Sensor.ini (CCTERM)Overview

CCTERM maps CC (Current Cost) sensors and probes to PVOUTPUT parameters

Mains (Whole House) probes are mapped to parameter V4

Solar Power is mapped to V2 (by pvccupload, not CCTERM)

Other configured sensors/probes are mapped to parameters V7 thru V12

Various types of power monitoring available

One (1) Meter with up to 10 sensors and 30 probes may be configured. However PVOUTPUT has only 6 additional Extended Data parameters available (V7 thru V12)

Two configuration files: ccterm.ini, sensor.ini. Sensor.ini is explained in this document. Ccterm.ini is explained in the CCTERM WIKI page

Definitions CC – Current Cost Ltd

Meter – The display unit by Current Cost. This is the device that receives transmitter and/or IAM data and transmits the data to a PC via a USB/RS232 interface.

Probe – The device that clamps on to a power cable and then attaches to a transmitter. It supplies electrical current data to the transmitter.

Clamp – Different name for Probe.

Transmitter – The device that sends probe information to the Meter. The transmitter uses the 433MHz SRD radio band. Three Probes may be attached to a Transmitter.

Sensor – Different name for Transmitter.

IAM – Individual Appliance Monitor. This device plugs into a 120V outlet. The appliance is then plugged into the IAM. The IAM sends appliance electrical current data to the Meter. The IAM uses the 433MHz SRD radio band. An IAM consumes one Sensor slot and one probe position in the configuration. An IAM may have only one probe.

4:M-1.0,4:M-1.0,7:D-1.0;

8:D-1.0,9:S-1.0,10:S-1.0;

PVOUTPUT EXTENDED DATALIVE PARAMETER

V7 thru V12

PROBE TYPEM=MAINS (WHOLE HOUSE)

D=TWO POLE – ONE PROBEA=TWO POLE – TWO PROBES

T=THREE POLE THREE PROBESS=SINGLE POLE – ONE PROBE

POWER CORRECTION FACTOR1.0=NO CORRECTION

1.XX=POSITIVE CORRECTION0.XX=NEGATIVE CORRECTION

Probe 0 Probe 1 Probe 2

SENSOR.INI CONFIGURATION

Sensor 0

Sensor 1...

Sensor 9

Sensor 0

Sensor 1...

Sensor 9

Sensor 0

Sensor 1...

Sensor 0

Sensor 1...

Sensor/Probe Types

TYPE – M. MAIN(s). The mains power is mapped to pvoutput parameter V4. Mains power is normally captured by Sensor 0 with probes 0 and 1 (and 2 for three phase).

TYPE – D. TWO POLE WITH ONE PROBE Doubles the power reported by one probe. This is a trick of sorts. Two pole circuits (a 240V circuit using two 120v legs) may be a balanced circuit. The current in both legs are generally the same. This is particularly true for appliances such as water heaters. So, using one probe on one leg and multiplying by two will give the total power consumed. This does not exactly hold true for appliances such as electric dryers. While the heating elements are balanced between the two legs, the drum/blower motor is a 120v device. The power drawn by the motor will be on one of either of the two legs of the two pole circuit. This some what unbalances the load and one leg will indicate a higher power than the other. The real reason for type D is it saves money and space on the number sensors and probes needed. If you can't live with the slight inaccuracy of type D, use type A.

TYPE – A. TWO POLE WITH TWO PROBESThis solves the problem presented by type D. Using two probes, power is measured on both legs and then combined for the total. This is as accurate a measurement that can be obtained.

Sensor/Probe Types (continued)

TYPE – S. SINGLE POLE WITH ONE PROBE This is the basic single pole (120v) circuit. These come in two flavors from Current Cost. A single probe on a transmitter (a transmitter can accommodate up to three probes) or an IAM (Individual Appliance Monitor). The former are usually used in monitoring an individual branch circuit at the service panel. The latter is used for monitoring an individual appliance such as a refrigerator. The IAM will consume one of the 10 available sensor slots and use only one probe.

TYPE – T. THREE POLE USING THREE PROBES.Not very common in residential settings. Three pole (three phase) power is generally found in industrial settings but since Current Cost supports it, pvccupload makes it available should you need it.

A note about HVAC Units:In the U.S., Most HVAC (heat pump or air conditioner) units use two circuits. A 240V two pole for the compressor/condenser and a 120V single pole for the indoor blower/control unit. To obtain the most accurate power measurements, a type A (two probes) and a type S (single probe) will be needed. The type A is attached to the compressor circuit and the type S is attached to the blower/control circuit. Since the compressor is a balanced circuit a type D could be used for the compressor and/or not use the type S and live with the slight inaccuracy of not reporting the blower power.

Additional Configuration Info

Power Correction Factor.Refer to the graphic. The power correction factor is applied to the raw power read from the individual sensors/probes. If a given probe reports consistently improper power values the power correction factor may be applied to raise or lower the reported power. It is simply a multiplier. A value greater than one (1) will raise the reported value by a multiplication factor equal to the part greater than one. Example: Raw watts reported – 100.00. Apply power correction factor of 1.1 – 100.00 X 1.1 = 110.00.

Alternate Power mapping. This not part of the sensor.ini nor CCTERM. It is a configuration parameter available in the pvccupload.ini initialization file. At the current time, the Extended Data display of PVOUTPUT.ORG displays only V7 through V12. The alternate power mapping parameter allows "solar power", and/or "power used" to be mapped to the V7 through V12 parameters. Handy for comparing power used with other power values.Example: 12:P,0:S; This maps “power used” to parameter V12 (a zero (0)) indicates no mapping.

RULES

Mains must be on Sensor 0 and occupy the first two or three probe positions. Main(s) must map to parameter V4

Type "A" probes must on the same sensor, be ordered consecutively and point to the same PVOUTPUT parameter. Example:7:A-1.0,7:A-1.0,0:D-1.0; or 0:D-1.0,7:A-1.0,7A-1.0

A zero (0) in the PVOUTPUT Parameter position means "DO NOT MAP"

Type "T" probes (3 probes) must be on the same sensor and all point to the same PVOUTPUT parameter. Example: 8:T-1.0,8:T-1.0,8:T-1.0

Although CCTERM can map up to the 30 possible sensor(s)/probe(s) available via a CC meter, PVOUTPUT at this time, has 6 additional extended data parameters available.

Using many transmitters and/or IAMs is not advisable. The transmission protocol used by CC is not very robust and when data packet collisions occur there is no retry capability. (This is based on information gleamed from the internet)