FAQs – Frequently asked questions

Red_Radio_SenNet

The radio network operates in the frecuency 868MHz with 10mW of potency. The SenNet DL160 datalogger or SenNet DL161 is the center of the network and the following devices are connected to it:

• THL-I
• GatewayRF
• RepeaterRF
• EMNRF

The network has the property of auto-building itself, so that it doesn’t need to worry about how the devices are connected to each other, but it has to remember that all the devices of the network, except the THL-I ones, besides their function they enlarge the coverage.

For example, if in an installation there are 3 GatewayRF within range of the datalogger, every one of them besides their function of Gateway, they are extending the network for others GatewayRf, THL-I, etc.

When consider the coverage, the datalogger normally covers the floor of the building where it is as well as the area next to it of the top and the bot floor. With this standard it has to distribute the devices so that they get auto-organized in order to get the coverage maximized.

In outdoor the coverage is around 500m.

The THL-I device is integrated in the radio network of the datalogger SenNet DL160 and SenNet DL161 and allows to control the temperature, humidity, lighting and 2 counter inputs.

The device runs with batteries or 12V alimentation.

In the following document it is described the connection.

BX_SenNet_THL-I

The GatewayRF device is integrated in the radio network of the datalogger SenNet DL 160 and SenNet DL 161 and allows connecting some other devices with the interface RS232 or RS485.

It commands like a transparent GatewayRF.

The device runs with 12V alimentation.

In the following document the connection is described.

BX_SenNet_Gateway

The device RepeaterRF is integrated in the radio network of the datalogger SenNet DL 161 and SenNet DL161 and allows expanding the coverage of the radio network.

The device works with 12V alimentation.

In the following document the connection is described.

BX_SenNet_Repeter

Check the quick guide of the connection of the datalogger DL 160 and DL 161.

BX_SenNet_DL160_DL161_ES

The datalogger SenNet DL 160 and SenNet DL 161 can control up to 100 devices, but the limit will depend on the license that you have purchased.

The way to approve more devices is though the webpage of the datalogger, in the option:

Configuration>application parameters

Independently of the license that you have purchased, always you need more divices you can request extend the license.

For this, you have to contact with the commercial department and send an order telling us the serial number of the datalogger.

The extending is done by our technics with remote connection, so we need the IP direction of your device.

The dataloggers SenNet DL160 and SenNet DL161 offer different kind of mechanism to access to the data of the controlled devices:

• Through the same web of the datalogger: click in “access data captured”
• Configuring the sending of CSV file through FTP. In the option “Configuration > General Parameters” you can configure the sending frequency and the data of your FTP server.
• Thought Modbus TCP, the datalogger is a Modbus TCP client which you can access through the port 502.
• Through request of XML files. See the manual of the device to obtain the details of the available files and their format.
• Though the direct sending to determined platforms of data management. Contact with our commercial department the available platforms.

Through the direct sending to determined platforms of data management. Please contact with our commercial department the available platforms.

The datalogger SenNet DL160 and SenNet DL161 can control a huge number of different meters where we can highlight:

• Fiscal counter with protocol IEC 870-5-102
• Electric meters SenNet Meter
• Electric internal meters (only in the DL161 device)
• Third party trademark electric meters like Circutor, Schneider, Carlo Gavazzi, etc.
• Gas meters either pulses or through the revisor.
• Water meters through pulses.
• Electric meters of pulses directly or through concentrators up to 50 pulse channels.
• Electric meters of network quality.
• Enviromental meters of temperatura, humidity, radiaction, wind speed, etc.

The previous list is just indicative but, if my meter doesn´t appear in the detail list that the datalogger offers? In this case, our development department can include it, please ask for our commercial department.

In addition, if you wish, the datalogger can define a direct access to meter registries with Modbus RTU protocol.

The datalogger can work with every telephone company.

Here the most habitual parameters are shown:

 

Movistar:

apn: movistar.es or internetestatico.movistar.es

name: movistar

pass: movistar

DNS: 194.179.1.100 y 94.179.1.101

Vodafone:

apn: airtelnet.es or ipfija.vodafone.es

name: vodafone

pass: vodafone

DNS: 212.73.32.3 y 212.73.32.67

Orange:

apn:    internet

user:   cliente

pass:   orange

dns:    213.143.33.8 y 213.143.32.20

NOTE:   consult before using Orange.

If these parameters don’t work correctly or you use another company, please consult with our technical department.

The datalogger SenNet DL160, SenNet DL161 and OWA31lETH can be connected to a SCADA through Modbus TCP, either local through the Ethernet port of the device or remotely through the Router of the installation or the GPRS IP.

The datalogger run as a server which accepts one or two simultaneous connections (it depends on the application).

The first connection is realized through the port 502 and the second one (for the applications that allows it) through a configurable port

The UID have to be 1 and the valid functions 0x03 and 0x04. Some applications also allow writing in determinated registries (for example for acting over the Outputs) through the functions 0x06 and 0x10.

The registry map is built based in the device ID (app ID) and the channel ID. In the datalogger manual this assignation is explained perfectly.

You can access from an iPhone but not from Android.

The App of iPhone can be downloaded in Apple Store with the name of: SenNet DL.

The App allows you to:

• Configure the datalogger which you want to access.
• Set which devices you want to monitor.
• Get information of the datalogger version, serial number, MAC and GPRS status.
• Access to the current data or the historic ones kept in the datalogger of the devices you have controlled.
• See the data in list mode or graphic mode, setting the period.
• Manage QR codes associated to devices.

Generally, if the nominal intensity of the circuit that has to be measured is up to 800A, the most appropriate solution is to use current transformers.

But if the nominal valor is higher or if the section of the wire that has to be measured is very huge or there are many wires in the circuit, the Rogowski coil can be the most suitable option up to 5000A.

For the SenNet Meter

Use the 3 Rogowski coils KIT with an ensamble box to 0.33VAC.

For the SenNet DL161

Use Rogowski coils with direct connection to the datalogger.

Satel Spain preferently uses current transformers of 0.33VAC than the /5A ones.

The main advantage of the 0.33VAC transformers are:

• They allow circuit grouping so that you can measure in the same Input of a meter (SenNet meter or DL161) many circuits placing in parallel the current transformers.
• They allow distances up to 100m between the meter and the current transformer. For distances higher than 15m, underpinned wire is needed.

The SenNet DL161 device has a function of checkin of the correct connection of voltages and intensities, called ABC METOD. In the Web display of the datalogger, click in the option “Internal Meters” in the main menu and follow the next steps:

Step A:
It has to be done only once and allows checking in three-phase installations if in the voltage connection the phases sequence R S T has been respected. Don’t continue until this step has completed correctly.

Step B: 

(It has to be done for every meter you are going to use.)

Select meter, current transformer value and kind.

Click and the device will show you if the charge is measuring CONSUMPTION or GENERATION. If the data don’t remember what we expected, revise the path connection polarity or its orientation in the wire.

Step C:

(It has to be done for every meters you are going to use.)

Select meter, current transformer value and kind.

Click and the device will shoy you if the charge is measuring a charge INDUCTIVE, CAPACITIVE or RESISTIVE. To use this step you might have electric and installation knowing in order to be able to identify if the result is correct. If it isn’t, the mistake will be in the way you might have connected the path 1 (to a S or T wire, instead of a R wire) or the path 2 (to a R or T wire, instead of a S wire) or the path 3 (to a wire R or S, instead of a wire T).

The three-phase meters get the following data:

• Active energy, reactive and total apparent and by phase

• Active potency, reactive and total apparent and by phase.

• Intensity by phase

• Voltage by phase

• Cosine of phi by phase

• Frequency

 

The one-phase meters get the following data:

• Active energy, reactive and apparent

• Active potency, reactive and apparent

• Intensity

• Voltage

• Cosine of phi

• Frequency

The SenNet DL161 uses an advanced metod of calculation of the potency/energy active and reactive through a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) which calculate for all the range of fundamental and harmonic.

Calculation of the active potency:

∑        Vk x Ik x cosine (φk)

k=1 to ∞Vk: voltage of the component k
Ik: intensity of the component k
φk: angle between Vk and Ik
Where k goes from 1 (fundamental valor) going for all the harmonics (2, 3, …).

Calculation of the reactive potency:

∑        Vk x Ik x sine (φk)

k=1 to ∞

Vk: voltage of the component k
Ik: intensity of the component k
φk: angle between Vk and Ik
Where k goes from 1 (fundamental valor) going for all the harmonics (2, 3, …).

To reset the energy counters is needed to do the following steps:

–          Take out the jumber B (the datalogger must be switched off)

–          Switch on the device

–          Press the E key to see energy values

–          Press the P and E keys until the energy values become 0.

–          Put the jumber B again.

In the datalogger Web, inside “Internal Meters”, there is an option which allow to start the counter calculation.

Is important to do this:

• Always you finish the installation.

• When the device change of installation.

Check the current transformer or path connection and if it is ok keep in mind that the SenNet Dl161 includes the NO CHARGE detection, so that if the measure is under 5000 of nominal charge value, it is considered that there is not charge (0 intensity, 0 potency). This way, the possibility of false measures of small values because of the data noise is eliminated.

The following added standards are applied:

• If the resulting value of 5 over 1000 is under 300mA, it is considered 300mA

• If the nominal value of the path is under 1000ª and the resulting value of 5 over 1000 is higher than 1A, it is considered 1A. Consider this standards because it can be that the charge would be too small for the current transformer or path you have installed.

We perceive 3 kinds of Kits fundamentally:

• Narrowband: where the radio used, use narrowband technology in the frequency 869MHz. The SATELLINE 1870(E) radios are usually used, although in large areas projects the SATELLINE 3AS can be used too.
  • They are specially appropiate for links from 500m to 8 Kms (distances up to 20 or 30 km with SATELLINE 3AS)
  • The commercial name of the product is KIT P2P BE-ILINK
• Broadband: where the used radios are the broadband technology in the frequency 2.4GHz ones. We use the ZN241GI radios.
  • Links up to 500m are very appropiated
  • The comercial name of the product is KIT P2P BA-ILINK
• GPRS: where in place of radios, we use GPRS modems, giving global coverage anywhere the telephone company offers its service.
  • The comercial name of the product is KIT P2P GPRS-ILINK

In all cases, the communication devices connect to ILINK devices for the signal sending operating in mirror mode, that is to say, the signals of one side are replicated exactly the same in the other side in a bidirectional way.

The multipoint solutions allow the signals sending and receiving in installations with some remotes.

There are 3 kinds of solutions fundamentally:

• Based on the datalogger OWA31I, which is called SuperVision, and allows up to 50 remotes.
  • In this solution it is used SATELLINE 3AS radios or SATELLINE 1870(E)
  • Specially appropiated in projects with lot of remotes or when total flexibility is required when configuring the signal routing.

• Based on the SenNet 140 device
  • The base device is always a SenNet 140 and the remotes can be SenNet 140 or ILINK with SATELLINE 1870(E) radios.
  • The SenNet 140 has a SATELLINE 1870(E) radio, so all the network has to use these radios.
  • Specially appropiated in projectts with only a few remotes and distances until 8 Km (indicatively).

• Based on PC
  • Through the PC Pro software you can do a completely and flexible plan of signal routing.

There is not a specific answer to this question. However it is important to take into account some aspects that will help us to choose the appropriate radiomodem.

We are talking about the scope of the radiomodems SATELLINE and SATELLAR generally.

 

Scope in “high numbers”

In earth-earth applications (without water between them) the distance we can consider as maximum is nearly 50 Km. If the application is earth-air we can increase this range up to 90 Km and if the application is earth-earth with water between them, it will be between these 2 previous values.

If the distances are higher than these, you must consider another technology as GPRS or 3G that we can also offer to you.

 

Factors that influence the scope

The main factors are:

• The potency: our devices work with potencies up to 35W. For example, if we use 1W, the maximum range it will reach 20 or 30 Km.
• The frequency: the less frequency the devices have, the more scope they reach. For example, the VHF devices will reach more scope than the free band 869 MHz ones, which are limited for the Government laws to a maximum potency of 500mW. With this kind of devices, we are limiting the scope to 8 Km.
• The height of the antennas: This factor is really important, for example, using an antenna 10m away instead of 3m we easily double the scope.
• Obstacles: in the frequencies that work in our radiomodems it is not essential to have direct line of vision, although the more obstacles are, the less scope it has, logically.

Coverage survey

There are two possible coverage surveys:

• Theoretical: beginning with the GPS coordinates our technicians can do a theoretical calculation of the links. In this survey only the distance and the terrain profile is consider, not the artificial obstacles or vegetation.
• On field: if there are doubts about the link, this is the only way to verify the real scope. This is a service that Satel Spain offers.

It is not easy to summarize in an short article the legalization necessities, but we are going to discuss the main concepts:

1. The National Board of Frequency Allocations specifies the uses and potencies of the different bands of frequency.
2. As practical summary, if your project requires higher scopes to 8 or 10 Km it will be difficult to cover it with free to use frequencies because they are already limited in potency.
3. The free to use most used frequency is the 868-869Mhz which allows 500mW with some restrictions in the channel use. With this frequency it can reach up to 8 or 10 Km.
4. Whether for reasons of scope or other reasons, such as the exclusiveness use of frequency requirement, you can´t use the free to use frequency and you have to legalize it. It is a simple and economical step. Please contact with our commercial department for more details.

Satel Spain offers the service of certifying the radio installations, cause we are a company allowed by the Spanish authorities and we have the equipment and technicians for this purpose.

The certification measure the correct installation of the wires and radiant elements, measuring with accuracy for each point:

• VSWR (reflected potency in the transmission line). Valid data normally < 1.5
• If VSWR is incorrect, the failure is searched measuring:
  • Losses in wire
  • Distance to the failure

The CA antennas made by Completech have a unique construction features that makes them the antennas with the highest benefits and durability in the most aggressive environments:

 

• The CA antennas obey with IP67 protection, thanks to a light and resistant mechanic construction, where all the electric devices are sealed in closed cells of foam PU and fiberglass or with plastic-ABS covers.
• Internal radiant elements of copper. Internal welded connections.
• The aluminum pieces are covered of an superficial treatment to keep the properties during the time.
• The ABS pieces have protection to the UV.
• The mounting pieces of mast are of aluminum and iron resistant to the marine environment.
• The dielectric charge inflicted by the water, snow or ice in the surface of the radiant is minimized because it´s included into a dielectric protector. The relative thickness of the dielectric is higher in the high impedance parts.
• The radiants integrate a compensation of impedance for an optimal combination of small size and wind resistance joined to a great broadband and excellent VSWR features.
• The DC protection system which incorporate the antennas allows to protect the connected devices.
• It integrates a RF Choke.

It´s possible, but it must take into account some considerations which are explained in this article. To install some antennas in a same installation point, the separation of the antennas have to be vertically, that is to say, the antennas have to share the same mast.

The separation of the antennas in the mast have to be equal in order to obtain an isolation of 65 dB or higher. For them, it´s necessary to calculate the separation (in meters) with the following equation:

Separation (m)=4.5x(300/frequency (MHz))

If it is not possible to dispose that distance separation of the antennas, they well be separated the maximum as possible and a device called RK would be installed which provides an additional isolation of 10 dB.

If the radiomoded which are used are SATELLINE, to check the correct isolation between the antennas, we will configure the sending of a beacon in one of the radiomodem and in the other one we will execute the SL@F? command from a serial connection. If the isolation is correct and there is not data noise induced from the other antennas, we must obtain a data of -120 dB. NOTE: this test have to be done with the transmitter of our network swiched off.