Simple Metering with an Energy & Demand Log - not possible?

[JamesAZZO]

After doing a functional review of the current basic/entry metering range, we cannot find a single meter which logs just simply an Energy parameter and a Demand parameter in 15 minute intervals. We seem to be missing the mark in this category. For example consider the obvious candidates:

The PM3255 (even with the new flex log) - it appears that from the front panel (not via Modbus/ION Setup though...but that's another topic) you can set the flex log to "Peak Demand" mode (even though in the manual, it's called "Power Demand"...but that's another topic again) and set the demand interval to 15 minutes. However, with the Energy Log, it's still fixed on Daily, Weekly, Monthly logs at some crazy unconfigurable time of 8:03AM. - So the main issue here is is that the Energy Log appears to be a waste of time unless you are an incredible corner case. And the Flex Log, which we were anticipating being the saving grace for us, doesn't allow you to pick the two parameters. It's only combinations of Energy parameters, OR a Demand Log.

PM5330 - it can certainly log two parameters at 15 minute intervals, but unfortunately, they are fixed to kWh and kVAh, and not selectable. You cannot, choose kWh and kVA dmd for example. Now, someone might say, "well, you can figure out the demand value by calculating it". Answer: 1) That presumes 15 minute block demand with no subintervals only so usefulness very limited for everyone who uses sliding window demand with subintervals 2) Even if you lucked out and that was your demand setup, you are still stuck reverse calculating values, the software doesn't support this and you'd be forced to do some manual advanced ETL, and the customer's reports and dashboards are compromised

EM3555 - this one probably gets us the closest we can, but it's an LVCT only meter, which is not common except in retrofits, but more importantly (as this thread shows the logs are not at the 15 minute time-synced stamps unless you are very lucky with your time sync)

EM4800 (in the multi-circuit case) - Energy logs? No problem. But it doesn't log demand. The Triacta model apparently does - but the =S= branded one and it's driver doesn't?

So what we're asking is can we please get a firmware into a simple meter in one of the above cases (preferably the PM3255 Flex Log which will cover almost all cases), which allows you to configure a very very simple Energy (kWh/Demand log? (2x configurable parameters is all we need!) This is not for billing as much as it's mainly for reporting / dashboards with NO HOLES! 🙂

Unless someone can suggest otherwise, I don't believe we have anything short of the PM5560/PM820/ION7330 that can do both Energy and Demand logs?

[Jason_Gore]

In addition to James comments on the PM3255 I would like to add the following:

After considerable testing of the PM3255 with the new firmware version that has a flex log, as well as the latest PM33xx Driver supposedly compatible with the new firmware I have experienced the following:

Energy Logging

1. The Energy Log still remains at a Day interval only, this cannot be modified (Understood)
2. If you were hoping to use the Flex log instead for 15min energy intervals then you will be disappointed:
   1. I have seen the following behaviour:
      
      1. The Flex log is not flexible, even though kWh-kVAh is selected and saved, energy logs brought into PME are assigned to the wrong measurement sources
      2. I have seen real energy brought into the Demand Log Source ID as well as seen them brought in under Reactive Energy into the Load??
      3. Upon changing the flex log selection to other energy parameters, I saw no change in the assignment of the logs imported into PME
      4. Upon changing the flex log selection from energy back to demand, I then found the demand value logged under Apparent energy into the load??
      5. I have been able to see the differences between the PC based logs and the on-board logging (as I have the onboard logging at 10 min), and they do not match up

Has this firmware/driver been properly tested????

What I would like to know is:

1. When is the flex log setting supposed to take affect?
2. Had any one else had this issue?
3. Are there plans to fix it?

This is a critical problem as this is becoming a popular din mount meter, but so far the front panel is flashing FAIL! FAIL! FAIL!

[Anonymous user]

FYI we are meeting with the r&d teams tomorrow on this topic and will have an update shortly.

[Anirban]

Hi Jason,

My apologies for the defects and the inconvenience it has caused.

We are in the process of releasing an updated version of the driver. Give us a few days time.

I believe you are using PME 7.2.1 platform. Is that correct?

[JamesAZZO]

Yes, this is PME 7.2.1 - if you guys could get us a driver fix for this, that would at least get us out of the hot water with the clients. Thanks so much for responding to quickly everyone! It's noted by our engineering team.

Now, the hardware log configurations are unrelated to PME dev teams. There are still fundamental problems with
#1) the daily/weekly/monthly energy log being fixed at and unconfigurable 8:03AM timestamp
#2) the flex log not being flexible enough to pick both an energy and a demand value at 15 minute intervals to get around point #1
#3) the "Demand Log" mystery - it appears to be a undocumented/unconfigurable/un-driver-linked feature which is possibly linked to the demand interval but not shown in the log configuration on the front panel.

Also - the log settings are unable to be configured in ION Setup and must be done through the front panel of the device.

We are assuming that our guys are doing something wrong, but I have looked into it myself a few times now and I am running out of explanations and have no work around

[Jason_Gore]

Thanks Guys

We really appreciate your looking into this for us so promptly