EA_Inspector Release 3.
Contents Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 New in release 3.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Changes in release 3.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 About handheld devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EA_Inspector User Guide Contents 3 4 About EA_Inspector software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Navigating the software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 User privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Saving notes and GPS data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Exiting EA_Inspector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EA_Inspector User Guide Contents 4 Reading status of the service control switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Checking load side voltage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Connecting an electricity meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Disconnecting an electricity meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Reading the state of the secondary relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EA_Inspector User Guide Contents 5 Commissioning a 900 MHz device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Reading a 900 MHz HAN device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Pinging a 900 MHz HAN device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Method 1 - from the Commission Device screen157 Method 2 - from the Ping Device screen158 Decommissioning a 900 MHz device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Reading a decommissioned device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EA_Inspector User Guide 6 FCC and Industry Canada compliance Compliance statement (Part 15.19) Radix FW950 (equipped with the EnergyAxis network interface card) and Radix FW950 (equipped with the EnergyAxis network interface card and an external antenna) comply with Part 15 (Class B), Part 90 of the FCC rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. The FCC ID's are G8JHHI03 and G8JHHI04. The Industry Canada is 4557C-HHI03. General information This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
EA_Inspector User Guide This radio transmitter IC:4557C-HHI03 has been approved by Industry Canada to operate with the antenna types listed below with the maximum permissible gain and required antenna impedance for each antenna type indicated. Antenna types not included in this list, having a gain greater than the maximum gain indicated for that type, are strictly prohibited for use with this device.
EA_Inspector User Guide 8 No warranties, either expressed or implied, including warranties of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability, or warranties arising from the course of dealing or usage of trade, are made regarding the information, recommendations, descriptions, warnings, and cautions contained herein.
EA_Inspector User Guide Danger is used to alert personnel to the presence of a hazard that will cause severe personal injury, death, equipment damage, or property damage if the notice is ignored. New in release 3.6 EA_Inspector Manager and EA_Inspector introduce the following new features: • support for 900 MHz HAN devices • support for enabling/disabling an RF transmitter • support for controlling the AC-250 RMD (Remote Meter Disconnect) for gas meters Changes in release 3.
1 INTRODUCTION This document provides comprehensive operating instructions for the use of the EA_Inspector software. About handheld devices About This manual Handheld devices are lightweight and easy to use handheld computers for troubleshooting EnergyAxis meter communications using touch screen technology. This guide provides instructions for setup, operation and troubleshooting of the handheld device.
EA_Inspector User Guide Introduction What is the EnergyAxis System? 11 The EnergyAxis System (Figure 1-1) is designed for residential and commercial and industrial (C&I) metering automation of electricity, gas and water. It is composed of up to three parts: 1.
EA_Inspector User Guide Introduction 12 Figure 1-1. EnergyAxis System Each gatekeeper gathers and stores meter data from its registered node meters and associated water and gas modules and manages the EA_LAN. These gatekeepers upload the data to the EnergyAxis Management System (EA_MS) via a public or private WAN either on a scheduled or on-demand basis.
EA_Inspector User Guide Introduction EA_Inspector and EA_Inspector Manager The EA_Inspector is a tool for use with EnergyAxis System. EnergyAxis devices are equipped with RF modules that transmit meter data to gatekeepers through the EA_LAN. The EA_LAN occasionally may need troubleshooting to locate issues and EA_Inspector is the tool designed to locate these issues. EA_Inspector also performs firmware upgrades for devices in the field.
2 ABOUT THE HANDHELD About the handheld The handheld is a Radix FW950 device that functions as the platform handheld installation tool for Elster’s EA_Gas and EA_Water modules, as well as supporting EA_Inspector. The handheld is a rugged Radix handheld computer with the EnergyAxis network interface (EA_NIC) card installed. This handheld allows field personnel to install the EA_Gas and EA_Water modules onto gas meters.
EA_Inspector User Guide About the handheld 17 • FCC compliance: Part 90 and Part 15. The FCC ID is G8JHHI03. • Operating temperature: -4 °F to +140 °F (-20 °C to + 60 °C) • USB, Ethernet, serial, IPP, multiple communications ports • IP-67 rated (1 meter submersion) • Elster nose cone is IP-67 rated (1 meter submersion) • MIL-STD-810F method - 1.
EA_Inspector User Guide About the handheld 18 Safe RF exposure using external antenna The antenna used for the Radix transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 8 inches (20 cm) from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. EA_Inspector Manager EA_Inspector Manager synchronizes the handheld with a host computer. Synchronizing the handheld copies files between the handheld and the host computer. Figure 2-3.
EA_Inspector User Guide About the handheld EA_Inspector The EA_Inspector is a tool for the EnergyAxis System. EnergyAxis devices (electricity, gas, and water meters and in-home devices are equipped with RF modules that transmit meter data to EA_Gatekeepers through the EA_LAN. The EA_LAN occasionally may need troubleshooting to locate issues and EA_Inspector is the tool designed to locate these issues. EA_Inspector also performs firmware upgrades for devices in the field.
EA_Inspector User Guide About the handheld 20 Main Menu Sub menu Sub menu Connect/Disconnect Load Side Power Read Current State Load Side Voltage Check Connect Disconnect Secondary Relay Read Current State Open Relay Close Relay Gas Valve Control Read Open Close RF Control Read Current State Disable RF (Transmitter) Enable RF (Transmitter) HAN Broadcast Read Current State Start - turn ON End - turn OFF Config Meter Meter Association EA_Water Module Demand Reset Firmware Upgrade Home Area Ne
EA_Inspector User Guide Operating the handheld 22 Arrow keys These keys (, , , and ) are used to navigate directionally in the screen. • Navigates between fields within the current screen (for example, messages and search).
EA_Inspector User Guide Operating the handheld Opening EA_Inspector 23 To access EA_Inspector: 1. From the handheld’s desktop, select the EA_Inspector icon and press . Figure 3-2. Handheld desktop The EA_Inspector splash screen displays. Figure 3-3. EA_Inspector splash screen The EA_NIC loads the EA_Inspector firmware.
EA_Inspector User Guide Operating the handheld 24 Note: You will see the RF Firmware Load screen only if EA_Inspector detects a firmware file with a different version in the handheld than the existing EA_NIC firmware version. If the firmware file version is higher than the current firmware version in EA_NIC, EA_Inspector will upgrade the EA_NIC firmware. Otherwise, EA_Inspector will ask the user "Are you sure you want to update vm.m over vn.n?” Figure 3-4. Loading firmware 2.
EA_Inspector User Guide Operating the handheld Logging in to the handheld Before you can operate the EA_Inspector on the handheld, you must first synchronize the handheld with EA_Inspector Manager. This ensures that users’ credentials and other needed files are downloaded to the handheld. See the EA_Inspector and EA_Inspector Manager Installation and Administration Guide for details on synchronizing the handheld with EA_Inspector Manager.
EA_Inspector User Guide Operating the handheld 26 handheld with EA_Inspector Manager to load user logon information and set the handheld’s expiration date. Figure 3-7. Handheld expiration — OR — To properly use EA_Inspector, the handheld must be synchronized with EA_Inspector Manager. Depending on the user’s permissions and privileges (see EA_Inspector Installation and Administration Guide) the handheld may respond in unexpected ways.
EA_Inspector User Guide Operating the handheld a. Refer to the EA_Inspector and EA_Inspector Manager Installation and Administration Guide for details on synchronizing the handheld using EA_Inspector Manager. Figure 3-8. EA_MS meter and Meter ID file not on handheld No SN/LAN ID file but without Allow LAN ID privilege Logon disabled Figure 3-9.
EA_Inspector User Guide Operating the handheld Holding the handheld for meter reading 28 When using a handheld device to read a meter, hold the handheld device upright. Note: Figure 3-10. Handheld-to-meter RF communication The stronger RF signals radiate out of the extended antenna from the front and back of the cover.
4 ABOUT EA_INSPECTOR SOFTWARE After successfully logging into the handheld device, you will see the main menu screen. Figure 4-1. EA_Inspector Main Menu The main menu screen allows the selection of the following modes: 1. RF Troubleshooting • Ping • Locate node (registered and unregistered) • Gas/Water Comms 2. Read Meter Data • Read Current Data • Read Previous Data 3.
EA_Inspector User Guide About EA_Inspector software 30 • Open • Close • RF Control • Read Current State • Disable RF (Transmitter) • Enable RF (Transmitter) • Secondary Relay: • Read Current State • Open Relay • Close Relay 4. Configure Meter • EA HAN Broadcast • Meter Associations • EA_Water Module • Demand Reset • Firmware Upgrade 5. Home Area Network • ZigBee HAN • Ping • Devices • Channels • HAN NIC Info • 900 MHz HAN • Commission • Ping • Configure • Decommission 6.
EA_Inspector User Guide About EA_Inspector software You can also use the arrow keys to navigate up and down the list of commands and then press to execute the command. Additionally, the first letter of each button label is an accelerator key for that function. For example, for Save, for Ping, for Cancel, etc. can be used for Cancel or for exiting any menu.
EA_Inspector User Guide About EA_Inspector software 32 Figure 4-2. Notes screen 2. Additionally, you can click GPS to collect the GPS coordinates for the handhelds current location at the time of the communication. The GPS Details screen displays. Figure 4-3. GPS Details screen The GPS Details screen indicates the status of the attempt to get GPS coordinates. A successful read displays a status of GPS Info Completed. 3. If the GPS read fails, press Retry or to retry the operation. 4.
EA_Inspector User Guide About EA_Inspector software Exiting EA_Inspector 1. While the Main Menu screen is open, press or press Exit to exit the software. A dialog displays asking you to confirm you wish to exit. Figure 4-4. Exiting EA_Inspector 2. Use , or arrow keys to select the response. — OR — Touch Yes or press or press when the button is highlighted to accept the selection. Touch No or press or press when the button is highlighted to cancel.
EA_Inspector User Guide About EA_Inspector software 34 Figure 4-5. Exiting EA_Inspector 2. Use , or arrow keys to select the response. — OR — Touch Yes or press or press when the button is highlighted to accept the selection. Touch No or press or press when the button is highlighted to cancel.
5 PERFORMING A PING TEST About ping tests A ping test sends an RF command to an EnergyAxis RF module (EA_NIC) or meter and retrieves the devices ID and serial number. A ping test sends ten packets, receives ten packets in response and reports the average received signal strength indication (RSSI) from the ten attempts.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test Accessing ping test menu 36 To access the Ping Test menu: 1. From the Main Menu, select RF Troubleshooting. Figure 5-1. EA_Inspector Main Menu The RF Troubleshooting menu displays. Figure 5-2. RF Troubleshooting menu The RF Troubleshooting menu displays. 2. From the RF Troubleshooting menu, select Ping.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test Figure 5-3. Ping Test menu 3. The Ping Test menu allows you to select from the following list of ping tests: • One shot ping test • Continuous ping test • Node to node ping test One shot ping test To perform a one shot ping: 1. From the Ping Test menu, select One Shot. The One Shot Ping Test menu displays.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 38 Figure 5-4. Ping menu for electric, gas and water utility Figure 5-5. Ping menu for electric and gas utility 2.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test One shot ping of electric meter To perform a one shot ping of an electric meter (REX, REX2, EA_Repeater, EA_Gatekeeper or A3 ALPHA node): 1. From the One Shot Ping Test menu, select Electric. See “One shot ping of a EA_Gatekeeper” on page 42 for details on pinging a gatekeeper. EA_Inspector displays the ping test input screen. Figure 5-6. Ping test input screen Use LAN ID unchecked Use LAN ID checked 2. Enter the ID of the electric meter to be pinged.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 40 Figure 5-7. Successful ping test results - REX2 meter Serial No. not in database Note: If the entered ID is not in the downloaded EA_Inspector file, the display lists the ID and a message that the specified ID is unknown. The ping test results displays the following information: Item Description GK (Gatekeeper) Indicates the pinged meter’s registered gatekeeper. Parent Indicates the parent node (or repeater) of the pinged meter.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 41 Figure 5-8. Communication warnings If you receive a communication error or warning message [Figure 5-8], see “Communication mode errors and warning messages” on page 177 for details on troubleshooting communication problems. 5. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 42 Figure 5-9. Entering notes for saving to log 6. Use the keyboard to enter any notes regarding the test. 7. Press to save your notes to the activity log and exit the test. — OR — Press to exit the test without saving your notes. One shot ping of a EA_Gatekeeper Note: If you are pinging a gatekeeper with FW v4.x or 5.x, you must turn off encryption in the handheld. See “Configuring handheld settings and utility IDs” on page 171 for details.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 43 Figure 5-10. One shot ping of a gatekeeper The ping test occurs and the input screen displays the results as they are received. Figure 5-11. Successful ping of gatekeeper 5. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 44 One shot ping of gas module or AC-250 RMD To perform a one shot ping of a gas meter’s RF module or on an AC-250 RMD (valve control module): 1. From the One Shot Ping Test menu, select Gas. EA_Inspector displays the ping test input screen. Figure 5-12. Ping test input screen 2. Click Ping. EA_Inspector prompts you to hold a magnet on the gas module for 3 seconds. Figure 5-13.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 3. Hold the magnet on the bottom left of the gas module approximately 0.5 inches in from the left edge (see Figure 5-14, Figure 5-15, and Figure 5-16). Figure 5-14. Holding magnet on gas module v1.0 Figure 5-15. Holding magnet on gas module v2.0 The EA_Gas v3.0 module requires a magnet swipe unless it is operating in Mobile mode or in Hybrid (Fixed and Mobile) mode.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 46 Figure 5-16. Holding magnet on gas module v3.0 The ping test occurs and the input screen displays the results as they are received. Figure 5-17. Successful ping test results The ping test results displays the following information: Item Description ID Indicates the serial number ID of the EA_Gas module. Read Indicates the index reading (that is, gas usage).
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test Item Status drop list Description • EncReadErr - a problem has occurred when reading an encoder-type water module; it means a bad digit was read. If Tamper is also set, it means a complete read failure. • RESET_ERROR - the module has been reset since the last clear data. This flag is always set at power up, but will be cleared at final assembly, and at install. • TiltTmpr - Indicates the meter has a tilt tamper condition in effect.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 48 Figure 5-18. Clearing a status 5. Click More to view more information on the gas meter and module. Figure 5-19. View more information The More screen displays the following additional information about the gas meter: Item Description SubCount Indicates the pulse count stored internally in the meter before the predivider is applied to obtain the meter read. IntDiv/Len Indicates the Interval Divisor and Length in minutes for determining interval data.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test Item Description DailySnapShot Indicates the time of the day at which the meter read is recorded for the daily read. Style Indicates the Elster style number for the gas module. Assembly Indicates the Elster assembly serial number. DST Indicates the time of the daylight saving time change followed by the recurring day and month for the Spring and Fall DST change dates.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 50 Figure 5-20. Ping test input screen 2. For a one-way water module, click Find. EA_Inspector prompts you to hold a magnet on the water module for 3 seconds. Figure 5-21. Hold magnet prompt 3. Lift the cover over the water meter. 4. Hold the magnet on the bottom center of the water module (see Figure 5-22).
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test Figure 5-22. Holding magnet on water meter module 1.0 The ping test occurs, the water module transmits one packet of data that the input screen displays. Figure 5-23.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 52 The ping test results displays the following information: Item Description ID Indicates the serial number ID of the EA_Water module. LAN ID Indicates the LAN ID for the EA_Water module. EncReg Indicates the encoder register number. Mt Read Indicates the meter reading (that is, total water usage).
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test EA_Inspector prompts you to hold a magnet on the water module for 3 seconds to waken the module. The EA_Water v3.0 module requires a magnet swipe unless it is operating in Mobile mode or in Hybrid (Fixed and Mobile) mode. Figure 5-25. Holding magnet on water meter module 2.0/3.0 Figure 5-26. Holding magnet on pit mounted meter module 2. For a two-way water module, click Ping. EA_Inspector pings for any two-way water modules within range.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 54 Figure 5-27. Successful ping two-way water module Encoder-based Pulse-based 3. Click Clear Status to clear the statuses in the module. The handheld displays the results after the statuses are cleared. 4. Click More to view additional information. Figure 5-28. Clear statuses More screen • To return to the previous screen, use a stylus or finger to press More on the handheld’s display. 5.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Continuous ping test A continuous ping test performs multiple ping tests lasting for the number of minutes specified by the Test Time with a delay time of a specified number of Seconds Between Pings.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 56 Continuous ping of electric meter To perform a continuous ping of an electric meter (REX, REX2, EA_Repeater, EA_Gatekeeper or A3 ALPHA node): 1. From the Continuous Ping Test menu, select Electric. See “Continuous ping of a gatekeeper” on page 58 for details on pinging a gatekeeper. EA_Inspector displays the ping test input screen. Figure 5-30. Ping test input screen 2. Enter the ID of the electric meter to be pinged. 3. Click Ping.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test Figure 5-31. Result of continuous ping of electric meter Note: Only REX2 meters with FW 3.0 or higher return Meter RSSI. The continuous ping test continues displaying the results of each test until the testing is complete. Figure 5-32. Continuous ping test complete The ping test results display the number the packets received/number of sent, RSSI.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 58 4. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Continuous ping of a gatekeeper Note: If you are pinging a gatekeeper with FW v4.x or 5.x, you must turn off encryption in the handheld. See “Configuring handheld settings and utility IDs” on page 171 for details.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test Figure 5-34. Continuous ping test - gatekeeper 4. Click Ping. Figure 5-35. Continuous ping test - gatekeeper 5. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 60 Continuous ping of gas or two-way water module To perform a continuous ping of a gas or two-way water meter’s RF module: 1. From the Continuous Ping Test menu, select Gas/Water. EA_Inspector displays the ping test input screen. Figure 5-36. Ping test input screen 2. Click Ping. EA_Inspector prompts you to hold a magnet on the gas/water module for 3 seconds. See Figure 5-14 for an illustration on how to hold the magnet on a gas module.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test Figure 5-37. Hold magnet prompt The ping test occurs and the input screen displays the results as they are received. Figure 5-38. Result of continuous ping of gas RF module The continuous ping test continues displaying the results of each test until the testing is complete. The ping test results display the number the packets received/number of sent, RSSI.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 62 3. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Node to node ping test A node-to-node ping test signals a meter to ping another meter (whether a REX, REX2, EA_Repeater or A3 ALPHA meter). The node-to-node ping test requires the initiator node is a meter registered to a gatekeeper.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 63 Figure 5-40. Ping in process EA_Inspector displays the results of the node-to-node ping including the number of packets sent and the RSSI as a range of 0 to 7 where 0 indicates no signal and 1 indicates the best (or maximum) RSSI and 7 indicates the worst RSSI. See “About ping tests” on page 35 for details on RSSI and dBm range represented by the node-to-node ping results. Figure 5-41. Successful node-to-node ping 5.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 64 EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Editing continuous ping test settings EA_Inspector allows you to configure the following continuous ping test settings: • Ping packet repeats • Test time (in minutes) • Seconds between Pings (applies to electricity meters only) See “About ping tests” on page 35 for details about RSSI and signal strength.
EA_Inspector User Guide Performing a ping test 65
6 LOCATING A NODE About locating nodes Accessing node location menu EA_Inspector is capable of locating registered and unregistered REX, REX2 and A3 ALPHA node electricity meters. Note: Elster recommends disabling EA_Inspector encryption before locating a registered or unregistered node, especially utilities supporting both unencrypted and encrypted LAN communications. See “Configuring handheld settings and utility IDs” on page 171 for details on disabling LAN encryption.
EA_Inspector User Guide Locating a node Figure 6-2. RF Troubleshooting menu 2. From the RF Troubleshooting menu, select from the following: • Registered node locator • Unregistered node locator Registered node locator The Reg Node Locator command allows you to perform the following node locate functions: • Find all IDs • Finding an ID Note: The accelerator key for Find All is and the key for Find ID is . Find all IDs To find all registered nodes: 1.
EA_Inspector User Guide Locating a node 68 Figure 6-3. Find All nodes Figure 6-4. Find all registered nodes results EA_Inspector displays a listing of registered nodes including the following information: Item ID Description Indicates the Serial Number or the LAN ID of the registered node (depending on user privileges).
EA_Inspector User Guide Locating a node Item Description Node Level Indicates the node level from the registered gatekeeper of the pinged meter. For example, a node level of 2 indicates that the pinged meter communicates with its registered gatekeeper through one repeater meter. Gatekeeper Indicates the pinged meter’s registered gatekeeper. RSSI Indicates the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the ping test. For example, -22 indicates an RSSI of -22 dBm. 3.
EA_Inspector User Guide Locating a node 70 Note: Figure 6-6. Finding an ID To use the LAN ID to ping devices, you must have Allow LAN ID privilege (see EA_Inspector and EA_Inspector Manager Installation and Administration Guide for details) as well as Use LAN ID enabled on the handheld (see “Configuring handheld settings and utility IDs” on page 171 for details.
EA_Inspector User Guide Locating a node Figure 6-7. Find completed EA_Inspector displays the information of the registered node: Item Description ID Indicates the ID (Serial Number) or LAN ID of the registered node. Node Level Indicates the node level from the registered gatekeeper of the pinged meter. For example, a node level of 2 indicates that the pinged meter communicates with its registered gatekeeper through one repeater meter.
EA_Inspector User Guide Locating a node 72 Figure 6-8. Finding an unregistered node To find an unregistered node: 1. From the RF Troubleshooting menu, select Unreg Node Locator. EA_Inspector displays the Unreg Node Locator dialog. Figure 6-9. Finding unregistered nodes 2. To find unregistered nodes within range of the handheld’s RF card, click Find All. EA_Inspector pings to find unregistered nodes.
EA_Inspector User Guide Locating a node 73 Any unregistered nodes that hear the command will return their IDs. Figure 6-10. Unregistered nodes found 3. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data.
7 READING METER DATA The Read Meter Data command allows you to read TOU and demand data from an electricity meter. The meter data is then transferred into EA_Inspector Manager. Once in EA_Inspector Manager, EA_Inspector Manager posts the collected meter data to a pre-defined location in an AMRDEF format file (the same file type as used by EA_MS to deliver meter data).
EA_Inspector User Guide Reading meter data Figure 7-2. Read Meter Data menu You can read the following data: • Current data collected (since the last demand reset) • Previous data collected (prior to the last demand reset) Reading previous period data Note: A demand reset is not automatically performed. If you are reading meter data for the purpose of billing, Elster recommends performing a demand reset prior to reading previous period data.
EA_Inspector User Guide Reading meter data 76 Figure 7-3. Read previous data input screen 4. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Reading current period data To read current period data from a meter: 1. From the Read Meter Data menu, select Read Current Data. The Read Current Data input screen displays. Figure 7-4.
EA_Inspector User Guide Reading meter data 2. Enter the LAN ID for the meter you want to read. 3. Click Read. 4. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data.
8 GAS/WATER COMMS About gas and water communication EA_Inspector allows you to read gas and water communication information from electricity devices (REX2 or A3 ALPHA nodes) or from gas or water devices. These data identify the members of the module’s communications table (that is, the specific repeaters that the gas and water modules are using to transmit their data). The communications tables are dynamic and adjust to network conditions and the success of the periodic transmission sessions.
EA_Inspector User Guide Gas/Water Comms 79 Figure 8-2. RF Troubleshooting menu 2. From the RF Troubleshooting menu, select Gas/Water Comms. The Gas/Water Comms Info menu displays. Figure 8-3.
EA_Inspector User Guide Gas/Water Comms Reading gas/water comm info from an electric device 80 To read gas or water communication information from an electric device: 1. From the Gas/Water Comms Info menu, select Read from Electric. 2. Enter the ID for the electric device (REX2 meter or A3 ALPHA node). 3. Click Read. The display lists the gas and water IDs for meters communicating through the specified electric device.
EA_Inspector User Guide Gas/Water Comms 4. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Reading gas/water comm info from a gas/ water device To read gas or water communication information from a gas or two-way water device: 1. From the Gas/Water Comms Info menu, select Read from Gas/Water. 2. Click Read.
9 DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING METERS About disconnecting and reconnecting electricity meters The EA_Inspector handheld allows authorized users to disconnect and reconnect registered and unregistered REX and REX2 meters that have the service control switch installed. Additionally, EA_Inspector also allows users to disconnect and reconnect A3 ALPHA meters equipped with the internal polyphase service control switch .
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters Accessing Connect/ Disconnect menu 84 To access the Connect/Disconnect menu: 1. From the Main Menu, select Connect/Disconnect. Figure 9-4. EA_Inspector Main Menu The Connect/Disconnect menu displays. Figure 9-5. Connect/Disconnect menu 2.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters • Secondary Relay: • Read Current State • Open Relay • Close Relay • Gas Valve Control • Read • Open • Close • RF Control • Read Current State • Disable RF (Transmitter) • Enable RF (Transmitter) Reading status of the service control switch The handheld allows you to read the status of the REX, REX2 or A3 ALPHA meter’s service control switch. To read the status: 1. From the Connect/Disconnect menu, select Load Side Power. Figure 9-6.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 86 Figure 9-7. Load Side Power - connected The table below details the possible values for the service control switch: Value Switch Status Reported as 0 Communication Failure Communication failure 1 Open Power is disconnected 2 Open with close pending Connection is pending 3 Open with load side voltage present Power is disconnected with load side voltage present.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters Figure 9-8. Communication warnings If you receive a communication error or warning message [Figure 9-8], see “Communication mode errors and warning messages” on page 177 for details on troubleshooting communication problems. Checking load side voltage Because a service control switch will not connect if load side voltage is present. To check the status of load side voltage: 1. From the Load Side Power menu, select Load Side Voltage Check.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 88 Figure 9-9. Load Side Power - voltage present Connecting an electricity meter EA_Inspector allows you to connect a REX2 meter regardless of its registration status. However, you can only connect a REX meter that is registered to a gatekeeper. Note: When connecting a REX2 meter after a disconnect, for safety reasons the meter must observe a minimum period of one minute of no load side voltage before performing the connection.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters Figure 9-10. Power connected The data is saved to the activity and result logs automatically. 4. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Disconnecting an electricity meter EA_Inspector allows you to disconnect a REX2 meter regardless of its registration status.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 90 Figure 9-11. Disconnect input screen 4. Click Yes to continue with the Disconnect command. — OR — Click No to cancel the disconnect. Note: After sending a connect or disconnect command, EA_Inspector will check service control switch status. If the status is not as expected, then it waits one second and reads status again until 3 attempts occur without a successful change. EA_Inspector displays the results of the Disconnect command.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 5. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. The data is saved to the activity and result logs automatically. Reading the state of the secondary relay The handheld allows you to read the status of the gREX meter’s secondary relay. To read the status: 1.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 92 Figure 9-14. Connecting power using secondary relay 4. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Disconnecting a secondary relay The handheld allows you to open, that is, disconnect, a gREX meter’s secondary relay. To disconnect a secondary relay: 1.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters Figure 9-15. Disconnecting power using secondary relay 4. Click Yes to continue with the Open Relay command. — OR — Click No to cancel the disconnect. EA_Inspector displays the results of the Open Relay command. Figure 9-16. Disconnecting power using secondary relay 5. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters Controlling a gas valve 94 EA_Inspector 3.6 adds support for the AC-250 RMD (Remote Meter Disconnect). The RMD includes a valve control module (VCM) for opening and closing the gas valve. The gas valve assembly and EnergyAxis module are mounted on and operate Elster’s AC-250 gas meter. Note: The Radix FW950 handheld (Style No. 1C12455G01) should be equipped with an external antenna to perform actions on the AC-250 RMD.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 96 Figure 9-19. Gas valve control access • EA_Inspector saves an audit log for the results of all Read, Open or Close actions. • EA_Inspector automatically saves detailed information on the gas valve Open or Close actions to the results log file. • EA_Inspector saves detailed information on the gas valve Read action to the results log file only when a user clicks Save.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters Figure 9-20. Gas valve control privilege Valve Control privilege No Valve Control privilege Figure 9-21. Additional gas valve privileges Valve S/N Mode No Valve S/N Mode 2. If you have the Valve S/N Mode privilege, enter the gas valve Serial Number. — OR — If you do not have the Valve S/N Mode privilege, enter the gas valve LAN ID. 3. Click Read.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 98 Figure 9-22. Read results EA_Inspector displays the following information: Item Description VCM Version Indicates the firmware version of the AC-250 RMD valve control module. Valve Status Indicates the state of the gas valve - Open or Closed. Number of OP Indicates the number of valve opening and closing operations performed by the VCM.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters Item Description • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Status EEPROM_ERROR CRC_ERROR CONFIG_ERROR SERIAL_FLASH_ERROR AP_ERR: Application Mode VCM Error Processing Request AP_SNS: Application Mode Service Not Supported AP_ONP: Application Mode Operation Not Possible AP_IAR: Application Mode Inappropriate Action Requested BL_ERR: Bootloader Mode VCM Error Processing Request BL_FWE: Bootloader Flash Write Error BL_ONP: Bootloader Mode Oper
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 100 Figure 9-24. Hardware failure detected • Click OK to acknowledge the message. Note: The Valve Status field is for historical reference only. When the Read command is initiated, EA_Inspector reports the last known state of the valve. To determine the true current state of the valve, a valve movement must be performed. If the Valve Status reports Open, the user can send an Open command to confirm that the valve is indeed Open.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters Figure 9-25. Gas valve control privilege Valve S/N Mode privilege No Valve S/N Mode privilege 2. If you have the Valve S/N Mode privilege, enter the gas valve Serial Number. — OR — If you do not have the Valve S/N Mode privilege, enter the gas valve LAN ID. 3. Click Open. 4. If you have the PIN Challenge privilege: a. Enter the last five digits of the RF module’s LAN ID (printed on the RMD label) as a PIN. b. Click OK.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 102 Figure 9-26. Opening valve - PIN challenge Valve S/N Mode and No PIN Challenge Valve S/N Mode and PIN Challenge EA_Inspector prompts you to confirm to open the gas shut off valve. Figure 9-27. Confirm valve opening Note: EA_Inspector checks the battery status before opening or closing a gas valve. If a battery alarm occurs, the action for opening or closing the valve is cancelled. 5. To continue with opening the gas valve, click Yes.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 103 After opening the gas shut off valve, EA_Inspector displays the result of the action. Figure 9-28. Open valve results 6. Click Save only to save a note to the result log or to collect GPS data. Closing a gas valve Closing a gas valve turns off gas service. To close a gas shut off valve: 1. From the Connect/Disconnect menu, select Gas Valve Control. The Gas Valve Control screen displays. Figure 9-29.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 104 2. If you have the Valve S/N Mode privilege, enter the gas valve Serial Number. — OR — If you do not have the Valve S/N Mode privilege, enter the gas valve LAN ID. 3. Click Close. 4. If you have the PIN Challenge privilege: a. Enter the last five digits of the RF module’s LAN ID (printed on the RMD label) as a PIN. b. Click OK. Note: EA_Inspector checks the battery status before opening or closing a gas valve.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters Figure 9-31. Close valve result 6. Click Save only to save a note to the result log or to collect GPS data. Controlling a meter’s RF transmitter EA_Inspector 3.6 adds support for controlling the radio transmitter of the following devices: • REX2 meters (FW v2.0 and higher) • gREX meters (FW v2.0 and higher) Note: REX2 and gREX meters with FW v2.x will execute the disable or enable command at midnight.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 106 Reading the current state of an RF transmitter To read the current state of the RF transmitter: 1. From the Connect/Disconnect menu, select RF Control. The RF Control screen displays. Figure 9-32. RF Control screen 2. Enter the LAN ID for the module. 3. Click Read Current State. Figure 9-33. Reading the current state The screen displays the current state of the module’s radio.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters Disabling an RF transmitter To disable the RF transmitter in a device: 1. From the Connect/Disconnect menu, select RF Control. The RF Control screen displays. 2. Enter the LAN ID for the module. 3. Click Disable RF. Figure 9-34. Disabling RF transmitter The screen displays the result of the action (that is, successful or failed). Enabling an RF transmitter To enable the RF transmitter: 1.
EA_Inspector User Guide Disconnecting and reconnecting meters 108 Figure 9-35. Enabling RF transmitter The screen displays the result of the action (that is, successful or failed).
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware Figure 10-1. Exiting EA_Inspector 2. Click Yes to exit. 3. At the desktop, click the EA_Inspector icon to restart the software and begin updating the firmware. Figure 10-2. Confirm update 4. Click Yes to begin updating the handheld’s EA_NIC firmware. The update begins.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 112 Figure 10-3. Update in progress When the update is complete, EA_Inspector displays a message. Figure 10-4. Update complete 5. Click OK to finish the update. Upgrading a gas or water module’s firmware Note: Before you can upgrade firmware, files must be downloaded to the handheld using EA_Inspector Manager. See the EA_Inspector and EA_Inspector Manager Installation and Administration Guide for details.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware To upgrade a gas or water module’s firmware: 1. From the Main Menu, select Configure Meter. Figure 10-5. EA_Inspector Main Menu screen EA_Inspector displays the Configure Meter screen. Figure 10-6. Configure Meter screen 2. Select Firmware Upgrade. EA_Inspector displays the Firmware Upgrade input screen.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 114 Figure 10-7. Firmware upgrade input screen 3. To upgrade firmware in a gas or water meter’s radio/application or valve control module using walk-by or drive-by access, check WBDB. • If WBDB is unchecked, EA_Inspector displays a message prompting you to use a magnet to awaken the RF module. • If WBDB is checked, you must enter the module’s serial number or LAN ID to allow EA_Inspector to broadcast a wake-up tone to the module. 4.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware b. Click OK to acknowledge the message. If multiple firmware files are found on the handheld, EA_Inspector prompts you to select the firmware version. c. Select the appropriate firmware image from the Firmware List. Figure 10-9. Multiple firmware versions found d. Click OK. EA_Inspector begins upgrading the module’s firmware. Figure 10-10. Loading firmware upgrade 7. For gas modules, hold the magnet to the module as detailed in Figure 5-14 on page 45.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 116 Figure 10-11. Successful firmware upgrade The firmware upgrade results are saved automatically to a log data file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. 8. To add notes to the log data file or collect and save GPS data, click Save. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. 9. Enter notes as needed or see “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware Figure 10-12. Upgrading valve control module 5. Select Valve Control Module. 6. Enter the LAN ID for the control module. 7. Click Go. If multiple firmware files are found on the handheld, EA_Inspector prompts you to select the firmware version. Figure 10-13. Firmware List 8. Select the appropriate firmware image from the Firmware List. 9. Click OK. EA_Inspector begins upgrading the module’s firmware.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 118 Figure 10-14. Loading the firmware image After the firmware is upgraded, EA_Inspector displays the results of the operation. Figure 10-15. Upgrade results 10.To add notes to the log data file or collect and save GPS data, click Save. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. 11. Enter notes as needed or see “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware Upgrading a meter’s EA_NIC radio firmware Note: This function applies to REX2 or A3 ALPHA meters equipped with the EA_NIC network interface card. To upgrade a meter’s EA_NIC radio firmware: 1. From the Main Menu, select Configure Meter. Figure 10-16. EA_Inspector Main Menu EA_Inspector displays the Configure Meter screen. Figure 10-17. Configure Meter screen 2. Select Firmware Upgrade. EA_Inspector displays the Firmware Upgrade input screen.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 120 Figure 10-18. Upgrading a meter’s radio firmware 3. Select to upgrade Electricity. 4. Select to upgrade the meter’s Radio. 5. Enter the LAN ID of the meter. 6. Click Go to begin the upgrade process. EA_Inspector displays a list of the firmware versions available on the handheld: • If upgrade files are not available on the handheld, EA_Inspector displays a message. • Obtain the files by synchronizing the handheld using EA_Inspector Manager.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 121 a. Select the proper firmware and click OK. EA_Inspector begin upgrading the meter’s radio firmware. Figure 10-20. Loading firmware Figure 10-21. Upgrade successful After the upgrade is complete, EA_Inspector displays a message indicating the upgrade was successful. The firmware upgrade results are saved automatically to a log data file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. 7. To add notes to the log data file or collect and save GPS data, click Save.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware Upgrading a REX2 meter’s firmware 122 To upgrade a REX2 meter’s firmware: 1. From the Main Menu, select Configure Meter. Figure 10-22. EA_Inspector Main Menu EA_Inspector displays the Configure Meter screen. Figure 10-23. Configure Meter screen 2. Select Firmware Upgrade. EA_Inspector displays the Firmware Upgrade input screen.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware Figure 10-24. Upgrading a meter’s firmware 3. Select to upgrade REX2 Application. 4. Enter the LAN ID of the meter. 5. Click Go to begin the upgrade process. EA_Inspector displays a list of the firmware versions available on the handheld: • If upgrade files are not available on the handheld, EA_Inspector displays a message. • Obtain the files by synchronizing the handheld using EA_Inspector Manager.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 124 a. Click OK. EA_Inspector begin upgrading the meter’s firmware. Figure 10-26. Loading firmware After the upgrade is complete, EA_Inspector displays a message indicating the upgrade was successful. Figure 10-27. Upgrade successful The firmware upgrade results are saved automatically to a log data file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. 6. To add notes to the log data file or collect and save GPS data, click Save. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. 7.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware Upgrading an A3 ALPHA meter’s firmware 125 To upgrade an A3 ALPHA meter’s firmware: 1. From the Main Menu, select Configure Meter. Figure 10-28. EA_Inspector Main Menu EA_Inspector displays the Configure Meter screen. Figure 10-29. Configure Meter screen 2. Select Firmware Upgrade. EA_Inspector displays the Firmware Upgrade input screen.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 126 Figure 10-30. Upgrading a meter’s firmware 3. Select to upgrade A3 NIC Application. 4. Enter the LAN ID of the meter. 5. Click Go to begin the upgrade process. EA_Inspector displays a list of the firmware versions available on the handheld: • If upgrade files are not available on the handheld, EA_Inspector displays a message. • Obtain the files by synchronizing the handheld using EA_Inspector Manager.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware a. Click OK. EA_Inspector begin upgrading the meter’s firmware. Figure 10-32. Loading firmware After the upgrade is complete, EA_Inspector displays a message indicating the upgrade was successful. Figure 10-33. Upgrade successful The firmware upgrade results are saved automatically to a log data file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. 6. To add notes to the log data file or collect and save GPS data, click Save. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. 7.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware Upgrading 900 MHz HAN devices 128 Upgrading a 900 MHz HAN device’s radio To upgrade the radio firmware in a 900 MHz HAN device: 1. From the Main Menu, select Home Area Network. EA_Inspector displays the Home Area Network screen. Figure 10-34. Home Area Network screen 2. From the Home Area Network, select 900 MHz HAN. EA_Inspector displays the 900 MHz HAN screen. Figure 10-35. 900 MHz HAN screen 3. From the 900 MHz HAN, select Configure.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 129 Figure 10-36. Config 900 MHz HAN screen 4. From the Config 900 MHz HAN, select Firmware Upgrade. EA_Inspector displays the Firmware Upgrade screen. Figure 10-37. Firmware Upgrade screen 5. To upgrade the firmware in the device’s radio, select Radio. 6. Enter the LAN ID of the meter. 7. Click Go to begin the upgrade process.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 130 Manager. • If multiple firmware files are found on the handheld, EA_Inspector prompts you to select the appropriate firmware version. Figure 10-38. Firmware List a. Click OK. EA_Inspector begin upgrading the firmware. Figure 10-39. Loading firmware After the upgrade is complete, EA_Inspector displays a message indicating the upgrade was successful.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 131 Figure 10-40. Upgrade complete The firmware upgrade results are saved automatically to a log data file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. 8. To add notes to the log data file or collect and save GPS data, click Save. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. 9. Enter notes as needed or see “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 132 Figure 10-41. Home Area Network screen 2. From the Home Area Network, select 900 MHz HAN. EA_Inspector displays the 900 MHz HAN screen. Figure 10-42. 900 MHz HAN screen 3. From the 900 MHz HAN, select Configure. EA_Inspector displays the Config 900 MHz HAN screen.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 133 Figure 10-43. Config 900 MHz HAN screen 4. From the Config 900 MHz HAN, select Firmware Upgrade. EA_Inspector displays the Firmware Upgrade screen. Figure 10-44. Firmware Upgrade screen 5. To upgrade the firmware in the device, select Application. 6. Enter the LAN ID of the meter. 7. Click Go to begin the upgrade process.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 134 Manager. • If multiple firmware files are found on the handheld, EA_Inspector prompts you to select the appropriate firmware version. Figure 10-45. Firmware List a. Click OK. EA_Inspector begin upgrading the firmware. Figure 10-46. Loading firmware After the upgrade is complete, EA_Inspector displays a message indicating the upgrade was successful.
EA_Inspector User Guide Upgrading firmware 135 Figure 10-47. Upgrade complete The firmware upgrade results are saved automatically to a log data file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. 8. To add notes to the log data file or collect and save GPS data, click Save. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. 9. Enter notes as needed or see “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data.
11 CONFIGURING METERS About HAN broadcasts Certain REX and REX2 meters may be home area network enabled using an EA_HAN network interface card (NIC). The meter communicates to the NIC relaying information such as consumption. The NIC uses the HAN radio to communicate with a variety of home area devices such as in home displays, programmable thermostats, etc. EA_Inspector allows you to turn the REX meter communication to the NIC on and off as well as check the status of the communication.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters 137 Figure 11-2.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters Configuring HAN Broadcast settings 138 To configure EnergyAxis HAN broadcast settings: 1. From the Configure Meter menu, select EA HAN Broadcast. Figure 11-3. Configure Meter menu The EA HAN Broadcast menu displays. Figure 11-4.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters Checking the status of the meter’s HAN broadcast 139 To check the status of a meter’s HAN broadcast: 1. From the EA HAN Broadcast menu, enter the LAN ID of the selected meter. Figure 11-5. EA HAN Broadcast menu 2. Select Read Current State. If the meter selected supports HAN, the handheld displays the status of the HAN Broadcast. If the selected meter does not support HAN, the handheld displays the message “Broadcast not supported in REX v#.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters Figure 11-6. HAN Broadcast status - ON Figure 11-7.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters 142 Figure 11-9. Turn OFF Broadcast Figure 11-10. HAN Broadcast - OFF If the selected meter does not support HAN, the handheld displays the message “Broadcast not supported in REX v#.” If you receive a communication error or warning message [Figure 11-8], see “Communication mode errors and warning messages” on page 177 for details on troubleshooting communication problems. 3. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Turning on the meter’s broadcast Note: You must have Program privilege to turn on a meter’s broadcast. To turn on a meter’s HAN broadcast: 1. From the EA HAN Broadcast menu, enter the ID of the selected meter. 2. Select Start - Turn ON. Figure 11-11.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters 144 Figure 11-12. HAN Broadcast - ON If the selected meter does not support HAN, the handheld displays the message “Broadcast not supported in REX v#.” If you receive a communication error or warning message [Figure 11-8], see “Communication mode errors and warning messages” on page 177 for details on troubleshooting communication problems. 3. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters 145 Figure 11-13. Meter Associations with Program privilege without Program privilege 2. Click Find to locate the EA_Gas or EA_Water module ID. The display lists the EA_Gas or EA_Water module and the programmed values including the current electric meter association if one has been programmed into the module. Figure 11-14. Find Electric Node with Program privilege without Program privilege 3.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters 146 Figure 11-15. Setting meter associations 4. Click Set. The electric meter ID is written to the module. 5. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Configuring water module leak settings Note: EA_Water Module leak settings apply to EA_Water 2.0 modules.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters To configure an EA_Water module’s leak settings: 1. From the Configure Meter menu, select EA_Water Module. Figure 11-16. Water Leak Settings input form 2. Click Read to locate the water module and retrieve its current leak settings. EA_Inspector displays the module’s current leak settings. Figure 11-17. Water module’s leak settings 3. Edit the settings as needed: a. Check to turn on High Leak Alarm. Uncheck to turn off High Leak Alarm.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters 148 b. Enter the Over Limit Threshold (range from 0 to 65535). The Over Limit Threshold triggers off the module’s interval reading. The value entered here would reflect the maximum (hourly) interval reading allowed before triggering this alarm. Sometimes this is referred to as a burst alarm or a broken pipe alarm. c. Enter the Leak Zero Intervals (must be less than or equal to Leak Window Intervals). Leak Zero Intervals is a low-level leak detection.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring meters To perform a demand reset on an electricity meter: 1. From the Configure Meter menu, select Demand Reset. 2. Enter the LAN ID of the electricity meter. 3. Click Reset. EA_Inspector commands the meter to perform a demand reset and displays the results of the command. Figure 11-19. Demand reset results 4. Click Save to save the results to a file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen.
12 MANAGING HOME AREA NETWORK DEVICES Certain REX and REX2 meters may be home area network enabled using a ZigBee network interface card (ZigBee NIC) or a 900 MHz HAN NIC. The meter communicates to the ZigBee NIC relaying information such as consumption. The ZigBee NIC uses the HAN radio to communicate with a variety of home area devices such as in home displays, programmable thermostats, etc.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices Accessing Home Area Network menu To access the Home Area Network menu: 1. From the Main Menu, select Home Area Network. Figure 12-1. EA_Inspector Main Menu The Home Area Network menu displays. Figure 12-2. Home Area Network screen 2. Select the device type: a. ZigBee HAN b.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices ZigBee HAN device commands 152 The ZigBee HAN menu allows you to perform the following actions on a ZigBee device: • View Devices • HAN NIC Info Figure 12-3. ZigBee HAN menu View devices To view a HAN device: 1. From the ZigBee HAN menu, select View Devices. Figure 12-4. View HAN Devices screen 2. Enter the LAN ID or SN of the meter with HAN devices. 3. Click View.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 153 A listing of HAN devices associated with the specified LAN ID. Figure 12-5. HAN Device listing The device number and name for each HAN device associated with the meter is displayed. 4. Select a device in the list box and click More to see more details about the device. Figure 12-6. HAN device - More details 5. Click Cancel to return to the listing.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 154 Viewing HAN NIC information You can use EA_Inspector to read HAN device number (0 - 255) and to view information about the ZigBee NIC. Note: ZigBee uses a time called UTC time in a ZigBee time cluster which is the count in seconds from January 1, 2000. 1. To view HAN NIC information, from the ZigBee HAN screen, click HAN NIC Info. 2. Enter the LAN ID or the SN (serial number) for the meter the HAN device is associated. 3. Click Read.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices Figure 12-8. 900 MHz HAN menu with Program 900 MHz HAN privilege without Program 900 MHz HAN privilege Commissioning a 900 MHz device Note: You must have Program 900 MHz HAN privileges to access the Set command. To commission a 900 MHz HAN device: 1. From the 900 MHz HAN menu, select Commission. EA_Inspector displays the Commission Device screen. Figure 12-9.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 156 2. Enter the LAN ID for the device. 3. Enter the Activation Code you received from Elster. 4. Click Set. Figure 12-10. Commissioning a device Incorrect Activation Code entered After the commissioning, EA_Inspector displays the status of the command (success or fail). The device ID, Activation Code and the status are automatically saved to the audit log and the results log.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices Figure 12-11. Reading a commissioned device device commissioned meter not present • If the device is commissioned, EA_Inspector displays the Activation Code for the device. • The status line indicates whether the device is commissioned and whether the device is communicating with the meter to which it was commissioned. The device ID, Activation Code and the status are automatically saved to the audit log and the results log.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 158 Figure 12-12. Pinging the device - results Method 2 - from the Ping Device screen To ping a 900 MHz HAN device: 1. From the 900 MHz HAN menu, select Ping. EA_Inspector displays the Ping Device screen. Figure 12-13. Ping Device screen 2. Enter the LAN ID for the device. 3. Click Ping. EA_Inspector displays the radio firmware version, the device’s firmware version, and the communications statistics.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices Figure 12-14. Ping results 4. Click Save to save data to the results log file for uploading into EA_Inspector Manager. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. See “Saving notes and GPS data” on page 31 for details on collecting and saving GPS data. Decommissioning a 900 MHz device Note: You must have Program 900 MHz HAN privileges to access the Set command. To decommission a 900 MHz HAN device: 1. From the 900 MHz HAN menu, select Decommission.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 160 Figure 12-15. Decommissioning a device with Program 900 MHz HAN privilege without Program 900 MHz HAN privilege 2. Enter the LAN ID for the device. 3. Click Set. EA_Inspector displays the result of the command (success or fail). Figure 12-16. Decommissioning a device results The device ID and the status of the decommissioning are automatically saved to the audit log and the results log.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices Reading a decommissioned device To read a decommissioned device: 1. From the 900 MHz HAN menu, select Decommission. EA_Inspector displays the Decommission Device screen. 2. Enter the LAN ID for the device. 3. Click Read. EA_Inspector displays the state of the device. Figure 12-17. Reading a decommissioned device The device ID and the status of the decommissioning are automatically saved to the audit log and the results log.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 162 Figure 12-18. Config 900 MHz HAN screen The Config 900 MHz HAN menu allows you to configure the following the parameters: • • • • General Pricing Messaging Firmware Upgrade Configuring general parameters To configure general parameters: 1. From the Config 900 MHz HAN menu, select General. If parameter files are not located on the handheld, EA_Inspector displays a notice prompting you to get parameter files from EA_Inspector Manager.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices Figure 12-19. Handheld parameter file missing 2. Click OK to acknowledge the message. 3. Use EA_Inspector Manager to download the parameter files to the handheld. 4. Retry configuring general parameters. If multiple parameter files are found on the handheld, EA_Inspector prompts you to select the proper file. Figure 12-20. Multiple files found 5. Select the appropriate parameter file from the list. 6. Enter the LAN ID for device. 7.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 164 EA_Inspector begins configuring general parameters in the 900 MHz HAN device. EA_Inspector displays the result of the configuration. Figure 12-21. Configuration passed EA_Inspector save the results from configuring general parameters and the parameter file name to the audit log and results log automatically. You can view the audit log and results log through EA_Inspector Manager. 8.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices Figure 12-22. Handheld parameter file missing 2. Click OK to acknowledge the message. 3. Use EA_Inspector Manager to download the parameter files to the handheld. 4. Retry configuring pricing parameters. If multiple parameter files are found on the handheld, EA_Inspector prompts you to select the proper file. Figure 12-23. Multiple files found 5. Select the appropriate parameter file from the list. 6. Enter the LAN ID for the device. 7.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 166 EA_Inspector begins configuring pricing parameters in the 900 MHz HAN device. EA_Inspector displays the result of the configuration. Figure 12-24. Configuration passed EA_Inspector save the results from configuring pricing parameters and the parameter file name to the audit log and results log automatically. You can view the audit log and results log through EA_Inspector Manager. 8.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 167 Figure 12-25. Clearing pricing EA_Inspector save the results from configuring pricing parameters and the parameter file name to the audit log and results log automatically. You can view the audit log and results log through EA_Inspector Manager. 4. To add notes to the log data file or collect and save GPS data, click Save. EA_Inspector opens a Notes screen. 5. Enter notes as needed.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 168 Figure 12-26. Handheld parameter file missing 2. Click OK to acknowledge the message. 3. Use EA_Inspector Manager to download the parameter files to the handheld. 4. Retry configuring messaging parameters. If multiple parameter files are found on the handheld, EA_Inspector prompts you to select the proper file. Figure 12-27. Multiple files found 5. Select the appropriate parameter file from the list. 6. Enter the LAN ID for the device. 7.
EA_Inspector User Guide Managing home area network devices 169 EA_Inspector begins configuring messaging parameters in the 900 MHz HAN device. EA_Inspector displays the result of the configuration. Figure 12-28. Configuration passed EA_Inspector save the results from configuring messaging parameters and the parameter file name to the audit log and results log automatically. You can view the audit log and results log through EA_Inspector Manager. 8.
13 CONFIGURING THE HANDHELD About configuring the handheld Users can configure a handheld including the following: • Configuring handheld settings and utility IDs • Configuring EA Defaults Note: Accessing handheld configuration menu Only users with Program privilege can configure a handheld’s Utility ID. To access the HH Configuration menu: 1. From the Main Menu, select HH Configuration. Figure 13-1. EA_Inspector Main Menu EA_Inspector displays the HH Configuration menu.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring the handheld Figure 13-2. HH Configuration menu 2.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring the handheld 172 Figure 13-3. HH settings screen - no utility ID file on handheld Figure 13-4.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring the handheld Figure 13-5. HH settings screen with Allow LAN ID privilege Note: without Allow LAN ID privilege The settings for the Fast Read and Battery Warning % are only stored in the handheld. 2. Change the HH ID for the handheld, if needed. 3. Enter the Battery Warning % to receive a low battery warning when the battery reaches the specified level (default is 10%; the min is 10% and the max is 80%). 4.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring the handheld 174 Figure 13-6. HH settings screen - disabling Use LAN ID 6. Check Encrypted LAN to enable C12.22 encryption over the EA_LAN. EA_Inspector communicates with EA_LAN devices using encryption only. EA_LAN encryption seeds are downloaded to the handheld during synchronization with EA_Inspector Manager. Note: If you are using EA_MS 7.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring the handheld Configuring EA Defaults EA_Inspector allows all users to set the default values on the handheld. • Packet repeats • Test time (in minutes) • Seconds between Pings To manage ping test settings: 1. From the HH Configuration menu, select EA Defaults. EA_Inspector displays the EA Defaults screen. Figure 13-7. EA Defaults - settings 2.
EA_Inspector User Guide Configuring the handheld Viewing About EA_Inspector information 176 To view About EA_Inspector information: 1. From the HH Configuration menu, select About. EA_Inspector displays the About EA_Inspector dialog. Figure 13-8. About EA_Inspector screen The About EA_Inspector screen displays the following information: Item Description Software Name Indicates you are using EnergyAxis EA_Inspector software. Software Version Indicates the version of EA_Inspector you are using.
A TROUBLESHOOTING General troubleshooting 1. Click on the screen with the stylus if the device keys navigation does not produce expected results. 2. Try to reboot the handheld: • Hold down the + + <> keys down simultaneously for several seconds until the screen goes blank. — OR — Refer to the EA_Inspector and EA_Inspector Manager Installation and Administration Guide. Trouble connecting to EA_Inspector Manager 1.
EA_Inspector User Guide Troubleshooting # 178 HH Message Reason HH Comm. Mode Meter Comm. Mode Meter Response User Action Recommended 4 LAN Encryption mismatch: please update the handheld seeds with EA_Inspector Manager. LAN Encryption is mismatched between HH and meter. Encrypted LAN Encrypted Meter NON Ping Request 1C – Packet Decryption Failed Synchronize handheld with EA_Inspector Manager. 5 LAN Encryption mismatch: please update the handheld seeds with EA_Inspector Manager.
EA_Inspector User Guide Troubleshooting The handheld displays a message Warning: Meter is encrypted. Press “E” to retry with encryption. 4. Press to retry the ping using encryption. The handheld retries the ping action with encryption enabled. Note: Elster contact After the command, the handheld returns to operating in unencrypted mode.
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