Italian Monitoring System

The monitoring system used for the schools of Rome is composed by the X3M digital meter with current transformer.

A current transformer is a type of "instrument transformer" that is designed to provide a current in its secondary which is accurately proportional to the current flowing in its primary. In this way it is possible to measure high intensity current.

The current transformer send the data consumption to the digital meter that store the data. It's possible to decide the time gap between two measures.

With a GSM module it is possible to communicate in any moment with the counter. The data will be collected in a database used by the energy manager of the province.

The information will be managed by the specific software Energy Brain

Energy Brain is software developed in Java language to make it as compatible as possible with different PC structures and with Microsoft operating systems on sale anywhere. It utilizes Access or MySQL database supplied by Electrex as an integral part of the system. Electrex instruments are connected to the network via several communication ports (RS232 port with GSM modem, RS232 port with PSTN analog modem, Ethernet port, RS232 port with RS232/ RS485 converter).

The software runs the following main functions:

it configures the network of instruments that may be local, remote or a combination of both. As such, different localities may be created (groups of instruments) to which a calendar is matched (tariff structure) that may even be customized. In addition to collecting data from the instruments and from the relevant pulse inputs (where applicable), it is also possible to create virtual instruments by combining a number of real instruments, for instance. Data retrieval is either manual or automatic, by defining a timed downloading agenda, or in a continuously- connected mode that downloads data uninterruptedly. A password protects access to the configuration menu

it communicates with the instruments via the supported protocols such as Modbus RTU and Modbus/TCP

it stores and manages data in the Access or MySQL database

it displays daily, monthly and annual charts containing the energy consumption data stored in the database. It is possible to print both in graphic and numeric format and to export data to a file in TXT format compatible with the spreadsheets

it calculates total and partial energy costs, for instance, even for a period of time chosen by the customer

it records all the run operations and the events

Software is available both in server version, the standard one, and in client instruments and client database versions. The instrument client version permits to manage a local database, which is not linked to the server database, in that it operates directly at the instruments network whereas the client database acquires data from the database server.

The functions Configuration

This section permits to configure the network of analyzers that the software must support. The network may be local or remote or a combination of both. The configuration also permits to change the operating parameters of the instruments (only server version).

Charts

The charts show the daily load profiles or consumption on a monthly basis.

Readings display

It shows, on one page only, the readings of multiple instruments at the customer's choice. At the top, above the readings, the dropdown key for selecting the readings of the chosen locality.

On the left, the dropdown keys for selecting the readings to be displayed.

Updated 2 September 2008   by AI