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EXCHANGING EXPERTISE SINCE 1893

Basic Programming Concepts

August 22, 2018 – Track C – Chris Lindsay-Smith

NWEMS


Agenda

● Programming software

● Computer maintenance tasks

● Windows update

● Antivirus and anti-malware

● Device manager

● Discuss items in a demand and bidirectional meter program

● Differences between single-phase and three-phase meter confgurations

● Retrieving data from meter after it is programmed


Meter Programming Software

● In order to confgure a solid-state electric meter it is necessary to use software to send the confguration to the meter

● Typically done at the utility metershop or in the feld with an optical probe, wi-f, or zigbee dongle

● May be possible via remote communication

– AMI system, cellular, analog telephone, etc

● May need meter password or encryption key to successfully initialize or reconfgure a meter

● May need a username and password to start the programming software.


Meter Programming Software

● Use the appropriate program for the type of meter being confgured

● Sign up for download capability before it is needed – don't wait until billing day!

● Develop a good method for tracking program changes and revision history

● Make sure all computers have the same version of confguration fles

● Keep a backup of meter programs

● Export to a location other than the computer being used for programming


Keeping Up-to-Date

● Just as it is a good practice to keep the operating system up-to-date with security patches, it is also important to keep the meter programming software up-to-date

● Repairs software bugs

● Works with current operating system

● Avoids unforeseen issues in the feld

● Makes it easier to get timely technical support


Computer Maintenance Tasks

● It is important to keep computers up-to-date by applying patches to the operating system and other applications on the computer

● Don’t just click on any link or fle that is sent. Look at the link and be sure it makes sense

● Device Manager in Windows control panel is helpful for determining which com port is assigned to various peripherals


Demand Meter Program

● Let's discuss the construction of a demand meter program

● What are the typical components?

– Register confguration

– Method of demand calculation

– TOU calendar, if applicable

– Display items

– Diagnostic items

– Demand interval length (normal and test)

– Event log

– Communication confguration, if applicable


Register Confguration

● The meter needs to be confgured as to what it will measure. This is commonly called the register confguration

● Wh delivered, for example, would be a register

● Differs from display confguration because it is setting the base quantity to be measured

– For example, meter can have Wh delivered as a register and Wh delivered off-peak on display

● If using meter for bi-directional or net measurement, those registers need to be selected

● Delivered typically means line-to-load from meter perspective

● Received typically means load-to-line from meter perspective


Methods of Demand Calculation

● There are two types of demand calculation

● Block demand

– Maximum demand calculated as the maximum average value over the interval length

● Rolling demand

– Maximum demand calculated as the maximum average value within the subintervals over the interval length

● It is important to know what method of calculation is called out in your utility's tarriff so the meter can be properly programmed



Time (minutes)

Pow

er (

kW)

60453015

10

3

8.5

Interval 1

Interval 2

Interval 3

Interval 4

Maximum Demand


Demand Interval Length

● Demand interval length is defned in the program

● Block demand requires only the length of the interval to be defned

● Rolling demand requires the interval length and number of subintervals to be defned

● Cold load pickup time can be defned

● Grace period before the meter begins to calculate demand


Time of Use Registers

● Time of use (TOU) register(s) may be calculated in the meter

● Requires loading a TOU schedule which defnes seasons, day types, rate patterns, and holidays

● The active rate should show on the meter's display

● Program a demand reset at season change


Meter Display

● The items to display on the meter are typically determined by the utility tariff document and the requirements of the meter reading department

● There are three modes

● Normal, alternate, and test

– Normal mode is what the meter cycles through “normally”

● Usually has load emulator and directional arrows for power fow– Alternate mode is used by the meter department

● Engaged by magnet or software– Test mode is used by the meter department and sometimes the

customer

● Test mode is a separate register used with doing phantom load meter test


Meter Display

● Normal mode typically shows kWh and max kW

● A quantity code may be used to identify values

● Diagnostic information is typically in the other display modes

● Potential indicators

● Disk emulator (proportional to Kh)

● Show “primary” units

● TOU rate


Meter Diagnostics

● One of the benefts of solid-state meters is the ability, with even a demand meter, to analyze the electric service

● Typical values include

● Phasor wheel

● Instantaneous W, VAR, VA

● Instantaneous per-phase V&I

● Polarity check

● Phase angle check


Meter Diagnostics


Event Log/Service Confguration

● The event log can be used to track changes to the meter

● In a non-time aware meter, one will know the event occurred, but not when

● Service confguration is used to tell the meter the sort of service to measure

● Typically auto-senses

● In a time aware meter, the method of clock synchronization can typically be set here


Communications

● The meter may be programmable and have a communications module

● It is important to confgure it to transmit the proper register(s) and correct number of digits and decimals

● Other items to consider for confguring communications

● Baud rate

● Sequence of transmission

● Module ID number


Types of Communication Modules

● AMI Radio Frequency (RF) (1-way or 2-way)

● Power Line Carrier (like TWACS or Turtle)

● Analog Telephone Modem

● Cellular Modem (2G, 3G, 4G)

● Ethernet (Cabled or Wi-Fi)

● ERT


Thank you for your attention

Any questions before concluding?

basic programming concepts - uploads.westernenergy.org · basic programming concepts august 22,...

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