A1700 Programmable

Polyphase Meter
Chapter 2 - Overview
M120 001 2S
5.2007

A1700 Chapters
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9

Introduction
Over view
Hardware
Communications
Input/Output
Installation
Software Support
IEC 870 Meter (Special)
T. L. Compensation (Special)

M120 001 1
M120 001 2
M120 001 3
M120 001 4
M120 001 5
M 120 0016
M120 001 7
M120 001 8
M120 001 9

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CONTENTS
1

POWER AND ENERGY MEASUREMENT ............................................................................ 2

PRINCIPLES OF ENERGY MEASUREMENT ....................................................................... 3

2.1

Energy Measurement .............................................................................................................. 3

Figure 1 3-Phase 4-Wire System .......................................................................................... 3
Figure 2 3-Phase 4-Wire Vector Diagram ............................................................................. 3
Apparent Energy Measurement .............................................................................................. 4
Reactive Energy Measurement ............................................................................................... 4
Four Quadrant Metering .......................................................................................................... 5
Figure 3 Four Quadrant Measurement.................................................................................. 5
Network Application................................................................................................................. 5
3-Phase 3-Wire ....................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 4 3-Phase 3-Wire System .......................................................................................... 6
3-Phase 4-Wire ....................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 5 3-Phase 4-Wire System .......................................................................................... 6
2-Phases of 3-Phase 4-Wire ................................................................................................... 7
Figure 6 2-Phases of a 3-Phase 4-Wire System................................................................... 7
1-Phase 3-Wire........................................................................................................................ 7
Figure 7 1-Phase 3-Wire System ......................................................................................... 7
1-Phase 3-Wire........................................................................................................................ 8
Figure 8 1-Phase 3-Wire System ......................................................................................... 9
1-Phase 2-Wire........................................................................................................................ 8
Figure 9 1-Phase 3-Wire System ......................................................................................... 9

2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5

TARIFF APPLICATIONS ........................................................................................................ 9

3.1
3.2

3.3
3.4

General .................................................................................................................................... 9
Tariff Features ....................................................................................................................... 10
Billing Date ............................................................................................................................ 10
Billing Period.......................................................................................................................... 10
End of Billing Period .............................................................................................................. 10
Time of Use Registers ........................................................................................................... 10
Switching Times .................................................................................................................... 10
Seasons................................................................................................................................. 11
Integration Period .................................................................................................................. 11
Average Demand................................................................................................................... 11
Maximum Demand ................................................................................................................ 11
Block Interval Demand .......................................................................................................... 11
Sliding Window Demand ....................................................................................................... 11
Cumulative Registers ............................................................................................................ 12
Cumulative Maximum Demand ............................................................................................. 12
Total kVAh ............................................................................................................................. 12
Customer Defined Registers ................................................................................................. 12
Time Keeping ........................................................................................................................ 13
Data Logging ......................................................................................................................... 13

CONFIGURATION, COMMUNICATION AND DATA COLLECTION.................................. 14

4.1
4.2

General .................................................................................................................................. 14
Support Systems ................................................................................................................... 14
Figure 10 Total System Capability ........................................................................................ 14
Power Master Unit Software.................................................................................................. 15
CHIRPS ................................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 11 - CHIRPS Overall Concept.................................................................................... 16

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Overview
1

POWER AND ENERGY MEASUREMENT

Electrical Power in any system of n conductors may be measured by the algebraic sum of
(n-1) wattmeters. This is known as Blondel's Theorem. It derives from the fact that the power
in each of the conductors is measured with a current sensor that determines the current, and
a voltage sensor, which measures the potential of the conductor relative to a common point.
If the common point of the voltage measurement is made one of the conductors, one of the
wattmeters will read zero and can therefore be omitted.
If the word "power" is replaced by "energy", "wattmeter" by "watt-hour" meter,
the theorem is applicable to energy measurement.
In the A1700, analogue to digital converters, fed by sensors, determine the voltage
measurements. These replace the conventional current and voltage coils of
electromechanical meters.
There are some installations where (n-1) meter elements are not used.
For economical and installation reasons, forms of watt-hour meters having fewer than (n-1)
meter elements are considered satisfactory where the compromise still permits metering
accuracy well within good commercial practice. For example,
in some cases it is assumed that the voltages are approximately balanced.
In others the load is assumed to be connected only between certain wires.
If a system is grounded and the ground lead not connected into the service installation, the
ground still constitutes one of the n conductors. For example a 3-phase 4-wire system with
earth neutral may be used at some location with only the three phase wires. Applying the
theorem to the metering service, it must be considered as a 4-wire system.

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PRINCIPLES OF ENERGY MEASUREMENT

2.1

Energy Measurement
The principles involved in measuring energy using the A1700 meter can be described by
considering a 3-phase 4-wire circuit. Figure 1 shows a typical arrangement for a CT operated
meter.
A

Ia

Ib

Ic

C
Va

Vb

Za

Vc

Ic
Zb
Ib

A1700

Zc

Ia

The vector diagram (Figure 2) shows the relationship between the phases.
Note: safety earths are omitted

Figure 1

3-Phase 4-Wire System

Figure 2

3-Phase 4-Wire Vector Diagram

V I , V I and V I are phasors representing sinusoidal quantities.

A A
B B
C C
The total power at any instant is given by: P = va ia + vb ib + vc ic, where v and i are
instantaneous values at time t, and the total energy is the integral of power with time.

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Expressed mathematically this is:

T2

E=

Pdt

T1

The current and voltage waveforms are close to being sinusoidal and the more well known
expression for power is given as P = VAIA cos A + VBIB cos B + VCIC cos C
B

V and I are the r.m.s. values of voltage and current

= Phase displacement between them.
The way in which the meter derives its power measurement is to measure digitally at discrete
intervals the voltage and current on each phase. The product of these measurements and the
period of the discrete time interval give the energy value. These discrete energy values are
accumulated into a total energy register.
This is sometimes referred to as the real energy measurement and is registered Watthours or
kiloWatthours.

2.2

Apparent Energy Measurement

A quantity often required for tariff purposes is apparent energy or Volt Amp hours (VAh).
Apparent energy is derived by multiplying the r.m.s. voltage and the r.m.s. current values
together, then integrating over time to produce VAh.
The A1700 meter uses the same digital measurements used for the real energy to derive the
r.m.s. voltage and current and hence the apparent energy. The Volt-Ampere measurement is
a scalar quantity. Strictly, it has no relation to phase displacement between voltage and
current. In some tariff applications it is necessary to register the Volt-Amperes in one
quadrant.

2.3

Reactive Energy Measurement

An important measurement often required as part of the energy measurement is the reactive
component. This relates to the phase difference between the voltage and current waveforms.
At unity power factor i.e. when the current and voltage are exactly in phase, there is no
reactive energy. At zero power factors, i.e. current and voltage are 90 phase displaced, all
the energy is reactive, there is no real power recorded.
The reactive power, or out of phase power, is often defined as VI sin where V and I are the
r.m.s. values of voltage and current, and is the phase displacement between them.
Unlike electromechanical meters, where the standard technique is to cross connect the
voltage coils, the A1700 meter performs this function digitally. The reactive energy is
calculated on a phase basis from the simultaneous measurement of apparent energy and real
energy. This achieves a more accurate measurement, being a true sine measurement, and it
has the advantage of being applicable to both single and polyphase systems.

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2.4

Four Quadrant Metering

The measurement techniques for real and reactive energy employed in the A1700 meter rely
on sampling the voltage and current waveforms and multiplying these values together with the
time interval. The measurements are independent of the phase angle and can therefore take
place through a phase difference of 360 between voltage and current. This effectively
provides 4-quadrant energy metering.
Real and Reactive energy are identified as being import or export. In the case of reactive
energy the terms lag and lead are often used. The meter identifies in which quadrant the
reactive energy is relative to the real energy, and accumulates the consumption in a particular
register. It is therefore capable of measuring:
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4

kvarh Import Lagging Energy

kvarh Import Leading Energy
kvarh Export Lagging Energy
kvarh Export Leading Energy

The relative positions of these are as shown in the figure below.

Figure 3

2.5

Four Quadrant Measurement

Network Application
Polyphase meters in general contain either two or three measuring elements.
The number of measuring elements a polyphase meter has is determined by the network to
which it is to be applied.
The following are examples of the more common applications in power networks. For other
applications, contact Elster Metering Systems.

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2.5.1

3-Phase, 3-Wire
Two element meters are used for applications with line to line voltage applied across the
voltage sensor and line currents through the current sensor.
The circuit and vector diagrams are shown below.
IA

IA

VAB
ZAB

IB

VAB
VA

ZAC

ZCB
VBC

IC

VCB

IC

Figure 4

IA

VC

3-Phase 3-Wire System

P = VAB IA cos (30 + 1) + VCB IC cos (30 - 2)

2.5.2

3 Phase, 4 Wire
In a 3-phase 4-wire system, three elements are required for accurate measurement. This
equates to three single phase meters. The circuit and vector diagrams are shown below.
IA

IA

VAN

VA

ZA
IB

Ic

IC

VCN

IC
VC

Figure 5

ZB

VBN

IA

IB

3-Phase 4-Wire System

P = VAN.IA.cosA + VBN.IB.cosB + VCN.IC.cosC

Elster Metering Limited - M120 001 2S - 5/2007

VB

Overview

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2.5.3

2-Phases of 3-Phase, 4-Wire

In a 2-phases of a 3-phase 4-wire system only two elements are required for accurate
measurement. The circuit and vector diagrams are shown below.

IA

IA
VAN

VAN
ZA

IC

IC

VCN

IA

IC

ZC

N
VCN

Figure 6

2-Phases of a 3-Phase 4-Wire System

P = VAN.IA.cosA + VCN.IC.cosC

2.5.4

1-Phase 3-Wire
This is sometimes used in systems where a single phase supply has a centre tapped
neutral. The circuit and vector diagrams are shown below.

A1

IA1

VA1N

IA1

VAIN

IA1

ZA1
A1

N
ZA2
VA2N

A2

IA2

IA2

A2

IA2
VA2N

Figure 7

1-Phase 3-Wire System

To meter a 1-phase 3-wire circuit with maximum accuracy under all conditions, it is necessary
to use a two element meter. The A1700 meter uses a 2-element measurement for this
application.
Power measurement in r.m.s terms is:
P = VA1N. IA1. cosA1 + VA2N. IA2. cos A2

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2.5.5

2-Phase 3-Wire
This system is used where two phases have a common neutral. The circuit and vector
diagrams are shown below.

IA1

IA1

A1

VA1N

VAIN
ZA1

IA1

A1

ZA2

VA2N

A2

VA2N

A2

IA2

IA2

IA2

Figure 8

2-Phase 3-wire

P = VA1N. IA1. cosA1 + VA2N. IA2. cos A2

2.5.6

1-Phase 2-Wire
Single phase measurement can be achieved in the A1700 meter using only one element of the
three elements available.

A1

IA1

IA1

VA1N

VAIN
ZA1

IA1

A1

Figure 9

1-phase 2-wire

P = VA1N.IA1.CosA1

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TARIFF APPLICATIONS

3.1

General
Tariffs link the consumption of energy to the cost of supplying it. In simple cases the cost per
unit (kWh) is at a flat rate throughout the billing period. In other cases, the cost per unit varies
according to the time when it is used. For these applications the A1700 meter has many
programmable features, which allow consumption to be registered for different times of the day.
The registers associated with this are termed Time of Use (TOU) or rate registers. In the
A1700 meter there are options of 16 or 32 registers available for this purpose. They can be
designated to record kWh, kvarh, kVAh or external inputs if an input module is fitted.
In addition to Time of Use, Maximum Demand is a measurement that is often applied for tariff
purposes. The Maximum Demand is the largest demand occurring in a demand period during
the billing period. Typically the demand period is 30 minutes or 15 minutes. It is also referred
to as the integration period. In the case of a 30 minute demand period the average demand of
electricity defined in kW is twice the number of units (kWh) registered in the period. For 15
minute periods it is four times. The billing period is the time between the successive issuing of
accounts, typically one month. The maximum demand is recorded in the A1700 meter for any
of the specified measurements, kW, kvar or kVA. The time and date of occurrence is also
recorded, and there are up to 8 MD registers that can be used. These are programmable so
that, if necessary, the maximum demand can be separately defined for different time of use
periods.
There are two ways in which the MD can be derived, block interval or sliding. When computed
by the block interval method the demand values are compared for successive integration
period and the highest value registered. For example the periods would be 00.00, 00.30, 01.00
etc.
The alternative method, sliding demand, looks at a 30-minute period that moves throughout the
day as a window. There is a minimum slip time that must be specified to give 10 or 15 minute
blocks within the window.

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3.2

Tariff Features

3.2.1

Billing Date
The Billing Date is the date that concludes the current billing period for use in the customer
account. All the consumption during the period is transferred to historical registers for checking
during the succeeding period. There is a specific time when the end of the billing period occurs,
usually 24.00 (midnight).

3.2.2

Billing Period
The Billing Period is the time between consecutive Billing Dates.

3.2.3

End of Billing Period

The End of Billing Period defines the time and date when consumption data is recorded for the
Billing Period. In the A1700 meter this action can be initiated in the following ways:

3.2.4

By a pre-programmed date and time stored in the meter

By an external input pulse to one of the meter module inputs

Over a communications link through the serial port

Through the optical port

By pressing the sealable push button

At a change of season date

At the introduction of a deferred tariff

Time of Use Registers

The A1700 has the option of 16 or 32 Time of Use registers. These registers become active or
inactive when a pre-programmed time and date is reached. When active, a designated
measurement, kWh, kvarh, kVAh or pulses from an input module (if fitted) is accumulated into
the selected register. The accumulation continues for the active periods during the Billing
Period.
The meter must be programmed to set Time of Use registers active in accordance with the
requirement of the tariffs. More than one Time of Use register can be active at any one time.

3.2.5

Switching Times
Switching times define the times of the day when Time of Use registers become active and
inactive. These times are resolved, usually to a 30-minute or 15-minute period i.e. the
integration period.
The meter has the capacity to store 96 switching times. It is possible to have different tariff
arrangements for different days of the week e.g. weekday and weekend tariffs.

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3.2.6

Seasons
Tariffs schemes can vary for different periods of the year. A period of time defined by a start
date and an end date identifies a season in which a tariff arrangement applies. This may include
daily variations. The A1700 has a maximum of 12 Seasons.

3.2.7

Exclusion Dates
During a Season there may be specific days such as public holidays on which a different tariff arrangement
applies. These days can be programmed by identification as an exclusion date within a season. There is a
maximum of 64 Exclusion Dates.

3.2.8

Integration Period
The Integration Period is the time in which the demand is determined. Usually this is 30
minutes or 15 minutes, but can be any integer devisable in to 60 minutes.

3.2.9

Average Demand
This is the average power consumed in the Integration Period. It is computed by dividing the
energy consumed (kWh, kvarh, kVAh or recorded input energy) by the Integration Period in
hours.

3.2.10

Maximum Demand
The Maximum Demand is the highest demand recorded for the specified parameter, kW, kvar
or kVA, during the Billing Period. The A1700 meter can record up to 8 Maximum Demands.
For each of these, in some versions, the second and third highest are also recorded.
Maximum Demand can be recorded in two ways, Block Interval and Sliding Window.

3.2.11

Block Interval Demand

The Block Interval Demand is the calculation of the demand in non-overlapping integration
periods e.g. 30 minutes.

3.2.12

Sliding Window Demand

The calculation of demand averaged over an Integration Period which includes sub-intervals of
previous demand calculations, e.g. a 30 minute demand period with sub-intervals will be
defined as 09.00 to 09.30, 09.10 to 09.40, 09.20 to 09.50 etc.

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3.2.13

Cumulative Registers
The Cumulative Registers are the total register reading of the primary values:
kWh import/export
kvarh in four quadrants

Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4

kvarh Import Lagging Energy

kvarh Import Leading Energy
kvarh Export Lagging Energy
kvarh Export Leading Energy

KVAh
Input pulses
Regardless of which Time of Use register is active, the Cumulative Register will always
advance.

3.2.14

Cumulative Maximum Demand

At the end of a Billing Period the Maximum Demand is added into a register. This is the
Cumulative Maximum Demand.

3.2.15

Total kVAh
kVAh is a scalar quantity and is calculated from the total kWh and the total kvarh over all phases.
(See Figure 3).
For some particular tariff applications it is required to determine the kVAh by using customer
defined quantities. The quadrants to be used in kVAh calculation can be selected by the user.
e.g.

Q1
kWh

kvarh

Q2

Q3

Q4
*

Note: Real and reactive energy for each phase is respectively summated prior to kVAh calculation.

3.2.16

Customer Defined Registers

The quantities to be calculated are selectable by 3 customer defined registers.
Each register is programmable to accept pulses from two (five) of the following registers:

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)

kWh Total Import

kWh Total Export
Q1 kvarh Import Lagging Energy
Q2 kvarh Import Leading Energy
Q3 kvarh Export Lagging Energy
Q4 kvarh Export Leading Energy
Input 1
Input 2
Input 3

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j) Input 4

Examples of their use are:

3.3

Register 1

Total kWh

kWh Import + kWh Export (a + b)

Register 2

Total Import kvarh

kvarh Lagging Import + kvarh Leading Import (c + d)

Register 3

Total kvarh

kvarh Lagging Import + kvarh Leading Import + kvarh

Lagging Export + kvarh Leading Export (c + d + e + f)

Time Keeping
A fundamental part of the A1700 meter operation is its time keeping. To maintain accurate time
it has its own clock with calendar capability. This clock is driven from a quartz crystal. There is
an option to use the mains frequency as the basis of the clock. In the event of a power failure
the clock will automatically resort to its crystal back up with the circuits supported by a stand-by
battery.
In many countries there is a requirement to adjust the clock for daylight saving. This advances
(in the Spring) or retards (in the Autumn) the clock at a preset date. The meter has the
capability to perform this automatically by pre-programming these dates. The advance and
retard can be one or two hours.

3.4

Data Logging
Within the A1700 meter there is an option to store Demand Data for successive Integration
Periods. The Demand Data can originate from any of the Primary Registers or Input Module
inputs (if fitted). Primary Registers and module inputs can also be summated, for example:
Summate Input 1 kWh with Input 3 export kWh - (Input 1 + Input 3)
Summate kWh total import with Input 1 kWh - (kWh total import + Input 1)
The storage capacity is 450 days (with the option of 900 days) of data from one register at 30
minute demand intervals. In normal operation the information is extracted from the data logging
store at regular intervals, e.g. daily or weekly.
The data storage can be allocated to a number of registers.
Example 1: It is possible to store 90 days of data (450 day version) when 5 primary registers
are logged. For single register logging, only 225 days will be available if the integration period
is 15 minutes.
Example 2: It is possible to store 180 days of data (900 day version) when 5 primary registers
are logged. For single register logging, 450 days will be available if the integration period is 15
minutes.

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CONFIGURATION, COMMUNICATION AND DATA COLLECTION

4.1

General
The A1700 meter is configured by programming features from a pre-set list of options defined
in the Power Master Unit. Programming is performed through the FLAG optical port or via an
optional communications module.
The FLAG port can also be used to read from the meter for billing purposes. Programming and
Reading are performed by Hand Held Units using an optical connector or directly, with the
same connector, from a PC.
The RS232/RS485 communications module can be used for access to the meter over a
telecommunications link from a remote point. The telecommunications link could be GSM
Network, the Public Switched Telephone Network, a Radio Link or direct lines. The port, being
a communications link, is of primary importance for down loading logged demand data.
It can also be used for programming and reading in the same fashion as the optical port.
There are certain hardware features and security features that can be programmed and
monitored through the communications ports. These include relay outputs, inputs, displays,
alarms and clock time base. These add to the tariff options available to configure the
application of the meter.

4.2

Support Systems
The A1700 meter has a number of peripheral devices and software support systems, which
together create the environment for communication, programming reading and displaying the
data.

Figure 10 shows the total system capability.

GSM network

A1700

Figure 10 Total System Capability

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4.2.1

Power Master Unit Software

Power Master Unit Software runs on an IBM compatible PC, allowing the A1700 meter (or PPM)
to be programmed with tariff and hardware features. The operator is led through a menu driven
sequence of data entries, which allows the operational features of the meter to be set up. The
communications interface is either a direct connection from the PC through the optical port
using a FLAG probe or through an intermediary device, namely a HHU or portable computer,
which is carried to site. Alternatively the connection can be made over the selected
communications medium using an appropriate modem. The most common way this is achieved
is by an auto answer modem responding to calls over the PSTN from the central computer. The
modem can be located under the terminal cover of the meter.

Power Master Unit Communications

The Communications Server is invoked from the Power Master Unit and allows communication
with the A1700 meter over local or remote communications links. There are two methods of
establishing communications with a meter, by executing a Meter List or by using Quick Send via
the Scheme Editor.
The Communications Server can be installed on a remote PC, allowing access over a network
for a number of workstations. When networked the Communications Server must be open or
communications with a meter will not be possible. The methods of communication and the
network set-up are described in the Power Master Unit Manual (M120 001 6).

Meter List Scheduler

The Meter List Scheduler is a Power Master Unit programming tool that allows a Meter List(s)
set up in the Power Master Unit to be activated at a time scheduled by the software. This may
be immediately (at the Start Time) or deferred (to the earliest opportunity on or after the Start
Date).

4.2.2

CHIRPS
When using the Hand Held Unit, a multi vendor software package, CHIRPS, (Common Hand
Held Integrated Reading and Programming Systems) is invoked. It provides a common set of
command and data structures, which allow a variety of meters from different manufacturers to
operate with a variety of Hand Held Units.
The overall concept is shown in overleaf.

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Figure 11

CHIRPS Overall Concept

To programme or read data from a particular manufacturer's meter or group of meters, the user
employs the software specific to that manufacturer, to create the necessary meter schemes.
A meter scheme defines the reading and programming instructions to be applied to a meter or
group of meters. Metering schemes are prepared by entering data into the Power Master Unit
Software.
This provides in simple menu driven format in a Windows environment, a series of data entries
which define what data has to be read from the meter, e.g. number of tariffs, maximum
demands etc. and data to be programmed into the meter e.g. tariff start and end times, seasons
etc. Details are given in Chapter 6 (Software Support) of this manual. These instructions are
formulated into CHIRPS files automatically. CHIRPS files, Reference and Sign-On files are
generated and transferred to the Hand Held Unit.
Reference and instruction files are encrypted. The Hand Held Unit runs CHIRPS as an
operating system and is thereby capable of interpreting these files to pass data to and from the
meters. In the case of the PPM this transfer of data from P.C. to HHU uses an applications
package referred to as OMS_TRAN.
There is a range of Hand Held Units available which run the CHIRPS environment. Details of
the suppliers are available on request to Elster Metering Systems. Usually a user will have only
one or two suppliers of Hand Held Units. The Hand Held Units interface to the meters on site
using the FLAG probe. At any time it is possible to have data for a variety of meters held within
the Hand Held Unit. The CHIRPS operating system will first identify the meter manufacturer,
meter type and serial number during a sign on mode. After sign on, it will then refer to its
database and select the appropriate instructions for that particular meter and transfer the data.
The communications protocol between the HHU and the meter is FLAG IEC 62056 - 21
(formerly IEC 61107).
In most cases the transfer of information will be automatic with an indication at the end of the
transfer that the operation is complete. It is possible to enter a manual entry mode where data
can be entered directly from the keyboard e.g. resetting time and date, or view registers of
interest. This will be in accordance with instructions set up on the P.C. however this option is
not currently invoked in Power Master Unit Software.

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In the majority of operations the data

transferred to the meter will be a request for
meter readings. As a consequence data will
be transferred back to the Hand Held Unit.
This will be identified and stored in data files.
The final transaction is to transfer meter data
held in the Hand Held Unit to the P.C. for
storage and display. This transfer takes
place under the command of the Power
Master Unit Software for each group of
manufacturers meters. The information is
stored as files in the P.C. in the Master Unit
directories and is available for onward
transfer to a mainframe computer for
processing if the necessary file translation
software is in place. In most cases it is
simply viewed and checked for report
purposes using the Master Unit Software.
The data structures within CHIRPS database are shown opposite.
The Hand Held Unit requests a sign on when interfaced to the meter. The meter responds with
a response message. This entry level is held in a .SOD File. There is one .SOD File per
manufacturer listing the types of meters available through CHIRPS.

Having gained entry the Hand Held Unit accesses the response and from this matches the
meter database entry using the meter identification code. The meter database entries are held
in the .REF File, which locates each meter loaded for programming and reading.
Having located a meter database entry in the .REF File the .INS File is referenced.
This determines the actions to be performed on a particular meter e.g. load new tariff, read data
etc. These instructions are passed to the meter using the FLAG protocol.
The meter then responds with data or, if programme instructions have been sent,
acknowledgement of acceptance. If data is being read it is stored in the .RES File.
This stores sequential data as requested by the instruction database with each entry identified
by the meter number. When load profile data is requested this data is stored in a .BUD File,
(Bulk data).
On return to the P.C. the data held in the .RES File and .BUD File can be downloaded.
When assembling data in the Power Master Unit Software the instruction files and reference
files are prepared automatically by setting up a meter list. These effectively give the reference
address for the meters to be programmed and read. The details of programming and reading
are prepared through entry data from the set-up screens detailed in the software manual.
Instructions are passed to the meter using the FLAG protocol.

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A1700 Meter Users Manual - Chapter 2

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Elster Metering Limited - M120 001 2S - 5/2007