MULTICHANNEL METER ERROR CALCULATOR

calmet Eight Inputs Multiplexer MPX8

MULTICHANNEL METER ERROR CALCULATOR

type MPX8

USER'S MANUAL

calmet Ltd.
POLAND, 65-472 ZIELONA GORA, Kukulcza 18
tel.+48 68 324 04 56 fax+48 68 324 04 57
www.calmet.com.pl mail@calmet.com.pl MPX8 user manual 2012-06.doc
 MPX8 User's Manual MPX8 user manual 2012-06 2/20

CONTENTS

1. Field of application 3
2. Specifications 4
3. Operating and safety requirements 5
4. Start up of the Multiplexer 6
5. Connection examples 7
6. MPX8 PC Soft 8
6.1. Destination of the program and function selection 8
6.2. Hardware requirements and installation 8
6.3. MPX8 PC Soft start up 9
6.3.1. Language setting 10
6.3.2. Communication set up 10
6.3.3. Status field of Calibrator 11
6.4. Electricity meters testing 12
6.4.1. Type function 12
6.4.2. Procedure function 13
6.4.3. Configuration function 15
6.4.4. Auto Test function 15
6.4.5. Admin function 16
6.4.6. Table function 17
6.4.7. Graphic function 18
6.5. Customer function 19
7. Multiplexer Set and Equipment 20
 MPX8 User's Manual MPX8 user manual 2012-06 3/20

1. FIELD OF APPLICATION

The MPX8 Multichannel Meter Error Calculator (Multiplexer) together with a C300 Power
Calibrator is used for calibration and testing simultaneously up to eight electrical energy meters (single
and three phase electromechanical and electronic active and reactive energy meters and portable test
equipment) with frequency of pulses up to 200kHz.
The MPX8 Multiplexer with Mpx8 PC Soft calculates the percentage error expressed by the
following formula
EM − ER
E% = ⋅ 100%
ER
where:
EM = value of the energy measured by the meter,
ER = internal or external reference value of the energy.
The MPX8 Multiplexer is a flexible solution for creating the following systems:
• Basic System (Fig. 5.1):
for simultaneously testing up to eight energy meters with accuracy referenced to an internal
reference of the C300 Calibrator. This system employs a modern power source without need to use
additional external reference meter and additional cables. By this conception system, may be
achieved extremely compact size, light weight, high metrological properties at reasonable price,
• System with External Reference Meter (Fig. 5.1):
for simultaneously testing up to seven energy meters with accuracy referenced to an external
reference meter or
for simultaneously testing up to six energy meters and source monitoring with accuracy referenced
to an external reference meter,
• Updating of Older Systems:
replacement and upgrade of existing hardware and software.
Such systems perform the following tests:
• measure the basic error characteristics and repeatability,
• checking the starting current and no-load run,
• measure the influence of frequency, voltage, self-heating, distortion and special shapes of currents
and voltages, reversed phase sequence,
• checking the impulse output and energy meter counter,
• checking the maximum power indicator.
All systems are controlled by means of a personal computer with installed Mpx8 PC software
in Windows operating system.
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2. SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications of MPX8 Multichannel Meter Error Calculator are presented in table 2.1and 2.2.
Tabl.2.1. Basic technical parameters
Parameter Description
Impulse inputs IN1…IN8 Eight impulse inputs (up to 200kHz): INL: 0...2V, INH: 4...27V
Accuracy of measured time 0.001% @ t>4ms

Tabl.2.2. General properties

Parameter Requirements
electric shock – class III
Safety
installation category II
acc. to EN 61010-1
level of pollution 2
Electric insulation against
terminals – case 350V
voltage 50Hz
class A acc. to EN 55022
CE compliance acc. to
level 2 acc. to EN 61000-4-2...6
EN 61326
level 0 acc. to EN 61000-4-11
Degree of case protection IP20 acc. to EN 60529
utilization +5…+40°C
ambient temperature transportation −20…+60°C <100h
Climatic conditions
storage 0…+50°C
acc. to IEC 60359
for group I <90% @ +5…+30°C
humidity utilization
<75% @ +30…+40°C
(without condensation)
storage <95% @ 0…+50°C
Mechanical requirements group I acc. to IEC 60359
Power supply 9…12...18V DC and 1A@12V
External network voltage 230V±10%
acc. to IEC 60359 frequency 45…65Hz
for group I supply power 10VA
Dimensions and weight (width 290 x height 70 x depth 200)mm and 1,3kg with cables
Warm up time 1min
 MPX8 User's Manual MPX8 user manual 2012-06 5/20

3. OPERATING AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

MPX8 Multichannel Meter Error Calculator can be used in compartments, in which utilization
conditions are according to table 2.2 (I group of utilization according to IEC 60359 inside buildings
and for conditions which usually are in laboratories and factories where equipment is used and handled
with care). At direct near of the MPX8 should be not salt, water and aggressive gases and lack of
strong magnetic and electric fields. MPX8 can be stored in package in temperature range 0…+50°C
and can be shipped in temperature range −20…+60°C.
Do not open the case or exchange details during exploitations. When the Multiplexer is
damaged, it should be disconnected from power supply and measurement circuit. Manufacturer
provides warranty service and after warranty service.

Attention: when the leaden seal is crashed, user lacks rights to warranty service!
 MPX8 User's Manual MPX8 user manual 2012-06 6/20

4. START UP OF THE MULTIPLEXER

In the Fig. 4.1 is presented the Multiplexer’s front plate view, where are marked:

socket of external power supply 12V/1A DC with red LED diode of power supply

Power power switch for powering up of the Multiplexer

switch O/I
impulse inputs for counting pulses from electricity meters or scanning
IN1...IN8
heads with red LED diode for signalling about impulse on the input. 4 3
5 7 2
All pins (1…7 pin) are insulated from other circuits up to 350V
6 1

Pin Signal Description

1 NC Not connected
2 NC Not connected
3 +5V/2kΩ +5V supply output through 2kΩ resistor
for pull-up open-collector outputs
4 GND Ground, IN LO
5 +12V +12V supply output through 150Ω thermistor max 80mA
6 NC Not connected
7 IN HI High impulse input: INL 0...2V, INH 4...27V
USB-B socket of the USB interface for PC computer connection

Fig.4.1. Multiplexer’s front plate view

There is on the back panel of the Multiplexer the data plate with serial number.
Before switching on the Multiplexer should be connected to the power network 230V/50Hz
with using external power supply. USB-B socket which is placed on the front panel of the Multiplexer
should be connected to the computer by means of USB cable delivered with Multiplexer.
MPX8 Multiplexer can be controlled by a PC computer with MPX8 PC Soft, described in
chapter 6 MPX8 PC software. Before connecting Multiplexer with computer, for the first time, it is
necessary to install MPX8 PC Soft and MPX8 PC Driver.
After switching on the Power switch, red LED diode of power supply is flashing during
5 seconds, and after this time diode is lighting and Multiplexer is ready to use.
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5. CONNECTION EXAMPLES

Basic System
with internal reference

Eight Inputs Multiplexer

MPX8

Scanning Heads
CF102

External
Device Under Test Reference
DUT Meter

UL1-UL2-UL3
Voltage and current
source with
internal reference
C300

IL1-IL2-IL3

USB / RS232

Fig. 5.1. Configurations of the Meter Test Systems with MPX8 Multiplexer

UDC POWER
U1 U2 U3 C300
Three Phase Power Calibrator & Tester

OVL OVL OVL

STB STB STB

I1 I2 I3
RS232
calmet IN1 IN2 IN3 IN4 IN5 IN6 IN7 IN8

Calmet Multichannel error calculator MPX8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7
4 3
20 5 2
kWh 21
6 1

7
4 3
S0 5 2

6 1

7
4 3
0 0 0 1 5 8 7 – INPUT
5 2 4 – GND
5 – +12V
PhotoHead 6 1

Fig. 5.2. Single electricity meter testing with C300 Calibrator and MPX8 Multiplexer
 MPX8 User's Manual MPX8 user manual 2012-06 8/20

6. MPX8 PC SOFT

6.1. Destination of the program and function selection

Computer program MPX8 PC Soft is designed for control MPX8 Multichannel Meter Error
Calculator in order to full automation of electricity meters testing.
Program MPX8 PC Soft contains unrolling Electricity meter menu with functions for automatic
testing up to eight electricity meters simultaneously (Fig.6.1), which includes the following functions:

Type for entering data to testing electricity meters database,

Procedure for entering data to measuring procedures database,

Configuration for activating impulse inputs of the MPX8 Multiplexer,

Auto Test for performing automatic test of electricity meters,
according to measuring procedure,

Result for visualization, edition and storing measurements results,
Result function contains unrolling menu with the following functions:

Admin for using clients database during reports edition,

Table for visualization, edition and saving measurements results in
form of tables, with ability of printing and exporting data to MS
Excel,

Graphic for visualization, edition and saving measurements results in
form of diagrams, with ability of printing and exporting data to MS
Excel. Fig.6.1. Function's
selection tree
Customer function contains customer’s database.

6.2. Hardware requirements and installation

Minimum requirements for proper MPX8 PC Soft operation are: PC Pentium III 500 MHz,
with memory RAM 128MB and graphic card resolution 1024x600. For MPX8 PC Soft installation is
required 15MB of free space on the Hard Disc (+ space for stored results, procedures etc.). Operation
system MS Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7. Multiplexer is connected to the PC by means of the USB
interface.
Installation version of MPX8 PC Soft is placed on the CDROM. In order to install, the CDROM
should be placed into the CD drive and installation software MPX8 PC Soft Setup.exe should be
started. Installation software will copy all needed files and create group and short cut to the MPX8 PC
Soft in Windows Start Menu.
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6.3. MPX8 PC Soft start up

To start PC Soft, select the shortcut to the MPX8 PC Soft in Windows Start Menu and press left
mouse button. Start window (Fig.6.2) will appear, which contains the fields as follow:
1 toolbar of software with menu:
File (for files opening and saving),
View (for opening and closing status bar and toolbar),
Options (for setting language, communication and other preferences),
Help (information about software),
2 function field,
3 Calibrator status field,
4 operation field,
5 communication status bar with information about MPX8 Multiplexer:
S/N: 21041 − serial number,
Firmware v.1.1.0 − firmware version,
Connected: COM11 − COM port number,
and C300 Calibrator:
S/N: 21141 − serial number,
Firmware v.3.0.0 − firmware version,
Connected: COM6 − COM port number.

Fig.6.2. Start window of MPX8 PC Soft

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6.3.1. Language setting

MPX8 PC Soft can work in many languages. Pressing the button Options→Languages in start
window toolbar (pos.1 Fig.6.2) will open the next window Languages (Fig.6.3) for language selection.
Number of available languages depends on the software version. After language selection confirm it by
pressing the button OK.

Fig.6.3. Languages window

6.3.2. Communication set up

To set up communication between computer and MPX8 Multiplexer or C300 Calibrator press
button Options→Communication (or press button ) of the start window toolbar (Fig.6.2).
Communication window will appear (Fig.6.4).

Fig.6.4. Communication window

All transmission parameters of MPX8 Multiplexer or C300 Calibrator are set as a constant. The
only one parameter, which can be changed, is the computer’s serial port number. Adequate port
number can be changed by pressing button with the down arrow . After pressing the Connect button,
the changes will be accepted and computer will try to connect with MPX8 Multiplexer or C300
Calibrator. It can last for a few seconds. If everything is correct, the Connect button will change to
inactive, and Disconnect button will change to active.
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6.3.3. Status field of Calibrator

Status field of C300 Calibrator (Fig.6.2 pos.3) presents the actual state of Calibrator’s outputs
(Fig.6.5) and contains fields as follows:

1 field U – value of output voltage of channels L1, L2, L3,

2 field I – value of output current of channels L1, L2, L3,
3 field ϕ – value of phase shift of channels L1, L2, L3,
4 fields and − phase shift between voltages U1-U2 and U1-U3,
5 fields and − direction of vector rotation and type of connection,
6 field f – value of output signals frequency,
7 lamp Synch – signalization of synchronism with power net frequency,

1 2 4 8 9 10

6 7 11
Fig.6.5. Status field of Calibrator

8 fields ∑P, ∑Q, ∑S – values of total output active power, reactive power and apparent power,
9 lamps Waveform U I – signalization switching on of waveform in output voltage or current,
10 software button Standby – switches the Calibrator output to the Standby state,
11 vector diagram of voltage and current in Operate state. Mouse clicking on the graph opens
zoomed vector diagram (Fig.6.6).

Vector diagram of voltage, current and power (Fig.6.6) presents actual state of Calibrator’s outputs
and contains components as follow:

1 vectors U1, U2 and U3 of voltages in the Operate state,

2 vectors I1, I2 and I3 of currents in the Operate state,
3 resultant power vector indicator,
4 voltage vector scale,
5 current vector scale,
6 buttons for orientation change.
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1
3
2

4
5
6

Fig.6.6. Vector diagram of currents and voltages

6.4. Electricity meters testing

Functions’ selection tree (Fig.6.1) makes possible choosing of Electricity meter function for
automatic testing of electricity meters. Function Electricity meter contains an unrolling menu with the
following functions:

Type for entering data to electricity meters’ database,

Procedure for entering data to measuring procedures’ database,

Configuration for activating impulse inputs of the MPX8 Multiplexer,

Auto Test for performing automatic test up to eight meters (checking measuring accuracy, starting
current, idle running and checking ratio), according to measuring procedure,

Result for visualization, edition and saving measurements results.

6.4.1. Type function

Electricity meter / Type function view (Fig.6.1) makes possible entering meter data to electricity
meters’ database and it consists of:

1 Electricity meter name entering/reading and button for meter selection from electricity meters’
database,
2 Ub – Base voltage entering and button for meter’s base voltage selection,
3 Ib – Base current entering and button for meter’s base current selection,
4 Imax – Max current entering and button for meter’s maximal current selection,
5 F – Frequency entering and button for frequency value selection,
6 Class of accuracy entering and button for class of accuracy selection and also P, Q, S buttons
for power’s kind selection,
7 Meter constant entering and button for meter constant’s unit selection pulse/kWh, Wh/pulse,
8 Reset time entering and time selection button to set the time of powering on a prepaid energy
meters,
9 Reference meter mark meter as a reference meter,
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1 14

2 5

3 4
6
13
8
7
9
10
11
12

Fig.6.7. Electricity meter / Type function view

10 Transformer frame includes:

• Direct, CT, VT buttons for selection direct electricity meter or with current and/or voltage
transformer,
• I' / I'' entering primary / secondary current values for current transformer,
• U' / U'' entering primary / secondary voltage values for voltage transformer,
11 Comment – entering additional information,
12 Meter connection for kind of connection selection,
13 RI, RU S0 constant ranges setting,
14 new, save, save as and delete buttons for electricity meter type edition.

6.4.2. Procedure function

Electricity meter / Procedure function view (Fig.6.8) makes possible entering procedure data to
measuring procedures’ database and it consists of:

1 Procedure name entering/reading and button for procedure’s selection from measuring
procedures’ database,
2 Point name entering,
3 U [%Ub] entering and button for base voltage’s percentage value selection for phases L1, L2,
L3. Choosing state of All checkbox enables simultaneous entering or percentage selection
of base voltage for all three phases L1, L2, L3,
4 I [%Ib] entering and button for base current’s percentage value selection of phases L1, L2, L3.
Choosing state of All checkbox enables simultaneous entering or percentage selection of base
current for all three phases L1, L2, L3,
5 ϕ / cos / sin selection of phase angle ϕ / factor cosϕ / factor sinϕ and enter value and also
buttons for phase angle and cosϕ / sinϕ factor selection with button for factor’s sign L / C
selection. Choosing state of All checkbox enables simultaneous entering or selection of phase
angles or power factor for all three phases L1, L2, L3,
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1 16

2 15
3
7
4
8
5
9
6
10 12

11 13

14

Fig.6.8. Electricity meter / Procedure function view

6 and entering and buttons for angle between voltages U1-U2 and U1-U3 selection,
7 f entering and button for frequency selection with Synch checkbox for enabling frequency
synchronization with power network frequency,
8 phases rotation selection L123 or L132,
9 Waveform checkbox enables waveforms file for consecutive measuring points. Choosing state
of Waveform checkbox enables also  button, which opens waveform's folder in order to load
required waveform file,
10 Test type frame includes the following functions:
• Error test – electricity meter’s accuracy test, based on wheel disc rotation or pulses counting,
• Counting – starting current and idle running test and Min edit box for entering minimum
number of pulses in case of starting current test, or Max edit box for entering maximum
number of pulses in case of electricity meter idle running test,
• Counter test – electricity meter ratio test,
11 Test method includes:
• Impulses number of measuring cycle entering,
• Time of measuring cycle entering,
12 Test duration frame includes the following functions:
• Cycles number of measuring point (loading point) entering,
• Time [hh:mm:ss] of measuring for measuring point entering,
• Energy [kWh] increasing for measuring point entering,
13 Error limit entering and button for selection of maximum allowed error of electricity meter
in defined measuring point (column "limit [%]" in table pos.14),
14 measuring procedure table with columns of number, name and measuring points parameters.
Clicking any row causes entering data from selected row to adequate edit boxes pos.2-13,
15 rows edition buttons include functions: add point, insert point, change point and
delete point,
16 new, save, save as and delete buttons for measuring procedure file edition.
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6.4.3. Configuration function

Electricity meter / Configuration function view (Fig.6.9) makes possible activating impulse inputs
of the MPX8 Multiplexer and consists of:

1 DUT configuration – enabling or disabling consecutive MPX8 Multiplexer inputs for calculating
error of connected device under test (DUT) with field for entering type and serial number of DUT,
2 Reference meter – enabling or disabling the last, eighth input of MPX8 Multiplexer as a reference
meter input. When Reference meter is enabled, all DUT errors will be calculated according to the
eighth input of MPX8 Multiplexer. When Reference meter is disabled, all DUT errors will be
calculated according to the settings of tested point of procedure.

Fig.6.9. Electricity meter / Configuration function view

6.4.4. Auto Test function

Electricity meter / Auto Test function view (Fig.6.10) makes possible automatic test performing of
selected meter, according to chosen measuring procedure and consists of:

1 Procedure name selection and button for procedure selection from measuring procedures’
database,
2 Electricity meter name selection and button for meter selection from meters’ database,
3 Test points table with columns of measuring points: markers, numbers and names of measuring
points,
4 Control panel includes:
• Start and Stop button for starting and finishing procedure, Pause I=0 for pausing procedure
with currents setting to zero (standby I), Pause U,I=0 for pausing procedure with voltages and
currents setting to zero,
• Point, Procedure progress indicators of measuring point and procedure performing,
5 Partial results table contains partial electricity meters’ errors,
6 Average results table includes:
• DUTx column – DUT number,
• ε field – electricity meter average error value from finished cycles,
• εS field – electricity meter standard error deviation from finished cycles,
• Limit field – electricity meter admissible error value (error limit).
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1
2
3
5

6
4

Fig.6.10. Electricity meter / Auto Test function view

6.4.5. Admin function

Electricity meter / Result / Admin function view (Fig.6.11) makes possible preparing description
data for measuring report edition and it consists of:

1 Customer name entering and button for customer name selection from customers’ database,
2 Customer info frame with edition fields: Name, Address, Phone, Email of customers data,
obtained from customers database,
3 Site info frame with edition fields: Name, Address, Phone, Email of customer sites data, obtained
from customer sites’ database,
4 Comment field for additional information.

2 3

Fig.6.11. Electricity meter / Result / Admin function view

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6.4.6. Table function

Electricity meter / Result / Table function view (Fig.6.12) makes possible visualization and edition
measured results in form of table, in order to data saving, printing and exporting to MS Excel, and it
consists of:

1 Tabs field makes possible switching between consecutive DUTs.

2 measurement results table,
3 button enables vector diagram window (pos.4) of selected measuring point. Point’s selection
is done by clicking on adequate row. Selected row is highlighted in blue,
4 vector diagram of selected measuring point,
5 button for deleting rows from the table,
6 Advanced button for table edition.

1 6

5
2
3

Fig.6.12. Electricity meter / Result / Table function view

The table result window consists of measured results of DUT in two kinds of tables: table of
individual DUT results (DUT1…8 tab) and table of all DUT results (All tab).
Pressing Advanced button (Fig.6.12, pos.6) causes Advanced Table Settings window opening. The
window’s view depends on which results tab is currently displayed (Fig.6.12, pos.1). In case of
DUT1...8 tab there is one type of window, and in case of All tab is other one. In the last case, some
columns, i.e. input parameters are common for all DUTs. Both windows are shown in Fig.6.13, and
they consist of:

1 Available table columns field with possible columns for choosing,

2 Current table columns field with currently chosen columns,
3 button for choosing selected column from Available table columns field,
4 buttons:
for moving selected column up (to the left in the table),
for moving selected column down (to the right in the table),
for removing selected column from table,
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5 Default table field for default table settings restoring,

6 OK and Cancel buttons for acceptance or cancellation table settings.

1 4

2
3

Fig.6.13. Advanced Table Settings window of Electricity meter / Result / Table

6.4.7. Graphic function

Electricity meter / Result / Graphic function view (Fig.6.14) makes possible visualization and
edition measured results in form of graph, in order to data saving and printing, and it consists of:

1 diagram field of error function and error limits,

2 Y axis frame includes:
• Quantity field and button for Y axis quantity selection,
• Limit field and button for error limit selection, drawing in green colour on pos.1 field.
When limit Auto is chosen, error limits are drawn according to data placed in Limit column
of results table (Fig.6.12),
• Max field – entering maximum function value,
• Min field – entering minimum function value,
3 X axis frame includes:
• Quantity field and button for X axis quantity selection,
• buttons for zooming in, zooming out and restoring diagram’s scale,

4 Colors frame makes possible to enable/disable consecutive DUTs’ charts and change their color,
5 Cursor position frame contains cursor’s coordinates and dataset nr when any point on the diagram
is selected by cursor.
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5
2

Fig.6.14. Electricity meter / Result / Graphic function view

6.5. Customer function

Customer function view (Fig.6.15) makes possible preparing predefined description data for
measuring report, that can be next used in Admin function view (Fig.6.11).

2 3

Fig.6.15. Customer function view

It consists of:

1 Customer name entering and button for customer name selection from customers’ database,
2 Customer info frame with edition fields: Name, Address, Phone, Email of customer data, obtained
from customers database,
3 Site info frame with edition fields: Name, Address, Phone, Email of customers site data, obtained
from customer sites’ database,
4 Comment field for additional information.
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7. MULTIPLEXER SET AND EQUIPMENT

All completed MPX8 Multichannel Meter Error Calculator’s set consists of:
− MPX8 Multichannel Meter Error Calculator 1unit
− external power supply 1unit
− USB cable 1unit
− C091A T3475-001 plug Amphenol for Multiplexer inputs 2units
− user’s manual 1unit
− guarantee certificate 1unit
− MPX8 PC Soft 1unit

Optionally for MPX8 Multichannel Meter Error Calculator are available:

− computer Laptop
− computer Netbook 10''
− CF100 scanning head for sensing impulses LED from electricity meters, with UCF100
holder
− CF101 scanning head for counting rotation of electricity meter’s rotor (Ferrari meter)
− CF102 scanning head for sensing impulses LED from electricity meters and counting
rotation of electricity meter’s rotor, with UCF102 holder
− UCF100 holder for CF100 and CF101 scanning heads
− C091A T3475-001 plug Amphenol for Multiplexer inputs