load side voltage status measurement will
indicate that voltage is present, much like the case of customer supplied
generation, but no distinction is made as to whether this measurement is
synchronous or asynchronous. The meter will likewise reject a command to close
it when lineside voltage is present. In addition to the RCD switch position, the user
may also want to retrieve the load side voltage status in a daily or on-request
reading.