USER’S MANUAL

FOR
A1800 ALPHA METER
 ELSTER Metering (P) Limited, India

DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

The information, recommendations, descriptions and safety notices in this document are based on
the experience of ELSTER Metering (P) Ltd. and judgment with respect to operation and
maintenance of the described product. This information should not be considered as all-inclusive or
covering all contingencies. If further information is required, please contact our front-end
technically qualified personnel. In no event will ELSTER be responsible to the user in contract, in
tort, (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise for any special, indirect, incidental, or
consequential damage or loss whatsoever, including but not limited to, damage to or loss of use of
equipment; cost of capital; loss of profits or revenues; or claims against the user by its customers
resulting from use of the product, information, recommendations, descriptions, and safety notices
contained herein.
RELEASE NOTE
This document is supplied with each A1800 ALPHA meter, sold from our factory.
This document is intended to provide the general technical and operational details of A1800 meter.
Note: - Some of the features discussed in this manual may not be available in the meters supplied
prior to the release date of this document. All features discussed in this manual are not part of
standard equipment. As a part of our endeavor to continuously improve product design, the
specifications are subject to change
SAFETY INFORMATION
Installation, operation and maintenance of this product can present potentially hazardous conditions
(high voltages for example) if safety procedures are not followed. To ensure that this product is used
safely, it is important that you review, understand and observe all safety notices and
recommendations within this document. Inform personnel involved in handling the product about
safety notices and recommendations contained in the document.
Within this document safety notices appear preceding the text or step to which they apply. Safety
notices are divided into the following four classifications:
CONVENTIONS USED
Type Style Significance
Italic Font Used as a point of emphasis when needing to distinguish one part
of a description more than the surrounding text.
Used to alert personnel to the presence of a hazard that will cause
severe personal injury, death, equipment damage or property
damage if the notice is ignored.
Used to alert personnel to the presence of a hazard that can cause
severe personal injury, death, equipment damage or property
damage if the notice is ignored.
Used to alert personnel to the presence of a hazard that will or can
cause minor personal injury, equipment damage or property
damage if the notice is ignored.
Used to alert personnel to installation, operation or maintenance
information that is important but not hazard related.
 3

INTRODUCTION

1 INTRODUCTION

The A1800 ALPHA meter family provides a platform that supports a variety of metering
requirements. The A1800 ALPHA meter family is a totally electronic polyphase electricity meter and
integral register for commercial and industrial applications.

The A1800 ALPHA includes all of the high functionality that our customers have come to expect
from an Elster meter: four-quadrant metering, active, reactive, and apparent energy and demand
measurements. Standard event logs and time-of-use metering are also available. The 16-segment
character LCD with optional backlight provides a flexible interface to the user for displaying meter
data. Additionally, the A1800 ALPHA meter features optional upgradeable memory for both billed
and non-billed interval data.

Our power quality monitoring (PQM) option is an efficient, cost-effective means of monitoring the
power quality and service status without the need of a separate and expensive external device.
Elster’s A1800 ALPHA meter with PQM may be programmed to test such parameters as high or
low voltage, high or low power factor, high harmonic distortion, current imbalance, voltage
imbalance, and voltage sags. Each of these measurements has programmable thresholds. The
meter will automatically log both the time and duration of power quality events.

Multiple anti-tampering and advanced security features have been built into the A1800 ALPHA
meter to ensure revenue protection for our customers. The meter’s site diagnostic capability
continuously monitors the service, verifying that all phases are present and that the wiring
configuration is correct. Adverse or abnormal conditions, such as phase outages and reverse
energy events, are logged. In addition to logging, the meter can generate an alarm. The meter can
be programmed to record cumulative demand to help monitor potential tampering. The history log
provides an audit trail of data altering or program-changing events within the meter.

Throughout every step of our manufacturing process, Elster Electricity has built reliability and
quality into every component of the A1800 ALPHA meter’s design, making it a truly world-class
meter. We have engineered the A1800 ALPHA meter based on our extensive metering technology
and global metering standards knowledge. The A1800 ALPHA is a world-class, highly accurate,
robust, system ready meter that is ideally suited for advanced commercial, industrial, and
substation metering applications. Using an open protocol and supporting a variety of
communications methods, the A1800 ALPHA meter is integral to any metering system.

The A1800 ALPHA meter’s robust power supply supports communications options, including RS-
232, RS-485, and internal modem, as well as future options developed by Elster and our business
partners. With a communication port that has two interfaces on the main circuit board, the A1800
ALPHA meter removes the guesswork needed to support different communications needs. There is
also an option to install a second, independent communication port.

Meters are routinely subjected to a diverse range of harsh environments, including extreme
temperatures and dust. Even meters installed in indoor industrial environments or inside cabinets
can be exposed to severe conditions. Elster has addressed these demanding requirements by
designing the A1800 ALPHA meter with many of the robust features used in our outdoor electronic
meters. Encased in a rugged polycarbonate enclosure, the A1800 ALPHA meter functions reliably
within a wide operating temperature range of -40 °C to +85 °C (inside the meter) and a wide
operating humidity range of 0% to 100 % non-condensing. The A1800 ALPHA meter is IP54
compliant for water, dust, and sand resistance.

- Electricity Metering, Elster Metering (P) Ltd.

 HARDWARE DETAILS

2 HARDWARE DETAILS

2.1 Physical Description

The A1800 ALPHA meter is designed for indoor mounting. The cover assembly of the A1800
ALPHA meter exceeds the environmental requirements of IEC 62053-11. The case of the A1800
ALPHA meter provides an IP54 degree of protection for the meter.
The physical components of the A1800ALPHA meter consist of the following:
 terminal cover
 meter cover assembly
 inner cover assembly
 base electronic assembly

Figure 2-1 Front view of the A1800ALPHA meter

The terminal cover and meter cover assembly are manufactured using a UV-protected
polycarbonate plastic. The meter cover assembly has a clear plastic window that allows the meter
LCD and nameplates to be viewed.
 5

The A1800 ALPHA meter can be sealed using any or all of the following methods:

Seal location Purpose_____________________________________________

Meter cover screws Prevents access to the meter except for the main connections,
(Certification) relay connections, communication interface connections, and
Nameplate .Also can prevent reprogramming and recalibration of
the meter.
___________________________________________________________________________
Terminal cover screws Prevents non-utility access to the main connections, relay
(Utility) connections and utility information card
___________________________________________________________________________
RESET Push Button Prevents unauthorized manual demand resets.
____________________________________________________________________________

The four cover screws can be individually sealed (Figure2-2). The two terminal cover screws limit
access to the main terminals and auxiliary wiring connections only. Therefore, only the terminal
cover seals must be broken to access these connections. The two meter cover screws are located
on the lower front of the meter under the terminal cover. Sealing these screws seals the main
enclosure and limits access to the metering circuit board and sensing elements.
For maximum protection of the metering components, seal all four screw seals.

Figure 2-2 A1800ALPHA meter with cover removed (transformer rated)

- Electricity Metering, Elster Metering (P) Ltd.

 DISPLAY INDICATOR AND CONTROLS

3 LCD

The liquid crystal display (LCD) is used to display meter data and status information. As shown in
following Figure, the LCD is divided into different display regions.

Energy Direction Indicators

The energy direction indicators display the quadrant and direction of the last Wh (active) and varh
(reactive) energy flow. Positive energy flow is energy delivered to the consumer load, while reverse
energy flow is energy received from the consumer load. Following Figure shows the meaning of
each energy direction indicator.
The energy direction indicators turn on to display energy flow direction when any of the meter
phases are measuring energy flow (that is, when one of the line currents is above the meter
starting threshold).
 7

OPERATING MODES

4.1 NORMAL MODE

Normal mode is the default operation mode for the A1800ALPHA meter. It is generally used to
display billing data on the LCD. The meter is fully operational in this mode, and it will process and
store data while the LCD scrolls through the normal display list quantities.
The LCD test will always appear immediately after power is connected to the A1800ALPHA meter
or after a power restoration from an outage.

Typically, the normal mode display cycle begins with an LCD test which turns on all of the display
segments. This is recommended because it provides a quick way to determine if the LCD is
functioning properly. The LCD test can be disabled using Elster meter support software. The
normal display cycle will scroll through all programmed display quantities before beginning the
cycle again.

4.2 ALTERNATE MODE

Alternate mode can be programmed with Elster meter support software to display a second set of
quantities on the LCD. Alternate mode is most often used for displaying non-billing data, but it can
be programmed to display any of the available quantities. This mode is activated in one of the
following ways:

 pressing the * button on the A1800 ALPHA meter

 after power up for one cycle of the alternate display list

Note: This feature can be disabled using Elster’s meter support software.

The meter is fully operational while in alternate mode. While in alternate mode, the alternate display
indicator is turned on.

4.3 DEMAND RESET

To activate the RESET button, it may be necessary to break the seal that locks the RESET button
in the inactive position. After the seal is broken, rotate the push button 90° in either direction and
press the push button (see Figure4-3). Pressing the RESET button performs a demand reset.

Figure 4-3 RESET button positions

A demand reset can be performed one of three ways:

 pressing the RESET button

 issuing a command over the optical or remote ports
 as a scheduled calendar event
- Electricity Metering, Elster Metering (P) Ltd.
 CODES AND WARNINGS

5 There are 2 types of codes:

 Error codes
 Warning codes

The A1800 ALPHA meter displays error codes and warnings as an indication of a problem that may
be adversely affecting its operation. The meter will continue to function as normally as possible
when displaying an error or warning.
Error codes indicate conditions that may be affecting billing data. It is not recommended to operate
the A1800 ALPHA meter for an extended time when it is displaying an error code. Warning codes
indicate conditions that may be of concern but do not affect the integrity of billing data.

5.1 ERROR CODES

Error codes override any other item that is being displayed on the LCD. Figure 5-1.1 Sample error
code displayed on the LCD

Table 5-1.2 Group E1 error conditions and codes

Condition Code____________________________________

Carryover error E1 0 0 0 0 0 1__________

Crystal oscillator error E1 0 0 0 0 1 0__________
Table CRC error E1 0 0 0 1 0 0__________
Internal communication error E1 0 0 1 0 0 0__________
EEPROM access error E1 0 1 0 0 0 0__________
General configuration error E1 1 0 0 0 0 0__________

Table 5-1.3 Group E2 error conditions and codes

Condition Code____________________________________

Security configuration error E2 0 0 0 0 0 2__________

Password table CRC error E2 0 0 0 0 2 0__________
Encryption Key table CRC error E2 0 0 0 2 0 0__________
ROM fail error E2 0 2 0 0 0 0__________
Power fail data save error E2 2 0 0 0 0 0__________

Table 5-1.4 Group E3 error conditions and codes

Condition Code____________________________________

Clock error E3 0 3 0 0 0 0__________

Display Locked by warning E3 3 0 0 0 0 0__________

Error codes of the same group are displayed in combination (E1 001010, for example), indicating
that more than one error condition has been detected.
 9

Note: Meter under error mode indicates serious conditions, which is affecting either stored data or
the meter operation. Meter under error conditions needs to be reprogrammed or returned to the
factory for repair or replacement.

5.2 WARNING CODES

Warning codes indicate conditions of concern that do not yet affect the integrity of billing data.
When the condition is present, a warning code is automatically inserted as the last item in the
normal and alternate display sequences. When the condition clears, the warning code is removed
from the display sequence. See Figure 5-2.1 for a sample warning code displayed on the LCD.
Table5-2.2 and Table 5-2.3 describe the different warning conditions and their codes.
Figure 5-2.1. Sample warning code

Table 5-2.2. Group W1 warning codes

Condition Code____________________________________

Low battery warning W1 0 0 0 0 0 1__________

Improper meter engine operation W1 0 0 0 0 1 0
warning_____________________________________________________________________
Reverse energy flow warning W1 0 0 0 1 0 0__________
Potential indicator warning W1 0 1 0 0 0 0__________
Demand overload warning W1 1 0 0 0 0 0__________

Table 5-2.3. Group W2 warning codes

Condition Code____________________________________

Service current test failure warning W2 0 0 0 0 0 2__________

Demand threshold exceeded W2 0 0 0 2 0 0
Warning_____________________________________________________________________
Line frequency warning W2 0 0 2 0 0 0__________
PQM test failure warning W2 0 2 0 0 0 0__________
End of calendar warning W2 2 0 0 0 0 0__________
Warning codes of the same group are displayed in combination (for example, W2202000),
indicating that one or more warning conditions are present. If warnings exist in more than one
group, the meter displays each group at the end of the display sequence before returning to the
first item in the display sequence.

- Electricity Metering, Elster Metering (P) Ltd.

 SE ERROR CODE ON METER DISPLAY

6 SE ERROR CODE ON METER DISPLAY

System service tests can be performed to determine the validity of the electrical service that the
A1800 ALPHA meter is metering. The system service tests consist of a service voltage test and a
service current test.

6.1 SERVICE VOLTAGE TEST

The service voltage test is intended to assist in identifying the following:

 incorrectly wired or misapplied voltage transformers

 open or missing line fuses

The following are validated by this test:

 phase voltages
 phase voltage angles
 phase rotation

Table 6-1.1 System service voltage test error codes

__________________________________________________________________
Service error condition (SE) Error code
____________________________ Voltage phase___________________
L1 L2 L3
Low nominal voltage on line 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Low nominal voltage on line 2 0 1 0 0 0 0
Low nominal voltage on line 3 0 0 1 0 0 0
High nominal voltage on line 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
High nominal voltage on line 2 0 2 0 0 0 0
High nominal voltage on line 3 0 0 2 0 0 0
Unrecognized service 5 5 5 0 0 0
Bad phase angle on line 1 8 0 0 0 0 0
Bad phase angle on line 2 0 8 0 0 0 0
Bad phase angle on line 3 0 0 8 0 0 0
Low voltage & bad phase angle on line 1 9 0 0 0 0 0
Low voltage & bad phase angle on line 2 0 9 0 0 0 0
Low voltage & bad phase angle on line 3 0 0 9 0 0 0
High voltage & bad phase angle on line 1 A 0 0 0 0 0
High voltage & bad phase angle on line 2 0 A 0 0 0 0
High voltage & bad phase angle on line 3 0 0 A 0 0 0
 11

6.2 SERVICE CURRENT TEST

The service current test validates system currents and is intended to assist in identifying the
following:
 incorrectly wired or misapplied current transformers
 open or missing load-side fuses
If the service current test is successful, L1-2-3 OK is shown on the A1800 ALPHA meter LCD. The
meter will continue to the next item in the display sequence.

Table 6-2.1 System service current test error codes

_____________________________________________________________________
Service error condition (SE) Error code
Current phase
_____________________________________________________L1 L2 L3__
Missing line 1 current 0 0 0 1 0 0
Missing line 2 current 0 0 0 0 1 0
Missing line 3 current 0 0 0 0 0 1
Low line 1 current 0 0 0 2 0 0
Low line 2 current 0 0 0 0 2 0
Low line 3 current 0 0 0 0 0 2
Missing and low current on line 1 0 0 0 3 0 0
Missing and low current on line 2 0 0 0 0 3 0
Missing and low current on line 3 0 0 0 0 0 3
Low PF on line 1 0 0 0 4 0 0
Low PF on line 2 0 0 0 0 4 0
Low PF on line 3 0 0 0 0 0 4
Reverse power on line 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
Reverse power on line 2 0 0 0 0 5 0
Reverse power on line 3 0 0 0 0 0 5
Low PF & low current on line 1 0 0 0 6 0 0
Low PF & low current on line 2 0 0 0 0 6 0
Low PF & low current on line 3 0 0 0 0 0 6
Reverse power & low current on line 1 0 0 0 7 0 0
Reverse power & low current on line 2 0 0 0 0 7 0
Reverse power & low current on line 3 0 0 0 0 0 7
Excess current on line 1 current 0 0 0 8 0 0
Excess current on line 2 current 0 0 0 0 8 0
Excess current on line 3 current 0 0 0 0 0 8
Excess current & low PF on line 1 0 0 0 C 0 0
Excess current & low PF on line 2 0 0 0 0 C 0
Excess current & low PF on line 3 0 0 0 0 0 C
Excess current & reverse power on line 1 0 0 0 d 0 0
Excess current & reverse power on line 2 0 0 0 0 d 0
Excess current & reverse power on line 3 0 0 0 0 0 d

If service current errors are present on more than one phase, a single error code is displayed to
represent all detected errors. For example, SE 000308 indicates missing current on line 1 and
excess current on line

- Electricity Metering, Elster Metering (P) Ltd.

APPENDIX A. CONNECTION DIAGRAMS OF A1800 ALPHA METERS

3 Phase 4 wire CT and PT Operated meter 3 Phase 4 wire CT Operated meter

3 Phase 3 wire CT and PT Operated meter

 13

APPENDIX B. A1800 ALPHA METER TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Absolute Maximums____________________________________________________________
Voltage Continuous 528 VAC
Surge voltage withstand Test performed Results_____________________
Oscillatory:
IEC 61000-4-12 2.5 kV, 60 sec
Fast transient:
IEC 61000-4-4 4 kV
Impulse voltage:
IEC 60060-1 12 kV @ 1.2/50 μs, >450Ώ_
(8 kV with option boards)
AC Voltage (Insulation): 4 kV, 50 Hz for 1 minute
Current Continuous at 10 A_______________________________
Temporary (0.5 second) at 2000 % of max. meter current

Operating Ranges_______________________________________________________________
Voltage Nominal range 58V to 480V (any phase).
Operating range 46V to 528V___________________________
Current 0 A to 10 A_________________________________________
Frequency Nominal 50 Hz or 60 Hz ± 5 ___________________________
Temperature range -40 °C to +85 °C inside meter cover
-40 °C to +60 °C outside_______________________________
Humidity range 0 % to 100 % non-condensing
Auxiliary power For AC power: 57 V rms to 240 V rms (nominal)
supply range For DC power: 80 V to 340 V (nominal)

Operating Characteristics________________________________________________________
Accuracy 0.2 S
Applicable Standards IEC 62053 -22 & IS 14697
Power supply burden Less than 3 W
Per phase current burden Less than 0.01 VA
Per phase voltage burden 0.008 W at 120 V 0.03 W at 240 V 0.04 W at 480 V

General Performance Characteristics______________________________________________

Starting current 1 mA____________________________________________
Outage carryover LiSOCl2 battery rated 800 mAhr, 3.6 V and shelf life of 15+
Capacity years. 5 years continuous duty at 25 °C._ __
Supercapacitor is expected to provide carryover power for all normal
Power outages for a period of at least 6 hours at +25 °C. The battery is
not under load except when supercapacitor is discharged or when a
Programmed meter is stored for an extended period without line power.
Based on this low duty cycle, the projected life of the battery in normal
Service is expected to be greater than 20 years.
Communications Optical port 1200 bps to 28,800 bps
Baud Rate Serial ports 1200 bps to 19,200 bps

- Electricity Metering, Elster Metering (P) Ltd.

 ELSTER METERING (P) Ltd.
Service Centre: Regd. & marketing Office:
22 – B-2, 1st Floor, Unit No. 11, Paradigm ‘B’,
Daman Industrial Estate, Mind Space, Link Road,
Somnath Road, Malad- (W), Mumbai- 400064
Daman, (U.T.) – Pin 396 210 E-Mail: india.sales@in.elster.com
E-Mail: india.service_support@in.elster.com Tel.: +91 22 6757 9000
Tel.: +91 0260 2242680 Fax: +91 22 2880 8067
Fax: +91 0260 2242805