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Units Configuration Page



Overview

The Units Configuration page manages electrical measurement points in your RBgrid system. Units are logical abstractions representing different electrical components - from main supply connections to individual loads. Each unit combines a physical sensor with metadata, role definition, and statistical tracking to provide comprehensive energy monitoring.

Units Abstraction Concept


What are Units?

Units are measurement entities that represent specific electrical points in your system. Each unit:
- Links to a physical sensor (current or voltage)
- Has a defined role in the electrical system
- Maintains its own statistics and history
- Provides real-time measurements
- Calculates costs or revenue based on energy flow


Unit Categories

The system supports three categories of units:

  1. System Units (Special units with predefined roles)
  2. Voltage Bus - Primary voltage reference
  3. Main Supply - Grid connection point
  4. Alternative Supply - Internal generation
  5. Load Units (Regular consumers)
  6. Individual devices or zones
  7. Configurable roles and statistics
  8. Multiple units allowed



Special System Units


Voltage Bus Configuration

Purpose: Primary voltage measurement reference for the entire system

Key Characteristics:
- Unique: Only ONE Voltage Bus allowed per system
- Required: Essential for power calculations
- No Statistics: Does not store historical data (real-time only)
- Fixed Sensor: Must use voltage sensor type (ZMPT107-1 or ZMPT101B)

Configuration Parameters:
- Name - Descriptive identifier (max 32 characters)
- Location - Physical location (max 16 characters)
- Source Type - Fixed to ADC_SENSOR
- GPIO Pin - Typically GPIO 35 for voltage measurement

Functionality:
- Provides voltage reference for all power calculations
- Enables accurate RMS voltage measurements
- Synchronizes with zero-cross detection
- Real-time monitoring without historical storage


AC Grid - Main Supply

Purpose: Monitors the connection point to the external electrical grid

Key Characteristics:
- Unique: Only ONE Main Supply allowed per system
- Bidirectional: Supports both consumption and feed-in
- Economic Tracking: Calculates costs and revenue
- Statistical Data: Maintains historical consumption/generation data

Configuration Parameters:
- Name - Descriptive identifier (max 32 characters)
- Location - Physical location (max 16 characters)
- Source Type - ADC_SENSOR, I2C, SPI, or ESP-NOW
- Sensor Selection - Current sensor from configured hardware
- Statistics Period - Data aggregation period (see Statistics section)

Functionality:
- Import Monitoring: Tracks energy consumed from grid
- Export Monitoring: Tracks energy fed back to grid (solar/battery)
- Cost Calculation: Applies tariffs to consumption
- Revenue Tracking: Calculates feed-in tariff earnings
- Peak Demand: Records maximum power draw
- Power Quality: Monitors power factor and harmonics

Actions:
- EDIT MAIN SUPPLY - Modify configuration
- NO MAIN SUPPLY - Remove special status (converts to regular unit)


Alternative Supply

Purpose: Monitors internal power generation sources (solar, wind, batteries)

Key Characteristics:
- Unique: Only ONE Alternative Supply allowed per system
- Bidirectional: Tracks generation and charging cycles
- Self-Consumption: Monitors direct usage of generated power
- Economic Analysis: Calculates savings and ROI

Configuration Parameters:
- Name - Descriptive identifier (max 32 characters)
- Location - Physical location (max 16 characters)
- Source Type - ADC_SENSOR, I2C, SPI, or ESP-NOW
- Sensor Selection - Current sensor from configured hardware
- Statistics Period - Data aggregation period

Functionality:
- Generation Tracking: Real-time and cumulative generation
- Charge Monitoring: Battery charging power and efficiency
- Self-Consumption Rate: Percentage of generated power used locally
- Grid Independence: Calculate off-grid operation time
- Environmental Impact: CO₂ savings calculations

Actions:
- EDIT ALT SUPPLY - Modify configuration
- NO ALT SUPPLY - Remove special status (converts to regular unit)



Regular Units (Loads)

Purpose: Monitor individual electrical consumers, zones, or circuits

Key Characteristics:
- Multiple Units: Unlimited number of regular units
- Flexible Roles: Can be configured for different purposes
- Individual Statistics: Each unit maintains its own data
- Grouping Support: Can be organized by location or type

Configuration Parameters:
- Name - Device or circuit name (max 32 characters)
- Location - Installation location (max 16 characters)
- Type - CURRENT_LOAD, VOLTAGE_MONITOR, or POWER_METER
- Role - Functional role in the system:
- ZONE_LOAD - Area or room circuit
- DEVICE_LOAD - Specific appliance
- CRITICAL_LOAD - Essential equipment
- HVAC_LOAD - Heating/cooling systems
- LIGHTING_LOAD - Lighting circuits
- Source Type - ADC_SENSOR, I2C, SPI, or ESP-NOW
- Sensor Selection - Any available sensor
- Statistics Period - Data aggregation period

Actions per Unit:
- EDIT - Modify unit configuration
- DELETE - Remove unit from system
- ADD UNIT - Create new measurement unit



Statistics Period Configuration


What is Statistics Period?

The Statistics Period defines how long historical data is stored and the granularity of data aggregation. It determines:
- Memory allocation for historical data
- Resolution of stored measurements
- Available time ranges for analysis
- Storage optimization strategy


Available Periods

Details on Tariffs seting page


Data Stored in Statistics

For each configured period, the system maintains:

Energy Metrics:
- Total consumption (kWh)
- Peak demand (kW)
- Average power (W)
- Minimum power (W)
- Power factor (cosφ)

Economic Data:
- Total cost/revenue
- Tariff periods applied
- Peak vs off-peak consumption
- Cost per kWh trends

Quality Metrics:
- Voltage variations
- Frequency deviations
- THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
- Interruption events

Aggregated Values:
- Hourly summaries
- Daily profiles
- Monthly totals
- Yearly comparisons


Memory Management

Storage Allocation:
- Each unit allocates memory based on selected period
- Circular buffer implementation (oldest data overwritten)
- Compression for long-term storage
- Backup to external storage supported

Access Methods:
- REST API endpoints for data retrieval
- WebSocket streaming for real-time updates
- CSV/JSON export functionality
- MQTT publishing of summaries



Typical Configuration Examples


Example 1: Residential with Solar

info
1. Voltage Bus: "Main Panel Voltage" (GPIO 35)
2. Main Supply: "Grid Connection" (100A CT, YEARLY statistics)
3. Alternative Supply: "Solar Inverter" (50A CT, YEARLY statistics)
4. Unit:
   - "Kitchen Circuit" (20A CT, WEEKLY)


Example 2: Small Business

info
1. Voltage Bus: "Distribution Board" (GPIO 35)
2. Main Supply: "Utility Meter" (100A CT, YEARLY statistics)
3. No Alternative Supply
4. Units:
   - "Office Zone" (50A CT, MONTHLY)
   - "HVAC System" (30A CT, WEEKLY)


Example 3: Off-Grid System

info
1. Voltage Bus: "Battery Voltage" (GPIO 35)
2. No Main Supply (off-grid)
3. Alternative Supply: "Solar + Battery" (100A CT, YEARLY)
4. Units:
   - "Critical Loads" (20A CT, DAILY)
   - "Non-Critical" (30A CT, HOURLY)



Best Practices


Sensor Placement

  • Main Supply: At main breaker or utility meter
  • Alternative Supply: After inverter/charge controller
  • Load Units: At distribution panel branches


Statistics Period Selection

  • Short periods (HOURLY/DAILY): For troubleshooting and optimization
  • Medium periods (WEEKLY/MONTHLY): For usage patterns and billing
  • Long periods (QUARTERLY/YEARLY): For trends and investment analysis


Naming Convention

  • Use descriptive names indicating function or location
  • Include power rating in name for easy identification
  • Group related units with consistent naming



Performance Impact


Processing Load

  • Each active unit adds 3-5% CPU usage
  • Statistics calculation occurs at period boundaries
  • Real-time data updates every 3 second



Troubleshooting


Unit Not Showing Data

  • Verify sensor is configured and enabled in Hardware Settings
  • Check sensor physical connection
  • Ensure unit source matches sensor configuration
  • Verify statistics period is set


Incorrect Measurements

  • Calibrate sensors on Calibration page
  • Check CT orientation (arrow toward load)
  • Verify correct sensor type selection
  • Ensure proper burden resistor for CT


Statistics Not Updating

  • Check Memory Storage module is connected
  • Verify sufficient free memory
  • Ensure system time is synchronized
  • Check statistics period configuration
Overview Units Abstraction Concept Special System Units Regular Units (Loads) Statistics Period Configuration Typical Configuration Examples Best Practices Performance Impact Troubleshooting