Electricity Metering B A001SC42 ALPHA meter User Manual

Electricity Metering, ABB Inc ALPHA meter

User Manual

ABB Inc. IL42-4027AElectricity Metering208 South Rogers LaneRaleigh, NC 27610 USACustomer Support: +1 800 338 5251JUNE 2002 Fax: +1 919 212 4717Installing an ALPHA® Meter / InternalCellular ModemGeneralABB’s ALPHA meter is available with options that allow communicating over theAdvanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) and the Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN). This leaflet contains procedures for installing an ALPHA meter with theInternal Cellular Modem (ICM) option to provide a standard interface for datacommunications using the AMPS / PSTN. For information on installing the meter itself,see the instructional leaflet that pertains to the type of meter you have.Use authorized utility procedures to install and service metering equipment.Dangerous voltages are present. Personal injury, death, or equipmentdamage can result if safety precautions are not followed.Use circuit closing devices on any current transformer secondaries (Form 35S(5S), 35A (5A), 36S (6S), 36A (6A), 9S, 10A meters). Personal injury, death, orequipment damage can result if circuit closing devices are not used.The remotely–readable ALPHA meter with the ICM option does not normally requireany wiring for meter communications. The use of an external antenna does requireadditional wiring; however, when using the internal antenna, no wiring to supportcommunications is required.For more information on remote operation of ALPHA meters, see ALPHA Meter Options:Enhanced Metering Functions, Relays, and Modems (TM42-2181B or later), ALPHA PlusMeter Technical Manual (TM42-2182C or later), or A3 ALPHA Meter Technical Manual(TM42-2190A or later). These manuals include instructions on retrofitting a meter tooperate with a landline modem and information on programming, reading, and testingthe meter for remote operation over the telephone lines.Regulatory InformationNOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection againstharmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radiofrequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmfulinterference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in aparticular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct theinterference by one or more of the following measures:£ Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.£ Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.£ Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.£ Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
IL42-4027A JUNE 20022If you experience trouble with this equipment, please contact ABB’s RMR Department at +1 919 212 4700.Do not attempt to repair this equipment yourself unless you are replacing an entire module.Performing a BER Test on the ICM ConnectionOnce the Alpha Meter with ICM is installed, it is recommended that the meter installerperform an installation test using ABB’s metercat software (rev 1.2 or later). This testvalidates the quality of the communication link using a combination of two measurements: The measured Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). A Bit Error Rate (BER) measurement with a remote digital loop back device usingthe V.54 Standard.The thresholds related to those measurements (successful RSSI threshold, successful BERthreshold, duration of the BER measurement…) can be changed from the recommendeddefault values in the ABB metercat software. If both measurements are successful accordingto the pre-defined set of thresholds, the installation test will be reported as being successful.The test procedure is as follows:1. Connect the optical probe to the meter under test, and select the optical probe connectionin metercat. This test will be performed via optical connection only2. The pre-defined function named “Test ICM” must be selected3. A window called “Test Cellular Modem Task Run Time Overrides” will be shown on thescreen displaying all the parameters values related to this test. Depending on the testset-up, some of those parameters can be overridden at program execution time. Pleaseconsult the Metercat user guide for more details. Once the user selects OK on thiswindow the test will run4. A completion report will be displayed with “passed” or “failed” as well as additional testresults (RSSI measured, BER measured…)Connecting an External Antenna to the ALPHA Meter / ICM ForUse With An External AntennaAt times the meter may be installed in a service cabinet, or in a location where the RF signalis greatly attenuated due to physical obstructions, or simply the distance from the nearestcellular tower is too great to achieve sufficient signals for reliable data communications. TheALPHA meter provides a means such that an external antenna can be used to enhancecommunications between the tower and the meter while providing 4 kV of voltage isolation at60 hertz.To ensure compliance with FCC RF exposure requirements, the antenna usedfor this device must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operating inconjunction with any other antenna or radio transmitter. Installers and end-users must follow the installation instructions provided in the users guide.
JUNE 2002 IL42-4027A3The external antenna option for the A3 meter is accomplished by installing the A3 ExternalAntenna Option Kit. This option is not part of the Alpha Meter / ICM, and must be obtainedseparately as a user installed option. Instructions for the meter modification, assembly, andinstallation are included with the External Antenna Option Kit.
IL42-4027A JUNE 2002DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITYThere are no understandings, agreements, representations, or warranties either express or implied, including warranties ofmerchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, other than those specifically set out by any existing contract between theparties. Any such contract states the entire obligation of the seller. The contents of this technical manual shall not become part ofor modify any prior or existing agreement, commitment, or relationship.The information, recommendations, descriptions, and safety notices in this technical manual are based on ABB experience andjudgment with respect to operation and maintenance of the described product. This information should not be considered as all-inclusive or covering all contingencies. If further information is required, ABB Inc. should be consulted.No warranties, either express or implied, including warranties of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability, or warrantiesarising from the course of dealing or usage of trade, are made regarding the information, recommendations, descriptions,warnings, and cautions contained herein.In no event will ABB be responsible to the user in contract, in tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise for any special,indirect, incidental, or consequential damage or loss whatsoever, including but not limited to: damage or loss of use ofequipment, cost of capital, loss of profits or revenues, or claims against the user by its customers resulting from the use of theinformation, recommendations, descriptions, and safety notices contained herein. *IL42-4027A*© 2002 by ABB Inc.All rights reserved.Printed in the United States.Relay ConnectionsThe ICM option board can be equipped with four relays. When equipped with fourrelays, an 8–lead output cable (Reference Figure 1) is included. See the MetercatProgram Development Guide (TM42-2204B or later) for more information on configuringrelays for A3 ALPHA meters.COMMONGreenNO BrownCOMMONRedNO OrangeNO BlueNC Wht/BlkNO BlackNC YellowLC1LC2KYZ1KYZ2EOILoad ControlRELAY ARELAY BRELAY CRELAY DA3 ALPHAProgrammableProgrammableProgrammableProgrammableY1Z1Y2Z2EOIKFigure 1

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