Obvius AcquiSuite Ally 12 User manual

Revision C (11/18)
User’s Guide
AcquiSuite™
Ally 12 & 48
Advanced Multi-Circuit Meter
And
AcquiSuite Ally
Configuration Console
Software

AcquiSuite Ally 12 & 48 User Guide (Rev D)
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User’s Guide: AcquiSuite™Ally Power Meters ©2018 Obvius, Inc. All rights reserved.
This manual may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission from Obvius.
AcquiSuite™is a trademark of Obvius, Inc.
Windows®, Windows® 7, Windows® 8, and Windows® 10, are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents................................................................................................................ iii
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 6
Unpacking the Unit ..........................................................................................................................6
AcquiSuite™ Ally Anatomy...............................................................................................................7
AcquiSuite™ Ally Meter Safety Summary and Specifications..........................................................9
Symbols on Equipment ....................................................................................................................9
Symbols in Documentation..............................................................................................................9
Meter SAFETY .................................................................................................................... 11
Building Service Safety Requirements (Load Center, etc.) ............................................................11
Meter Installation Safety Requirements........................................................................................11
Planning For Field Installation............................................................................................ 12
Project Manager Aspects...............................................................................................................12
Configuration & Data Viewing Options ...................................................................................12
Information Access by Interface Type.....................................................................................13
Meter Configuration Overview......................................................................................................14
Meter Installation Overview .........................................................................................................14
Verification & Communication Overview ......................................................................................15
RTU Programming and Scripting Overview....................................................................................15
Meter Configuration - Details............................................................................................. 16
Install the Software........................................................................................................................16
CONNECTION & CONFIGURATION OPTIONS USING OBVIUS ALLY CONFIGURATION CONSOLE...16
Recommended Connection via USB AB Cable.........................................................................16
Ethernet Network Connection ................................................................................................17
DYNAMIC HOST CONFIGURATION PROTOCOL (DHCP):....................................................17
DIRECT: ....................................................................................................................................18
NETWORK SCAN ......................................................................................................................19
LAUNCH CONFIGURATOR........................................................................................................19
Obvius Ally Configuration Console Software Overview.................................................................20
Obvius Ally Configuration Console Documentation ......................................................................21
Configuring Electrical Components using Obvius Ally Configuration Console ..............................22
Configuring Communications using Obvius Ally Configuration Console .......................................23
CONFIGURING ALARMS IN OBVIUS ALLY CONFIGURATION CONSOLE..........................................24
Configuration Input Methods..................................................................................................24
Nominal Values........................................................................................................................24
Absolute Values.......................................................................................................................24
Setting the Real Time Clock.....................................................................................................25
Real Time Clock Power Source..........................................................................................25
Retrieving Interval Data...........................................................................................................26
Web Application Overview ............................................................................................................27

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Connect to Web Application using USB ..................................................................................27
Connect to Web Application using Ethernet...........................................................................27
Authentication.........................................................................................................................27
Meter Installation - Details ................................................................................................ 28
Meter Mounting Configurations....................................................................................................28
Installation Sequence ..............................................................................................................29
Connecting Voltage .................................................................................................................31
Wiring the AcquiSuite™ Ally Meter in a 3-wire, Split ɸService Panel...........................................32
Wiring the AcquiSuite™ Ally Meter in a 4-wire, 3 ɸService Panel................................................33
Current Transformer Basics ...........................................................................................................34
Wiring the CTs to the AcquiSuite™ Ally Meter...............................................................................35
Communication & Verification - Details ............................................................................. 36
Physical Connections on an RS-485 Multidrop Network ...............................................................36
Communication Verification ..........................................................................................................37
Obvius Ally Configuration Console / Web Application............................................................37
Physical Interface Verification .......................................................................................................38
Serial Setup Verification ..........................................................................................................38
LAN Ethernet Network Verification.........................................................................................38
DHCP........................................................................................................................................38
STATIC IP..................................................................................................................................38
Protocol Verification ......................................................................................................................39
Modbus Settings ............................................................................................................................39
Modbus RTU Settings ..............................................................................................................39
Modbus TCP Settings...............................................................................................................39
BACnet Settings..............................................................................................................................39
BACnet MSTP...........................................................................................................................39
BACnet IP.................................................................................................................................39
Pulse Inputs....................................................................................................................................40
ALARM (SPDT)................................................................................................................................41
12 Volt Auxiliary Power..................................................................................................................41
Access Restriction Limitations.................................................................................................42
Security PIN Protection ...........................................................................................................42
USING THE PERMISSION REGISTERS........................................................................................42
Read Only Permission Register................................................................................................43
Read/Write Permission Register .............................................................................................43
READING PINS OVER MODUS OR BACNET ..............................................................................43
Obvius Ally Configuration Console UNRESTRICTED ACCESS ...................................................43
Verification of CT Installation ........................................................................................................44
Installation Phase Verification.................................................................................................44
Phase Checking By Phasor Plot................................................................................................45
CT Orientation Check .....................................................................................................................46

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Power Factor Convention ..............................................................................................................47
Total Harmonic Distortion .............................................................................................................47
Pre-Processing Aids........................................................................................................................48
Snap Thresholds ......................................................................................................................48
Multipliers ...............................................................................................................................48
CT Phase Shifts ........................................................................................................................48
Demand ...................................................................................................................................48
RTU Programming and Scripting - Details........................................................................... 49
Register Organization.....................................................................................................................49
Element vs System Scope........................................................................................................49
Configuring Element and Channel Register for Service Types ................................................50
Configuring System Registers..................................................................................................51
Modbus Protocol Commands ........................................................................................................52
BACnet ...........................................................................................................................................53
BACnet Structured View..........................................................................................................53
Appendix A—ACQUISUITE™ Ally LCD Menu Navigation ..................................................... 55
MENU NAVIGATION.......................................................................................................................56
COMMUNICATION NAVIGATION ...................................................................................................57
Appendix B—Enclosure Dimensions................................................................................... 58
Appendix C—Mounting Templates..................................................................................... 59
Appendix D—ACQUISUITE™ Ally Technical Specifications .................................................. 61

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INTRODUCTION
There are two meters in the AcquiSuite™Series: the AcquiSuite™Ally 12 & Ally 48. These meters monitor
the voltage, current, power, energy, and many other electrical parameters on single and three-phase
electrical systems. A AcquiSuite™Ally meter uses direct connections to each phase of the voltage and
current transformers to monitor each phase of the current. Information on energy use, demand, power
factor, line frequency, and more are derived from these voltage and current inputs.
The AcquiSuite Ally is the perfect companion to the Obvius data acquisition product line. The Ally 48’s
versatile power metering functionality continues the Obvius mission of lowering the total cost of collecting
data by reducing install complexity, and increasing flexibility. The plug-and-play integration ensures the
hundreds of data points are immediately captured and made available for countless applications.
The AcquiSuite™Ally meter communication interfaces include Ethernet (LAN), RS-485 serial, BACnet
MS/TP and Modbus RTU are the two communication protocols that operate over an RS-485 serial network
and BACnet IP and Modbus TCP are supported over Ethernet. A USB port is also provided as the preferred
connection for on-site configuration and can be run concurrently with an RTU.
Unpacking the Unit
The AcquiSuite™Ally can be ordered with optional product features which are identifiable on the part
number label.
AcquiSuite™ Ally Part Numbering Scheme
AMC48-ED 48 Input Meter Enclosure with display
AMC48-EN 48 Input Enclosure without display
AMC48-MD 48 Input Mounting Plate with display
AMC48-MN 48 Input Mounting Plate without display
AMC12-ED 12 Input Enclosure with display
AMC12-EN 12 Input Enclosure without display
AMC12-MD 12 Input Mounting Plate with display
AMC12-MN 12 Input Mounting Plate without display
Each AcquiSuite™ Ally meter shipment also includes the following items:
▪Meter with Options Installed –Serial Number, MAC ID, and FCC ID indicated on side label.
▪Pluggable Connectors (2 voltage, 50 three-position terminals, 3 two-position terminals)
oAMC48 (2 voltage, 50 three-position terminals, 3 two-position terminals)
oAMC12 (1 voltage, 14 three-position terminals, 5 two-position terminals)
▪Thumb drive containing Obvius Ally Configuration Console Software, Register List, Manual,
Tutorial Videos
▪Certificate of Calibration (COC) for each unit

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AcquiSuite™Ally Anatomy
All user connections are made on the circuit board. Connectors are identified by function and include
polarity markers.
Element ID Element ID
LCD Display
Navigation
Buttons
Plate
Ground
Serial #
Model #
MAC ID(s)
Voltage
Input 1
Voltage
Input 2
AMC48 mounting plate version shown

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AMC12 enclosure version with display shown (cover removed)

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AcquiSuite™Ally Meter Safety Summary and Specifications
This general safety information is to
be used by both the Logger operator
and servicing personnel. Obvius, Inc.
assumes no liability for user’s failure
to comply with these safety
guidelines.
AMC12-B-y-z, -P-y-z
AMC48-B-y-z, -P-y-z
AMC12-C-y-z
AMC48-C-y-z
The AcquiSuite™ Family conform to
the following:
AcquiSuite™Ally 12 & Ally 48:
Conforms to UL Std 61010-1, 3rd
Edition
Certified to CSA Std C22.2 No.
61010-1, 3rd Edition
AcquiSuite™Ally devices need to be installed in a user-supplied UL Listed/ uR Recognized enclosure in order to comply
with NEC and local electrical codes.
The AcquiSuite™Ally is an Over-Voltage Category III device. Use approved protection when operating the device.
CAUTION: THIS METER MAY CONTAIN LIFE THREATENING VOLTAGES. QUALIFIED PERSONNEL MUST DISCONNECT
ALL HIGH VOLTAGE WIRING BEFORE SERVICING THE METER WITH THE HIGH VOLTAGE TOUCH SAFE
COVER REMOVED.
Symbols on Equipment
Denotes caution. See manual for a description of the meanings.
DENOTES HIGH VOLTAGE. RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK. LIFE THREATENING VOLTAGES MAY BE PRESENT.
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY.
Equipment protected throughout by double insulation (IEC 536 Class II).
Symbols in Documentation
Contains additional information pertinent to current subject
DO NOT EXCEED 346V Line to Neutral or 600 volts Line to Line. This meter is equipped to
monitor loads up to 346V L-N. Exceeding this voltage will cause damage to the meter and
danger to the user. Always use a Potential Transformer (PT) for voltages in excess of 346V
L-N or 600 volts line to line. The AcquiSuite™Ally is a 600 Volt Over Voltage Category III
device.

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MAINTENANCE
There is no required maintenance with the AcquiSuite™Ally 12 & Ally 48 meter.
Abide by the following items:
•Cleaning: No cleaning agents, including water, shall be used on the AcquiSuite™ Ally 12 & Ally 48 meter.
•No accessories are approved for use with the AcquiSuite™ Ally 12 & Ally 48 meter, other than those
specified in the Obvius product literature and price sheets.
•If the meter appears damaged or defective, first disconnect all power to the meter. Then call or email
technical support for assistance.
Obvius
20497 SW Teton Avenue, Tualatin, OR 97062
[phone]
[phone] (USA Only)