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How to Perform CT Chain Check for EV1
How to Perform CT Chain Check for EV1

Follow this guide to perform Chain Check Procedure to ensure CTs are properly connected.

S
Written by Support
Updated over a week ago

Please note that the following tutorial only applies to EV1 Energy Data Gateway.

The Verdigris Meter includes data cables that carry power and digital signaling to and from its sensors. As there are a number of connections per system, it’s possible some connections are not made properly. Built into the meter is a chain validation procedure to ensure a proper electrical connection is made.

On power up, the system will run a chain check diagnostic procedure:

If this procedure if successful, the chain light will show green:

If this procedure fails, the chain light will turn red:

Light Indicators: green
Light Indicators: red

In the event the chain light is red, the procedure described in this document can help identify and repair any issues.

Terms and Definitions

Chain 1 & Chain 2:

The cabling from the Energy Data Gateway to each of the sensors. There are two loops of cable here, marked with Chain 1 & Chain 2.

Verdigris EV1 top view

Sensor (Smart CT and Interface Module) LED Indicators:

  • Slow Blink: a blink pattern on the Smart CT or High Current CT Interface Module LED. This LED is white. This blink pattern is 1 second on, 1 second off.

  • Fast blink: a blink pattern on the Smart CT or High Current CT Interface Module LED. This LED is white. This blink pattern flashes 5 times per second.

  • Solid: The light on the Smart CT or Interface Module will be solid white.

  • Off: The light on the Smart CT or Interface Module will be off.

Diagnosing Chain Errors

After current sensors and the Energy Data Gateway are installed, the system can be tested for proper connectivity through the sensor cable. The Energy Data Gateway during this time can be powered from the panel powering the device, through the voltage headers.

Verdigris EV1 top view picture

To perform the chain check procedure, the panel cover should be open. The lights on the back of the Verdigris Smart CTs or the Interface Modules will indicate more information about where the error is occurring. While the system provides as much information as it can on the source of the disconnect, some work may be needed to locate a loose connector or failed component.

The Energy Data Gateway Service Panel should also be visible in order to see the system light indicators.

Service Panel Figure

Steps:

1. Slide open the LED indicator display on the Energy Data Gateway to view light codes.

2. Ensure the system is powered and you can visually see the LEDs on the sensors.

3. CT Chain Check runs automatically when the system is powered on and repeats every 10 seconds until Chain Check passes. Upon power on, the CT and voltage lights will turn White to indicate the test is in progress.

CT Lights

4. In about 3-5 seconds, the sensors lights will blink showing the test has been run.

a.) When in correct operation, these lights will turn on solid for 2 seconds, fast blink for 2 seconds, then finally turn off.

b.) In a failed condition, the sensor lights will either all stay “Solid”, all “Slow Blink”, or do a mix of the two.

5. The led indicator light on the Energy Data Gateway will display blinking red if the break is on chain 1 and solid red for a break in chain 2.

The instructions that follow will refer to the sensor chain with the lights that remain on.


A. All Solid Lights:

If all the lights are “Solid”, there is a cabling issue at the start of the chain. This affects either the first sensor on the chain, the extension cable from the Energy Data Gateway (EDG, male plug from the Gateway), or the pigtail cable coming from the EDG.

All Lights Solid
  • Check that cables are fully seated coming from the plug of the EDG to the first sensor. If any cables are found to be loose or not fully seated, fully insert the cable and press the “Setup” button to re-run chain check. If the CT light is green, the chain has been repaired.

  • Bypass the first sensor on the chain by unplugging the extension (plug) from the first sensor and attach it to the second sensor. Re-run chain check. If this works, Find another sensor to replace the first sensor on the chain and connect the chain again as it was before. Re-run chain check again to verify and close the panel if the CT light turns green.

  • Take a spare 3 meter extension cable and replace the extension from the EDG with the plug side going into the first sensor. You do not have to run the spare cable through conduit yet. Re-run chain check after this cable is replaced. If the chain light shows green, the extension cable going to the first sensor needs to be replaced.

  • Unplug both cables from the output and input on the EDG for this chain and loop the plug cable back into the socket of the EDG directly. Re-run chain check to verify the Chain light turns green. If the Chain light is still red, the EDG should be replaced.

B. All Slow-Blinking Lights:

If all the lights show a “Slow Blink”, there is a cabling issue at the end of the chain at the Energy Data Gateway (EDG) (socket connector from the EDG to the plug of the last sensor). This affects either the last sensor on the chain, the extension cable to the Energy Data Gateway (EDG, female socket from the Gateway), or the pigtail cable coming from the EDG.

All Slow-Blinking Lights
  • Check that cables are fully seated coming from the socket of the EDG to the last sensor. If any cables are found to be loose or not fully seated, fully insert the cable and press the “Setup” button to re-run chain check. If the CT light is green, the chain has been repaired.

  • Bypass the last sensor on the chain by unplugging the extension (socket) from the last sensor and attach it to the second to last sensor. Re-run chain check. If this works, Find another sensor to replace the first sensor on the chain and connect the chain again as it was before. Re-run chain check again to verify and close the panel if the CT light turns green.

  • Take a spare extension cable of a suitable size and replace the extension to the EDG with the plug side going into the EDG. You do not have to run the spare cable through the conduit yet. Re-run chain check after this cable is replaced. If the chain light shows green, the extension cable going from the last sensor into the EDG needs to be replaced.

  • Unplug both cables from the output and input on the EDG for this chain and loop the plug cable back into the socket of the EDG directly. Re-run chain check to verify the Chain light turns green. If the Chain light is still red, the EDG should be replaced.

C. Solid Light and Slow-Blinking Lights:

If all the sensor lights show a mix of solid and slow blinking lights, there is a cabling issue at the transition point where the lights go from solid to blinking on the chain. This issue affects the sensor before or after the transition in light code.

  • Check that cables are fully seated at the point where the light code transitions.

  • Bypass the sensor immediately before the light code transition and re-run chain check. You can bypass the sensor by detaching it from the chain completely and connecting the sensor before and after.

  • Bypass the sensor immediately after the light code transition and re-run chain check.

Once the offending sensor has been identified, replace the sensor and re-run chain check.

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