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NiagaraAX drivers
NiagaraAX is a powerful way to bring data in directly from meters. Typical meters include Modbus, Lon or Pulse from I/O which can be accessed via the appropriate Niagara Drivers. Refer to the following sections for a general description of these drivers may be used in NiagaraAX to log history data for use in
shortBrandName reports:
- Modbus driver
- Pulse metering
- Lonworks driver
- Modbus driver
Most meter drivers can be found under a running station after expanding on the Config folder and opening the driver folder as shown in the figure below.
Figure 5-14 Common NiagaraAX drivers
If the correct driver is not available it should be added according the Niagara AX User Guide.
- Modbus
A modbus point can be addressed and configured using the "Modbus Client Point Manager" as shown in Figure 5-15 or the "Modbus TCP Device manager and shown in Figure 5-16.
Figure 5-15 Modbus Client Point Manager
Figure 5-16 Modbus TCP Device Manager
Important inputs in the Device Manager view include the five digit address that will often begin with the number 4. The IP address can also be entered so that the meter can be addressed over the Internet. Once the information has been entered, the "enabled" drop down box should be set to true. The meter should include documentation to determine what meter addresses correspond to what values. Once the meter point has been set up, an action can be taken to ping the meter in order to bring in values. When the point has been established, the facets should be assigned as shown in Figure 5-17. Careful attention should be given to the Modbus address and the actual value that is assigned through value facets.
Figure 5-17 Assigning Facets for Modbus
- Pulse metering
Pulse metering can be brought into NiagaraAX a number of ways, including: NDIO, OPC, and BACnet. A pulse is often provided from a utility through an isolation relay that is physically separated from the meter. A pulse meter is made available from the utility so that the end customer may have access to the same meter values as the utility without having to get data by directly connecting to the meter. The customer must work with the utility to understand the relationship between a pulse value and the commodity produced. For electricity, this value will often be expressed as kwh produced. NiagaraAX includes a program object called a "slidingwindowdemandcalc" object that can allow a user to convert from pulses to rates of usage and consumption values. A sliding window demand calc object is shown in a wiresheet view in Figure 5-18.
Figure 5-18 Wiresheet using sliding window object
The relationship of the pulse value can be entered in the properties section of the sliding window demand calc program object in the category called "kwh per pulse" In the example shown in Figure 5-19, a 0.48 value has been entered, meaning that each pulse represents .48 kwh.
Figure 5-19 Logging pulse values with numeric point extension
The sliding window program object will output rates of usage, including 5 minute demands, 15 minute demands, and 30 minute demands, as well as totalized consumption values. A numeric point extension should be used to log these values and should be set up for the correct time period as shown in the wiresheet view in Figure 5-20.
Figure 5-20 Setting time period in the wiresheet
- Lonworks driver
Lon meters are also popular with customers. As with other Lon devices, NiagaraAX can discover the categories available to bring in by using the Discover function. Setup for this is available under the Lon Point Manager view as shown in Figure 5-21.
Figure 5-21 Setting up Lonworks
Performing a Discover function on a lon metering device will bring in a variety of points that are available and logged for use in
shortBrandName . An example of a discovery of points available is shown in Figure 5-22. Careful attention should be taken to set up the points properly in NiagaraAX. Refer to the meter user guide for details.Figure 5-22 Lon Point Manager view
Once the point category is understood, the value facets can be assigned in the properties of the point using the Facets Editor dialog box. Double-click on the point then click the Facets >> button (in the Add/Edit dialog box) to open the Facets Editor dialog box.
Add a Numeric Interval point extension to the point from the property sheet view so the point can create history logs as shown in Figure 5-23.
Figure 5-23 Adding a Numeric Interval point extension
The Numeric Interval extension can then be defined as shown in Figure 5-24. Once the interval size is defined, the point should then be enabled.
Figure 5-24 Setting up history logging using a Numeric Interval point extension
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