Modes of operation

The meter has three modes of operation: NORM, ALT and TEST. Both NORM and ALT are display modes, providing various power system data and meter properties screens. TEST mode is used to perform diagnostics, verify the meter’s accuracy, and verify meter functions.

NOTE: You can customize the display screens and alter the front panel’s scrolling characteristics by editing the meter’s Display and Scroll modules – refer to DISPLAY SETUP menu for information on changing display settings and Displays for information on customizing the displays.

Basic operation (NORM mode)

The meter defaults to NORM mode when powered up, and remains in this mode until you manually switch to ALT or TEST.

NORM mode screens are described in NORM mode display screens.

Meter configuration and NORM mode

• For meters without the hardware lock, all the settings available in the front panel SETUP menu can be changed while the meter is in NORM mode, provided you have the correct password.

• For meters with the hardware lock, only the basic communications parameters in the COM Setup menu can be changed in NORM mode. You must enter TEST mode to change other meter parameters on the hardware-locked meter — see for more details.

ALT mode

ALT mode provides scrolling display screens that show power system data, billing information and meter properties such as nameplate information.

ALT mode screens are described in ALT mode default display screens.

Switching to ALT mode

Press the ALT/ENTER button to switch to ALT mode. Press the ALT/ENTER button again to switch back to NORM mode at any time. If no buttons are pressed, the meter automatically reverts to NORM mode after five minutes. As with any mode, pressing any button temporarily suspends display screen scrolling, allowing you to press the up or down arrow buttons to manually browse the available screens.

TEST mode

NOTE: If your meter has the optional hardware lock, you must remove the meter’s cover to put it into TEST mode. See Device security capabilities for more information.

TEST mode is typically used for meter function verification. The meter is usually reading data from a test power supply while these functions are performed.

All the billing quantities that are recorded when the meter is in NORM and ALT mode stop accumulating when the meter is switched to TEST mode — the data is sent to special TEST mode registers instead. The values accumulated in these test registers are displayed on the front panel (and in the Vista component of Power Monitoring Expert).

The regular NORM/ALT mode billing registers are unaffected while the meter is in TEST mode; accumulation of billing data resumes as soon as you exit TEST mode. All test registers are reset to zero when you exit TEST mode.

For detailed information on TEST mode, see Switching to TEST mode.

NOTE: The meter always returns to NORM mode when you exit TEST mode, even if you entered TEST mode from ALT mode.