Time synchronization for ION meters

You can synchronize the internal clocks of all networked PowerLogic™ ION™ meters and devices through the Management Console component of Power Monitoring Expert. When they are synchronized, all data logs have time stamps that are relative to a uniform time base.

NOTE: This information is specific to ION devices. It is not applicable to devices that are not based on ION architecture.

Time synchronization signals are broadcast periodically over the network; each meter continually assesses its ability to remain synchronized with the incoming broadcasts. Over a brief period, each meter learns how its internal timing differs from that of the broadcast source and adjusts its timekeeping to compensate. Very accurate time synchronization is achieved with this method.

Meters at modem sites are synchronized each time they are connected. The longer the duration between connections, the larger the error in time synchronization. In the extreme case, this can result in missing or duplicated logs. If this occurs, you can increase the frequency of connections through the Power Monitoring Expert software connection.

NOTE: This information assumes that you are using the time synchronization function in Power Monitoring Expert. Although other methods of time synchronization are available, such as with ION Setup, a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or 3rd party protocols, it is important that you use only one method of time synchronization on each network. If you use multiple methods, the timestamps will differ for the sites and devices that are using separate time synchronizing methods.

Before you configure time synchronization on your network, you should familiarize yourself with the Clock module settings. Once you have done this, you can decide which synchronization method you want to use.

Enabling and configuring time synchronization

Time synchronization in Power Monitoring Expert is initially disabled and needs to be enabled and configured through Management Console. The communications port and protocol used for communications between the software and the networked ION devices is automatically used to send time synchronization signals to all connected ION devices. The software sends a time sync packet and the time is set when the packet is received.

When reviewing time synchronization messages in the system log, remember that the time in the message is not the time to which the meter was time synced, but rather it is the time the message was posted to the system log. The message is posted after the meter is time synced.

Note that ION time synchronization only uses the UTC setting; the LOCAL setting cannot be used.

Time synchronization values are set when sites or Ethernet devices are defined in a Power Monitoring Expert network. Enable time synchronization or set custom intervals for supported devices in any site through Management Console as follows:

  1. Start Management Console.
  2. Select Sites or Devices on the System Setup pane:
    • Select Sites if you want to customize a particular serial, modem, or Ethernet Gateway site.
    • Select Devices if you want to customize an individual Ethernet device.
  3. Right-click the device or site and select Configure Device or Configure Site to open the related configuration dialog.
  4. Right-click inside the dialog and select Advanced Properties.
  5. Configure the Time Synch ION Enabled or Time Synch Ethernet Enabled, and Time Synch Interval Ethernet fields as required for your system.

  6. Click OK to save you changes.

    The default time synchronization interval of 3600 seconds (displayed in milliseconds) is acceptable in most software installations.

NOTE: You need appropriate permissions to configure meters on your network. Refer to the ION System Security technical note for details on software and meter security.