Review Date: 31 July 2013.

GridHub

Device appears to be powered off / all lights off

If you look closely, can you see the TX light flicker every few seconds?

No: Check the plug pack is plugged in and switched on. If the plug pack appears to be working: Unplug the power from the GridHub for at least 20 seconds and then restore it. The lights should all blink on sequentially in a test pattern.

If the above does not work, test with the power pack provided with the GridNode instead. If this works it means the GridHub power pack is faulty. Contact GridSpy for an immediate replacement.

The lights on the network plug remain off

If both lights on the Ethernet/Internet plug remain off after the GridHub has been on for 5 seconds this indicates a problem with the network cable or switch.

Ensure that the GridHub is plugged into an Ethernet port using the provided cable

If the GridHub is plugged into an Ethernet switch, check that the switch is turned on. If this is a plug in the wall, ensure that a patch cable has been installed by your IT team into a local switch.

If the GridHub is connected to a ‘managed switch’ have your IT team ensure that the port is enabled, set to 10 BaseT full duplex or auto-detect and connected to the internet.

The Web light is stuck on solid

The GridHub is connected to our servers and communicating correctly. Log into your dashboard to view your data or to configure the GridHub.

Web light is flashing

Extremely quickly: 7 times per second. Then it flashes more slowly.

The GridHub is attempting to connect to our servers in the cloud, but it is failing. Check that the device is allowed to connect out of your network.

Check that your DNS server settings are correct on your DHCP server.

For more detail, see http://gridspy.com/web

Fairly quickly: 5 times a second. Then it turns off for a while.

This means that the GridHub is unable to automatically configure its network settings. It configures these using DHCP.

If the GridHub is connected directly to your computer, try connecting it to your network directly. The GridHub does not communicate through normal computers.

If the GridHub is connected to the “WAN” port of a router, perhaps that port does not provide an internet link to client devices. Try another port.

If you have a local IT team, this would be a good time to talk to them. Direct them to http://gridspy.com/web to learn more about GridSpy.

If you really want to connect through your computer, configure “internet connection sharing” on Windows or your operating system’s equivalent option. Only do this if you know what you are doing as internet connection sharing can disrupt a business network.

If you cannot connect at all you may have firewall issues that need to be worked around. Please connect the GridHub to the internet via a 3G modem. This will circumnavigate any network issues you may have onsite. Please contact GridSpy for 3G prices and monthly data charges. Or set up in-house. We use and recommend the NetComm Dual ADSL2+ 3G Wireless N Gateway.

On for 5 seconds and off for 5 seconds.

There is a hardware issue with the network chipset. Please check with GridSpy then return the GridHub for immediate replacement under warrantee.

GridNode

No Lights are turned on

Ensure that the GridNode is plugged in and switched on. Test with GridHub power pack as above if needed.

The PWR/Err light is on solid

This is correct behavior and indicates that the power is on.

The PWR/Err light flashes off briefly

If The PWR/Err light is on solid most of the time, but flickers off briefly then this GridNode is performing automatic radio setup. If the GridNode is not visible on the setup pages then please contact us for support.

RX light is flashing, TX light is not

If the RX light is flashing but the TX light is not flashing regularly, then:

The GridNode is receiving messages from the GridHub but the GridHub does not yet know that the GridNode is present. The messages that the GridNode is receiving are those destined for other GridNodes.

Please follow the tips below:

Aerial Placement

Check that the Aerial for the GridHub is correctly attached and is located above and away from obstructions such as metal enclosures, boxes, pipes or metallic surfaces. If possible attempt to put the aerial where it can “see” the GridNode without having to pass through such objects.

If the GridNode has an external aerial adaptor on the front, attach an Aerial and also place this where it can ‘see’ the GridHub’s Aerial. Try to orient both aerials vertically as this boosts the signal. The ideal position is usually mounted either above or underneath the highest sheet of metal in the room that is parallel with the floor.

The GridNode data is not viewable online

First ensure that the GridHub is online (web light on solid). All GridNodes connected to an offline GridHub are also shown as offline in the setup pages.

This is often an Aerial placement issue. Follow the steps as above for correct Aerial placement.

If you do not have access to the setup page for the GridHub or the dashboard where the data is to be viewed, please talk to your local GridSpy admin user in your organisation or contact us.

Current Transformers (CTs)

The CT is measuring zero Watts/Amps used

Is the CT clipped shut over the wire of interest and is on the correct way (not backwards)?

The CT must be clipped over only the phase wire, not the neutral or return wire. Note that this means that the CT cannot be clipped directly over a complete AC cable or extension cord.

Is the CT plugged into the GridNode?

Is it possible that there truly is no load to measure right now?

Though unlikely, it is possible that this is a faulty CT. Please try to use a different CT to measure the same load.

Move a functioning CT from its current input on a GridNode to this input. Does it report a 0 reading there also? If so, perhaps the GridNode is faulty.

If no inputs on this GridNode function correctly, check it is not a GridNode configured for DC operation (indicated by a sticker on the back of the unit) as those are not suitable for AC measurement.

The measuring wattage is negative

If you are measuring a regenerating load (a breaking motor, some lifts, local wind or solar generation) then negative measurements are both expected and desired. Otherwise:

Please ensure that you have correctly set up the phase angles in the setup process, or contact us to do it for you.

This could either be a reversed CT or you could be measuring loads on a different phase from the GridNode. Both of these cases are corrected by entering the correct settings during online setup.

The CT seems to be off by a factor of 2 or more

Ensure that you have chosen the correct CT size in the setup process.

This can also be affected by incorrect phase settings. If you see an angle on the setup page outside +/- 40 degrees then you need to set the inputs up correctly.

The measured amperage is not affected by the phase settings or reversed CTs. Using a clamp meter on the circuit can provide a useful baseline amperage rating.

Measured watts disagree with clamp meter

When comparing against a clamp meter, unless you have a meter that measures Watts RMS and takes power factor into account please compare your measured amps against those shown in the installation page. The Amps shown in the install page should match your tools regardless of phase angle settings or reversed CTs, but might be incorrect due to a CT size setting issue.

Inductive loads (motors, modern lights) and capacitive loads can have a greater “apparent power” than their actual power usage. When measuring “watts,” simpler clamp meters will show you the apparent power whereas GridSpy measures actual power (which will always be less).

The dashboard is showing phantom loads

The CT leads are signal leads and are somewhat vulnerable to crosstalk if they travel next to AC wires for a significant distance. Try to keep the CT leads away from the AC cables where possible.

Do not attempt to extend the CT leads yourself as this will increase the crosstalk. Instead locate the GridNode closer to the circuits that you wish to measure. If you must extend the leads, ensure they are twisted (not straight) and if possible use shielded wire.

Note that our CTs typically output voltages, so wire resistance will degrade the signal.

If this does not explain your issue, is it possible that the GridSpy has measured a load you did not realise was on this circuit?

Other Issues

When working through this document you are still not able to remedy the problem by doing as recommended, please switch the entire system off, wait 20 seconds, and switch back on. If this does not resolve it please contact GridSpy directly.