Blue Line Innovations PowerCost Monitor User manual

PowerCost Monitor™
Installation Guide
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of the PowerCost Monitor™, a new electricity-monitoring
device that informs you in real time of the amount of electricity your household is consuming.
This Guide explains how to get your system ready for use. Please follow the instructions in the
order shown without skipping any steps.
Important Safety Precautions
Install your PowerCost Monitor Sensor Unit on a dry day and take all necessary safety
precautions, particularly if you need to use a ladder for installing the Sensor Unit. In addition,
please read and apply the safety instructions below at all times.

Do not immerse either PowerCost Monitor unit in any liquid.

Do not drop or cause any sudden impact to either PowerCost Monitor unit.

If disposing of the PowerCost Monitor, do so in accordance with your local waste
disposal regulations.

Take precautions when handling batteries. They can cause injuries, burns, and/or property
damage as a result of contact with metal objects, heat, and corrosive materials.

A damaged LCD display may leak fluids that can be harmful to your health. If any fluid
leaks from the Display Unit after you drop it accidentally, immediately wash it off with
soap and water.

Read all the instructions carefully before using your PowerCost Monitor.
Verify the Contents of the Box
1Install the Batteries in the Sensor Unit
3
Install the Batteries in the Display Unit
2
Verify that your box contains all these components. If any item
is missing, please contact your PowerCost Monitor reseller.
STATUS RESET
+
_
+
_
+
_
+
_
Rubber Shims
Alkaline “AA” Batteries
Guides
Display
Unit
Sensor Unit
(with clamping strap)
Clear Alignment Template
Remove the battery compartment
cover on the back of the Display
Unit, insert two AA batteries in the
proper orientation, and replace the
battery compartment cover.
Unlock and open the Sensor Unit battery compartment cover, insert two AA batteries
in the orientation indicated,then close and lock the cover. The red STATUS indicator
should light up without flashing within 10 seconds. It stays lit until you install it on
the meter, at which time it starts flashing.
NOTE: Ensure that
the battery closest to
the Sensor Arm goes
in with its positive
end (+) facing
inward.
1

Determine Your Meter Type and Power Factor
4
Your Sensor Unit has an extensible arm that you may have to adjust to fit to your
particular meter in Step 8. Therefore, it is extremely important to determine exactly what
kind of meter is installed on your premises.
IMPORTANT: To determine your meter type, study the illustrations and descriptions
below as well as in any other meter-specific installation guide that may be included in
your box. For more information on meter types, see the Troubleshooting section in the
User Guide.
1. Locate your utility meter.
2. Determine which of the following illustrations most closely matches your meter.
Remember your meter type.
3. Find your meter’s power factor and write it down in the box labeled “Power Factor”
next to the illustration below which matches your meter.Your meter’s power factor
is indicated on the face of the meter, most often next to the letters Kh (less often the
letters Ks or Kt).In most cases, your meter’s power factor is 7.2 if it has dials and a
spinning disk, or 1.0 if it has a digital readout.
4.
When you are done, go to Step 5 - Determine your Billing Mode.
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890
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34567
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Type 1 Meter: Electromechanical
This type of meter has dials and a spinning disk.
The Sensor Unit reads the revolutions of the disk
and transmits that information to the Display Unit.
Typ e 3 Meter:
Electronic with optical port on the face,
less than 1.5 inches from the outer rim
On these electronic meters, the optical port is on the
face, located less than 1.5 inches (37 mm) from the
meter’s outer rim.
If in doubt, measure the distance using the ruler below.
This type of meter requires that you mount the supplied
rubber shims on the underside of the Sensor Unit .
NOTE: If your meter seems to have two ports, the one
closest to the center of the meter is the optical port.
Typ e 4 Meter:
Electronic with optical port on the top
On this type of meter, the optical port is protruding
from the top portion of the meter.
This kind of meter requires you to reconfigure the
Sensor Unit and install the Clear Alignment template.
Typ e 2 Meter: Electronic with optical port on
the face, 1.5 inches or more from the outer rim
On this type of meter, the optical port is located at least
1.5 inches (37 mm) from the meter’s outer rim.
If in doubt, measure the distance using the ruler below.
ruler
Power Factor
Power Factor
Power Factor
Power Factor
2

Find a recent electricity bill and determine which of the following three billing modes your
electricity supplier is applying to your account. Then, write the appropriate value(s) in the
box(es) provided as a quick reference.
If you have trouble determining your electricity rate(s), please
contact your electricity supplier directly!
Billing Mode 1: Single (Flat) Rate and Tiered Rates
Your bill shows a single value in cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh) or more than one
value in ¢/kWh for increasingly higher consumption thresholds.
EXAMPLES:

SINGLE (FLAT) RATE
$0.063/kWh
You are paying 6.3 ¢/kWh at all times.

TIERED RATE
1200 kWh @ $0.063 ¢/kWh
and 1369 kWh @ $0.075 ¢/kWh
You consumed 2,569 kWh in total,
paying the first 1,200 kWh at
the rate of 6.3 ¢/kWh and the
following 1,369 kWh at the
second rate of 7.5 ¢/kWh.
Instructions:
In the table to the right, enter the rate(s)
and threshold(s) that are reported on
your electricity bill.
NOTE: The PowerCost Monitor system allows for up to nine different rates. If you pay
a single rate, simply write it down in the RATE 1 box for reference purposes and ignore
the rest of the table.
Billing Mode 3: Time-based (ON PEAK / MID PEAK / OFF PEAK)
Your bill shows THREE time-based rates that are applied at different periods of the day
on given days – Your base rate is a low OFF PEAK rate, the MID PEAK rate is higher and
the ON PEAK rate is the highest.
EXAMPLE:

OFF PEAK 342 kWh @ $0.063/kWh

MID PEAK* 399 kWh @ $0.069/kWh

ON PEAK** 988 kWh @ $0.075 /kWh
MID/ON PEAK applies Mon to Fri.
* MID PEAK Periods: 9:30 AM to 4:20 PM and 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
** ON PEAK Periods: 6:10 AM to 9:30 AM and 4:20 PM to 7:00 PM
From Monday through Friday, you pay:
1) 7.5 ¢/kWh from 6:10 AM to 9:30 AM;
2) 6.9 ¢/kWh from 9:30 to 4:20 PM;
3) 7.5 ¢/kWh again from 4:20 PM to 7:00 PM;
4) 6.9 ¢/kWh again from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM;
and finally
5) 6.3 ¢/kWh from 11:00 PM until the 6:10 AM
the next day.
Instructions: Enter the numbers and check
the boxes according to your electricity bill first in
the table to the right, then in the table below.
Important: In the table below, first enter all
your all your ON PEAK and MID PEAK time slots;
enter your OFF PEAK time slot LAST.
Billing Mode 2: Time-based (ON PEAK / OFF PEAK)
Your bill shows TWO time-based rates in cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh) — Your base
rate is a low OFF PEAK rate, and the higher ON PEAK rate only applies between certain
hours on given days of the week.
EXAMPLE:

OFF PEAK 342 kWh @ $0.063/kWh

ON PEAK* 988 kWh @ $0.075 /kWh
*ON PEAK Period: 3:30 PM - 10:30 PM,
and applies Mon to Fri.
From Monday through Friday, from 3:30 PM to 10:30
PM, you pay 7.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (the ON PEAK
rate); outside these hours and on weekends,you pay
6.3 cents per kilowatt-hour (the OFF PEAK rate).
Instructions:
In the table to the right, enter the numbers and check
the boxes according to your electricity bill.
RATE THRESHOLD
1¢/kWh kWh
2¢/kWh kWh
3¢/kWh kWh
4¢/kWh kWh
5¢/kWh kWh
6¢/kWh kWh
7¢/kWh kWh
8¢/kWh kWh
9¢/kWh kWh
OFF PEAK rate
¢/kWh
ON PEAK rate
¢/kWh
Starts at
AM
PM
Ends at
AM
PM
Applies on
Mon Tues Wed Thurs
Fri Sat Sun
:
:
TIME SLOT START TIME END TIME RATE TYPE
1:AM :AM ON PEAK OFF PEAK
PM PM MID PEAK
2:AM :AM ON PEAK OFF PEAK
PM PM MID PEAK
3:AM :AM ON PEAK OFF PEAK
PM PM MID PEAK
4:AM :AM ON PEAK OFF PEAK
PM PM MID PEAK
5:AM :AM ON PEAK OFF PEAK
PM PM MID PEAK
6:AM :AM ON PEAK OFF PEAK
PM PM MID PEAK
7:AM :AM ON PEAK OFF PEAK
PM PM MID PEAK
8:AM :AM ON PEAK OFF PEAK
PM PM MID PEAK
9:AM :AM ON PEAK OFF PEAK
PM PM MID PEAK
Determine Your Billing Mode
5
OFF PEAK rate
¢/kWh
MID PEAK rate
¢/kWh
ON PEAK rate
¢/kWh
MID/ON PEAK Applies on
Mon Tues Wed Thurs
Fri Sat Sun
3

The Display Unit automatically
exits Configuration Mode after
one minute of inactivity, saving
whatever values you set up to
that point. If you are interrupted
before you have finished enter-
ing all your values, return to
Configuration Mode and press
successively until you get to
the value(s) you need to modify.
Also note that pressing the
and buttons alternate
the display between AM/PM
and 24-hour format and degrees
Celsius/Fahrenheit respectively.
1. Press and hold for 3 seconds to enter Configura-
tion Mode. As soon as you enter Configuration Mode,
a set of billing mode indicators will flash (as illus-
trated on the right).
1a. If required, press the button on the back of
the Display Unit for 3 seconds to cycle through
the sets of indicators, then press to select
the appropriate set of indicators for your billing
mode
2. Enter the current hour of the day.
3. Enter the current minutes of the day.
4. Enter the current day of the week.
You will now configure your Display Unit so it will be ready to provide you with real time
information as soon as you install your Sensor Unit.
Important: Your Display Unit has three buttons you will use during configuration:
the
L
and
M
buttons on the front of the unit, and the button on the back. In the
configuration instructions that follow,“Enter”means pressing the
L
and
M
buttons to
select the appropriate value, then pressing to record the value in memory. The next
parameter will then automatically start flashing.
Billing Mode 1
Billing Mode 2
Billing Mode 3
5. Enter the Power Factor you wrote down in Step 4. If you have a
meter with dials and a spinning disk, this value is most likely 7.2.
If you have a meter with a digital readout, it is most likely 1.0.
6. You will now enter your billing rates.While still in Configuration Mode, and referring to
the numbers you wrote down in Step 5, set up your Display Unit for your billing mode by
following the instructions in the appropriate table under Step 7 - Set Your Billing Rates.
Set your billing mode, the internal clock and the meter’s Power Factor
Configure Your Display Unit
6
4

For Billing Mode 1: Single (Flat) Rate and Tiered Rates
1. Number“1” is displayed under RATE. Enter your (first) electricity rate.
Go to 2a or 2b.
2. The THRESHOLD value is now flashing.
a. If you pay a flat rate...
Press the
M
button until a series of dashes is displayed, then press .
Your Display Unit exits Configuration Mode.
Go to Step 8 - Prepare your Sensor Unit.
b. If you pay more than one rate...
Enter your (first) threshold value. Go to 3.
3. Number“2” is displayed under RATE. Enter your second electricity rate.
Go to 4a or 4b.
4. a. If you pay only two rates...
When the THRESHOLD value is flashing, press the
M
button
untila series of dashes is displayed, then press .Your Display Unit
exits Configuration Mode. Go to Step 8 - Prepare your Sensor Unit.
b. If you pay more than two rates...
Number “3” is displayed under RATE. Enter your third electricity rate.
Repeat the process, entering successive thresholds and rates, until you
have entered your last rate.Next, with the THRESHOLD value flashing, press the
M
button until a series of dashes is displayed,and then press .
Your Display Unit exits Configuration Mode.
Go to Step 8 - Prepare your Sensor Unit.
For Billing Mode 2: Time-based (ON PEAK / OFF PEAK)
1. Enter your OFF PEAK RATE.
2. Enter your ON PEAK RATE.
3. Enter the HOURS and then MINUTES when
your On Peak rate STARTS.
4. Enter the HOURS and then MINUTES when
your On Peak rate ENDS (Off Peak rate starts).
5. The SUN (Sunday) segment is flashing.
Go to 7 to the right.
For Billing Mode 3: Time-based (ON PEAK / MID PEAK / OFF PEAK)
1. Enter your OFF PEAK RATE.
2. Enter your MID PEAK RATE.
3. Enter your ON PEAK RATE.
4. Number“1” is flashing above the time,
indicating the 1st time slot.
Enter the HOURS when your 1st time slot starts.
Next, enter the MINUTES when your 1st time
slot starts.
5. Enter the RATE TYPE of your 1st time slot.
(Important: Only select OFF PEAK for your LAST time slot.)
6. Number“2” is flashing above the time, indicating the 2nd time slot.
Repeat the process for all your time slots, entering the start time hours,
and minutes, and the rate type for each slot.
As soon as you enter OFF PEAK as the rate type for your last time
slot, the SUN (Sunday) segment should start flashing. Go to 7 below.
7. The SUN (Sunday) segment is now flashing, indicating the beginning of the sequence where
you specify the days on which your electricity supplier is charging you any rate other than
the lowest rate.
RULES:
- Day segments can be either in a visible (higher rate applies on that day) or hidden
(higher rate does not apply on that day) state.
- The default states are MON to FRI = visible; SAT and SUN = hidden.
-Pressing
L
moves the pointer to the next day of the week without changing the state
of the current day.
-Pressing
M
changes the state of the current day before moving the pointer to the next day.
- You are done when the only segments that are visible are all the days on which your utility
company charges you a higher rate.
Example: By default, Sunday is not a day subjected to higher rates. If you DO NOT pay higher
rates on Sundays, press
L
to move the flashing pointer to the MON segment while keeping
the same state for the SUN segment. The MON segment then begins flashing, and the SUN
segment is no longer visible — this means that Sunday is a day where higher rates do not apply.
On the other hand, if you DO PAY higher rates on Sundays, press
M
to change the state of
SUN before moving the flashing pointer to the MON segment.The MON segment is now
flashing, but the SUN segment is still displayed — meaning that you have set Sunday as a
day where higher rates apply.
8. Referring to your entries in Step 5, set all the days of the week which are subjected to the
higher rate(s).
9. When you are done, press to exit the Configuration process.
Set Your Billing Rates
7
5

Typ e 1 Meter: Electromechanical
1. Open the Sensor Unit latch cover by pulling upward.
2. Extend the Sensor Arm to its full length by pulling
on it firmly, but gently. If you accidentally pull it out
completely, push it back into the casing.
3. Close the latch cover.
Typ e 2 Meter: Electronic with optical
port on the face, 1.5 inches or more from
the outer rim
1. Pull the Sensor Unit latch cover upward to open it.
2. Verify that the Sensor Arm is pushed in as far as it
will go into the body of the Sensor Unit.
3. Close the latch cover.
Typ e 3 Meter: Electronic with front optical port closer than 1.5 inches
to the meter’s outer rim
1. Verify that the Sensor Arm is fully pushed in as described for Type 2 meters.
2. Peel off the adhesive backing from one of the shims.
3. Position the shim on the underside of the Sensor Unit casing with the adhesive side down.
4. Press the shim in place onto the underside of the Sensor Unit body. If required, repeat
the process to adhere the second shim to the underside of the first.
Typ e 4 Meter: Electronic - optical port on top
1. Pull the latch cover up to open it.
2. Gently pull the Sensor Arm completely out of the Sensor Body.
3. Turn over the Sensor Arm.
4. Push the smaller end of the Sensor Arm upwards through the latch opening and press
the Sensor Arm firmly into the cavity.
5. Firmly push the Sensor Head behind the strap,and as far down as it will go into the
bottom cavity of the body. The Sensor Head LED must be clearly visible below the
clamping strap. If necessary, use a dull pointed object, such as a ballpoint pen to push
the head down.
6. Tuck the wire neatly into the side cavity.
7. Close the latch.
4
Clamp
Sensor Arm (Extended)
Sensor Head
Sensor LED
Wire
Wire Cavity
Sensor Arm Latch Cover
Battery Compartment
Latch
Battery Compartment
Cover
Instructions: Perform the operations in the block that corresponds to your meter
type.When you are done, go to Step 9- Install your Sensor Unit.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Prepare Your Sensor Unit
8
6

Install Your Sensor Unit
9
START – Read SAFETY PRECAUTIONS first
1. Turn on a high energy-consuming appliance in your house,such as your electric stove or
dryer. This will temporarily increase your electricity consumption and enable the Sensor
Unit to begin reading your meter’s output in less time.
2. Go to your meter, taking the following items with you:

This Guide

1 large Flat Head screwdriver

Sensor Unit

Clear Alignment Template (if you have a Type 4 meter)

Display Unit

Stepping stool or ladder if your utility meter is located

A clean damp cloth higher than eye level
3. Perform the installation steps for your type of meter (which you determined in Step 4).
NOTE: The red STATUS indicator on your Sensor Unit should be lit. If it is flashing
rapidly, press the RESET button.After 10 seconds,it should light up without flashing.
Type 1, 2 & 3 Meters:
1. After carefully wiping the meter dome clean with the
damp cloth, fit the Sensor Unit over your utility meter
as shown, so that the Sensor Head sits as close as
possible to the front of the glass dome.
2. Tighten the hose clamp until the Sensor Unit is snug,
but can move just enough to allow for slight adjustments.
3. Position the Sensor Arm LED:
TYPE 1: The Sensor Arm
must be inline with the
disk (use the line on
the Sensor Arm as a
reference) and the LED
must be centered from
side-to-side.
4.When you have positioned the Sensor head correctly, the red STATUS indicator
starts flashing.
TYPE 1 - The red STATUS indicator starts flashing once per disk revolution.This is
an indication that your Sensor Unit is correctly reading the meter.
TYPES 2 and 3 - The red STATUS indicator starts flashing regularly, indicating that
the Sensor Unit has detected the signal from your meter.Within 1 minute, in addition
to the regular flashing, you should see an extra flash every now and then, depending
on your rate of electricity consumption.These extra flashes are normal, and indicate
that the Sensor Unit is reading the meter’s output correctly.
NOTE: To maximize battery life, the indicator stops flashing after about 2 minutes
in all cases.
Type 4 Meter s:
1. Stand directly in front of your meter, at a height where you can see the optical port.
The optical port itself looks like a small protruding pipe in the center of the top portion
of the meter. Carefully wipe the meter dome clean with the damp cloth.
2. Hold the template with the protruding tab facing you
and the white arrow pointing away from you. Peel off
the adhesive backing.
3. Position the template on the meter so that the horizontal
white line on the template follows the front edge of the
meter dome,and the white arrow points straight to the
optical port.
4. Carefully stick the template to the dome, pressing it in
place on top first, then on the protruding tab down the
front of the dome.
Verify the alignment. If needed, gently remove the template and try again.
5. Slide the Sensor Unit over the glass dome and
align the edges of the Sensor Unit body with the
white side lines.
6. Tighten the hose clamp until the Sensor Unit
is snug, but can move just enough to allow for
adjustments.
7. Open the Sensor Arm latch and sight down the
opening.You see a vertical plastic tab painted white
on the inside of the Sensor body.
8. Sighting through the opening, position the Sensor
Unit so that the white plastic tab on the body is
aligned with the arrow on the template.
9. Keeping the white lines on the body and template
aligned, pull the Sensor Unit towards you gently
and slowly until the red STATUS indicator starts
flashing regularly, indicating that the Sensor Unit
has detected the signal from your meter. Within
1 minute, in addition to the regular flashing, you
should see an extra flash every now and then,
depending on your rate of electricity consump-
tion. These extra flashes are normal, and indicate
that the Sensor Unit is reading the meter’s output
correctly.
If you cannot get the STATUS indicator to react as described within 1 minute, keep
repositioning your Sensor Unit slightly.
NOTE: To maximize battery life, the indicator stops flashing after about 2 minutes.
TYPES 2, 3: The
LED at the end of
the Sensor Arm
must be located
exactly above the
optical port.
7

Synchronize Your Sensor and Display Units
10
Finalize the Installation
11
1. The Display Unit should show the ID
screen. If it does not, press and hold the
SYNC button on the front of the unit
until it beeps (approx. 3 seconds).
2. Press and release the RESET button on
the battery cover of the Sensor Unit. The
Display Unit now displays this screen.
1. Tighten the hose clamp just enough so that the Sensor Unit cannot move.
2. Turn off the appliance you turned on when you started.
Your Sensor Unit should now be correctly installed and communicating
with your Display Unit.
If there is a problem, please read the Troubleshooting section in the
User Guide.
Technical Specifications
Power
Display Unit 2 AA Alkaline Batteries (LR6 or equivalent)
Sensor Unit 2 AA Alkaline Batteries (LR6 or equivalent)
2 AA Lithium Batteries for temperatures consistently below -20 ºC
Wireless Communications
Frequency 433.92MHz
Update Rate Approximately every 30 seconds
Range Up to 30m (100ft.) line-of-sight (Subtract 5m or 15 feet
for each wall between Display and Sensor Units)
Operating Temperature Range
Display Unit 10°C to 45°C (50°F to 113°F). For indoor use only
Sensor Unit -40°C to 60°C (-40°F to 140°F)
FCC INFORMATION
FCC Class B Part 15
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
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 guar-
antee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equip-
ment 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.
Industry Canada Certification
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference, and
• This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
© 2008. Blue Line Innovations Incorporated. All
rights reserved. Information in this document
is subject to change without notice. Blue Line
Innovations and PowerCost Monitor are trade-
marks of Blue Line Innovations Incorporated.
All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
Printed in China PN BLI-00243R002
Blue Line Innovations Inc.
187 Kenmount Road
1st Floor, ICON Building
St. John’s, NL Canada, A1B 3P9
[email protected]
www.bluelineinnovations.com
Toll free: 1-866-607-2583
8