OWL USB CONNECT User manual

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OWL USB CONNECT
USER GUIDE

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Table Of Contents
1.0 GETTING STARTED ......................................................................... 3
1.1 LICENSE AGREEMENT ...................................................................... 4
1.2 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION..............................................................
2.0 USING USB CONNECT ..................................................................... 8
2.1 PRODUCT REGISTRATION ................................................................ 8
2.2 CONNECTING THE USB CONNECT ..................................................... 9
2.3 SETTINGS SCREEN ........................................................................ 10
2.3.1 Parameters ................................................................................................................. 11
2.3.2 Tariffs ........................................................................................................................... 12
2.3.3 Sensors ........................................................................................................................ 15
2.3.4 Applying Settings .................................................................................................... 17
2.3.5 Reverting Back to Previous Settings ................................................................ 18
2.3.6 Monitoring Multiple Sensors ................................................................................ 19
2.4 VISUALISOR ................................................................................. 20
2.4.1 Live Data Charts ...................................................................................................... 20
2.4.2 Numeric Live Data ................................................................................................... 22
2.4.3 Historical Data Charts ............................................................................................ 23
2.4.4 Predictive Charts...................................................................................................... 26
2.4.5 Data Point Values .................................................................................................... 27
2.4.6 Tariff Plan Comparison .......................................................................................... 27
2. EXPORTING DATA .......................................................................... 29
2.5.1 Exporting Live Chart Data .................................................................................... 30
2.5.2 Exporting Historical Chart Data ......................................................................... 31
2.5.3 How to convert exported data? ......................................................................... 34
2.6 CHART PRINTING ........................................................................... 3
2.6.1 Live Data ..................................................................................................................... 35
2.6.2 Historical Data .......................................................................................................... 36

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1.0 GETTING STARTED
Run the installation program file “setup” from the CD
Proceed to the License Agreement Acceptance by pressing the [Next>]
key.

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1.1 LICENSE AGREEMENT
Select “I Agree” and press [Next>] to move to next stage of installation
A copy of the License Agreement is available on the CD

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1.2 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
The installation of the OWL Home Energy Monitor program will default to
“C:\Program Files\2SE\The Owl Home Energy Monitor\”.
A different folder location can be used to install The OWL Home Energy
Monitor application by selecting the [Browse…] button.

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Check to see which disk has enough room to load the program using the
[Disk Cost…] button
Confirm that you are ready to proceed with the installation by selecting
[Next>] button.

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The Owl Home Energy Monitor software is being installed.
The OWL Home Energy Monitor has been successfully installed.
To exit from the installation select the [Close] button.

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2.0 USING USB CONNECT
From the START Menu select “The OWL Home Energy Monitor”
2.1 PRODUCT REGISTRATION
Product registration is required to validate your product guarantee and to
inform you via e-mail of any software updates that will be accessible as a
download from the website.
* Un-check the box if you do not wish to be added to our Newsletter
mailing list where you will receive information about new product releases
and promotions.

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2.2 CONNECTING THE USB CONNECT
Using the supplied USB cable, connect the USB Receiver shown below to
one of the USB ports on your PC.
A warning screen will be displayed if your computer has not found your
receiver. Please check connections or if plugged in remove and try
connecting again. If this fails then try rebooting your computer.
When the application has found the USB Receiver it will take you to the
“Settings” screen.

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2.3 SETTINGS SCREEN
The settings screen is split into 3 windows:-
•Parameters  For setting up the voltage and greenhouse
multiplication or conversion factor with links to related websites
that could help you with finding out the conversion factor relating to
your utility company.
•Sensors  For adding, naming, and selecting appropriate tariff for
up to 10 sensor units that can be monitored and charted in the
“Visualisor” screen.
•Tariffs  For adding cost of electricity for current plan. Set up other
cost of electricity plans that can be used to see the overall cost if
you had been on or moved to a different plan.

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2.3.1 Parameters
To change the Supply Voltage rating place cursor over the current value
and select. The box will be highlighted by a blue line around the edge of
the Supply Voltage rating box. Change the value and press the [Enter]
key.
To change the Greenhouse gas multiplication factor place cursor over the
current value and select. The box will be highlighted by a blue line around
the edge of the Greenhouse gas multiplication factor box. Change the
value and press the [Enter] key.
For greenhouse multiplication or conversion factors use the links to take
you to related websites that could help you with finding out the
multiplication or conversion factor relating to your utility company.

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2.3.2 Tari s
A nominal tariff has been preset within the software but this can be
changed or removed as required.
To introduce your current tariff plan or additional tariff plans for evaluation
purposes select the [Add] key.
A tariff window will open with no values set within the bands or start times
for weekdays or weekends.
A name needs to be allocated to each of the tariff plans that are set up.

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Check the box associated with the “Band” you intend to set with Cost per
kWh and time of day that value starts to be charged.
Repeat as required for additional bands within the same plan.
Select the “Weekends” tab either to set up specific weekend rates or to
duplicate the weekday settings.
For Tariff plans that only have a single band then start time should be left
set at 0:00.

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Repeat as required for other Tariff plans.

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2.3.3 Sensors
As the receiver detects sensors in range it will add them to the Sensors
window and can identify up to 10.
Drag and drop the sensor unit you wish to monitor into the table alongside
the sensors found.
Insert a name to identify this sensor.

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Select the appropriate plan to be associated to that sensor

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2.3.4 Applying Settings
The voltage, GHG Factor & tariff settings you have set needs to be applied
for it to be carried through to the Visualisor for use within the charts.
Select the [Apply] button to apply changes made to settings.
Confirm that you wish to apply changes made to settings by selecting the
[Yes] button. All changes will be saved and used for charting purposes in
the “Visualisor” window.
If you select [No] it will take you back to settings screen with your made
changes, but will not have applied them for use in the “Visualisor”
window.

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2.3.5 Reverting Back to Previous Settings
By selecting the [Revert] button resets the voltage, GHG Factor & tariff
settings to the previous settings last used.
Confirm that you wish to revert back to previously saved settings by
selecting the [Yes] button. All settings will revert back to previous applied
settings and be used for charting purposes in the “Visualisor” window.
If you select [No] it will return to previous screen.

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2.3.6 Monitoring Multiple Sensors
Up to 10 Sensors can be received by the USB Connect at any one time.

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2.4 VISUALISOR
Use charts to visualise the data collected by the USB Connect from your
sensors.
The chart view options are split into Simple and Advanced.
The simple view enables the sensor to be monitored to be selected from
the sensors added in the Settings page and to enable Min/Max markers.
The advanced view enables different data to be reviewed 
•Live Data  Line Chart or Numerical Display
•Historical Data  Bar Charts that you can drill down into to show
information on a Year, Month, Day & Minute timeline
•Predicted Data Bar Charts that take the historical data and based
on usage to date that month or year and predict what your usage
could be.
2.4.1 Live Data Charts
See the electricity as it is being consumed displayed in chart form showing
it as cost, power and CO2 emissions.
•Energy Chart  Shows the electricity in use in kW, calculated from
the voltage setting you have used within the settings page and the
electrical current reported by the sensor.