Use the feedback form or call SoftSwitching Technologies at 608-662-7310 (8am to 5pm M-F, US Central time zone). Please have the serial number of your I-Sense monitor handy or include it in the email.
The I-Sense continuously monitors the incoming three phase utility voltage, and records power
disturbances such as voltage sags, swells, outages or transients. Visit SoftSwitching's web site for further
details on power quality disturbances and power reliability disturbances.
In addition to all privileges accorded to registered I-Grid users, you get access to all data
gathered by your specific I-Sense monitor(s) from anywhere in the world. You get administration privileges
for your I-Sense, including setting up passwords, email notification of power events recorded by your monitor.
You also get access to advanced summary and detail
reports on your
power quality data as well as data exporting capability (CSV, XML and PQDIF formats).
The identity of an I-Sense owner is treated as confidential and is not available to
casual I-Grid users, or to other I-Sense owners. Data, stripped of owner identity may be used
for various types of aggregation and analysis. Some of the aggregated data is accessible
universally on the I-Grid web site.
The I-Sense currently detects two types of power quality events:
RMS Variation events and Waveshape Variation events.
An RMS Variation event is triggered by the I-Sense when the voltage on any
of the monitored phases rises above an upper threshold (112%), or falls
below a lower threshold (87%) for a specified number of 60Hz half-cycles.
A Waveshape Variation event algorithm continuously compares each data
point on the waveform with the moving average of that point over previous
60 Hz cycles. In other words, the algorithm "learns" the voltage waveform
and then detects variations from the "learnt" waveform. This algorithm is
sensitive to small deviations and allows triggering on waveform deviations
that may not cause an RMS Variation event.
The I-Sense samples voltage at a rate of 96 points per 60 Hz cycle.
However, the I-Sense reports events at a resolution of 32 points per 60 Hz
cycle. The rate conversion from 96 points per cycle to 32 points per
cycle is accomplished by simply averaging every three points.
The I-Sense will trigger a sag Waveform Variation Event of duration 1/32
of a cycle at 55% nominal, or a surge Waveform Variation Event of duration
1/16 of a cycle at 115% nominal.
The unit has a rechargeable battery so it can operate during complete
power outages. The unit will attempt to connect to the I-Grid web site
and report the start of the outage. Afterwards it will power itself off
to conserve battery power. When the power is restored, the unit
automatically starts and connects to the I-Grid web site to report the
end of the power outage.
The unit has been tested & licensed to operate in the US (including Hawaii and Alaska). Operation in other countries
may be possible via custom configuration. The next-generation I-Sense monitor supports Ethernet
and modem communications and can be installed outside the U.S.
Each unit has a green LED which also functions as a button. Press and hold the button until the LED stops
flashing (about 15 seconds). Then simply unplug or unwire the unit and move it. To power the unit back on,
cycle power to the unit.
Each unit has a green LED which also functions as a button. Pushing the button instructs the unit to immediately
report a "heartbeat" event to the I-Grid. Push the button and then login to the I-Grid web site and check
to make sure the unit reported the event.
Yes, but with a few caveats. When an I-Sense monitor is registered, several aspects of its configuration are changed:
Zip code the monitor is located in for geographical mapping purposes.
Phone number for local dial-in access point.
Time zone the monitor is located in for event time stamps.
If you move the I-Sense once it has been registered, you need to change the configuration of the monitor to
reflect its new location under "Manage My I-Senses"
The modem in each I-Sense requires a touch-tone compatible analog or non-PBX/digital phone line. Any phone
line used by a fax machine or other modem will work. Another good indicator is if a
laptop with a modem can dial out on the phone line. Note that for email notification of sustained
power outages the phone line must remain operational during such an outage.
The I-Sense can operate with a shared telephone line. Once you have registered the I-Sense unit, it will
typically connect to the I-Grid server using a local Internet Service Provider. This will then represent a local
telephone call. In rare instances, if all other connection means fail, the unit may make a long distance
call to establish connection with the server. As the I-Sense unit only dials upon the occurrence of a power
disturbance, it is anticipated that the number of calls, and the duration of each call will be very limited.
The unit will automatically figure out if it needs to dial a 9 or an 8 in order to reach a telephone line. Other
dialing prefixes require custom programming. Contact I-Grid Support for details.
The initial phone call the unit makes is toll free, but when the unit is
registered a phone number in the area must be chosen. With over 800 dial-in
access points, it is very likely that the phone number the unit dials will
be a local phone call. In any case, the I-Sense owner is responsible for
any telephone charges incurred.
Yes, but be aware that only one device can be using the phone line at any one time. Email notification will be
delayed if the other device is using the phone line when a power quality event is detected by the unit. To limit
potential issues arising from a shared line, we recommend using a line-sharing device which ensures that
each device will have exclusive access to the line when needed. Contact I-Grid Support for details.
The standard configuration for a unit will connect once a day to report a "heartbeat" event. However, the dialing behavior
of each I-Sense can be customized to dial
as soon as a power quality event is detected.
at a certain time or if the event storage memory of the unit is becoming full.
Unplug the phone cord from the I-Sense and connect it to an analog handset - is there a dial tone?
Dial your local access number (on the I-Grid website under Manage My I-Senses > Configuration); you should hear fax/modem sounds on the other end
Check with your facilities department to ensure that the line's dialing restrictions haven't changed
If the I-Sense appears to be correctly connected and the phone line checks out, call I-Grid Support at 608-662-7310 (8am to 5pm M-F, US Central time zone).
Unit is actively monitoring the electrical power for events.
2 Flashes
Unit has power quality events to report to the web site, but
encountered a dialing problem (busy signal, etc.) when it last
attempted to dial out. The unit should wait a few minutes and
then try again.
3 Flashes
Unit is trying to find a dial tone on the phone line.
4 Flashes
Unit is dialing the phone and modems are connecting.
5 Flashes
Unit is negotiating PPP settings with ISP.
6 Flashes
Unit is sending events to the I-Grid web site over the Internet.
Off
Unit has detected a long power outage. It attempted to report
the start of the outage to the I-Grid web site before powering
off. When the power returns, it will report the end of the
power outage.
Attempt to soft-reset the monitor by holding down the LED/button for 15-20 seconds; the LED will turn off. Cycle power to the unit to restore operation.
If resetting the unit doesn't work, attempt a hard-reset: Disconnect the unit from power and remove the battery.
Press and hold the LED/button for several seconds to completely discharge power. Replace the battery and reconnect the unit.
If both a soft and hard reset fail to restore the unit to normal operation, call I-Grid Support at 608-662-7310 (8am to 5pm M-F, US Central time zone).
Your I-Sense monitor is most likely configured to initiate a dialup to the I-Grid servers only on PQ events whose
worst-case RMS is < 87% or > 115% of nominal (or on heartbeat/power up events). Transient events rarely are severe
enough to cause the I-Sense to dial under these circumstances. It is possible to configure the I-Sense to initiate
a connection on every event, we recommend leaving the dialing threshold at < 87% to avoid tying up the phone line
for what is usually an insignificant event.
