Frequently Asked Questions

The PowerScout meters are not designed to be standalone energy recorders. They are designed to connect as a slave device to a data logger, remote terminal unit (RTU), or building management host network.

This is not the best way to measure a three phase load, but there is an Amp Multiplier register (44605) that can be set for three which will multiply the current by three and, therefore, amps, watts, VA, and VARs will be three times greater.

When multiple devices are connected, the devices need to be connected in a daisy chain. A daisy chain means that all plus (+) connections are chained together and all minus (-) connections are chained together across the network.

A network containing multiple devices requires a unique address for each device. This allows the master device to identify and communicate with each slave. The BACnet/Modbus network administrator must assign a unique network address to each PowerScout 3037 using the rotary switches MSB and LSB.

Other network layouts, i.e., star, are not recommended when using the RS-485 standard.

The PowerScout meter can be used as a direct replacement for the Veris, Inc. H8035/H8036 series of networked power meters. This mirroring of the Veris Modbus register assignments makes replacement with a PowerScout meter simple. However, because the number of parameters that the Veris meters measure is less than half of what the PowerScout can measure, the other Modbus registers described in the table need to be used to utilize the additional capabilities of the PowerScout.

See Appendix C in the PowerScout 3037 Manual for additional information about Veris Emulation.

IMPORTANT: Do not use 1A or 5A CTs with the PowerScout HD meter. CTs used with the PowerScout HD meter must meet the following criteria: 333.3 mV output voltage, 600 VAC UL rated, and be the appropriate rage for the circuit (5-120% of CT rating recommended). Any of DENT’s current sensors can be used with the PowerScout HD meters. Contact the factory for a specific CT recommendation to suit your application.

Yes, the PowerScout HD can be used on 50 or 60 Hz services (45-70 Hz is the measurable range). The frequency measurement is taken on L1-N.

KYZ pulses are a “Form C” type relay; PSHD Series meters accept a “Form A” type relay. Form A has a single contact point, which Form C alternates between two contact points. The PSHD Series meters are only designed to accept Form A (single pair), so using a Form C requires an adjustment for the difference in pulses. Since only K and Y can be wired, only half the pulses of the KYZ output will be counted. This means that you must double the number of counted pulses to have an accurate total.

Here are some important definitions:

Form A: A two-wire interface using only K and Y. Referred to as single-pole, single-throw (SPST). Form A pulse values are always double Form C pulse Values

Form C: A three-wire interface using K, Y, and Z. Referred to as single-pole, double-throw (SPDT). Form C is the standard in the utility industry and can be used as Form A by only using K and Y.

Yes, the PowerScout HD meters have a voltage phase loss alarm that can be configured with ViewPoint HD software. The alarm has a relay output and is intended for low voltage DC connections.

Yes, the PowerScout HD meters have two levels (read-only or read/write) of PIN protection that users can choose to assign for restricting access to meter information. It’s a user-configurable 4-digit PIN. Refer to the Operator’s Guide for setup information.

No, the PowerScout 3 HD does not have any pulse inputs. However, the PowerScout 12 HD, PowerScout 24 HD, and PowerScout 48 HD all have pulse inputs. Refer to the Operator’s Guide for more information.

The PowerScout HD has interval data recording capabilities and can store up to 63 days of 15-minute kWh data.

PowerScout HD meters are revenue grade and have been third-party (pending) certified to meet ANSI C-12.20-2015 Class 0.2 accuracy standards.

All PowerScout HD Series meters are 0.2% ANSI C12.20-2015 Class 0.2. For best accuracy, pair the PowerScout HD meter with one of the “revenue grade” CT choices available.

The PowerScout 24  meets the ANSI C12.20-2010 Class 0.5 Accuracy standard.

The PowerScout 3037 meets the stringent ANSI C12.20-2010 Class 0.2 Accuracy standard.

The PowerScout HD meter is internally powered through the voltage between L1 and L2. For single phase installations where no L2 neutral exists, it is advised to jumper N to L2. This connection provides power to the meter while maintaining Neutral as the metering voltage reference.

There is a converter utility built into ViewPoint HD. There are also many online tools for performing the conversion.

All PowerScout instruments are line-powered. An internal power supply attached between L1 and L2 provides power to the unit. You may also power the meter PowerScout 3037 or PowerScout 24 off of a USB connection during setup.

The maximum length for RoCoils is 100 ft and the maximum length for split cores in 500 ft. Both cases require that the same wire type/AWG is used. To learn more about extending the leads on your current transformer, visit our blog post which outlines specifications and purchasing options.

The PS3HD can accept up to 3 current sensors. Any of DENT’s current sensors can be used with the meter, including RoCoils (Rogowski coils). Measure up to 4000A with RōCoil CTs.

Up to 254 PowerScout 3037 meters can be connected together if they are using Modbus for communications. Up to 127 PowerScout 3037 meters may be connected together if they are communicating via BACnet.

The ViewPoint HD Windows application is the preferred method for configuring the meter. The display cannot be used for setup purposes and is designed for reviewing real-time meter readings to confirm proper configuration in the field.

We have created a “PowerScout HD Register List Tips & Tricks” video that covers some simple steps to make the register list easy to work with. Check it out here!

Yes, both configurations – DIN Rail Mount (R-D-N) and Wall Mount (C-D-N) – are UL Listed.

ViewPoint version 2.24 and later is compatible with Windows 8, Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit), and Windows XP. ViewPoint 4 is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7, but not Windows XP. Please visit our Software Downloads page to obtain a copy of the latest software for your instrument.

There are some important differences between the PowerScout 3037/24 and PowerScout HD meters including installation, communications, programming, and registers. It’s important to keep these differences in mind during meter selection, setup, and installation. To help, we have composed a Migration Guide that outlines the major differences. Detailed information can also be found in the product manuals.

All PowerScout HD meters can be configured to use either Modbus or BACnet. BTL Certification is pending.

The answer depends on which model PowerScout you have. PowerScout 3/3+ = 5000A, PowerScout 3037 = 4000A, PowerScout 24 = 5000A, PowerScout HD = 4000A

All PowerScout meters are compatible with RoCoil current transformers.

Modbus can reach a distance up to 1200 yards with data rates at 100 kbps.

1 second.

Each Modbus register is only 16 bits wide and is in integer format without any fixed number of decimal points. Simply putting a value directly into one of these registers would limit the smallest number to be 1, and only allow for a maximum value of 65535. To handle larger numbers, or numbers with better resolution, we use a scalar value that is used to apply a factor to the 16-bit register value.

For more information on Data Scaling, see “Interpreting the PowerScout Registers” document, refer to the PowerScout manual, or contact Support.

Values are reported in IEEE-754 single precision floating point format (32 bit).

PowerScout HD meters have a 5-year warranty. For questions regarding your meter’s warranty status, please contact Technical Support (support@dentinstruments.com).

RMS stands for “Root-Mean-Square.” True RMS is the 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 240VAC 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. All DENT Instruments’ meters measure true RMS.

The PowerScout 3 HD uses a USB A-to-C cable. The meter is shipped with one cable per order; however, this type of cable is also readily available online and at electronics or office supply retailers. Other meters in the PowerScout HD Series use a USB A-to-B cable which cannot be used with the PowerScout 3 HD. Connecting the meter to a PC via USB allows for meter configuration and troubleshooting.

PowerScout 3 HD meters have a CE Mark and meet RoHS requirements.

These are the most common service types measured with the PS3HD: Two wire single phase, three wire single phase, two CT three wire Delta, and four wire Wye. For questions on other service types, contact DENT Technical Support: support@dentinstruments.com

The PS3HD can be used on 90-346 VAC line-to-neutral or up to 600 VAC line-to-line (CAT III).