6
DENT Instruments
PowerScout 24
INTRODUCTION
PowerScout meters monitor the voltage, current, power, energy, and many other electrical parameters
on single- and three-phase electrical systems. A PowerScout meter uses direct connections to each
phase of the voltage, and uses current transformers to monitor each phase of the current. Information
on energy use, demand, power factor, line frequency, and more are derived from the voltage and
current inputs.
The communications interface to the meters is an RS-485 serial or Ethernet connection that uses the
BACnet Master Slave Token Passing (MS/TP) protocol or Modbus RTU protocol for sending commands
and retrieving data. A separate remote terminal unit (RTU), Data Logger, or Building Management and
Control System is usually connected to the PowerScout to provide data recording and trend logging plus
a human interface or display.
PowerScout 24 Serial/PowerScout 24 Ethernet
The PowerScout 24 is capable of reading eight 3-phase or 24 single-phase
services at a time and is mounted near the breakers. It is typically used for
long-term monitoring of electrical systems.
Up to 127 PowerScout 24 meters may be connected to a single BACnet client
for monitoring and recording power usage at multiple locations within a single
site. Up to 30 meters may be connected to Modbus.
There are eight configurable digital pulse output ports that can be used to
output kWh, kVARh, or kVAh pulses to external devices, or to toggle on and
off to control a remote device or relay. There are also two digital pulse input
ports. Pulse input is used to count, accumulate and scale pulses received from
non-DENT external pulse-initiating meters such as gas, water, or other
electrical meters.
The PowerScout 24 can be purchased either in an enclosure (PS24-D) that is
UL-listed or as a standalone PC board (PS24-N) that is UL recognized and must be installed in a user-
supplied enclosure.
Unpacking the Unit
Your PowerScout meter comes with documents such as the Certificate of Calibration (COC) that has
information about the meter and is valuable for tech support. Be sure to set these documents aside in a
safe place when not in use.
If a Comm package was purchased as well, look for the ViewPoint software and the USB adapter. Verify
that all connectors are included (CT, voltage, comm, pulse).