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The Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide provides comprehensive information about the device, including its purpose, audience, scope, and applicable industry standards. It outlines safety and regulatory guidelines, product specifications, features, and configuration management. The document emphasizes the proprietary nature of the information and includes disclaimers regarding its content and software usage.

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Aclara RF Electric I-210+c

User Guide

Y21030-TUM
R e vi s i o n A
www.Aclara.com
Proprietary Notice
This document contains information that is private to Aclara Technologies LLC, an Ohio limited
liability company, and/or that is private to Aclara Meters LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (individually or collectively “Aclara”). This information may not be published,
reproduced, or otherwise disseminated without the express written authorization of Aclara.

Any software or firmware described in this document is furnished under a license and may be
used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.

Disclaimer
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed
as a commitment by Aclara. Aclara assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in
this document.

No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on equipment that is not
supplied by Aclara.

Metrum Cellular, STAR, Synergize, and TWACS are registered trademarks of Aclara
Technologies LLC.

Aclara Technologies LLC

Confidential and Proprietary
Copyright 2021-2022. All Rights Reserved.

CHAPTER

1
INTRODUCTION
Purpose
This document intends to lay groundwork for the installation, use, and
maintenance of the eRF I-210+c NIC.

Audience
This document is intended for Aclara customers that have signed a Non-Disclosure
Agreement.

Scope
This document identifies the capabilities of the I-210+c meter when outfitted with
an Aclara eRF I-210+c Network Interface Card (NIC). The document will discuss
installation, use, and maintenance of the product.

Applicable Industry Standards

The product is required to comply with the following industry specifications as
listed in Applicable Industry Specifications & Standards on page 1.
Table 1.1 Applicable Industry Specifications & Standards
Document
Reference Document Title Number
CEC Canadian Electrical Code CSA C22.1
FCC OET Bulletin Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for OET Bulletin 65,
65 Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Edition 97-01,
Electromagnetic Fields August 1997
NEC National Electrical Code NFPA 70
Safety Code 6 Limits of Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Safety Code 6
Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range (2015)
from 3 kHz to 300 GHz. (Consumer and Clinical
Radiation Protection Bureau, Environmental and
Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Healthy
Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health
Canada.)

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 1

Tools Required

Tools Required
• Volt Ohm Milliampmeter (VOM)

Optional Tools
• Spectrum Analyzer

System Overview

Figure 1.1 Aclara RF Network (SysML Block Definition Diagram)

2 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 1 • Introduction

Figure 1.2 Link Budget for the Aclara RF Network I-210+c

Meter Components
• The I-210+c or I-210+c RD meter with Gen 5 hardware and firmware 6.0 (or
later)

• An Aclara RF Network Interface Card (NIC), otherwise known as the eRF

I-210+c NIC

• A flexible antenna which connects to the NIC and wraps around the meter
“under the glass”

Support
Aclara Connect
Aclara’s customer portal (https://connect.aclara.com) enables you to access our
frequently-updated knowledge database, easily access product documentation,
submit and track your Support cases and RMAs, access Aclara University’s Online
Learning Center (OLC) and learning library, track your orders, join communities
and groups, join in discussions with other Aclara customers and Aclara personnel,
and much more. If you do not have access to Aclara Connect, email
AclaraSupport@Hubbell.com and request access.

Aclara University
Aclara’s on-demand training makes content available to you in a convenient,
cost-effective online environment. The OLC has recordings of several webinars,
streaming educational videos, software simulations, and short videos which walk
you through a specific task. Access the OLC by going to Aclara Connect and
clicking the Aclara University link.

Technical Support
Email AclaraSupport@Hubbell.com or call 1-800-892-9008 to speak with an
Aclara representative.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 3

Support

4 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

CHAPTER

2
SAFETY GUIDELINES
Shock Hazard Warning

Shock hazard

Electricity can cause burns and interfere with the operation of the heart.
Working with electricity can be hazardous. Wear appropriate PPE and observe all
applicable safety procedures. The PPE should include insulating gloves, safety
glasses, and any other equipment required by the utility or the circumstances of the
installation.

RF Exposure Hazard
RF exposure hazard

The equipment will begin communicating once it powers up. This will expose
people nearby to RF energy, however an analysis of the power levels finds that the
levels are safe per FCC and Health Canada recommendations.
Users are advised to maintain a distance of 20 cm or more from the meter, or a
bank of meters, in order to minimize exposure levels.

ESD Caution

Electrostatic discharge may damage equipment.

Repairs to the meter should only occur in the meter shop. Wear suitable ESD
protective gear, such as grounding straps, when servicing equipment, or return the
equipment to the factory for repair.
Replacement Parts

Replacement Parts

Incorrect repair parts may result in equipment damage or create an unsafe

condition.

Return the equipment to the factory for repair.

Inspect Antenna Clearance

Risk of performance issues

RF energy can be shielded by nearby materials. Proximity to metal walls or fences

can inhibit the transmission of RF energy and affect system performance. If the
meter is surrounded by metal or in a basement, make note. Further attention may
be required at this location.

NOTES Section 4 indicates the directivity of the antenna. The directivity of an

installed meter's antenna may be somewhat different than the published value
depending on nearby metals.

A portable spectrum analyzer may be used to determine the power received at

a given location at that moment in time.

6 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

CHAPTER

3
REGULATORY GUIDELINES
It is important that the installer follow all applicable national, regional, and local
codes. Failure to do so could result in an unsafe condition or injury. It may also
create a situation in which interference is created by the operation of the
equipment.
This manual will provide examples which are meant to be examples only. Local
and regional codes may require a different practice.

FCC/IC Compliance

NOTE 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 against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
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 the interference 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.

If receiving antenna needs to reoriented or relocated, it must be done by an

installer.

CAUTION Any changes or modification made to this device without the expressed,
written approval of Aclara Technologies LLC may void the user’s authority to
operate this device.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 7

FCC/IC RF Exposure Guide

Aclara Technologies LLC low power RF devices and their antennas must be
fixed-mounted on indoor or outdoor permanent structure(s) providing a separation
distance of at least 1 meter from all persons during normal operation. This device
is not designed to operate in conjunction with any other antennas or transmitters.
No other operating instructions for satisfying RF exposure compliance are needed.
Holding the antenna in one’s hands while it is transmitting, or standing near a
transmitting antenna for a prolonged period of time, could result in RF exposure
that exceeds FCC and Health Canada recommendations.
This device has been tested for exposure of humans to RF energy. It satisfies
OSHA, FCC, and Health Canada requirements provided it is installed in a manner
described in this manual and operated in accordance with the user guide.

Field Calibration Procedure

Aclara Technologies LLC low power RF devices have passed through extensive
testing and calibration procedures while in the factory. Therefore, no additional
calibration or adjustment is required in the field.

Conformité FCC/IC
Cet équipement a été testé et il est conforme aux limites pour un appareil
numérique de Classe B, en vertu de l'article 15 des règlements de la FCC. Ces
limites sont conçues pour offrir une protection raisonnable contre l'interférence
nuisible dans une installation résidentielle. Cet équipement génère, utilise et peut
émettre de l'énergie de fréquences radio et, s'il n'est pas installé ou utilisé
conformément aux instructions, il peut causer une interférence nuisible aux
communications radio. Il n'existe toutefois aucune garantie que de telles
interférences ne se produiront pas dans une installation particulière. Si cet appareil
cause des interférences nuisibles à la réception des signaux de radio ou de
télévision, ce qui peut être détecté en mettant l'appareil sous et hors tension,
l'utilisateur peut tenter de neutraliser l'interférence de l'une ou l'autre des façons
suivantes :
• Réorienter ou repositionner l'antenne de réception.

• Augmenter la distance séparant l'équipement du récepteur.

• Brancher l'appareil dans une prise sur un circuit électrique différent de celui
sur lequel le récepteur est branché.
MISE EN Tout changement ou toute modification à cet appareil sans l'approbation
GARDE écrite expresse d'Aclara Technologies LLC peut annuler l'autorisation de
l'utilisateur d'utiliser cet appareil.

8 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 3 • Regulatory Guidelines

Ce produit est conforme à la norme FCC et aux limites d'exposition au

rayonnement RSS-102 d'Industrie Canada définies pour un environnement non
contrôlé.
Cet appareil est conforme à des règlements Innovation, Sciences et
Développement économique Canada exempts de licence standard RSS (s). Son
fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes: (1) Ce dispositif ne doit
pas causer d'interférences nuisibles, et (2) cet appareil doit accepter toute
interférence reçue, y compris les interférences pouvant entraîner un
fonctionnement indésirable.

Guide d'exposition aux RF FCC/IC

Les appareils RF à faible puissance Aclara Technologies LLC ainsi que leurs
antennes doivent être montés de manière fixe sur des structures intérieures ou
extérieures permanentes qui se trouvent à au moins 1 metrè des personnes pendant
le fonctionnement normal. Cet appareil n'est pas conçu (et il n'a aucun
branchement externe) pour être utilisé en association avec toute autre antenne ou
tout transmetteur. Aucune autre instruction d'utilisation n'est requise pour assurer
la conformité aux règles d'exposition aux RF.

Procédure de calibration sur place

Les appareils RF à faible puissance Aclara Technologies LLC ont été soumis à des
tests étendus et multi-tâches et à des procédures de calibration complexes en usine.
Par conséquent, ils ne requièrent pas de calibration ni d'ajustement supplémentaire
sur place.

Licensing
The equipment you are installing has received a grant from the FCC (US) and from
the ISEC (Canada) to operate. Its FCC ID and IC ID numbers are printed on the
equipment label. It is expected that this equipment will be licensed to operate in
the country in which it is installed as mobile equipment (even though it is
stationary). US CFR 47.90 and other regulations restrict the elevation of the
antenna and restrict the power transmitted. It is expected that the utility has worked
with Aclara to obtain the necessary license for the frequencies for which the
equipment will be programmed to operate.

Installation on Buildings
If the meter is being mounted in or on a building, then fire protection codes will
likely apply. In the US, NFPA 70 (the NEC) will likely be required. In Canada,
C22.1 (the CEC) will likely be required.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 9

Pole Mount Installations

When mounting a meter on a power pole, it is important that the safety
requirements of the NESC be satisfied. Different regions and utilities may impose
additional safety requirements in addition to this North American standard. Local
codes and pole owner best practices will be in addition to the NESC and NEC
rules. All applicable requirements must be understood and followed by the
installer.

10 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

CHAPTER

4
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Table 4.1 Product Specifications

Specification Description
Meter Hardware Version I-210+c and I-210+c RD Gen 5 platform
Meter Firmware Version 6.0.4.1
eRF I-210+c NIC (EndPoint) Hardware Version Y84092-1
Aclara RF NIC (EndPoint) Firmware Version 1.74
AclaraONE Release 1.10
MeterMate 6.10.0.166
EndPoint quiescent power consumption 1.5W
450 MHz Band antenna port output power +30.3 dBm (conducted)
450-470 MHz band receiver sensitivity -98 dBm maximum receiver sensitivity at 10-5
BER @ 4800 BAUD with 4GFSK modulation
having 1kHz tone separation; directed in the
most favorable heading
Frequency Band 450-470 MHz
Note: The radio is configurable to operate in numerous specific 12.5 kHz channels within the
450-470 MHz band.
Transmission Rate 4800 BAUD (which, when operated with 4GFSK
modulation, provides 9600 bps).
Antenna Impedance 50 Ohms
Antenna Gain The antenna gain averages -6 dBi (or higher)
across the front half of the meter, averages
-13.1 dBi (or higher) across the back half of
the meter, with a minimum gain of -16 dBi (or
better) along any azimuth.
Note: Mounting the meter in an environment near metal will affect the antenna pattern.
Altitude Operation to 5000 ft. elevation above sea
level
NIC Operating Temperature Range -40° to +85°C (inside the meter), 0 to 95%
relative humidity (non-condensing)
Note: Refer to the Meter User Guide, Chapter 2, Operating Range and Ratings for the I-210+c
meter ratings.
Last Gasp repetition Up to 6 messages over the course of 20
minutes when starting with fully charged
super capacitors (supercaps)
Real Time Clock power ride-through 24 hours
capability
Daily Shift Message Capacity 32 measurements
On-request Read message Capacity 4 measurements
Demand Reset Message Capacity 32 measurements
Table 4.1 Product Specifications
Specification Description
LP Channel Capacity 4 channels
Notes: The storage duration varies as a function of the way LP data collection is defined.
Refer to the Meter User Guide, Chapter 5, Section R2 for more information on LP storage
duration.
The choice of Interval data transmission rates will have a profound impact on system
bandwidth utilization when large quantities of meters are deployed. The baseline system will
be designed to handle 4 channels of 15-minute interval data transmitted every 15 minutes.
Configurations which increase the number of channels, decrease the interval size and
transmission rate, or both, can increase the bandwidth requirements for the system beyond its
baseline capability. Such configurations must be limited to be a small percentage of the
overall population, or the infrastructure hardware capacity must be increased above baseline
levels, in order to deliver large amounts of fine resolution LP data.

Figure 4.1 shows that a field of invisible RF energy is pushed outward from the RF
transmitter located inside the meter canopy. Due to antenna directivity, more
energy will propagate out the face of the meter than the back of the meter. The
energy is directed primarily in the horizontal plane at the same elevation as the
meter, but some energy is directed a few degrees above and below the horizontal.

Figure 4.1 RF propagation concept

Ideally there is line of sight between the meter and the DCU. However, there are
quite often building materials, foliage, vehicles, terrain, and/or the curvature of the
Earth in the way. The RF will transmit through many building materials, be
absorbed by some, and bounce off others. If a sufficiently strong, vertically
polarized signal reaches the receiver, the message will be received. This is true of
RF transmissions from the meter to the DCU, and from the DCU to the meter.

12 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 4 • Product Specifications

Compliance Declarations
FCC Part 15 Compliance
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Part 90 Certification

This device has been certified as a Part 90 compliant device. The AMI label on the
face of the meter will list the various certified components located within the
enclosure by their FCC ID.

Aclara RF Electric design

number and network ID

U.S. (FCC) and Canadian

(IC) licensed radio ID

Figure 4.2 AMI label locations

RSS-GEN Compliance
This device contains license-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply with
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s license-exempt RSS(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 13

Meter Accommodations

2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.

ISED Certification
This device has been ISED certified. The meter AMI label (ref. Figure 4.2) will list
the various certified components located within the enclosure by their IC ID.

RF Exposure
This device has been tested for exposure of humans to RF energy. It satisfies
OSHA, FCC, and Health Canada requirements provided it is installed in a manner
described in this manual and operated in accordance with the user guide.

Listing
This device may be UL listed. The meter nameplate will display the UL logo if this
is the case.

Meter Accommodations
The Aclara RF Network I-210+c may be configured for demand-only,
demand/load profile, Time of Use (TOU), TOU/demand metering, or
TOU/demand meter with load profile metering.
Number of TOU tiers supported: 4
Timekeeping Battery: Optional; the NIC will determine if a functional battery is
present and accommodate accordingly.
The NIC will discover the meter’s LP configuration and report all enabled
channels.
The NIC will discover how the meter measures demand and normalize the
reported value to be in kW or kVAr (as appropriate).

Supported Meter Forms

Table 4.2 Supported meter forms

ANSI Meter Form
1S, CL100, 120V (both with and without a Remote Disconnect switch)
2S, CL200, 240V (both with and without a Remote Disconnect switch)
2S, CL320, 120/240V
3S, CL20, 240V
3CS, CL20, 240V
4S, CL20, 240V
12S, CL200, 120V (both with and without a Remote Disconnect switch)

14 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 4 • Product Specifications

Table 4.2 Supported meter forms

ANSI Meter Form
12S, CL320, 120V
25S, CL200, 240V

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 15

Meter Accommodations

16 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

CHAPTER

5
FEATURES
Supported Messages
The Aclara RF Electric Network I-210+c customer configuration worksheet
describes several types of messages:
• Daily Shifted (DS)

• Demand Reset (DR)

• Interval Data

• On-Request Read (OR)

The Aclara RF Electric Network I-210+c customer configuration worksheet has
been used at the factory in conjunction with the I-210+c meter configuration
worksheet to configure the boards in the meter. This section will describe how the
messages flow through the system, while Configuration Management on page 69
will talk about how configurations may be changed and managed.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 17

Supported Messages

Daily Shifted and Interval Messages

The following image shows a typical day in the life of a meter. (However, other
messages are possible. These are shown in separate drawings.)
Figure 5.1 Daily Shift and Interval Data Messages

Typically, every day at midnight (the default daily shift time) the day begins with a
series of “daily shifted” readings. These readings are described on the customer
configuration worksheet with the “DS” designation.
All throughout the day the meter is collecting LP data. In the Aclara RF Network
I-210+c, the LP data collected is specified by the meter program. The Aclara RF
Network NIC will discover how the meter is programmed and send every
programmed channel up to the headend in periodic intervals. By default,
15-minute interval data is collected and transmitted every 15 minutes. However, it
is possible to batch the data into larger groups and send the interval data less
frequently. Intervals of energy readings are typically reported as incremental
(delta) values, while channels of temperature and voltage are reported as absolute
values. Generally speaking, it is a good idea to ensure that every channel of delta
data sent in as interval data has a corresponding absolute value which is
transmitted in the Daily Shifted data message.
Measurements are transmitted with full meter resolution.

18 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Demand Reset
Demand may be reset several different ways. The more common approach is to
form a group of meters to be reset at the headend using the job scheduler, then
issue the commands over the air to individual meters. The retry process can be
rather complex and is not depicted in the following image.
Figure 5.2 Demand Reset Message

It might be noted that there are two demand reset lockout periods. One is enforced
by the NIC (and prevents remote demand resets from occurring.) Another lockout
is enforced by the metering platform. It prevents lockouts from occurring locally.
Aclara recommends that present and previous demand values be reported via the
daily shift mechanism to maximize the availability of this critical billing data. To
prevent accidental double resets, we recommend that the
demandResetLockoutPeriod parameter in the module be set to 24 hours.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 19

Supported Messages

The Aclara RF Electric I-210+c customer configuration worksheet will describe

which Reading Types are to be returned to the headend in the DR message
response.

End Device Events

The Aclara RF Network system supports the notion of real time and opportunistic
alarms.
Figure 5.3 EndDeviceEvent Messaging (SysML Sequence Diagram)

20 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

New Meter
When a new meter is installed, the meter and its NIC power up and begin to
communicate with nearby DCUs. Once the NIC learns that it can communicate on
the network, it sends a message to the headend and a durable DTLS security
session is created. Once the session is established the NIC will begin sending up
registration data as well as other messages that are due.
Figure 5.4 Meter Installation and Registration (SysML Sequence Diagram)

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 21

Supported Messages

On Request Reading
The customer configuration worksheet defines what the NIC will generate in
response to an on-request read. (This is done by placing “OR” in the cells which
indicate the desired readings.) The following image describes how a message is
issued by the user at the headend to a DCU near the NIC.
Figure 5.5 On Request Read Sequence

The DCU converts the message to RF and transmits it to the NIC. The NIC
processes the request by fetching fresh readings from the meter. It transmits the
response to the DCU. The DCU buffers and sends the message over the backhaul
to the headend.

22 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Power Outage and Restoration

When a power outage begins, a timer starts counting in the NIC. The NIC will wait
until the Outage Declaration Period has lapsed to ensure that the outage is a not a
momentary interruption. If the interruption is sustained, a “last gasp” message will
be sent to the headend. As the outage continues, additional messages will be sent.
As many as 6 messages may be sent within the first 20 minutes of the outage.
Refer to the following image.
Figure 5.6 Last Gasp and Power Restoration Messages

When power is restored, a “power restored” message is sent to the headend.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 23

Supported Messages

Remote Connect / Disconnect

The Aclara RF Network I-210+c supports remote connection and disconnection of
the service.
Figure 5.7 Remote Connect/Disconnect Command (SysML Sequence Diagram)

If the switch opens because of a local command over the optical port, or because
some threshold tripped, an EndDeviceEvent message will be generated and carry
the alarm to the headend.
The following RD commands are supported over the air and over the optical port:
• Open (resulting in a meter mode of “Opened and held open”)

• Close (resulting in a meter mode of “Closed with service connected”).

The following RD commands are supported over the optical port but not over the
air:
• Lock open

• Lock closed

• Arm for manual closure

If the consumer presses the (optional) close button on the face of the meter while it
is armed, the switch will close and the NIC reports the “RCD Closed”
EndDeviceEvent to the headend.
The following preprogrammed conditions may cause the RD switch to move:
• Open due to outage management

• Open due to load control service disconnect

24 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Over the air commands are not available in the initial firmware release to operate
the switch for direct load control.
If a command is given to close the meter, but the meter detects load-side voltage, it
will refuse to close in and the response message will indicate the reason why. At
some point later, if the load-side voltage is taken away, the meter will
automatically respond to the previous command and close the switch. The NIC
will report the change in switch position.
Refer to the I-210+c Meter User Guide for more information on the various
Remote Disconnect modes of operation.
Aclara recommends that a measurement of the switch position be brought back as
a daily read. A backoffice software application can then be used to confirm that the
switch position agrees with the account status. If a customer calls with questions
about the quality of his or her service, the customer service representative (CSR)
may issue a command to the meter to retrieve a measurement of the voltage(s)
being provided, e.g., “indicating electricitySecondaryMetered voltage phaseA
(V)”. However, if a meter has the RCD switch opened, this measurement will only
indicate the (line side) voltage supplied to the meter. There is a way to sense if
there is voltage on the load side. The “electricitySecondaryMetered
energizationLoadSide (status)” measurement will indicate TRUE (1) if voltage is
present and FALSE (0) if it is not. Sometimes when the RCD is opened, customers
connect their own generator to power appliances in their house. If they fail to also
open the main circuit breaker at their house, the generator voltage will backfeed up
to the meter. The load side voltage status measurement will sense this voltage. If a
command is then given to close the RCD, the meter will reject the command and
return an event saying that the command failed. It will also supply the loadside
voltage status measurement as a clue to indicate the cause.
There is also the case that when the RCD switch is opened, some customers bypass
their meter and steal energy. The load side voltage status measurement will
indicate that voltage is present, much like the case of customer supplied
generation, but no distinction is made as to whether this measurement is
synchronous or asynchronous. The meter will likewise reject a command to close
it when lineside voltage is present. In addition to the RCD switch position, the user
may also want to retrieve the load side voltage status in a daily or on-request
reading.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 25

Supported Messages

Trace Route
Users at the headend may ping a meter by using the Traceroute command. As the
command travels through the system, it will accumulate a history of timestamps
when it arrived and departed each piece of equipment. It will also, for the radio
portions, collect Received Signal Strength Indications (RSSI) in dBm. When the
signal strength approaches the lower limits described in the specifications,
communication will become unreliable.
Figure 5.8 Trace Route (Ping) Messaging (SysML Sequence Diagram)

26 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Other Messages
Other messages are sent over the network beyond the ones depicted here. These
activities include:
• NIC firmware downloads

• NIC reconfiguration

• Historical recovery of daily shifted data

• Historical recovery of interval (LP) data

• Historical recovery of end device events (alarms)

• Meter firmware patch

• Meter reconfiguration (meter programming)

• Publication of engineering statistics

• Security certificate updates

Traffic Classification
The Aclara RF Network utilizes the concept of a traffic class to categorize the
priority and urgency of a message. Messages from the headend that are deemed
“high reliability” will be repeated multiple times by a given DCU and may be
transmitted by more than one DCU. High priority messages will take precedence
over lower priority messages in the DCU queues.

Phase Detection
With the proliferation of rooftop solar panels and electric vehicle charging
stations, it is becoming increasingly important for the utility to know (with
certainty) the names of the phases that each service transformer primary is
connected to. Furthermore, distribution networks may employ polyphase
delta-wye transformers at any point in the network, but particularly at substations.
At some utilities, given the many storms and age of the lines, the quality of the
maps can be found to be less than perfect. Therefore the labeling of the conductors
may also be less than perfect. The purpose of the phase detection feature is to
determine the phase of each meter relative to the source of power.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 27

Supported Messages

Generators create, and transmission lines carry, three phases. Most parts of the
country call these A, B, and C. The rotation of the phases may be defined to be
clockwise ABCABC… or counterclockwise CBACBA… Each of the three phases
are displaced in time by 120° as depicted in the following image.
Figure 5.9 Phases A, B, and C

Transformer connections are able to shift the phase relationship. A single-phase

transformer with its primary connection across A and B will cause the timing
observed at the secondary to be AB. It will follow the BA waveform in the
preceding image rather than AN or BN. In this way, an LV electrical service can
be shifted to a different phase, or phasor than the source. In a similar manner, a
polyphase delta-wye transformer will by its construction, shift power at the
secondary by either +30° or -30°. Thus, a simple measurement of the phases
delivered to a service can be transformed to be different than the phases that
originate at power source. The phase detection feature will measure the phasor
delivered to each service location relative to the phasor at the power source.
For the phase detection feature to work, at least one meter must be placed in or
near a substation yard somewhere in the service territory, where the phase
connection is known with good authority. This meter is known as a reference
meter. The installer must note the connection of the reference meter, and this
configuration must be entered into the headend. The reference meter must be
within radio range of a DCU, and the same DCU must be within range of other
meters in the network. There may be more than one reference meter installed at the
utility, but they should all be on the same phasor. An AN connection is preferable.
Once the system is activated, the headend will issue a phase detect beacon message
to each DCU. Each DCU will broadcast the message to all meters within range.

28 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Ordinarily a single reference meter is sufficient for a deployment. Imagine that the
large blue circles in the following image represent the area that a DCU can cover.
Figure 5.10 DCU Coverage

Ordinarily, RF infrastructure is deployed so that multiple DCUs cover the

communication to each meter on each house. This DCU overlap is used to relate
the findings within one survey to the findings of other surveys. For example, if the
reference meter is at the green house, a single survey can determine the
relationship of all of the other houses served by the same DCU to the reference
meter. However, there must exist a house such as the yellow house and blue house,
so that the surveys occurring at those DCUs can be joined with the original survey
containing the (green) reference meter.
If the service infrastructure is not contiguous, or if overlapping units are not found,
the results from the original reference survey cannot be joined with the results
from the isolated locations. One or more additional reference meters must be
installed and identified at these other locations (such as the black house on the
right in the preceding image).
The installer must take careful notes as to the serial number of the reference meters
and their phasor connections. This information must then be entered into a
configuration table at the headend. The pieces will then be in place to allow the
system to run surveys, collect measurements, analyze them, join surveys, filter
noise, and ultimately determine the phase connections of the meters.

NOTE There is nothing special about the reference meters. The hardware is not
different than any other meter. The installer's notes, and the claim by the
installer to know the phase connection with good authority, is what makes a
reference meter different from any other meter.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 29

Supported Messages

Phase detection surveys begin at the headend as depicted in the following image.
Figure 5.11 Phase Detection Messages

The headend will generate a unique ID number for each survey at each DCU. It
will send the survey (beacon) command to the DCU for broadcast to all radios
within range. The NICs within the meters will use the phase detect message
broadcast to trigger a time measurement between the arrival of the message until
the next voltage zero cross. This measurement, called phase delay, is reported back
to the headend. A meter will likely hear multiple phase detect beacon messages
from different DCUs all within the same survey period. The NICs send these
messages back to DCUs, which in turn forward them to the headend. The headend
sends these measurements to an analytic algorithm which is hosted in the cloud for
additional processing. The analytic algorithm filters any remaining noise in the
data to arrive at a conclusion regarding the phase connection of every meter
relative to the reference meter(s).

30 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Once the analytic algorithm determines the appropriate phasor for each meter it
will present its findings to the headend. If the reference meter is given a named
phase, then the headend can also determine the names of the phases each meter is
connected to.
If the reference meter is attributed to an offset of 0°, all of the other phasors will be
displaced by 30° relative to the reference value as depicted in Table 5 1.

Table 5.1 Angle to Phasor Equivalence

Phasor Number
Nominal Angle
CW Rotation CCW Rotation
0° p0 p0
30° p1 p11
60° p2 p10
90° p3 p9
120° p4 p8
150° p5 p7
180° p6 p6
210° p7 p5
240° p8 p4
270° p9 p3
300° p10 p2
330° p11 p1
360° p0 p0

If, for example, the reference meter is connected AN, then labels can be assigned
to each of the phasors as depicted in Table 5 2.

Table 5.2 Example Phasor Name to Number Mapping

Phasor Number Phasor Name
p0 A
p1 AC
p2 C
p3 BC
p4 B
p5 BA
p6 -A
p7 CA
p8 -C
p9 CB

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 31

Supported Messages

Table 5.2 Example Phasor Name to Number Mapping

Phasor Number Phasor Name
p10 -B
p11 AB

The headend will offer a mapping configuration in which phasor names may be
attributed to phasor numbers. The Phasor Name attributed to each Phasor Number
is configurable at the headend for a number of reasons:
1. The reference meter(s) may be placed on any phase. The system must be
configured to accommodate their location.
2. The utility may not wish to make the distinction between a phasor and its
inversion, e.g., AB and BA.
3. The utility may not wish to use the letters ABC but XYZ or some other
naming convention.
It is expected that multiple surveys will be required before sufficient data has been
collected to render a result. With surveys issued once a day, it may take several
days of data collection before sufficient data is available. As deployments roll out,
one may also find that an inadequate number of meters have been deployed, or that
sufficient DCU infrastructure has not been deployed. A full analysis will likely
have to wait for a full deployment to occur, however, it is still possible to test the
system in a small-scale setting or in the lab.
If one or more meters appears to not converge to a solution for the phase
connection, there may be an underlying issue that is preventing it. The possible
causes include:
• Incorrect headend or DCU configuration: The headend must have a traffic
class selected to send the phase detect beacon (resource "/pd") as a low
reliability message. It must only be transmitted one time by the DCU. The
high reliability traffic class will cause the DCU to repeat the message. This
will create multiple messages with the same beacon ID. Most (but not all)
duplicate transmissions will be rejected by the endoint population. The end
result will be disagreement in the data as to what the correct measurement is
for every phase being measured, and poor results from the analyzer.

• Poor power quality at the service location: Poor power quality can disrupt all
sorts of devices including the phase detect function in the meter. Customers
may note that numerous other electronic devices misbehave. Locations with
poor power quality will likely have high counts of momentary interruptions.
Leading causes of poor power quality include:
• failed components on the distribution network
• high impedance faults
• noisy loads
• Intermittent RF communication

32 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

• Fringe reception; this occurs when there is a great distance between the
meter and the nearest DCU or hilly terrain between the meter and all DCUs
• Inadequate data collection due to incomplete infrastructure installation
• A large vehicle parked immediately in front of the meter blocking the
communication path to the nearest DCU.
• Occasional RF spillover into the licensed band from other RF sources
(which has not yet been reported to the FCC for investigation)
Sites that experience these problems will require more samples from the field
equipment. The user at the head end should schedule additional surveys (or simply
wait longer if surveys are being run periodically.) It may also help to perform
phase detect surveys at various times during the day. Usually the level of noise in
the distribution network is lower at off peak times of day. Vehicles which block
the meter during off-peak times may be moved out of the way during peak times of
day. It may also be necessary for some units to collect data when the wind is
relatively calm and tree limbs are not slapping the line.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 33

Supported Modes of Operation

The I-210+c includes harmonics in its measurements. To obtain a

“fundamental only” measurement of energy one must use a meter such as the
KV2c.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 41

Supported Measurements

Supported Measurements

Table 5.5 Measurement Supported by NIC Firmware Version 1.70 within Daily Shifted and On-Request Messages
Required
IEC 61968-9 Appendix C Code IEC 61968-9 Description Softswitches
0.0.16.9.4.1.12.0.0.0.0.3.0.0.0.3.72.0 previous summation net T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touC (kWh)
0.0.16.9.1.1.12.0.0.0.0.3.0.0.0.3.73.0 previous summation forward K2, T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touC (kVArh)
0.0.16.9.19.1.12.0.0.0.0.3.0.0.0.3.73.0 previous summation reverse K2, T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touC (kVArh)
0.0.16.9.20.1.12.0.0.0.0.3.0.0.0.3.73.0 previous summation total K2, T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touC (kVArh)
0.0.16.9.4.1.12.0.0.0.0.3.0.0.0.3.73.0 previous summation net K2, T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touC (kVArh)
0.0.16.9.20.1.12.0.0.0.0.3.0.0.0.3.71.0 previous summation total K2, T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touC (kVAh)
0.0.16.9.1.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.72.0 previous summation forward T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touD (kWh)
0.0.16.9.19.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.72.0 previous summation reverse T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touD (kWh)
0.0.16.9.20.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.72.0 previous summation total T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touD (kWh)
0.0.16.9.4.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.72.0 previous summation net T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touD (kWh)
0.0.16.9.1.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.73.0 previous summation forward K2, T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touD (kVArh)
0.0.16.9.19.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.73.0 previous summation reverse K2, T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touD (kVArh)
0.0.16.9.20.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.73.0 previous summation total K2, T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touD (kVArh)
0.0.16.9.4.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.73.0 previous summation net K2, T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touD (kVArh)
0.0.16.9.20.1.12.0.0.0.0.4.0.0.0.3.71.0 previous summation total K2, T2
electricitySecondaryMetered energy
touD (kVAh)
0.0.0.6.1.1.37.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.38.0 indicating forward
electricitySecondaryMetered power
(kW)
0.0.0.6.19.1.37.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.38.0 indicating reverse
electricitySecondaryMetered power
(kW)

58 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Reading Notes
Present demand values and present energy values are retrieved from ST23,
whereas previous demand and energy values are obtained from ST25.
Maximum demand values ordinarily are accompanied by a timestamp that
indicates when the maximum occurred. However, there are situations in which a
present max demand timestamp will not be provided, or a zero value for time will
be provided. These include:
• The meter is a demand only meter.

• The demand interval has not closed out since the last demand reset has
occurred.

• The meter has not observed any usage for the specific unit of measure, e.g.,
kVAr, flow direction, e.g., reverse, and TOU tier (if any) combination since
the last demand reset.
Zeroes that show up in present max demand can be transferred to the previous max
demand with a demand reset.
If a zero value for time is sent from the meter, it will flow through the AMI system,
and at AclaraONE be converted from UTC time to local time. This will cause
occasional values for time to appear in the data representing sometime late in the
day on Dec 31, 1969. The MDM and/or billing system must recognize that this
timestamp is unreasonable and that with the zero value for the maximum, that no
demand of the specified kind was registered by the meter since the last demand
reset.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 59

Supported Quality Codes

The Aclara RF I-210+c solution may provide any of the quality codes found in
Table 5.6.

Table 5.6 Supported Quality Codes

Quality
Code Description Definition Severity
1.2.3 EndDevice.PowerQuality. Service Disconnect operated during this 1
ServiceDisconnectSwitching interval
1.2.32 EndDevice.PowerQuality. PowerFail Outage during interval 1
1.4.1 EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated. A numeric overflow condition for a 3
OverflowConditionDetected reading value or pulse counter was
detected in the meter.
1.4.2 EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated. Partial (short) interval due to clock 2
ParitalInterval change, power outage, or some similar
event.
1.4.3 EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated. Long interval recorded due to a clock 2
LongInterval change or some similar event.
1.4.4 EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated. Skipped interval by the meter due to a 3
SkippedInterval clock change or similar event.
1.4.5 EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated. Data value was obtained while the 3
TestData equipment was in test mode.
1.4.6 EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated. The meter indicates that a configuration 3
ConfigurationChanged change has occurred that may affect the
reading value or its interpretation.
1.4.9 EndDevice.DataCollectionRelated. The meter reports that one or more 2
ClockChanged changes to the clock time have occurred
in this interval. (The clock change was
metrologically significant for an interval
of this size or it would not be reported.)
2.4.63 MeteringSystem.DataCollectionRelated. Time bias threshold exceeded during 2
SignificantTimeBias this reading. This value was captured at
a time which differed from the target
time by a metrologically significant
amount.
2.5.257 MeteringSystem.unreasonable. The EP has replaced the useful data with 3
errorCode an error code. The <value> element, if
present, represents an error code and
not useful data.
Note: The EP may supply a value simply
because the protocol requires that a
non-zero byte count be supplied in the
message.
The meter also sometimes substitutes
values (such as 0x7fff) when it can't
supply a measurement because the
required hardware is missing.
In either of these cases, whenever a
placeholder code is supplied instead of
an actual reading, the
"knownMissingRead" error should also be
supplied.
2.5.259 MeteringSystem.unreasonable. Known missing read. (No amount of 3
KnownMissingRead retries will allow the HE to retrieve such
a reading.)
Note: The value could be missing due to
an internal error.
2.8.0 MeteringSystem.estimated. generic Supplied value is an estimate. 2

60 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Table 5.6 Supported Quality Codes

Quality
Code Description Definition Severity
1.10.0 EndDevice.Questionable.Indeterminate Measurement was taken while meter 2
hardware was operating outside its
certified operating temperature range.
The reading is therefore questionable. It
is not necessarily wrong, but it can't be
guaranteed to be right either.
2.6.1002 MeteringSystem.Validation. An attempt was made to write a value 3
FailedRule1002 which was considered to be read-only,
or to read a value which was considered
to be write-only.
2.4.1 MeteringSystem.DataCollectionRelated. An attempt was made to write a value 3
OverflowConditionDetected into a space in EndPoint memory which
was not large enough to hold it.
2.6.1001 MeteringSystem.Validation. An attempt was made to read from or 3
FailedRule1001 write to an invalid or unknown
ReadingTypeID
2.6.1003 MeteringSystem. Validation. An attempt was made to write to a 3
FailedRule1003 value using a mistmatched typecast, and
type conversion was not supported or
allowed.

Table 5.7 Quality Code Severities

Severity Name Description
1 Notice A noteworthy event has occurred, yet data is
undamaged.
2 Warning Data is damaged but potentially usable.
3 Severe Data is damaged and believed to be unusable.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 61

Supported Alarms

Supported Alarms
Alarms can come from many sources. These include:
• The meter event log (within the meter)

• The voltage event log (within the meter)

• Diagnostic indicators (within the meter and the NIC)

• Tamper indicators (within the meter)

• Last-gasp and power-restored messaging (from the NIC)

The NIC processes alarms by logging them and storing them in one of two
messaging queues. One queue is for alarms published in real time, and the other
for alarms which are published opportunistically (i.e. at the next opportunity -
riding along with other data which is being published anyway.) Alarms have a
default priority assigned to them. Alarms which have a priority above the real time
alarm threshold (>170) are sent immediately in a dedicated alarm message. Alarms
which have a priority which fall below the opportunistic alarm threshold (≤ 85) are
discarded. Alarms between the two thresholds (85-170) are sent opportunistically.
To disable an alarm which originates in the meter, the meter must be programmed
(configured) to not generate that alarm. In this way, unwanted (nuisance) alarms
can be masked so that they are not communicated to the headend.

Table 5.8 Aclara RF Network I-210+c Supported Alarms

IEC 61968-9
Appendix E Required
IEC 61968-9 Description Code Priority Comment Switches
electricMeter.temperature. 3.35.261.93 254 Hot Socket alarm
threshold.maxLimitReached
electricMeter.RCDswitch. 3.31.0.42 250
Connected
electricMeter.RCDswitch. 3.31.0.68 250
Disconnected
comDevice.temperature. 26.35.261.93 205 Temperatures are so
threshold.maxLimitReached high that the radio
transmitter is about
to cease operation.
comDevice.configuration. 26.7.43 200 CRC calculation finds
Corrupted that CRC does not
match expected
value in one or more
places of memory.
comDevice.power.failed 26.26.0.85 200 Power failed
comDevice.power.test.failed 26.26.111.85 200 This is a test version
of alarm #119.
electricMeter.RCDswitch. 3.31.0.67 200
ConnectFailed

62 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Table 5.8 Aclara RF Network I-210+c Supported Alarms

IEC 61968-9
Appendix E Required
IEC 61968-9 Description Code Priority Comment Switches
electricMeter.RCDswitch. 3.31.0.84 200
DisconnectFailed
ComDevice.Power.Restored 26.26.0.216 199 Last gasp restoration
comDevice.Power.test. 26.26.111. 199 This is a test version
restored 216 of alarm #120
comDevice.metrology.IO. 26.21.60.79 195 Communication error
error occurred with host
meter (raised after 5
retries have failed in
succession)
electricMeter.configuration. 3.7.83.47 190 Loss of program E2
program.lossDetected
electricMeter.configuration. 3.7.83.49 190 E2
program.re-established
electricMeter.configuration. 3.7.83.33 181 Meter programmed E2
program.initialized
electricMeter.configuration. 3.7.83.61 181 Meter unprogrammed E2
program.uninitialized
comDevice.temperature. 26.35.261.73 180 Temperatures have
threshold.maxLimitCleared cooled so that the
radio transmitter
may resume
operation.
electricMeter.temperature. 3.35.261.73 180 Hot socket alarm
threshold.maxLimitCleared cleared
electricMeter.demand. 3.8.0.177 176 Demand Overload E2
overflow
electricMeter..processor. 3.0.82.79 173 Generic host meter
error error
electricMeter.memory.nvram 3.18.72.85 163 NV Memory Failure
.failed (where data is
stored)
electricMeter.memory.ram. 3.18.85.85 161 RAM Failure
failed
electricMeter.memory.ram. 3.18.85.58 161
succeeded
ElectricMeter.Demand.Reset 3.8.0.215 160 It is assumed that E2
Occurred demand reset billing
determinants will be
part of the daily shift
list, so they don't
have to appear as
name-value pairs
here.
electricMeter.memory.rom. 3.18.92.85 160 ROM Failure (where
failed firmware is stored)
electricMeter.memory.rom. 3.18.92.58 160
succeeded
electricMeter.loadControl.Em 3.15.138.287 130 Emergency E2
ergencySupplyCapacityLimit. Conservation Period
EventStarted (ECP) has started

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 63

Supported Alarms

Table 5.8 Aclara RF Network I-210+c Supported Alarms

IEC 61968-9
Appendix E Required
IEC 61968-9 Description Code Priority Comment Switches
comDevice.firmware. 26.11.36.85 120 Firmware payload
decryption.failed failed decryption
comDevice.firmware. 26.11.103.85 120 DFW signature failed
signature.failed digital signature
verification
electricMeter.Configuration. 3.7.18.4 120 Calibration mode
Calibration.activated activated
ElectricMeter.RCDSwitch. 3.31.81.64 120 Open due to
PrepaymentCredit.Expired prepayment
exhaustion
electricMeter.security.access 3.12.1.25 120 Meter reports it was
.uploaded written
electricMeter.metrology. 3.21.87.215 113 Energy registers in
readings.resetOccurred the meter have been
zeroed
comDevice.security.session. 26.12.129.85 112 DTLS Handshake
failed failure
comDevice.firmware.status. 26.11.17.52 111 New DFW image has
replaced been applied and is
running
comDevice.security.session. 26.12.129.58 110 DTLS Handshake
succeeded success
electricMeter.loadControl. 3.15.138.288 110 Emergency E2
EmergencySupplyCapacityLim Conservation Period
it. EventStopped (ECP) has stopped
electricMeter.metrology.Test 3.21.19.242 110 Meter reports test E2
Mode.started mode initiated
electricMeter.metrology.Test 3.21.19.243 110 Meter reports test E2
Mode.stopped mode exited
electricMeter.power.voltage. 3.26.38.88 110 DC bias detected E2
frozen
ElectricMeter.RCDSwitch. 3.31.38.257 110 synchronous load
Voltage.TamperDetected side voltage present
electricMeter.power.voltage. 3.26.38.292 109 Q2
minLimitCleared
electricMeter.power.voltage. 3.26.38.150 109 Low voltage Q2
minLimitReached
electricMeter.power.voltage. 3.26.38.51 109 DC bias condition E2
released cleared
ElectricMeter.RCDSwitch. 3.31.139.68 108 Open due to demand E2
SupplyCapacityLimit. limiting
Disconnected
electricMeter.power.voltage. 3.26.38.47 107 Loss potential alarm E2, Q2
lossDetected from revenue meter,
i.e., a voltage so low
that metrology
accuracy has been
compromised.
electricMeter.loadControl.Su 3.15.139.287 105 Demand Limiting E2
pplyCapacityLimit. Period (DLP) has
EventStarted started

64 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Table 5.8 Aclara RF Network I-210+c Supported Alarms

IEC 61968-9
Appendix E Required
IEC 61968-9 Description Code Priority Comment Switches
electricMeter.security.tilted 3.12.0.263 105 Tilt alarm (including E2
inversion)
electricMeter.Security. 3.12.66.291 105 High intensity
magneticSwitch. magnetic field no
tamperCleared longer detected
electricMeter.Security. 3.12.66.257 105 High intensity
magneticSwitch. magnetic field
tamperDetected detected
ElectricMeter.Power.Current. 3.26.6.75 102 Current imbalance
ImbalanceCleared cleared
ElectricMeter.Power.Current. 3.26.6.98 102 Current imbalance
Imbalanced detected
electricMeter.power.reactive 3.26.294.37 102 E2
Power.normal
electricMeter.power.reactive 3.26.294.219 102 Leading kVArh E2
Power.reversed
ElectricMeter.Billing.RTP. 3.20.94.4 100 E2
Activated
ElectricMeter.Billing.RTP. 3.20.94.19 100 E2
Deactivated
electricMeter.clock.error 3.36.0.79 100 Clock error
electricMeter.loadControl. 3.15.139.288 100 Demand Limiting
SupplyCapacityLimit. Period (DLP) has
EventStopped stopped
electricMeter.power.current. 3.26.6.73 100 Excessive current E2
MaxLimitCleared (above meter class
amps) has ceased
electricMeter.power.current. 3.26.6.93 100 Excessive current E2
MaxLimitReached (above meter class
amps) for more than
0.5 seconds
electricMeter.power.rotation 3.12.93.37 100
.normal
ElectricMeter.RCDSwitch. 3.31.38.15 100 asynchronous load
Voltage.Charged side voltage present
ElectricMeter.Security.Access 3.12.1.60 100 Meter reports it was
.Downloaded read
ElectricMeter.Power.Error 3.26.0.79 95 Service Error
Detected
ElectricMeter.Power. 3.26.0.279 95 Service Error Cleared
ErrorCleared
ElectricMeter.security. 3.12.24.35 92
password.invalid
ElectricMeter.security. 3.12.24.62 92
password.unlocked
ElectricMeter.IO.Disabled 3.0.60.66 91
ElectricMeter.IO.Enabled 3.0.60.76 91
electricMeter.power.rotation 3.12.93.219 90 Received kWh,
.reversed reverse flow

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 65

Supported Alarms

Table 5.8 Aclara RF Network I-210+c Supported Alarms

IEC 61968-9
Appendix E Required
IEC 61968-9 Description Code Priority Comment Switches
electricMeter…error 3.0.0.79 90 System error
ElectricMeter.Power.Status. 3.26.17.68 89 Open due to outage
Disconnected management
electricMeter.battery.charge. 3.2.22.73 88
minLimitCleared
electricMeter.battery.charge. 3.2.22.150 88 Low battery
minLimitReached
electricMeter.clock.time. 3.36.114.24 88 Meter reports its
changed time has changed
electricMeter.power.failed 3.26.0.85 88 Meter power-down
electricMeter.power.restored 3.26.0.216 88 Meter power-up
electricMeter.power.phaseA. 3.26.131.224 87 E2 or V2
sagStopped
electricMeter.power.phaseA. 3.26.131.249 87 E2 or V2
swellStopped
electricMeter.power. 3.26.131.223 87 Diagnostic 6 -- Under E2 or V2
phaseAVoltage.sagStarted Voltage Phase A
electricMeter.power. 3.26.131.248 87 Diagnostic 7 -- Over E2 or V2
phaseAVoltage.swellStarted Voltage, Phase A
electricMeter.metrology. 3.21.231.58 85 Meter reports it
selfRead.succeeded performed a self
read
electricMeter…errorCleared 3.0.0.279 80
electricMeter.demand.normal 3.8.0.37 17

Tamper Detection
The system offers a variety of means for tamper detection. The meter itself
generates the following alarms:
• The tilted alarm during which a power outage and restoration occurs,
immediately followed by a significant flow of reverse energy.

• The “meter bypassed” alarm is presented as ElectricMeter. RCDSwitch.

Voltage. TamperDetected in which an RCD is remotely opened, the meter
bypassed, and a CLOSE command issued to the meter.

• A large magnet is placed next to the meter in an effort to affect its ability to
accurately measure electricity. An electricMeter. Security. magneticSwitch.
tamperDetected alarm is issued.

66 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

AclarONE adds the following reports which can also be useful in building the case
against energy thieves:
• Reverse rotation

• Consecutive days of zero consumption on active meters

• Positive consumption on supposedly inactive meters

It should be noted that any one of these by itself is not sufficient evidence to
convict a person of stealing energy. There are quite often very valid reasons for
zero energy use and reverse rotation. It should also be understood that the meter
hardware which determines if the meter has been bypassed makes this
determination based on the frequency difference between the line side and the load
side voltages. This is a configurable parameter in MeterMate, but typically, if the
line side and load side match within +/- 1 Hz, the meter concludes that the
frequencies match and the meter has been bypassed. This might not always be the
case in reality. It could be that the line side and load side frequencies just happen to
match. These tamper detection mechanisms can be used to bring an account to the
utility’s attention, but physical evidence at the service location should be sought
before pursuing any conviction.

Alarm Notes
Meters can be configured to automatically perform a self read. The AMI NIC will
also frequently ask the meter to perform a self-read. Since self-reads are
commonplace in an AMI environment, it is recommended that MeterMate be used
to disable self-read alarms.
When a demand reset occurs, the NIC will generate an alarm. If the meter also has
event logging enabled, it will also attempt to capture the same event in its log. The
NIC will comb through the log and send up this form of the event as well. In order
to prevent duplicate logs, it is recommended that MeterMate be used to disable
demand reset alarms.
When power is lost NICs will periodically generate comDevice.power.failed
alarm. Upon restoration the NIC will report a comDevice.power.restored alarm
along with certain device data, such as voltage and start/stop timestamps. The
I-210+c without a battery will most likely have lost its date and time during this
power interruption. The NIC has special hardware to maintain a real time clock
even in the absence of power for at least 24 hours. The NIC will supply the correct
date and time to the meter after power-up. Since time is an important aspect of
metering, the meter will alarm when its date is written. It will announce that it is
being reprogrammed and issue an electricMeter.configuration.program.initialized
alarm when time is written. This alarm won’t be seen from meters that have a
battery. Finally, when the meter event log is enabled, it is possible that
electricMeter.power.failed and electricMeter.power.restored alarms will be logged
and then reported by the meter. These alarms are the meter’s account of the power
outage and may have timestamps that differ by a few seconds relative to the NIC’s
account of the same outage.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 67

Meter Features Not Supported

• The Aclara RF Network implementation does not support the retrieval of
seasonal data from the meter. The AMI system will report readings
throughout every season to the data warehouse. If seasonal data is wanted, it
should be available from the data warehouse (MDMS).

• The Rolling Billing Period (RBP) Peak1 and Peak2 (a.k.a. Cycle Insensitive
demand) supported by the meter is not necessary in an AMI environment.
Furthermore, the use of daily maximums within the RBP feature is not
recommended. Much better support for daily demand is available with the
common demand feature and by programming the meter to automatically
perform a demand reset every day.

• The I-210+c LP tables can be programmed to optionally capture End Values

periodically in the tables themselves. The reporting of End Values is
currently not supported. Instead the sources must be reported using the Daily
Shift (DS) message.

• Using voltage as a source for a demand calculation is not supported. The

back office systems lack a means of expressing its unit of measure.

• The reporting of the present demand value under construction is not

supported. These are primarily useful to a technician standing in front of the
meter. The billing system is interested in demand values after the demand
interval has closed out.

• Real Time Price (RTP) messaging is not supported. If the relay opens, it will
be reported, but the ability to broadcast a real time price is not currently
supported by the AMI system.

• The use of the I-210+c relay for direct load control (in which a command is
issued to a population of meters to cycle the relay for a specific duty cycle) is
currently not supported. However, should the RD contact open for load
control reasons, an alarm will be generated.

• Prepay metering within the I-210+c meter is currently not supported.

However a prepay metering function can be supported in another fashion.
The preferred approach is to leverage the 15-minute interval data (reported
every 15 minutes) and feed it to a utility back-office application, which
performs the prepay application and allocation of funds. This results in a
funds remaining message to the user and connect/disconnect commands to
the meter.

• The Aclara RF Network AMI system supports 5, 15, 30, and 60 minute LP
interval sizes. It does not support 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, and 20 minute LP interval
sizes.

68 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

• The Aclara RF Network AMI system also supports 5, 15, 30, and 60 minute
averaging for voltage measurements. Other values are not supported by the
AMI system even though they may be supported by the meter.

• Seasons are not supported by the Aclara RF Network I-210+c. The AMI
system is expected to report readings every day. The MDMS database may
be mined to obtain seasonal data.

• The Rolling Status feature of the I-210+c is not directly supported by the
Aclara RF I-210+c. Instead, all supported alarms (as described in Supported
Quality Codes on page 60) will be reported to the MDMS. AclaraONE may
be used to view the history of the most recent cautions and errors which have
been reported by the meter.

• Remote Connect / Disconnect on page 24 describes a few remote disconnect

commands that are not supported over the air.

• The ability to remotely place the meter in test mode is not supported.

Configuration Management
When an I-210+c meter is built at the factory and outfitted with an Aclara RF
Network endpoint, it will be configured according to the customizations identified
in the customer configuration worksheet(s). All the meters will be configured the
same way. If the needs change, or if a service location has requirements that do not
fit the norm, it is possible to reconfigure the meter and/or endpoint to a new
configuration. These reconfigurations can be sent over the air.
The configuration management process assumes there are multiple stakeholders at
the utility, as represented in the following image.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 69

Configuration Management

Figure 5.13 Meter Reconfiguration Scenario

A meter subject matter expert (SME) knows how to use MeterMate to create new
meter programs. A variety of meter programs might be created for the I-210+c to
adapt it for use in various residential and commercial tariffs. The Engineering
department may also desire certain measurements from the meter in order to
qualify the soundness of the distribution system. The meter SME accepts input
from numerous utility stakeholders to create a library of configurations to meet the
various objectives. Ideally a small number of configurations would be able to
satisfy a wide variety of tariffs.
In addition to directly interfacing with a meter via the optical port, MeterMate can
produce two different types of programming files. The meter SME needs to export
the new configuration file from MeterMate in an XML format with a name that
everyone agrees is useful. The AclaraONE administrator can then import this
XML file and generate a binary form of the file, which is transmitted over the air to
the target NIC(s).

NOTES The Meter SME needs to be careful to not select a feature that the meter
supports but the Aclara RF Network system does not, such as 2-minute interval
sized LP data.

It is recommended that new meter programs be tested in the meter shop prior
to being launched over the air to a large population of meters. Furthermore, it
is advisable to try a small population of meters before attempting the entire

70 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

population of meters. This way, if a mistake in the programming is present,

the problem is more easily remedied.

Nuisance alarms are disabled by (re)configuring the meter to not raise the
unwanted alarm. Unprogramming the meter clears these settings. If the meter
is ever unprogrammed and still connected to a configured NIC module, the
meter will start to log and ultimately report table read notifications. Each
meter will produce hundreds of these notifications every day that it remains
powered and connected in this way. It is expected that this situation could
easily occur in the meter shop. If a DCU is providing coverage to the meter
shop area, these alarms may find their way to the headend before they can be
cleared by the technician as the meter is returned to service.

There are features that the Aclara RF Network system supports which are not
identified on the Customer Configuration Worksheet. These may be found by
studying the list of supported measurements in Supported Measurements on
page 36.

Recommended Meter Configurations

MeterMate is used to configure the meter. As an alternative to using the optical
port on the meter, MeterMate can generate a configuration file which is processed
and transmitted through AclaraONE over the air to the meter. Anything that can be
configured with MeterMate over the optical port can also be configured over the
air.

Restrictions
If the NIC is configured to send up specific measurements in a message (such as a
daily shift message) and the meter is reprogrammed so that it no longer provides
that measurement, it will cause the NIC to supply a known missing read in place of
the required measurement in the message. The NIC should similarly be
reconfigured (reprogrammed) so the message does not require the unavailable
measurement.
The NIC Customer Configuration worksheet is used to establish new NIC
configurations. The following messages are vulnerable to this type of failure:
• The daily shift message

• The demand reset response message

• The on-request read default

Other messages, including LP data, are not vulnerable to this type of failure caused
by meter reprogramming.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 71

Configuration Management

Meter Modes
The I-210+c meter can operate in one of three modes. This effectively turns the
I-210+c into three different meters. These modes determine what features are
operational in the meter. The modes are formally known as:
• Demand only

• Demand / LP

• TOU
Users should know that the “demand only” works best for a once-a-month reading
of demand in a non-AMI environment. Demand-only meters do not keep time.
They are unable to provide a date/timestamp for the demand maximum. The meter
hardware will provide a date/time value of 0 which represents midnight of January
1st, 1970. Demand-only meters will supply this timestamp for all meter events and
voltage events. However, certain alarms originate within the NIC. The last-gasp
message, the power-restored message, and the demand reset response message
(indicating a demand reset event) will all have a demand reset date and time
supplied by the NIC.
Customers that want a proper demand maximum date and time associated with
demand values should configure their meters to operate as demand / LP or TOU
meters.

Diagnostics

Cautions
A high temperature threshold of 70-75 degrees centigrade may be used. The
MeterMate setting should not exceed 75 °C.

Events
The Event Log should only capture the items of interest to the utility.
The Self Read Event (21) will occur daily and should probably not be included in
the list of reported items.
The Table Read Event (07) will occur every 5 minutes and will prove to be a
nuisance alarm if it is enabled. This could have the effect of drowning out more
important alarms that the utility cares about.
If Demand Reset is enabled as a logged event, the headend will receive alarms
twice - one by the NIC when it performs the action, and one by the meter’s event
log. If Demand Reset is not logged by the meter, the user must rely on demand
data (reported daily) to determine if a demand reset has occurred (perhaps locally
by a HandHeld MeterMate). The present max, previous max, and demand reset
counts can all be monitored for the changes that result from the demand reset
action.

72 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

If RCDC Switch Open and RCDC Switch Close are enabled, the headend will
receive alarms twice - one reported by the NIC when it performs the action, and
another by the meter in its event log. If a technician uses a HandHeld MeterMate to
locally open or close the switch, and logging is disabled, the user at the headend
(and MDMS and CIS) will discover the change by monitoring the value of the
RCD switch position, which is reported daily by the NIC.

Display
When setting up items to display on the meter’s LCD, be careful to note the
Display Label you assign to the measurement. This will help set the context to the
user.
Under the Normal Mode tab, the following should be included on the alternate
display scroll list:
• Diagnostic Tools
• Network Status Info 1 (Network status information)
• Remote Disconnect
• Switch Status
• Diagnostic Tools
• Network Status Info 2 (Self-test results to the user)
• Network Status Info 3 (NIC operating mode information)

Recommended Endpoint NIC Configurations

The Customer Configuration Worksheet will allow certain network behaviors to
be configured.
The bulk of the data transmitted through the network is the LP data from the meter.
The I-210+c collects all channels at the same rate. However, they can be
transmitted to the headend at a different rate than they are collected. If fresh data is
required, intervals can be reported as soon as they are available by setting the LP
Bubbleup Schedule parameter to the same size as the interval. If network
efficiency is more desirable, you can set the LP Bubbleup Schedule parameter to
be a larger size than the LP interval size, e.g., hourly reporting of 15-minute
interval data. However queueing up too much data can be problematic too. No
more than 4 intervals should be queued up in the message. On the other hand,
going too small can create problems as well. The lpBubbleupSchedule parameter
in the NIC should not be set to a smaller size than then LP interval size in the
meter. The NIC can transmit 15-minute LP data every 15 minutes, but it should not
be configured to send 15-minute LP data every 5 minutes.
If the meter is configured to not collect LP data (either configured with zero
channels of LP data, or configured without the R2 softswitch) then LP Bubbleup
Schedule should also be configured to zero. Opportunistic alarms commonly ride
in on bubble up messages. With LP data disabled, this leaves daily shift data (and

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 73

Configuration Management

engineering stats) as the means to move these messages. If these other messages
are disabled for some reason, the user must also change the configuration of the
opportunistic alarm threshold to turn all alarms into real time alarms, or
opportunistic alarms will never be sent to the headend. (See Aclara RF Network
I-210+c Supported Alarms on page 62 for default alarm priorities.)
The demandResetLockoutPeriod should be set to 24 hours, and MeterMate should
have a demand reset lockout period of 4:15.

Opt-Out
Sometimes customers express concerns over RF energy. While entire banks of
meters are deemed safe according to US and Canadian standards, some customers
may still wish to opt out of the smart meter program.
• The most effective means of eliminating RF transmissions from the service
location is to use a meter that lacks an RF NIC. A meter can be installed that
has to be read physically once a month instead.

• If it is not necessary to completely eliminate RF transmissions, it is possible

to configure an RF equipped meter to transmit only last-gasp and
power-restored messages.

• If a bit more RF can be tolerated, the module can be configured to transmit

only the daily shifted data.

• Finally, if only minor reductions are needed, a small decrease in RF traffic

can be attained by configuring the endpoint for batch interval readings and
transmitting them infrequently.

Meter Passwords
The meter contains multiple boards. Every meter contains a meter module
assembly (MMA). This board contains the meter microprocessor and optical port
interface. Purchasing the Aclara RF Network causes an Aclara RF Network NIC to
also be added to the assembly. Both boards are provided with passwords when the
meter is built at the factory. This allows the NIC to talk to the meter module.
If someone with a MeterMate handheld were to walk up to a meter installed in the
field and connect it to the meter’s optical port, it would be possible for such a
person to interact with the meter. They could change the password in the meter
module assembly. However, this action does not cause the NIC’s password to be
updated. It will cause the NIC to supply an obsolete password to the meter, and to
have its requests for data rejected. The NIC will start to report comDevice
metrology I/O error alarms to the headend. These will occur periodically until the
issue is fixed.
To change the password in the NIC the user at the headend must use the
Engineering Tool. Please contact Aclara Support for assistance in this matter.

74 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 5 • Features

Meter Firmware
Meters have two types of firmware: a base code, which fully operates the meter,
and patches, which safely modify certain portions of the code. The I-210+c Gen 5
meter is able to accept patch updates but not base code updates. The Aclara RF
Network is able to deliver patch updates over the air to the meter.
The initial meter that supports this feature has base code version 6.0.7. This can
support any patch in the family. A document from Aclara Meters, 103X584
Firmware Patches for I-210+c Meters describes all of the available patches. Base
code versions and patch code version numbers combine to form an overall version
number for the firmware. The first two fields from the base code version join with
the first two fields from the patchcode version to make a firmware version. For
example, base code version 6.0.7 joins with patch code version 4.1.0 to make
firmware version 6.0.4.1.
When Aclara Meters publishes a new firmware update for the meter that seems to
be interesting, it should be tested out in the meter shop by programing the meter
with MeterMate.
If the update proves worthwile, an equivalent file may be obtained for use with
AclaraONE, which delivers the same patch. This file is digitally signed. When it is
transferred to the directory at AclaraONE, the user may select it, and AclaraONE
will identify suitable meters in the network and assist in the update process.

Softswitch Management
Over-the-air softswitch management is currently not supported.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 75

Softswitch Management

76 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

CHAPTER

6
INSIDE THE METER
Equipment Layouts
The following image shows (in the background) a 12-pin connector between the
NIC (lower board) and the metrology board. The photo also shows the NIC
connected to the white antenna via a miniature coaxial cable.
Figure 6.1 Meter and NIC

LEDs 12-Pin Connector

However, a nonzero number indicates a self-test failure.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 85

Self-Test Status

Table 9.1 Self-Test Error Codes

Code Meaning
0000 No failures
0001 External NV memory failure
0002 RTC failure
0003 Codes 1 and 2 are both present
0004 Security device not functioning
0005 Codes 1 and 4 are both present
0006 Codes 2 and 4 are both present
0007 Codes 1,2, and 4 are present
0008 Security device not fully operational
0009 Codes 1 and 8 are present
000A Codes 2 and 8 are present
000B Codes 1, 2, and 8 are present
000C Codes 4 and 8 are present
000D Codes 1, 4, and 8 are present
000E Codes 2, 4, and 8 are present
000F Codes 1, 2, 4, and 8 are present
0020 Initialization Failure
0021 Codes 1 and 20 are present
0022 Codes 2 and 20 are present
0023 Codes 1, 2, and 20 are present
0024 Codes 4 and 20 are present
0025 Codes 1, 4, and 20 are present
0026 Codes 2, 4, and 20 are present
0027 Codes 1, 2, 4, 20 are present
0028 Codes 8 and 20 are present
0029 Codes 1, 8, and 20 are present
002A Codes 2, 8, and 20 are present
002B Codes 1, 2, 8, and 20 are present
002C Codes 4, 8, and 20 are present
002D Codes 1, 4, 8, and 20 are present
002E Codes 2, 4, 8, and 20 are present
002F Codes 1, 2, 4, 8, and 20 are present

86 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 9 • Testing NIC Communications in the Field

Operating Mode
The NIC will write messages to the meter LCD, which indicate the NIC operating
mode. These messages are intended to appear on the ALT scroll list.
Table 9.2 NIC Operating Modes

Message LCD Text Meaning

The NIC has suspended any RF transmission
because it sensed a high operating
Hot HOT temperature. It can still receive messages,
just not transmit them. The NIC will revert
to another mode when it cools down.
The NIC has been placed in a radio-silent
Quiet QUIET mode for the purposes of meter calibration.
The NIC has been placed in a “ship mode”
which will cause it to suppress last gasp and
Ship SHIP restoration messages, as well as register in
the network after a power down / power up
cycle.
The NIC has been placed in a “meter shop
mode” which will cause it clear certain
Shop SHOP histories, suppress last gasp messages, and
register in the network after is power
cycled.
The NIC is operating normally and has
Secure SECURE security enabled.
The NIC is operating normally and has
Run RUN security disabled.

Trace Route
With the new meter installed in the system, the ability of the system to interact
with the NIC can be tested with the trace route command.

Testing Communication with a Meter in the Field

Use the headend software to select the NIC target and allow it to return a response
along multiple DCU pathways. The system will report the message latencies along
each path along with the signal strengths. Compare these signal strengths to the
performance specifications in Product Specifications on page 11 and to the DCU
receiver performance specifications. The strongest return pathway should be well
above the DCU’s sensitivity limits described in the DCU Maintenance and
Operation Technical Manual. Other pathways may be near the sensitivity limits.
DCUs which do not appear in the report were too far away to hear the NIC’s
response.

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 87

Trace Route

Site Testing
Tools Required:
• A portable spectrum analyzer with real-time signal capture
Procedure:
1. Tune the spectrum analyzer to filter all unlicensed channels in the 450-470
MHz spectrum.
2. Use the trace route command to ping the meter as described above.
3. Observe the blip that represents a power transmission from the DCU on the
DCU Tx channel, and the blip that represents the response on one of the Rx
channels.
4. Use the signal analyzer to record the signal strengths and your location.
5. Take measurements for this meter at other locations as desired.
6. If a communication problem is believed to exist at the location, some
consultation with Aclara personnel may be necessary to identify a suitable
course of action.

Testing Communication with a Meter in the Meter Shop

The Service And Diagnostic test Tool may be used to test a particular NIC with a
particular DCU. This is particularly useful where the meter has been pulled from
the field, and a dedicated DCU has been installed in the meter shop area. A utility
may also wish to experiment with the product before deploying it in the field.
When experimenting with the TraceRoute feature in the meter shop, the response
RSSI level reported by the DCU should fall within a normal range (as determined
by experience) to indicate that the NIC antenna is properly connected inside the
meter assembly.
Whenever a meter is powered up, powered down, and experimented with in the
meter shop, the Service and Diagnostic Tool should be used to decommission the
unit prior to deployment in the field. Failure to decommission the unit could cause
alarms generated in the meter shop to be reported after the unit is placed in the
field. It can also cause the subsequent installation of the meter to be reported by the
hardware as an extended power failure and restoration event to the headend.

88 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Chapter 9 • Testing NIC Communications in the Field

Interferer Test
The health of the network can be observed indirectly using commercial
off-the-shelf test equipment.
Tools Required:
• A portable spectrum analyzer with real-time signal capture.
Procedure:
1. Tune the spectrum analyzer to filter all unlicensed channels in the 450-470
MHz spectrum,
Or, place the spectrum analyzer in the waterfall mode and allow it to record
across the licensed frequencies.
2. Aclara RF Network I-210+c units typically report interval data every 15
minutes. Inbound traffic should be detected on one of the inbound channels
during this period.
3. Use the signal analyzer to record the signal strengths and your location.
If a strong transmission occurs which is not on a licensed channel, but
which bleeds over into the licensed area, this is evidence of a problem.
4. Take measurements for this meter at other locations as desired.
5. If a communication problem is believed to exist at the location, some
consultation with Aclara personnel may be necessary to identify a suitable
course of action.
Interference in a licensed band from a 3rd party may also require FCC
involvement (depending on the determination of the source of the problem.)

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 89

Interferer Test

90 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

CHAPTER

10
UPDATES AND REPAIRS
The NIC firmware may be updated over-the-air from the headend. The NIC may
be installed in a meter in the field or in the meter shop.
The meter firmware may be patched over-the-air from the headend. The meter may
be in the field. If it is in the meter shop, it is preferable to use MeterMate to
perform the firmware update.

Replacing a NIC
There are no user-serviceable parts inside of the meter, but it is possible to swap
out NIC boards and exchange them between meters.
To replace a NIC board:
1. Connect an ESD grounding strap and observe ESD precautions when
handling boards.
2. Remove the meter from its socket
3. Grab and rotate the front cover ¼ turn counter-clockwise until it releases (as
described in the Meter User Guide).
4. Pinch the dual gray meter latches on the left side and right sides of the meter
to release the meter module from the meter base.
5. Disconnect the NIC and remove it from the assembly.
6. Disconnect the antenna UFM connection from the board.
7. Attach the antenna wire to the new NIC.
8. Insert the new NIC in place of the old one.
9. Reattach the meter module to the meter base by pressing the module against
the base until the dual latches spring open and catch on the black tabs.
Ensure both the left and right sides are seated.
10. Replace the meter front cover.
11. Re-insert into test socket to power device.
12. At power-up you may see red and/or blue LEDs temporarily light then
extinguish. The LEDs are described in LEDs on page 78.
13. Use the headend Service And Diagnostic Tool and a nearby DCU to
reconfigure the NIC and ensure that it is functioning properly.
Replacing a NIC

92 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

Index
A Meter Features Not Supported 68
Aclara University 3 Meter Firmware 75
Alarm Notes 67 Meter Installation Procedure 83
Antenna Clearance 81 Meter Modes 72
Applicable Industry Standards 1 Meter Passwords 74
Audience 1 Meter Softswitches 34
C N
Cautions 72 Network Status 85
Compliance Declarations 13 New Meter 21
Configuration Management 69 NIC Modes 34
D O
Daily Shifted and Interval Messages 18 Observe All Safety Precautions 81
Demand Reset 19 On Request Reading 22
Diagnostics 72 Operating Mode 87
Display 73 Optional Tools 2
Opt-Out 74
E Other Messages 27
End Device Events 20
Equipment Layouts 77 P
ESD Caution 5 Phase Detection 27
Events 72 Pole Mount Installations 10
Power Outage and Restoration 23
F Product Specifications 11
FCC Part 15 Compliance 13 Purpose 1
FCC Part 90 Certification 13
FCC/IC RF Exposure Guide 8 R
Features 17 Recommended Endpoint NIC Configurations 73
Field Calibration Procedure 8 Recommended Meter Configurations 71
Regulatory Guidelines 7
I Remote Connect / Disconnect 24
Inside the Meter 77 Replacement Parts 6
Inspect Antenna Clearance 6 Replacing a NIC 91
Inspecting the Site for Anomalies 81 RF Exposure 14
Installation on Buildings 9 RF Exposure Hazard 5
Installing the Meter 83 RSS-GEN Compliance 13
Interferer Test 89
Introduction 1 S
ISED Certification 14 Safety Guidelines 5
Scope 1
L Self Test Status 85
LEDs 78 SHOCK HAZARD WARNING 5
Licensing 9 Shock Hazard Warning 5
Listing 14 Site Testing 88
LP Data 36 Softswitch Management 75
M Supported Alarms 62
Meter Accommodations 14 Supported Messages 17
Meter Components 3 Supported Meter Forms 14
Supported Modes of Operation 34

Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide 93

Index

System Overview 2
T
Tamper Detection 66
Technical Support 3
Testing Communication with a Meter in the
Field 87
Testing Communication with a Meter in the
Meter Shop 88
Testing NIC Communications in the Field 85
Tools Required 2
Trace Route 26, 87
Traffic Classification 27
U
Updates and Repairs 91

94 Aclara RF Electric I-210+c User Guide

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