Can't change PM8000 settings

[jerry_IPACS]

Hi everyone, 

I'm trying to modify some basic values in the PM8000 meters that we have installed on site (the meters have been in situ for a while, we are now configuring them). Thing is, ION setup will not let me modify the values I want. I was trying to edit nominal current, which currently is configured as 2880 Amps. When I open up the dialogue to edit it, the dialogue offers a current value of 29164 (why?) and if I enter 1500 and hit ok, it seems like the OK button isn't working. The OK button is not greyed out, but it just does nothing when clicked. 

For some other fields, when I try to edit it, I am not given any options (for example, when trying to edit the PM1 Volts Mode setting, I should be getting options for delta and wye connections, right? But the dialog just shows no options (also the dialog is called "30720" and not by the "PM1 Volts Mode" label). 

I've attached screenshots of both cases. Any ideas on what I could do? 

Regards, 

Jerry

[Charles_Murison]

Hello Jerry,

First question I would ask is what version of ION Setup are you using? Have you started a case with Tech support? I would recommend grabbing a wireshark capture before you start ION setup, include notes about when you opened different tabs/ made changes etc.

Charles

[jerry_IPACS]

Hi Charles, 

Thanks for the reply!

I'm using the latest version of ION Setup (v3.2.20218.01). Do you think it would be helpful to uninstall ION setup and reinstall it before trying again? The computer running ION setup does not have an internet connection (airgapped network). Anything else that you think it could be? 

Regards,

Jerry

[Charles_Murison]

Hello @jerry_IPACS ,

I do not think reinstalling ION Setup will help much but also does not hurt. Ideal information to provide tech support (and yes I believe this needs to be a case):
1) WireShark filtered to the device's IP address with the capture started before running ION Setup.

2) After starting ION Setup and before opening the setup assistant, launch a program called problem step recorder, psr for short. This program will take a screenshot every time you click and record when the action took place. The limit is that the tool can only store around 30 screenshots before older screenshots are removed from memory. 

3) Repeat steps to display the content as shown in the images you provided.

4) Stop psr

5) Stop Wireshark

6) Save content and provide to tech support with details on what is happening. I would also mention this post.

Regards,

Charles

[jerry_IPACS]

Hi @Charles_Murison, 

That issue was resolved by creating the network again in ION Setup. The system was working fine after this fix and I managed to program a few meters. But now I have a different issue. Any action that requires a password (like modifying the PT ratios) now won't accept the correct password for the meter.

I enter then correct password (which I have checked by walking to the meter and entering it on the front panel), and ION Setup responds by saying failed to authenticate. I managed to change the settings of a few meters prior to this issue showing up, and all the meters that I had successfully managed to program still allow me to authenticate normally. What could be the cause of THIS issue? 

Regards, 

Jerry 

[Charles_Murison]

Hello @jerry_IPACS ,

To confirm, if you restart ION Setup are you able to connect to the meter with the password? Alternately can you confirm if the following process will allow you to connect to the meter.

After entering in the user name and password, you will get the pop up message, then be prompted for the user name and password again. Click the cancel button then select a different device. After selecting the new device go back to the original device you want to connect to and try to connect.

Thank you,

Charles

[jerry_IPACS]

Hi Charles, 

I didn't get to try this solution, because it turns out cycling power to the device fixed the issue. I pulled the power and turned it back on and I was able to enter passwords again like normal. I expect that this had something to do with too many failed login attempts (someone else on site may have tried logging into the meters) and cycling power cleared the record of these failed logins. Is that likely to be right? 

Regards, 

Jerry Benny 

IPACS Group

[DanL]

Yes, that is very likely and could be confirmed by reading the events in the event log (either on the display or through comms)

[Grant_IPACS]

Is there a way to 'factory reset' the meter, and we can start again?

[DanL]

Are you looking for the Master Reset feature?
https://www.productinfo.schneider-electric.com/pm8000/594169a446e0fb0001570843/PM8000%20user%20manua...

[Robert_Lee]

If you enter the wrong password too many times, the firmware can lock you out for a period of time (by default 24 hours).

When entering passwords, make sure if it is a numeric only password, you do not use any leading zeros (unless you password is just a single 0 zero), and if you are using alpha numeric passwords, they are case sensitive  and when using Advanced Security, you want to enter userX where X is the assigned user number (ex. user1 is OK. user01 is not). 

If anything isn't working, try exiting ION Setup and correctly enter the password the first time (some firmware have issue with entering the wrong password followed immediately by the correct one).

[Grant_IPACS]

Hi  @DanL , master reset only resets logged data.  

how do we reset config?

[Robert_Lee · Accepted solution]

To reset the majority of the PM8000 configuration, you would need to get a hold of the factory default DCF or FWN template for the PM8000 for the firmware you have which might be available on the =S= web site.

This won't reset the communications settings (serial/TCP) and the security settings plus some other modules (such as DNP/Modbus Master which are related).  To reset the security you could load the STANDARD.DCF assuming you didn't overwrite that file (via the Setup Assistant -> Security -> Load, select Standard.DCF (default password is 0 zero).