User Manual

Packet Power™ Wireless Smart DC Monitoring System Manual

Figure 6: Packet Power Communications Architecture

Communications

Information gathered by the Wireless DC Monitors is transmitted via a Packet Power radio

network operating at 2.4 GHz. The network operates in a mesh topology. Each device in

the network must be within range of at least one other device (either another monitoring

node or the Gateway) in the network. The effective range of the radio in the Wireless DC

Monitors varies depending on several factors, including the environment in which the

product is used. Typically, each device has an effective range of 20 to 50 meters. The

Wireless DC Monitors will not transmit effectively if it is installed in an enclosure that entirely

blocks radio signals such as fully enclosed metallic enclosures. In such cases a Wireless

Hub must be used to relay the signal to outside the enclosure.

Every site where a Smart Power Cable is deployed must have installed at least one

compatible Packet Power Gateway and associated software to collect data and prepare it

for transmission to approved monitoring and analysis applications. It is not necessary for all

Wireless DC Monitors to communicate directly with the Gateway. As long as each monitor

can communicate with at least one other monitor in a sequential relay mode, and one

monitor in the network can also communicate with the Gateway, information from all

monitors will reach the Gateway.

The rate at which power monitoring information is gathered from a cable depends primarily

on the ratio of the number of monitors to the number of gateways. As an example, at a

ratio of 100 monitors per Gateway, a Gateway should read from each cable every 5 to 15

seconds. The system will automatically reallocate network traffic across Gateways when

new Gateways or devices are added. Ideally one Gateway shall be used for a maximum of

every 150 Wireless DC Monitors reporting to the Gateway.