PM8000 & PME v8.1

[solutions_iems-]

I am on with commissioning a PME v8.1 system for a client which comprises of PM5000 and PM8000 meters daisy-chained together over a Modbus network and connected to an EGX150 Ethernet gateway.

When I add the PM8000 device type in Management Console, the default protocol is ION. Does this mean that I cannot add the PM8000 as a Modbus serial device unless I create a user defined Modbus meter template in the MDI?

[Charles_Murison]

Hello Ian,

The Modbus implementation of the PM8000 is not able to access a large number of features (onboard logs waveforms etc). While it is possible to build a modbus driver to access the modbus registers on the PM8000 you will be losing out on a lot of features. The EGX 150 with updated firmware is able to talk the ION protocol however can only have 1 protocol on a serial loop at a time either Modbus or ION.

[solutions_iems-]

Hello Charles

Thanks for the reply. Not the one I wanted but the one I expected and feared!

I don't suppose you know whether a PM8000 Modbus template has already been created for use with PME? I don't want to re-invent the wheel if I can help it.

Thank you

Iain

[michael_franz]

Lain:

I agree with the others.  To get the full functionality of the PM8000 you should use ION protocol and direct Ethernet whenever possible due to what the meter can do.  We have three of them in our building.  Use ION protocol whenever possible due to how advance features are encoded.  I don't agree with the practice of making these available only with ION since many manufactures are moving to a more OPEN word and the IoT world.

Using ION forces customers to purchase Schneider software to get at the features.  I believe that everything should be deliverable over an open protocol that anyone can access.  Being open show confidence in both your hardware and software platforms.  If you build the best you can afford to be open to competition.

Michael

[Andy_Hubert]

Hi Iain,

I have a pm8000 device type that I could send you, it has most of the common measurements (see the text file).

Let me know if you would like to have a copy.

Cheers

Andy

[solutions_iems-]

Andy

Long time, no contact. I trust you are well?

I would be most grateful if you can send me the PM8000 device type to solutions@iems-ltd.co.uk just to save me reinventing the wheel (again).

Thanks

Iain

[Jun_Escano]

Hello Andrew,

Unfortunately we are facing the same issue. Is it possible you can share the MDI of the PM8k? It would really help us if you could send this to jun.escano@schneider-electric.com ​

Many thanks in advance,

Jun

[enrgyautomation]

Hi Iain,

Do you have the option of upgrading to v8.2 CU2? This version, I believe, has built in capbility to do what you want over Modbus (..it may even have been you that told me as much haha in which case ignore me )

......OR see if the end user can give you a dedicated ethernet point? Although, I‘ve had issues with this as ION talks over port 7700 whereas Modbus is 502. Still unresolved I’m afraid though.

If all else fails, go the pub.

[solutions_iems-]

Hi Brahm

My original question was asked prior to PME 8.2 and CU2 and since then I have upgraded the system from 8.1 to 8.2.

The PM8000 meters have not yet been connected to the system and cannot have a dedicated Ethernet point as they are intended to replace several  PM600 installed in an existing switchboard.

When the time comes to connect the PM8000 meters, I intend to apply CU2 and let Modbus do the talking! Wish me luck.

Then I'm off to the pub

[mcolston]

I have PME 8.2 with CU2 and have replaced a faulty CM3000 with a PM8244 (Only because it has a remote display as the CM3000) so was a simple job.

However, I now realise that PME seems to be only ION - I don't have the capability to install an ethernet cable due to its location.

Is there a PME driver that is close enough to use, or do I have to create a new MDI?

[Charles_Murison · Accepted solution]

@Mark Colston

Have a look at ION over modbus, you will find some KBs online and within the SEC. Will need PME 8.2 (not sure if CU is required or not) and latest firmware on the PM8k.

[mcolston]

Thanks Charles. I'll have a look. That could save some time! Just got to access the substation if the firmware isn't the latest!

[mcolston]

Updated the firmware of the meter on Tuesday and it is looking good. Had to wait a bit, I guess for the meter to update PME with all the tables etc, but once that was done was fine.