Problems with clock synchronization with data loss and duplicates.

[Ricardo_RM]

Hello community

There is a client who has problems with several 7550 meters, where when reviewing the meter records it is noticed that there is data loss and like the following record the data is duplicated, where it gives an unusual value, as seen in the following image

As can be seen in the record, there is a gap in the measurement that goes between 10:30 and 11:00 pm, where the data at 10:45 does not exist and the data at 11:00 gives double, that is That is, it doubles the value.

Reviewing the meter events, clock synchronization is just starting, as seen in the image.

This appears to be what affected the data save and is added to the data below.

Any idea if this reason is causing this behavior or if it's something else.

And if it is caused by this synchronization, how can it be done so that it does not affect the data.

Thank you so much

Greetings

@Charles_Murison 

[Charles_Murison]

Hello @Ricardo_RM ,

The time sync is 100% the cause of the behavior you are seeing with regards to logging. The interval energy is not reset until the logging is successful, so without a log that interval the energy keeps accumulating until the next logging is successful. 

As to what can be done, does depend on what is doing the time sync to begin with. 6 seconds a quite a big time difference if meter gets time sync'd often. If using PME, there should be blackout periods where PME will not send a time sync for this exact reason. Perhaps what is sending the time sync can be configured in the same way.

Regards,

Charles

[Ricardo_RM]

Hello @Charles_Murison 

Thank you very much for the response, and regarding what you mention that can be configured, where can that change be made, is it in the update interval? Which is currently at 3600000 milliseconds, that is, one hour.

Or is it in another section of the PME?

stay tuned

Thank you so much

Greetings

[Charles_Murison]

Hello @Ricardo_RM ,

That setting sounds a lot like a PME setting. The blackout interval is hard coded into PME and not configurable. If PME is still sending out a time sync inside the black out period this would be a PME behavior and you would need to contact PME tech support to troubleshoot.

6 seconds time difference in 1 hour is huge, may be something else that needs to be investigated. can you share clock's settings?

Regards,

Charles

[Ricardo_RM]

Hello @Charles_Murison 

I share the clock configuration with you.

A relevant fact that I discussed with the client is that this configuration is the same for the other meters that have been installed and do not present the same error, the other models are 7650, ION9000, ION8650 and Access 9600. It only happens with the 7550

Regarding the PME, it has already been reviewed and as you mention there are no problems, the PME does keep the following record correctly as seen in the image

The PME on the missing record assigns a 0 and the next value if it saves the data correctly.

But the drawback that the client has is that it is a Utility, and it uses a system that takes the values ​​directly from the meter to bill, and since the data after the failure is a very high and erroneous value, it is a problem since it is being billed. more than was actually achieved.

So we would like to know if there is any configuration to be able to correct this problem, if there is any blockage or if we should schedule the meter synchronization at a time that does not affect data collection.

Regards,

[Charles_Murison]

Hello @Ricardo_RM ,

"would like to know if there is any configuration to be able to correct this problem" The only thing I could suggest is if you are only using 1 kind of time sync (ION, NTP etc.) set the source to that specific protocol. Other than that not much you can configure on the meter you are not already doing.

"should schedule the meter synchronization at a time that does not affect data collection." Yes! I would recommend do not synchronize meter 1 minute before and after :00, :15, :30, :45.

Regards,

Charles

[Ricardo_RM]

Hello @Charles_Murison 

Thank you very much, to clarify, when you mention “configure the source in that specific protocol” do you want to mention that in the clock configuration you change where it says ETHERNET to Ethernet-ION or similar?

Also, when you mention "Yes! I would recommend not syncing the meter 1 minute before and after :00, :15, :30, :45." This means manually or there is a section or parameter in the meter settings for it to sync automatically.

Greetings.

[Charles_Murison]

Hello @Ricardo_RM ,

There is no setting on the meter to say when the meter will time sync. The time sync is initiated by what is time syncing the meter. (NTP being the exception). 

"change where it says ETHERNET to Ethernet-ION or similar?" correct

Regards,

Charles

[Ricardo_RM]

Hello @Charles_Murison 

Thank you very much for the answers, I am going to notify the client that what can be done is modify the type of synchronization.

I would also like to ask a question, as seen in the image of this spec sheet that can be viewed from the Management Console, is there a sync timer, does modifying this option affect the meter or is it only for the PME?

Greetings

[Charles_Murison · Accepted solution]

Hello @Ricardo_RM ,
That sync timer is only PME. PME should have blackout times, so if meter is getting time sync inside those blackout periods, perhaps something else is time sync'ing the meters. For example ION Setup from another computer. Or there has been a change to PME that I do not know about.

Regards,

Charles