Managing Meters and Counters

Meters and Counters are located within the EnergyCAP Enterprise Facility Tree.  They are the lowest level of detail tracked by EnergyCAP.

A meter is a logical device used to gather or measure commodity data.  Typically, an EnergyCAP Enterprise meter is associated with an actual physical meter attached to a building.  However, the EnergyCAP Enterprise meter may also be a ‘virtual’ meter, where a physical meter does not exist, but the commodity consumption is calculated based on either an easily measurable attribute, or an engineering analysis.  The meter is the linchpin between the Facility Tree and the Cost Center Tree in EnergyCAP Enterprise.  The meter is associated with the Place, where the commodity is consumed, and the same meter is also associated with the account, where the cost of the commodity consumed is determined by a bill.

EnergyCAP Enterprise uses different meter icons to help visually identify the commodity being tracked by the meter.

A counter is a logical device used for collecting a wider range of data than the use or cost associated with utility bills. A counter may track "non-traditional" commodities. Counter data is typically:

• available from portable meters or other tracking devices.
• relevant to a process.  Examples include hours of operation for a particular piece of machinery or equipment, or production totals (number of widgets, or weight of product produced), or number of meals served.
• related to energy consumption.  Examples include building occupancy numbers/percentages, or miles driven.

Meters and counters may have one or more channels assigned to them.  Measured channel data may be obtained via different means including a file import, manual data entry, or the use of virtual channel equations.  Meter devices/hardware may be changed over time.  EnergyCAP Enterprise maintains a history, based on installation dates, of all meter/channel or counter/channel properties.

A Meter measures the commodity use and cost for the associated Place.  A Counter measures the non-commodity use, or tracks a count of a measurable quantity, for the associated Place.

A Meter may be associated with an Account.  If so, the easiest way to create the Meter is to use the New Account/Meter Wizard in the Accounts Manager.  Follow the instructions to create a New Account/Meter.

To create a Meter that is not associated with an Account (a submeter that is only tracking use, or that is tracking interval data), or to create a Counter:

1. Navigate to the Facility Manager (Setup > Facilities) and select/highlight the Place that will be associated with the Meter or Counter.
   
   
2. There are three methods available to launch the Create Meter or Create Counter window.
   1. Click on the New Counter button (in the top right corner of the Facility Manager window) and follow the instructions in the New Counter Wizard.
      
      
   2. Select the New > Meter… or the New > Counter menu option from the Facility menu.
      
      
   3. Right-click on the Place and select the New >Meter or New >Counter option from the menu.
      
      
3. In the Create Meter or Create Counter window, input the following information in the appropriate fields on the General tab:
   1. Unique, self-defined Code: A typical schema for creating a unique Meter Code or Counter Code, is to build the code using the Building Number, an abbreviation for the commodity being tracked, and then a sequential number.  For example, the second electric meter for Building #456 would have a Meter Code of “0456E02”. 
      ! The Code field is limited to 16 Characters.  You may use letters (CAPS only), numbers, underscores (_), slashes (/), ampersands (&), or dashes (-), but not special characters such as pound (#), or asterisk (*), or spaces!
   2. Display: This can either be the same as the Code, or a more descriptive name. 
      ! The Display field is limited to 32 Characters!
   3. Time Zone: Select the Time Zone that the Meter or Counter is located in.
   4. Commodity: Select the commodity being tracked by the Meter or the non-commodity being tracked by the Counter.
   5. OPTIONAL – Address: Click the Address button to open the Address window. Enter the Meter or Counter address.
4. The Specific tab is used when importing Interval Data for the Meter or Counter and to record specific data about the Meter or Counter. Input specific information using the instructions below. When done, click the Channels tab.
   
   
   
   
1. Date Installed: Enter the Date that the Meter or Counter was installed. For installed devices, the effective date (begindate) must be later than 01/01/1900.
2. OPTIONAL – Description: Enter the Description of the Meter or Counter.
3. OPTIONAL – Import ID: Enter the Import ID for this Meter or Counter that matches up with the value in the Interval Data file. 
   ! The Import ID is used by EnergyCAP to associate the Interval Data with the proper Meter or Counter!
4. OPTIONAL – Serial Number: Enter the Serial Number for the Meter or Counter.  Typically, this number is physically stamped on the device by the manufacturer.
5. The Channels tab is used to create, modify, and maintain Manual and Simulated Channels for the Meter or Counter. 
   
   !Channels for imported Interval Data will be created automatically by EnergyCAP, based on the type of data being imported and the interval between readings!
   
   Click on the button to add a Channel.  Then follow the instructions for Creating a Channel.
   
   
6. The Accounts tab lists the Account(s) that this meter is associated with.The tab information is not editable from this view.
7. The Groups tab lists what Meter Groups the Meter is assigned to.  It also allows the Meter to be added or removed from an existing Meter Group using the "+"  or "-" buttons.
   
   
8. The Audit tab (Create Meter window only) lists Audits that are available to be executed to check either the billing or interval data for the Meter or Counter.  It also provides a description of what the Audit does.
   
   
   
   Audit Properties can be modified for this specific Meter or Counter as follows:
   1. Select the Audit from the list.
   2. Select the Property to be modified.
   3. Click the Properties button. The Create Override Value window will open.
   4. Input the audit override value and supporting detail. Then click OK.
9. Click the Rate Details tab to reveal Meter level details that can be modified for inclusion in Rate Calculations.
   
   
   If you want to modify the Meter or Counter Rate Detail:
   1. Select the desired Detail from the list.
   2. Click the Add button.
   3. Enter a Start Date for when this Rate Detail goes into effect.
   4. Enter the Value for this Rate Detail.
10. The User Fields tab allows the entry of values for Meter or Counter User Defined Fields. 
    ! If no Meter or Counter User Defined Fields have been created, this tab will not appear in the Meter or Counter Properties window!
11. The CAP tab provides the ability to make or modify Cost Avoidance settings for the Meter.  For instructions, see Cost Avoidance topics.
12. The Bill Entry Note tab allows the entry of a note to be displayed in the meter banner of the Bill Entry screen.
13. The Greenhouse Gas tab maintains the Meter settings used for Greenhouse Gas calculations.  See the Greenhouse Gas topic for instructions on setting the appropriate Scope and Factor for the meter/counter.
14. Click the OK button to save the new Meter or Counter.

1. Navigate to the Facilities Manager (Setup > Facilities) and select the existing Meter or Counter to be edited.
   
   


2. There are two methods to open either the Meter Properties or the Counter Properties window for modification:
   1. In the General tab PowerView for the selected meter/counter, click on the Device Properties Code hyperlink,
      
      
      
      OR
   2. Select the Meter or Counter from the Facility Tree, then right-click it and select the Properties option from the popup menu.
      
      


3. From the Properties window, make the appropriate edits to:
   1. Meter Properties: General, Specific, Channels, Accounts, Groups, Audit, Rate Details, user Fields, CAP, Bill Entry Note and Greenhouse Gas tabs.
   2. Counter Properties: General, Specific, Channels, and Greenhouse Gas Tabs. 
      ! Use caution when editing the Import ID on the Specific tab.  The Import ID is used by EnergyCAP to associate imported Interval Data with the proper Meter or Counter!
4. Click OK to save the modifications and close the Meter or Counter Properties window.

! The Move Function only supports the moving of a single Meter or Counter at a time!

1. Navigate to the Facilities Manager (Setup > Facilities) and in the Facilities tree, select the Meter or Counter that needs to be moved.
   
   
2. There are two ways to launch the Move function for Meters or Counters.
   1. Select the Move button in the top right corner of the window.
      
      
   2. Right-click on the Meter or Counter and select the Move option from the popup menu.
      
      
3. The Browse Places window will open.  Select the Place (destination) that the Meter or Counter should be moved to, then click OK.
   
   
   EnergyCAP will move the selected Meter or Counter to the new Place and will refresh the Facility Tree.

! Deleting a Meter or a Counter will also delete any Channel Data (Interval Data) associated with it!

! A Meter that is attached to an Account cannot be deleted.  Modify the Account to remove the Meter, then delete the Meter!

1. Navigate to the Facilities Manager (Setup > Facilities) and select from the Facilities tree the existing Meter or Counter to be deleted.
2. There are three methods delete either the Meter or the Counter.
   1. With the Meter or Counter selected, press the Delete key.
   2. With the Meter or Counter selected, right-click and select the Delete menu option.
      
      
   3. With the Meter or Counter selected, click the Facility menu item and select the Delete option from the drop-down list.
      
      
3. A Confirm window will open.
   
   
   
   To delete the meter, click Yes. Or click No to cancel deletion of the Meter or Counter.

The New Counter Wizard is used to quickly create a new Counter or counters.  A Counter measures the non-commodity use, or tracks a count of a measurable quantity, for the associated Place. The Wizard enables quick and convenient creation of new counters, but some setup options are not available. To more fully configure counter properties during setup, use the Create Counter option.

To launch the New Counter Wizard:

1. Navigate to the Facilities Manager (Setup > Facilities).
2. Click the New Counter button (in the top right corner of the Facility Manager screen).
   
   
   The New Counter Wizard will open. Click Next from the initial Wizard window to display the organization hierarchy.
   
   
3. Select the existing Place that is to be associated with the new counter. Or create a new Place by clicking the "+" button and filling in the Place information on the tabs in the Create Place window. Then click Next.
   
   
4. Select the new counter's Commodity from the drop-down box. If existing choices are inadequate, create a new counter type by clicking the button and filling in the Commodity information on the tabs in the Create Commodity window.
5. Press the Tab key to advance to the Code field, where EnergyCAP will provide a default value.  Either use this default value, or create a new one by entering it from the keyboard. 
   ! The Code field is limited to 16 Characters.  You may use letters (CAPS only), numbers, underscores (_), slashes (/), ampersands (&), or dashes (-), but not special characters such as pound (#), or asterisk (*), or spaces!
6. Press the Tab key to advance to the Code field. Either use the default Display value, or create a new one. 
   ! The Display field is limited to 32 Characters!
7. Set the Readings Interval, and indicate if multiple values should be totaled or averaged.
8. If it is necessary to change the associated place, click the Change Place button. Otherwise, click Save to save the counter. The Facilities hierarchy will be displayed (see Step 2), enabling creation of additional counters.
9. To create additional counters, repeat steps 3-8. When done creating and saving counters, click Close.

Channel data is time-series (interval) data, most often electric 15-minute KW interval data. But it can also be weather data, production data or almost any data excluding monthly utility bills.

WATCH VIDEO on interval data

EnergyCAP Enterprise supports the ability to import Interval data contained in text files, MDEF files, Modified MDEF files, and Meter Exchange files. Whatever the format, the data provider should supply files with unique vendor- and date-based names. For example, an interval data file provided by EnergyCAP, Inc. containing data for 04/06/2004 could be named ‘gss_20040406.csv’. If multiple files arrive for the same day, a suffix, such as ‘a’, ‘b’, ‘c’, etc., could be added to the filename. The imported Interval Data is stored in either a Meter Channel or a Counter Channel.

To import data into EnergyCAP, use the Import Wizard (File/Import from the Facility Manager). Please refer to Importing Meter or Counter Data for more detailed instructions.

it is not necessary to create a meter or counter channel in EnergyCAP prior to importing data. The first time the channel data is imported, a new channel will be created automatically. The user must populate the field named ImportID onthe Specific tab of Meter or Counter Properties. This is the DEVICE name that will generally appear in the first column of the import data file, and it links the imported data to the correct meter/counter and channel.

This document currently focuses on the text file specifications. Please contact EnergyCAP, Inc. for additional information about the MDEF, Modified MDEF, and Meter Exchange file specifications.

Text File Specifications

There are three text file formats available for use with EnergyCAP Enterprise. All of these formats require that the data be contained in a column based, delimited file, with a file extension of either “csv”, “dat”, “prn”, or “txt”.

Text File Format #1

• Header Row to define the columns is optional, but recommended.
• ImportID column containing the ImportID for a Meter or Counter (set this in meter or counter properties, ‘specific’ tab)
• Timestamp column containing the time when the reading occurred. The interval between the timestamps determines the channel interval. Alternatively, a column containing the Date, followed by a column containing the Time can also be used to indicate when the reading occurred.  The interval between the concatenation of the Date/Time of the readings determines the channel interval.
• Data column(s) to define the Interval Data being tracked. Each data column is for a separate channel.

Sample Data for a Meter tracking 15 minute interval data in two channels (Demand in kW, and Reactive Demand in kVAR).

ImportID,Timestamp,kWValue,kVARValue
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 00:15,22.56,8.208
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 00:30,22.368,8.064
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 00:45,21.984,7.344
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 01:00,22.464,7.536
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 01:15,27.792,12.768
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 01:30,22.656,8.064
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 01:45,22.608,8.112
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 02:00,22.464,8.16
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 02:15,22.368,8.064
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 02:30,22.224,7.536
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 02:45,22.224,7.392
KZG002614057,07/05/2002 03:00,22.656,7.488

Text File Format #2

• Header Row to define the columns is optional, but recommended.
• ImportID column containing the ImportID for a Meter or Counter.
• Timestamp column containing the time when the reading occurred. The interval between the timestamps determines the channel interval. Alternatively, a column containing the Date, followed by a column containing the Time can also be used to indicate when the reading occurred.  The interval between the concatenation of the Date/Time for both readings determines the channel interval.
• Unit column to define the unit for the Channel.
• Value column containing the reading value.

Sample Data for a Meter tracking 60 minute interval data in one Demand channel, with a unit of kW.

ImportID,Date/Timestamp,Unit,Value
TESTMETER,06/01/2003 00:00,KW,102
TESTMETER,06/01/2003 01:00,KW,100
TESTMETER,06/01/2003 02:00,KW,105
TESTMETER,06/01/2003 03:00,KW,110
TESTMETER,06/01/2003 04:00,KW,108
TESTMETER,06/01/2003 05:00,KW,120
TESTMETER,06/01/2003 06:00,KW,140
TESTMETER,06/01/2003 07:00,KW,160

Text File Format #3
• Header Row to define the columns is optional, but recommended.
• Timestamp column containing the time when the reading occurred. The interval between the timestamps determines the channel interval. Alternatively, a column containing the Date, followed by a column containing the Time can also be used to indicate when the reading occurred.  The interval between the concatenation of the Date/Time of the readings determines the channel interval.
In the example below, note the repeated Timestamp for different units.
• ImportID column containing the ImportID for a Meter or Counter.
• Unit column to define the unit for the Channel.
• Value column containing the reading value.

Sample Data for a Meter tracking 15 minute interval data in two channels (Demand, with a unit of kW, and Reactive Demand, with a unit of kVAR).

TIMESTAMP, IMPORTID, UNIT, VALUE
01/01/2003 00:15, METER001, KW, 100.25
01/01/2003 00:15, METER001, KVAR, 20.35
01/01/2003 00:30, METER001, KW, 105.45
01/01/2003 00:30, METER001, KVAR, 22.75

Important! During the import wizard process the user will specify the ‘picture’ (i.e. format) of the timestamp. Exactly follow the pattern of the examples provided! Be sure to recognize that month is 'MM' while minutes are 'mm'.

12/31/2005 12:15 MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm
123105 0:00 MMddyy h:mm
20051231 01:30 yyyyMMdd hh:mm
2005-12-31 0130 yyyy-MM-dd hhmm

Text File Format #4

Below is a sample import file with 15-minute interval data for KVar, KW, Power Factor, KVA, and additional optional fields for Actual/Estimated (A/E OR 0/1) and Note (alphanumeric field--avoid special characters and punctuation).

ESI_ID    INTV_REC_DT    INTV_BEG_TM    KVAR_QT    KW_QT    POWER_FACTR_PC    KVA_QT    Estimated    Note
KZG0026    08/17/2007    0    796    4426    98    4497    E    meter replaced
KZG0026    08/17/2007    15    816    4369    98    4445    E    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    30    809    4353    98    4428    E    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    45    786    4343    98    4414    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    100    778    4291    98    4361    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    115    792    4230    98    4304    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    130    752    4186    98    4253    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    145    703    4145    98    4204    A   
KZG0026    08/17/2007    200    725    4153    98    4216    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    215    731    4141    98    4205    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    230    732    4165    98    4229    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    245    705    4061    98    4122    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    300    711    4026    98    4088    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    315    718    4047    98    4110    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    330    738    4121    98    4187    A    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    345    694    3968    98    4028    E    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    400    692    4043    98    4102    E    
KZG0026    08/17/2007    415    715    4107    98    4169    E

MONTHLY channel data:

It is possible to import monthly data. Monthly data is usually imported into a counter that is tracking sales, occupancy or production.

The complication with monthly data is that the interval is not fixed because months have varying lengths. The first time monthly data is imported, the importer will attempt to determine an interval. You MUST have at least 13 months of data for each channel in order for the initial import to be successful. Otherwise, you will receive a message stating that the importer was Unable to Compute the Data Interval. Alternatively, add an “Interval” column of data, to the right of the Timestamp or Time column (if using both a Date and Time column), and to the left of any Data columns.  For monthly data the “Interval” value should be 43200 (the number of minutes in 30 Days)

Here's an example of a successful import file for monthly occupancy data:

device,MMddyyyy H:mm,data
663592-OCC,01012006 0:00,96.0
663592-OCC,02012006 0:00,95.0
663592-OCC,03012006 0:00,94.0
663592-OCC,04012006 0:00,98.0
663592-OCC,05012006 0:00,100.0
663592-OCC,06012006 0:00,97.5
663592-OCC,07012006 0:00,95.7
663592-OCC,08012006 0:00,98.0
663592-OCC,09012006 0:00,99.0
663592-OCC,10012006 0:00,95.0
663592-OCC,11012006 0:00,95.0
663592-OCC,12012006 0:00,100.0
663592-OCC,01012007 0:00,90.0
663592-OCC,02012007 0:00,91.0
663592-OCC,03012007 0:00,92.0
663592-OCC,04012007 0:00,93.0
663592-OCC,05012007 0:00,100.0
663592-OCC,06012007 0:00,98.5
663592-OCC,07012007 0:00,92.7

You can also import interval data using the command line. Here is an example and explanation of each element:

The usage is:

imptsk -d [dsn] -u [user] -p [pwd] -c [converter] -f [path] -x -a [path] -l [path] -s [section] -v [verbose messages] -remote -t [traceID]

Where:

• -d [dsn] is the ODBC data source name
• -u [user] is the system user id
• -p [pwd] is the system password
• -c [converter] is the name of the converter
• -f [path] is the file to be imported
• -x will delete the input file after importing the data
• -a [path] will archive the data to the path specified
• -l [path] is the log file
• -s [section] is the profile section name
• -v [message text] when used, will add additional detail to the import log file.
• -remote is the command to connect to the HTTP data provider (use in conjunction with the -d switch, which identifies the Datasource from the Catalog Server (as displayed in the EnergyCAP Login window)
• -t [traceID] is the SQL server trace to initiate during verification

EXAMPLE: "c:\Program Files\EnergyCAP Enterprise\imptsk.exe" -d retailer -u kvs -p kvs -c STANDARD:SIMPLE_TEXT -f "c:\b-test\*.csv" -l "log.txt" -s MY_CHANNEL_PROFILE_NAME

1. "c:\Program Files\EnergyCAP Enterprise\imptsk.exe” – This is the file path for the importer program, imptsk.exe. It is typically located in your Energy CAP Enterprise program folder. Be sure to enclose the file path in quotation marks. IMPORTANT - You must execute the command from the EnergyCAP program folder, i.e. log onto this folder before executing the imptsk.exe file. Simply pointing to the program folder from another location may cause the imptsk.exe program to be unable to run required supporting DLL files.
2. –d retailer - This is the name of the database into which you wish to import the data.
3. –u kvs – This is the User ID with which you wish to import the data. The User ID is the username you use to login to EnergyCAP Enterprise. Be sure adequate permissions exist to create the records.
4. –p kvs - This is the password associated with User ID you are using to import the data.
5. -c STANDARD:SIMPLE_TEXT – If you follow the format for the interval data in this technical bulletin, this is the converter you will use.
6. -f "c:\b-test\*.csv" – This is the file path for the .csv document which you wish to import into EnergyCAP Enterprise.
7. -l "log.txt" – The Importer creates a log file that tracks the changes made to EnergyCAP Enterprise. This is the file path to the location where that file will be saved.
8. -s "MY_CHANNEL_PROFILE_NAME" - This is the name for the interval data profile you have created.

There are three types of channels in EnergyCAP, manual channels, automatic channels, and virtual/simulated channels.

• Manual channels are created in the EnergyCAP program.
• Automatic channels are created via import of channel (interval) data.
• Virtual/simulated channels are created manually and populated via a virtual equation processor that executes the formulas associated with each virtual/simulated channel.

EnergyCAP Enterprise ‘channel data’ is any time-series stream of data OTHER than utility bills. Examples of channel data are: electric meter 15-minute interval data, weather data (dry bulb temp, wind, humidity), production data (pounds, linear feet or units of production), counter data (occupancy, sales volume, gallons pumped) and submeter data (hourly, daily or monthly consumption).

Once a channel has been created, it can be populated via data import and data may be viewed with an EnergyCAP analysis.

Creating a Manual or Virtual Channel

1. Open the Properties window for a Meter or Channel.
2. Click the Channels tab.
3. Click the "+" button. The Create Channel window will open.
4. Select the Type of channel to be created (manual or simulated)  using the drop-down list.
5. Select the Rule for handling channel data (odometer or trip) in the same fashion.
6. Select the appropriate Data type from the drop-down list corresponding to the meter/counter type.
7. Select the appropriate data Interval and unit of measure.
8. Select the desired method of handling multiple values by clicking the associated radio button.
9. When done, click OK. Or click Cancel to cancel channel creation without saving the channel.

Advanced Channel Operations

It is often necessary to perform arithmetic on channel data available in different channels to derive useful information. For example, net gas consumption of an industrial process = Submeter 1 minus Submeter 2. Both submeters track daily gas consumption in channels. It is possible to create a third, virtual/simulated channel with an associated equation that will subract submeter 2’s channel data from submeter 1’s data and store the result.

To illustrate this functionality, the example below will calculate the ECI -- energy consumption index (total consumption/total production, measured in KWH/MFT) for a plant with the following situation: Wire is produced on manufacturing lines labeled P1 and P2 and measured in thousands of linear feet (MFT). P1 has production data at 1 hour intervals. P2 has production data at 2 hour intervals. Electricity consumed by both manufacturing lines is recorded by meters M1, M2 and M3 and channel data is available at 1 hour intervals for these three meters. The following steps will allow us to calculate the energy consumption index:

1. Create meters M1, M2 and M3 (Setup > Facility Manager).
2. Create counters P1 and P2 to handle the production data (Setup > Facility Manager).
3. Import channel data for M1, M2, M3, P1 and P2 . (Setup > Facility Manager >File > Import)
   NOTE: When you import data into a channel, a new channel of type ‘automatic’ is created if one doesn’t already exist.
4. Create a new counter named ECI to handle the result of the calculation (Setup > Facility Manager).
5. Open the Properties window for this counter (right-click and select Properties from the popup menu options), then specify its code (ECI), display name, time zone and commodity under the General tab. (A commodity type of ‘miscellaneous’ is generally sufficient. New commodities can be created using Tools > Unit System.)
6. From the Properties window for the counter, click on the Channels tab. Click the + button to create a channel.
7. Specify Type (simulated), Rule (trip), data type and interval information. Click OK.
8. Now select the channel and click on the Properties button  (below the + and – buttons) to launch the Channel Equation Editor.
9. Add a version by specifying the start date with the + button. (This date is used when the equation is executed, so make sure that data is available for the meters and counters for this date).
10. Enter the arithmetic script. For this case we want (M1+M2+M3)/(P1+P2). The equation will be as follows:
    
    (( Meter(“M1”,”KWH”) + Meter(“M2”,”KWH”) + Meter(“M3”,”KWH”)) / (Counter(“P1”,”MFT”) + Counter(“P2”,”MFT”) ))
11. Click OK.
12. Execute the equation by choosing the execute button on the Channels tab (the ! button) or by using the Virtual Channels menu item under Tools–Processors.
13. The ECI channel data can be viewed by using the Facility Manager/Edit Readings, or through Analysis/Charts, or by using the channel reports (see reports CH01-Ch04).
14. The ECI channel data in this example will be calculated only at coincident time points where data is available for all five channels used in its equation. So, if four channels are hourly and one is daily, the resultant ECI virtual channel will be daily.

Below is another example of a virtual channel operation:

Issue: The object is to calculate a Daily Energy Intensity value and store it as Channel Data in a counter. The Daily Energy Intensity, for Natural Gas, is = ((Use [MCF])/(Production [MSF]))*1000. The difficulty is that the Natural Gas Use data has an interval of 1 hour and the Production data has an interval of 1 Day(s). Is there a helper function that can be used in the Virtual Channel Equation to sum the hourly Natural Gas Use data into a Daily Natural Gas Use value?

Solution: Use "Rollup" to add all the hourly Natural Gas Uses into a sum.

Rollup(“metercode”,”channel unit”, lookback_minutes)

In this case lookback_minutes will be 1440 (number of minutes in a day)

Storing the result in a separate Simulated Channel is almost essential for debugging problems.

The separate Simulated Channel CANNOT reside on the same Meter, because it results in two Channels with the same Units, but different intervals. Most of the ChannelScript Equation Objects (Channel Equation Helper functions) use the Channel Unit to find the appropriate data. The Virtual Channel Equation Processor does not handle multiple channels with the same unit assigned to the same Meter.

1. In the Facility TreeView in the Facility Manager, locate/highlight the meter that the channel is associated with.

2. Right-click and select Properties from the drop-down menu. The Meter Properties window will open.

3. Click the Channels tab and the Edit icon. Channel information for the meter will be displayed in the Channel Properties window.
   
   

4. Modify the channel properties as necessary. In the Device field, select the device from the drop-down list

• In the Number of dials field, type the number of dials.
• In the Number of Decimals field, enter the number of decimals included in the meter reading.  EXAMPLE: A reading of 1245.786 would have 3 decimals.
• In the MAX Reading field, enter the maximum reading the meter will reach prior to rolling-over.  EXAMPLE: A meter with 5 dials will have a maximum reading of 99999.
• In the Multiplier field, type a value for the multiplier.
• In the Calibration date field, type the date or use the drop-down arrow to select the date from a calendar.
  
  If necessary, click the More button to display additional (optional) data entry fields. These additional fields are only intended for use if the client has a custom EnergyCAP interface with a Meter Reading System requiring this data.  An example of such a Meter Reading System is the Itron MV-RS Meter Reading System.
• In the Channel number field, enter the 2 digit Channel Number.  Values allowed range between 00 and 99.  Used when multiple channels of interval data are being tracked by the same meter, such as kW, kWh, On-Peak kW, Mid-Peak kW, or Off-Peak kW.
• In the Channel text field, enter the text description of the reading (examples include:  KW, KWH, DMD, WATR, GAS, KVAR, and PROB).
• In the Channel integer field, enter a static integer value that needs to be passed from EnergyCAP to the Meter Reading System.
• In the Channel flag field, enter a flag that needs to be passed from EnergyCAP to the Meter Reading System.
• In the Channel float field, enter a static float value that needs to be passed from EnergyCAP to the Meter Reading System.
• In the Channel char field, enter a static character value that needs to be passed from EnergyCAP to the Meter Reading System.
• In the Read direction field, enter the single character code of “L” if the reading should be entered from left to right, or “R” if the reading should be entered from right to left.
• In the Read method field, enter the single character code to indicate how the reading is obtained:
  K = Keyed
  P = Probed Optically
  R = Radio
  N = No Read
  W = Wand
• In the RF ERT ID field, enter the 8 digit ERT ID.
• In the RF Frequency field, enter the radio frequency assigned by the FCC (between 952-961 MHz in 0.00625 increments).  Decimal MUST be included.
• In the RF Tone field, enter the 4 digit Tone used to wake up the ERT (assigned by the Meter Reading System Vendor).

5.  When done, click OK to save the changes and exit the Channel Properties window. Then click OK again to close the Meter Properties window.

Devices (a "Device" in EnergyCAP is a meter or counter) may be audited in a manner similar to accounts; however, channel audits must first be added to an audit group (see Creating an Audit Group). There are several channel audits currently available including:

• Audit 20: Meter Channel Maximum-Minimum
• Audit 24: Meter Channel Change
• Audit 40: Channel Limit Exceeded
• Audit 44: Channel SetBack
• Audit 45: Channel StartUp

To use Channel Audits after you have created a Channel Audit Group or groups:

1. Select Setup | Facilities. The Facility Manager appears.

2. Navigate to the place under which the meter or counter exists.

3. Select the appropriate meter or counter.

4. From the Facility menu, select Audit. The Select Audit Groups window appears.

5. Select the appropriate audit group check box.

6. In the Date range section, select a date range to encompass.

   • To set a predefined date range, select the appropriate time frame in the Range field.

   • To set a specific date range, in the Start and End date fields, enter the appropriate date or use the drop-down arrow to select the date from a calendar.

7. Select the Show results checkbox option to view the results of the audit.

8. Click OK.

See also: Overview: Importing RouteSTAR Meter Readings

Data is imported into Energy CAP Enterprise using a series of dialog boxes that provide instructions based on options chosen to guide the user through the import process. In order to import any data file into the system, a profile must be created. The profile lets EnergyCAP  know how the data file is set up in order to determine which database fields to populate with what data. Once the profile is created, it is important that any future files for import are formatted the same way. If the format of the data file changes, be sure to modify the profile in Energy CAP Enterprise accordingly. If the profile is not altered to match the new format of the import file, fields may be populated with incorrect data.

NOTE: Each import profile is associated with the EnergyCAP user who created it. Profile information is stored on the user's computer hard drive. See Import Odds & Ends, below, for more information.

An import ID is required for a successful import. All logical devices (meters, counters, and weather stations) in Energy CAP Enterprise have import IDs.

When importing meter data, the data used is associated with meters having the same import ID as the import ID used in the import file. The import ID can be entered into EnergyCAP during meter creation, and can be viewed from the Specific tab in Meter Properties.

You can import meter data using the following file formats:

• Text files. A file containing only text characters, usually ASCII characters; contrast with graphics file and binary file. (*.txt, *.dat, *.csv, *.prn)

• MDEF files. A file format that defines the file for exchanging data with other systems. The format is designed to support current meter and recorder technology as well as new devices to be developed. (*.imp, *.mde, *.dat)

• Modified MDEF files (*.imp, *.mde, *.dat)

• Meter Exchange files (*.imp, *.csv, *.txt, *.dat)

Data Import Procedure

To import meter/counter data into EnergyCAP:

1. Select Setup | Facilities. The Facility Manager appears.

2. From the File menu, select Import. The Open window appears.
   

   1. In the Look in field, select the directory location of the file.

   2. Make certain the File type is correct; then select the appropriate file from the File List. The filename you selected will be inserted in the File name: field.

   3. Click Open. The Import Wizard window appears.
      

3. If a previous profile exists that satisfies this import, select the default setting Use an existing profile.

   1. Select a profile name from the drop-down list.

   2. Go to step 5.

4. If a previous profile does not exist, select Create a new profile.

   1. In the Profile Name field, enter the desired name.

   2. Go to step 5.

5. Click Next. The Import Wizard File Formatting page appears.
   

   1. In the Delimiters section, select the data delimiter.

   2. In the Text Qualifier drop-down list, select the text qualifier (if any)

   3. In the Start Row field, enter the row of data which should start the import.

   4. If the data file has a header row contained within its file format, select the Previous row is a header check box.

   • The Preview section updates with each selection.

6. Click Next. The Import Wizard Field Definition Format page appears.
   

   1. In the Fields section, select a field.

   2. In the Format drop-down list, select a format.

      TYPE	ADDITIONAL SELECTIONS
      UNKNOWN Use if the data is unknown or is not defined
      TIMESTAMP Provides formats for time stamps located within the data file. Contains both pre-defined time stamp formats as well as the ability to enter custom formats.	Either: In the Picture drop-down list, select a date and time format. Type the date and time format exactly as set in the import file. Be sure to include any placeholders used in the date and time format. If the time format is known to be GMT, select the Times are in GMT check box.
      DATE Provides formats for dates located within the data file. Contains both pre-defined date formats as well as the ability to enter custom formats.	Either: In the Picture drop-down list, select a date format. Enter the date format exactly as set in the import file. Be sure to include any placeholders used in the date format.
      TIME Provides formats for times located within the data file. Contains both pre-defined time formats as well as the ability to enter custom formats.	Either: In the Picture drop-down list, select a time format. Type the time format exactly as set in the import file. Be sure to include any placeholders used in the time format. If the time format is known to be GMT, select the Times are in GMT check box.
      INTERVAL Defines data within the file as an interval of time which will be known prior to import.	Expressed in minutes
      DEVICE This is the import ID code for the device/meter.
      DATA Defines data within the file as the data associated with the device.	In the Commodity drop-down list, select the appropriate commodity. In the Type drop-down list, select the appropriate type. In the Unit drop-down list, select the appropriate unit.
      UNIT Defines data within the data file as a unit. This field will usually have a unit identified within the data file and have to be handled as such.

7. Click Next. The Import Wizard Finish page appears.

8. Click Finish to complete the process. The Log window appears, notifying you of the status of the import process, the file import path, and if any errors occurred during the process. If errors did occur, they are listed and you will need to go back and correct these errors in order to successfully import the file into the database. If the import was successful, the log informs you appropriately.

   1. Save the log file by clicking . The Save As window appears.

      1. In the Save in field, select the directory location for the file.

      2. In the File name field, enter a name for the file.

      3. After making your selections, click Save.

   2. Print the log file by clicking . The log file display is printed to your default printer.

   3. Exit the Log window by clicking Close.

Import Odds and Ends (Q & A)

Question: Where in EnergyCAP is the import profile information stored?

ANSWER: Import profiles are actually stored on the user hard drive. The location depends on the operating system:

Windows XP:
C:/documents and settings/[username]/local settings/application data/EnergyCAP enterprise

VISTA/Windows 7:
C:/users/[username]/Appdata/Local/EnergyCAP Enterprise

If you change computers or operating systems, you may discover that your import profiles are missing. To restore them, copy the import folder contents from the older computer/operating system to the appropriate folder/path that corresponds to your new computer/current operating system. If you encounter difficulties, contact customer support (http://support.energycap.com) through the Support Suite interface.

Question: Can you provide a sample of what the import file would look like for meter data?

ANSWER:

File:

ESI_ID  INTV_REC_DT INTV_BEG_TM  KVAR_QT  KW_QT  POWER_FACTR_PC  KVA_QT  Estimated  Note

12435-A     08/17/2007              0                     796               4426                          98               4497         E           Test

12435-A     08/17/2007              15                   816               4369                          98               4445         E           Test

Column 1: Import ID for the meter. Can be viewed from the Specific tab in Meter Properties. Required field.

Column 2 or 2/3: Time stamp. Either a single column containing a Timestamp, which contains both the date and time values (ie – 2010-05-13 15:00), or separate columns for both Date and Time.  Required field(s).

Data: (will vary with type of data imported. Required field.

Estimated/Actual: Can be A/E or 0/1. This is a true/false, Boolean field so there is a 1-character limitation. Not a required field.

Note: Not a required field.

Question: I have a file of weather channel data that only has 1 observation. When I try to import it I get a message saying that the interval cannot be determined. How can I import this data?

ANSWER: The observation interval can be added to the import file as a fourth column. The sequence of columns would be:

1. Import ID
2. Date Stamp
3. Time Stamp
4. Observation Interval (expressed in minutes)
5. Observation Value

EXAMPLE: A column of comma-delimited daily interval data might appear as follows:

ABC12,20080909,11:00,1440,68

Question: Why is the default time stamp for mean daily weather data assumed to be 11:00 a.m.?

ANSWER: Statistical weather data suggests that this is the point where the mean daily temperature is most often achieved.

The Channel Equation Processor executes user defined formulas to create calculated channel data.

Using the Channel Equation Processor from the Tools menu processes equations for all channels. To process an equation for a single channel, access the Facility Manager then select the appropriate meter or counter.

1. To process equations for all channels, from the Tools menu, select Processor | Virtual Channels. The Channel Equation Processor window appears.

   • Go to step 3.

2. To process equations for a single channel, select Setup | Facilities. The Facility Manager appears.

   1. Navigate to the place under which the meter exists.

   2. Select the applicable meter.

   3. From the File menu, select Properties. The Meter Properties window appears.

   4. On the Channels tab, select the applicable simulated channel.

   5. Click . The Channel Equation Processor window appears.

   6. Go to step 3.

3. Select either:

   • Automatic

     Select Automatic to begin processing based on previously specified conditions.

   • Manual

     Select Manual to set a start and end date for the processor to run.

     1. Set the start date by entering the date or use the drop-down arrow to select the date from a calendar.

     2. Set the end date by entering the date or use the drop-down arrow to select the date from a calendar.

4. Click Start.

   • Cancel the operation by clicking Abort.

5. When the process is complete, click Close. The Channel Equation Processor window closes.