Alpha Keys

Alpha Keys

User GuideRelease 2.3

www.elster.com

http://www.elster.com

Alpha KeysUser Guide 3 Contents

Contents

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4About Alpha Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Upgrading meter types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5A3 ALPHA meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5A1800 ALPHA meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5ALPHA Plus meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Upgrading meter functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6A3 ALPHA meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6A1800 ALPHA meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6ALPHA Plus meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Updating DSP code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

2 Installing Alpha Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Other requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Installing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Installing .NET Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Installing Alpha Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Launching Alpha Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Configuring Alpha Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Configuring connections in Metercat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Configuring meter passwords in Metercat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Connecting the Hard Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Exiting Alpha Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3 Using Alpha Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Upgrading a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Upgrading DSP code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

4 Adding Soft Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Transferring Soft Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Replenishing a Hard Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

5 Log File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Viewing the Log File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Alpha KeysUser Guide

Alpha KeysUser Guide 4 1. Introduction

1 Introduction

Alpha Keys is a combination of hardware and software that can upgrade an ALPHA meter. Using Alpha Keys, you can perform either meter type upgrades (for example, A3D to A3T) or feature upgrades (A3T to A3TL).

Note: Alpha Keys software is shipped on the Metercat installation CD-ROM. The software is accessed from Metercat using the Tools menu.

To use Alpha Keys, you should have Metercat 1.95 or later installed on your computer.

About Alpha Keys

Alpha Keys has three components:

• Alpha Keys software - Windows-based software that performs the meter upgrade, Soft Key transfer or replenishment

Note: Metercat 1.95 or later is required to use Alpha Keys.

• Hard Key - a physical device that attaches to any USB (universal serial bus) port of a computer (Figure 1-1) and acts as a storage container for the Soft Keys

• Soft Keys - software counters stored in the Hard Key that allow specific upgrades to occur. One Soft Key permits one upgrade of one ALPHA meter; the Soft Keys counters are decremented accordingly.

Note: Alpha Keys allows you to transfer Soft Keys from one Hard Key to another. See “Transferring Soft Keys” on page 28 for details.

The Alpha Keys software is installed on the same computer as the Metercat software. The Hard Key can be detached from one computer and moved to another as long as the computer has a USB port and both Metercat and Alpha Keys software are installed.

Figure 1-1. Alpha Hard Key - USB

Alpha Keys allows you to upgrade meter types or add advanced features to an ALPHA meter.

User Guide Alpha Keys


Upgrading meter types

A3 ALPHA meterThe following types of upgrades are available for A3 ALPHA meters:

Note: Alpha Keys does not support upgrading an A3D, A3T, A3K or A3R meter to an A3Q (Q-hour) meter.

A1800 ALPHA meterAll Elster A1800 ALPHA meters are A1800R meter type and therefore cannot be meter type upgraded. However, A1800 ALPHA meters can be function upgraded. See “Upgrading meter functions” on page 6.

ALPHA Plus meterThe following types of upgrades are available for ALPHA Plus meters:

Current meter type Can be upgraded to

A3D A3T1

A3K1

A3R1

1. Following an upgrade of an A3D meter to an A3T, A3K, or A3R meter, you must install a battery if you intend to use the meter for measuring anything other than a single rate demand.

A3T A3KA3R

A3K A3R

A3R A3K

Current meter type Can be upgraded to

A1D+ A1T+1

A1K+1

A1R+1

1. Following an upgrade of an A1D+ meter to an A1T+, A1K+, or A1R+ meter, you must install a battery if you intend to use the meter for measuring anything other than a single rate demand.

A1T+ A1K+A1R+

A1K+ A1R+

A1R+ A1K+


Upgrading meter functions

A3 ALPHA meterThe following options can be added to the meter by using Alpha Keys:

A1800 ALPHA meterThe following functions can be added to the A1800 ALPHA meter (A1800R) using Alpha Keys.

Additional function Current meter type Can be upgraded to

Power quality monitoring(PQM)

A3DA3TA3KA3RA3Q

A3DQA3TQA3KQA3RQA3QQ

Load profiling(LP)

A3TA3KA3RA3Q

A3TLA3KLA3RLA3QL

Instrumentation profiling1

(IP)

1. Requires load profiling function.

A3TLA3KLA3RLA3QL

A3TLNA3KLNA3RLNA3QLN

Transformer and line loss compensation2

(LC)

2. Only available on specific meter Forms. Contact Elster for additional details.

A3RA3Q

A3RCA3QC

Advanced four quadrant metering(ADV 4Q)

A3KA3RA3Q

A3KAA3RAA3QA



A1800R A1800RQ

Load profiling(LP)

A1800R A1800RL

Instrumentation profiling1

(IP)

1. Requires load profiling function.

A1800R A1800RLN

Transformer and line loss compensation2

(LC)

2. Only available on specific meter Forms. Contact Elster for additional details.

A1800R A1800RC

Advanced four quadrant metering(ADV 4Q)

A1800R A1800RA


ALPHA Plus meterThe following functions can be added to the ALPHA Plus meter (A1+) using Alpha Keys.

Updating DSP codeAlpha Keys checks the digital signal processor (DSP) code in the connected meter. If an update for the connected meter’s DSP code revision is available, Alpha Keys will update the DSP code appropriately. See “Upgrading DSP code” on page 27 for details.

Note: A Hard Key is not required to perform a DSP code update.



A1D+A1T+A1K+A1R+

A1DQ+A1TQ+A1KQ+A1RQ+

Load profiling(LP)

A1D+A1T+A1K+A1R+

A1DL+A1TL+A1KL+A1RL+

Alpha KeysUser Guide 8 2. Installing Alpha Keys

2 Installing Alpha Keys

Note: Alpha Keys software is shipped on the Metercat installation CD-ROM. The software is accessed from Metercat using the Tools menu.

To use Alpha Keys, you should have Metercat 1.95 or later installed on your computer.

Requirements

To operate Alpha Keys, you need the following:

• Intel Pentium®/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended with appropriate keyboard and pointing device

• 32 MB of RAM (64 MB recommended)

• a hard disk with 20 MB free space

• a CD drive (or network access to the installation CD)

• a SVGA monitor (minimum resolution of 800 x 600 pixels, Font Size = Small Fonts)

• Windows 2000/XP/Vista

• USB port

Other requirementsIn addition, your computer must be equipped with the following:

• optical probe

• Metercat 1.95 or later

• Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 or later (if not already installed it will be installed with Alpha Keys software)

• Internet Explorer 5.01 or higher

Note: A Hard Key with Soft Keys available is required if you plan to upgrade a meter’s type or functionality.

Installing the Software

To install the software:

1. Insert the Metercat installation CD into the appropriate drive of your computer.

The Metercat installation splash screen displays.



Figure 2-1. Metercat installation splash screen

2. Click Install Alpha Keys.

The Alpha Keys installer checks to see if Microsoft .NET Framework is installed on your computer. If you do not have it installed, Alpha Keys installer will begin the .NET Framework installation.

Note: To use Alpha Keys, you must have Microsoft’s .NET Framework installed.

Installing .NET FrameworkAlpha Keys installer begins the .NET Framework automatically if it is not already installed. Follow the wizard installation instructions.

Installing Alpha KeysTo install Alpha Keys:

Note: If you have installed Microsoft’s .NET Framework (see “Installing .NET Framework” on page 9), the Alpha Keys installer begins automatically.


Figure 2-2. Alpha Keys installer

1. Click Next to continue with the installation.


Figure 2-3. Alpha Keys license agreement

2. Read the license agreement.

3. If you agree to its conditions, click I Agree.

4. Click Next to continue.


Figure 2-4. Alpha Keys installation confirmation


The installer may display a message that the software does not contain a Microsoft digital signature. Elster has tested this software to ensure that it works properly.


Figure 2-5. Digital Signature dialog

6. Click Yes to continue the installation.


Figure 2-6. Alpha Keys installation complete

7. Click Close to complete the installation.

Launching Alpha Keys

To launch Alpha Keys:

• From the Metercat Tools menu, select Launch Alpha Keys.

Note: Your Metercat user group must have privileges to launch Alpha Keys. Refer to the Metercat User Guide for details.

Alpha Keys starts and displays the main window. It searches all computer’s USB ports for the presence of Hard Keys.


Figure 2-7. Alpha Keys main window

Configuring Alpha Keys

To configure Alpha Keys:

• From the Connections menu, select the correct optical probe connection to use.

See “Configuring connections in Metercat” on page 15 for details on configuring connections.

Note: The optical probes and connections listed are configured in Metercat. Any changes made to defined connections in Metercat will appear in Alpha Keys. Refer to the Metercat User Guide for details.

Note: Alpha Keys only supports optical probe connections with meters; Metercat remote connections will not be available to Alpha Keys.

Alpha Keys uses the Unrestricted meter password defined in Metercat. See “Configuring meter passwords in Metercat” on page 16 for details.

Configuring connections in Metercat

To configure connections:

1. In Metercat, from the Tools menu, select Machine Settings.

2. Create a new or edit the existing Optical Probe connection and specify the port of your optical probe.


Configuring meter passwords in Metercat

Alpha Keys uses the Unrestricted meter password of a meter password set defined in Metercat.

To specify a meter password set:

1. In Metercat, from the Tools menu, select Meter Passwords Management.

2. Create a password set for each meter type you will use in Alpha Keys (ANSI C12.19 and/or ALPHA Plus).

Note: Note: Metercat passwords are shared with Alpha Keys so you define them just one time and they will be used in both applications.

3. Assign your meter passwords to the User Group:

a. For a single user installation, from the Tools menu, select Account Information.

• Select the Meter Access Level tab and specify your meter password sets.

b. For a multiple users installation, from the Tools menu, select User Management.

1) For each group, click Edit.

2) Select the Meter Access Level tab and specify your meter password sets.

Note: Alpha Keys uses the Unrestricted meter password defined in Metercat. See Metercat User Guide for details.

Note: Changes made to connections and meter passwords in Metercat will be used in Alpha Keys. Refer to the Metercat User Guide for additional details. Press F1 at any time to view online help.

Connecting the Hard Key

To connect the Hard Key to the computer (by default, Alpha Keys searches local USB ports for the Hard Key):

1. Position the Hard Key so it correctly aligns with the USB port on your computer.

2. Slide the Hard Key onto the port.

Windows recognized the presence of new hardware.

Note: The Hard Key contains the decryption algorithm which is loaded by your computer when the Hard Key is plugged into your USB drive.

Figure 2-8. Found New Hardware dialog

The installer may display a message that the software does not contain a Microsoft digital signature. Elster has tested this software to ensure that it works properly.


Figure 2-9. Digital Signature Not Found dialog

3. Click Yes to continue.

Exiting Alpha Keys

To exit Alpha Keys:

• From the Alpha Keys File menu, select Exit.

Alpha KeysUser Guide 18 3. Using Alpha Keys

3 Using Alpha Keys

The Alpha Keys software is started from within Metercat (Tools > Launch Alpha Keys) and can be used to perform the following:

• upgrading

• transferring Soft Keys from one Hard Key to another

• replenishing Soft Keys on a Hard Key

Caution: Elster recommends you read all information from the meter prior to upgrading the meter. For meter type and Advanced 4 quadrant metering upgrades, all data and status flags will be cleared and the meter will be unprogrammed (that is, the meter’s configuration is cleared). The meter passwords will be reset to the factory default of all zeros and the LCD display will be set to the All Segment Test. Refer to the particular meter’s technical manual for details.

Note: The meter must be programmed after it has been upgraded with Alpha Keys.

Upgrading a meter

To upgrade a meter:

1. From the Metercat Tools menu, select Launch Alpha Keys.

Alpha Keys main window displays.

2. Connect a Hard Key to the computer.

Note: You can connect more than one Hard Key to a computer, however, only one Hard Key is active at a time.



Figure 3-1. Alpha Keys main window

On the right side of the main window, Alpha Keys displays a Hard Key tab showing the following information for the active Hard Key:

• serial number (8 digits plus a 3 digit extension)

• remaining counts of the Soft Keys stored in the selected Hard Key for each meter type

Note: Click the push pin to keep the Hard Key tab visible.


Figure 3-2. Hard Key contents - pre-upgrade

Note: If you have more than one Hard Key installed on the computer, use the serial number drop list to change between Hard Keys.

3. Connect the optical probe to the computer and to the target meter.

4. Click Start to begin.

Alpha Keys identifies the connected meter and displays the available upgrade options.

Note: The meter must be capable of being upgraded and the appropriate Soft Keys must be available on the Hard Key before the Upgrade Choices are displayed.

Note: Upgrade Choices displayed are dependent on the meter type of the connected meter and the remaining Soft Keys on the active Hard Key.

Note: Some upgrade choices are shown as disabled and are only enabled if other required upgrade choices are selected. For example, in order to select Add Loss Compensation you must also select to upgrade the meter to an A3R (if it is not already an A3R); if you select Add Instrumentation Profiling, Add Load Profiling must also be selected.

Note: You can perform a multiple upgrade. That is, you can select multiple upgrade choices and all will be performed at the same time.


Figure 3-3. Alpha Keys - Upgrade Choices

5. Select the appropriate upgrades from the Upgrade Choices listing.


Alpha Keys permits you to make the combinations of upgrades shown in the figures below.

Figure 3-4. Upgrading rules for A3 ALPHA meter

Figure 3-5. Upgrading rules for A1800 ALPHA meter

A3 ALPHA meter

Meter Type Meter FunctionUpgrades Upgrades

A3D A3K A3D PQM (Q)A3TA3R A3T PQM (Q)

LP (L)A3T A3K IP (N)

A3RA3K PQM (Q)

LP (L)A3K A3R IP (N)

Adv. 4Q (A)A3R A3K

A3R PQM (Q)LP (L)IP (N)Adv. 4Q (A)Loss Comp (C )

A3Q PQM (Q)LP (L)IP (N)Adv. 4Q (A)Loss Comp (C )

A1800 ALPHA meter


A1800R A1800R A1800R PQM (Q)LP (L)IP (N)Adv. 4Q (A)Loss Comp (C )


Figure 3-6. Upgrading rules for ALPHA Plus meter

Note: If you select to add instrumentation profiling, load profiling will also be selected.

Note: An A3RC to A3K upgrade is not allowed if the Loss Compensation (C) was factory installed.


Alpha Keys displays a summary of the changes to be made.

Note: If Alpha Keys determines that the connected meter’s DSP code needs upgrading, the DSP code upgrade will be included in the upgrade process (‘Apply Meter Updates).

ALPHA Plus meter


A1D+ A1K+ A1D+ PQM (Q)A1T+A1R+

A1T+ A1K+ A1T+ PQM (Q)A1R+ LP (L)

A1K+ A1R+ A1K+ PQM (Q)LP (L)

A1R+ A1K+ A1R+ PQM (Q)LP (L)


Figure 3-7. Upgrade summary

7. Click Upgrade to make the indicated changes to the connected meter.

Or

Click Back to return to the Upgrade Choices list.

Note: Alpha Keys will prevent Soft Keys from being lost due to inappropriate or duplicate upgrade attempts.

Caution: To prevent failure of the upgrade, do not remove the Hard Key or the optical probe while the upgrade is in progress.

Removing the Hard Key while the upgrade is in progress could damage the meter or corrupt the Hard Key.


Figure 3-8. Successful upgrade

After the connected meter has been upgraded, Alpha Keys performs the following:

• decrements the appropriate Soft Keys

• logs the results of the function in the file AlphaKeys.log (see “Viewing the Log File” on page 35 for a sample)

• displays a reminder to change the nameplate

Note: If for any reason the upgrade fails, a status window reports the problem and the Soft Key count is not decremented.

8. Click OK.

Alpha Keys displays the updated Soft Keys counts in the Hard Key tab.

Figure 3-9. Hard Key contents - post-upgrade


Caution: You must program the upgraded meter appropriately using Elster’s meter support software, Metercat (for A3 ALPHA or A1800 ALPHA meters) or AlphaPlus (for ALPHA Plus meters).

Note: After a meter type upgrade or a function upgrade to Advanced 4 Quadrant Metering, the meter’s data and status flags are reset and the meter password is reset to the manufacturing default password of all zeros.

9. After the meter has been upgraded, you can perform the same upgrade functions to a different meter by clicking Repeat.

Note: The next meter must be capable of being upgraded with all the selected upgrade options and Soft Keys must be available on the Hard Key.

Note: You can print a page that lists the active Hard Key contents and transaction history by selecting Print Active Hard Key from the Key Management menu of Alpha Keys.


Upgrading DSP code

Note: If a more recent version of the DSP code is available for the connected meter, Alpha Keys will prompt you to install the updated code (Apply Meter Update). If the DSP code is current, Alpha Keys displays a message that there are no available updates.

A Hard Key is not required to update a meter’s DSP code. To update a meter’s DSP code:

1. Make sure you have the latest release of Alpha Keys software installed.

2. Connect the meter to your computer using an optical probe.

3. From the Metercat Tools menu, select Launch Alpha Keys.

4. From the Alpha Keys main window, click Start.

Figure 3-10. Updating DSP code

5. Click Upgrade to update the DSP code in the connected meter.

Alpha KeysUser Guide 28 4. Adding Soft Keys

4 Adding Soft Keys

Alpha Keys allows you to add Soft Keys to a Hard Key in two ways:

• transferring Soft Keys from one Hard Key to another

• purchasing additional Soft Keys from Elster and adding them to a Hard Key

Transferring Soft Keys

Alpha Keys allows you to transfer Soft Keys from one Hard Key to another.

Note: Both Hard Keys must be connected to the same computer.

To transfer Soft Keys:

1. Attach both Hard Keys to the appropriate ports on your computer.

2. From the Alpha Keys Key Management menu, select Transfer Soft Keys.

Alpha Keys displays the Transfer dialog.

3. From the Source Hard Key drop list select the Hard Key serial number.

4. From the Target Hard Key drop list select the Hard Key serial number.

5. Select the appropriate meter family tab.

6. Enter the number of Soft Keys you want to transfer from the Source Hard Key to the Target Hard Key.



Figure 4-1. Alpha Keys Transfer dialog

7. Click Transfer Soft Keys.


Figure 4-2. Check for Hard Keys

8. Check that both Hard Keys are connected to your computer and click OK.

9. Click OK when the transfer is finished.


Figure 4-3. Soft Keys counts - post-transfer

Alpha Keys transfers the specified number of Soft Keys from the Source Hard Key to the Target Hard Key and updates both Hard Keys’ Soft Keys accordingly.

10.Repeat for other meter families as needed.

11. Click Close to return to the Alpha Keys main window.



Replenishing a Hard Key

Alpha Keys allows you to add Soft Keys to a Hard Key.

You must purchase the appropriate Soft Keys from Elster specifying the Hard Key serial number and the number and type of Soft Keys you want to purchase.

Elster will send you a KRF (key replenish file) file that will add the purchased Soft Keys to the specified Hard Key. Once the KRF file has been used you cannot use it again to replenish the Hard Key.

Note: The KRF file name will include the Hard Key serial number for which the replenishment is intended.

Note: For security reasons, the contents of the KRF file are encrypted.

To replenish a Hard Key:

1. Copy the KRF file to your computer.

2. From the Alpha Keys Key Management menu, select Replenish Soft Keys.

Alpha Keys displays the Soft Key Replenish dialog.

Figure 4-4. Soft Key Replenish dialog

3. Click the Browse button and navigate to the location of the KRF file.

— Or —

Enter the full path location for the KRF file.


Figure 4-5. Locating the replenish file

4. Select the appropriate KRF file for the serial number of your Hard Key and click Open.

Figure 4-6. Replenishing the Hard Key

5. Click Replenish.

Alpha Keys updates the Hard Key’s existing Soft Keys counts with the Soft Key counts in the KRF.


Figure 4-7. Hard Key contents - post-replenish

Note: The extension of the Hard Key has been changed (example, ‘-002’) as a result of the replenish function.


Alpha KeysUser Guide 35 5. Log File

5 Log File

Viewing the Log File

To view the log file of user activities:

• From the Alpha Keys View menu, select Activity Log.

— Or —

Alphakeys.log text file can be found at C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Elster\Metercat\AlphaKeys.

The Log File window displays.

Figure 5-1. Activity Log

The log file details the following information:

Item Description

Date Date of the upgrade in MMDDYY format

Time Time of the upgrade in HHmm format (24 hour clock)

Function Type of upgrade:• upgrade (meter type)• add (function) to meter• apply meter updates• added Soft Keys / removed Soft Keys - transfer• replenish (Soft Keys)

Hard Key # Serial number of the Hard Key used to perform the function

ID1 Site ID Label 1 (default is Account). See the Metercat User Guide for details on setting the site labels.

ID2 Site ID Label 2(default is Meter ID). See the Metercat User Guide for details on setting the site labels.

Pgmr Metercat programmer ID. See the Metercat User Guide for details on user management.

Rev Alpha Keys software version.


Alpha KeysUser Guide 36 Index

Index

Symbols.KRF file 32.NET Framework 9

Aactivity log, sample 35adding soft keys 28Alpha Keys, about 4Alpha Keys, components 4Alpha Keys, configuring 15Alpha Keys, exiting 17Alpha Keys, installing 8Apply Meter Updates, DSP code 23

Cconfiguring

connections 15connections in Metercat 15meter password set 16

configuring Alpha Keys 15connecting Hard Key 15counts remaining 19

DDSP code 7DSP code, upgrade 23, 27

Eexiting Alpha Keys 17extension, hard key 19

HHard Key contents 26, 31, 34hard key on local computer 16hard key, defined 4hard key, extension 19hard key, serial number 19

Iinstalling .NET Framework 9installing Alpha Keys 8instrumentation profiling, dependency 23

KKRF file 32

Mmeter functions 6meter password 18meter passwords 16meter types 5Metercat 4metering, Q-hour 5Microsoft .NET Framework 9

PPrint Active Hard Key 26, 31, 34push pin 19

QQ-hour

upgrading 5

Rremaining counts 19replenishing soft keys 32requirements 8requirements, system 8

Sserial number 19setting connection 15soft keys, defined 4summary of changes 23

Ttransaction history 26, 31, 34transferring soft keys 28transferring, requirements 28

Uupgrade actions 25Upgrade Choices 20Upgrade Choices, dependencies 20upgrade failure 25upgrading

A1D+ 5A3D 5A3Q 5

upgrading DSP code 27upgrading meter 18upgrading meter functions 6upgrading meter types 5

Alpha KeysUser Guide

Alpha KeysUser Guide 37 Index

About ElsterElster is one of the world’s largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers. Our offerings include distribution monitoring and control, advanced smart metering, demand response, networking and software solutions, and numerous related communications and services – key components for enabling consumer choice, operational efficiency and conservation. Our products and solutions are widely used by utilities in the traditional and emerging Smart Grid markets.

With a heritage of more than 170 years of providing utility solutions, Elster enjoys a reputation as a leading innovator and has played, and continues to play, an important role in shaping industry standards with respect to performance, reliability, accuracy and functionality.

© 2010 by Elster. All rights reserved.No part of this software or documentation may be reproduced, transmitted, processed or recorded by any means or form, electronic, mechanical, photographic or otherwise, translated to another language, or be released to any third party without the express written consent of the Elster.Printed in the United States of America.

June 28 2010

Elster208 S Rogers LaneRaleigh, NC 27610-2144United States

T +1 800 338 5251 (US toll free) F +1 919 212 4801

[email protected]

ALPHA, REX and EnergyAxis are registered trademarks and Metercat is a trademark of Elster. Other products and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.