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Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
118
Building Technologies
125-202
06/06/2017
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
What is the maximum distance for BACnet MS/TP or Modbus (RS-485)
communication?
BACnet MS/TP or Modbus (RS-485) can reach a distance up to 4,000 feet (1200
meters) with data rates at 100 kbps.
One (or more) of the phase verification LEDs is red. What does this mean?
Any number of red lights indicates the MD-BMS or MD-BMED Power Meter are wired
incorrectly. Review the table in the
Phase Verification section of this manual for a
description of the indicator lights.
How are the MD-BMS and MD-BMED Power Meters powered?
The MD-BMS and MD-BMED Power Meters are line-powered. An internal power
supply attached between L1 and L2 provides power to the units. Power lines are
internally fused.
Can the MD-BMS and MD-BMED Power Meters be used to monitor single-phase
loads?
The MD-BMS and MD-BMED Power Meters can be used to monitor single-phase
loads. See the
Installation section for detailed setup information.
How many MD-BMS or MD-BMED Power Meters can be connected together?
Up to 127 Power Meters can be connected together on a BACnet MS/TP network.
Siemens recommends no more than 100 units due to difficulties in estimating network
traffic. More may be achieved based on the network traffic.
Up to 247 Power Meters can be connected together on a Modbus RTU network.
Siemens recommends no more than 150 units due to difficulties in estimating network
traffic. More may be achieved based on the network traffic.
How is hexadecimal (HEX) to decimal converted?
Use the Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion table in
Appendix G of this manual. Meter
addressing is in hexadecimal.
What is true RMS?
RMS stands for "Root-Mean-Square." True RMS is the power from AC voltage/current
that will produce the equivalent amount of heat in a resistor as a DC voltage/current,
whether sinusoidal or not. For example, if a resistive heating element is rated at 15 kW
of heat at 240 Vac RMS, then the heat would be the same if we applied 240V of DC
instead of AC. A meter without true RMS will incorrectly read distorted waveforms. Al
of Siemens MD Series Power Meters measure true RMS.
How accurate are the MD-BMS and MD-BMED Power Meters?
The MD-BMS and MD-BMED Power Meters' accuracy is <0.02%. Meets ANSI C12.20-
2010.
What is the lead length for Rogowski Coil CTs?
The maximum lead length for the Rogowski Coils is 100 feet (30 meters).
Can a three-phase balanced load be monitored with one CT?
This is not the best way to measure a three-phase load as it ignores imbalances in
voltage and power factor. However, if desired there is an Amp Multiplier Modbus
register (44605) that can be set for three (3), which will multiply the current by three
and therefore amps, watts, VA, VARs will be 3X greater.
How can I switch the Power Meter from BACnet to Modbus mode?
See
Prepping for Installation.
How can I switch the Power Meter from Modbus to BACnet mode?