AMPY 5188A - User Manual

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Contents

Page

1 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................2

1.1 GENERAL......................................................................................................................................... 2

1.2 FRAUD PREVENTION........................................................................................................................2

1.3 CONNECTION...................................................................................................................................3

2 CONNECTION.............................................................................................................................4

2.1 CABLE CONNECTION .......................................................................................................................4

3 USER SETTINGS.........................................................................................................................5

3.1 GETTING STARTED .......................................................................................................................... 5

3.2 SETTING RATES ............................................................................................................................... 6

3.3 TYPICAL MENU FOR SINGLE RATE METERS .................................................................................... 7

3.4 TYPICAL MENU FOR DUAL RATE METERS.......................................................................................7

3.5 EXAMPLE 1 – SINGLE TARRIF .......................................................................................................... 9

3.6 INPUTTING THE SETTINGS ................................................................................................................ 9

3.7 EXAMPLE 2 – DUAL TARRIF ............................................................................................................ 9

3.8 INPUTTING THE SETTINGS ................................................................................................................ 9

4 ADDING CREDIT...................................................................................................................... 11

4.1 VALUE CARDS............................................................................................................................... 11

4.2 CARD READING ERRORS................................................................................................................ 11

4.3 EMERGENCY CREDIT .....................................................................................................................12

5 RESET FUNCTION................................................................................................................... 13

5.1 DETAILS ........................................................................................................................................ 13

5.2 OTHER PARAMETERS RESET.......................................................................................................... 13

6 SPECIFICATION....................................................................................................................... 14

6.1 ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATION.......................................................................................................... 14

7 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.................................................................................... 15

7.1 SECTION 1...................................................................................................................................... 15

Cardmeter User Manual ver 008 2016-02-24.doc

PAGE 2 of 16

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

1.1.1 The 5188A Cardmeter is designed to control the supply of electricity in

rented accommodation, marinas, holiday lets, and other locations where it

is desirable to only supply power when it has been paid for in advance.

1.1.2 Unlike coin meters, there is no money stored in the meter, and hence no

temptation for theft. The credit is loaded on to the meter using disposable

magnetic cards (called VALUE CARDS).

ELECTRICITY METER CARD

SHOCKWAVES £10

00000

1.1.3 The landlord sells cards to the tenant at their face value, commonly £10 per

card. The tenant then inserts the cards and the credit is transferred to the

meter (at this point the credit on the card is erased and the card marked with

an indentation to show it has been used). The meter will then allow a set

amount of electricity to be consumed, depending on the unit rate and

standing charge settings programmed in by the landlord. When the

electricity bill arrives, the landlord pays this using the proceeds from the

sale of cards to the tenants.

1.1.4 The meter can also be set to recover the standing charge. The landlord

programmes in the standing charge as a weekly rate, and every 1/100

of a

week (1.63hrs), the remaining credit is reduced by 1/100

of the weekly

rate.

1.1.5 If set by the landlord, the meter can be allowed to run into debt. When all

the credit is used up the electricity is disconnected. The tenant than then

press the EMERGENCY CREDIT (grey button), this will then restore the

supply and allow the meter to accumulate debt up to a set maximum. When

this level is exceeded, the supply is again disconnected, and will only be

restored when sufficient credit has been received by the meter by the

insertion of cards to create at least a positive (credit) balance of £1.

1.1.6 Dual-rate (Economy7 tariff) meters are available. Separate rates for unit

cost can be programmed on the dual rate meters, and are selected by the use

of an internal or external timer. Dual-rate meters can also be used for

single rate use by setting the pence per unit (ppu) to the same amount for

Rate 1 and Rate 2.

1.2 Fraud Prevention

1.2.1 The meter is extensively protected against fraud using the following means:

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Do you have a question about the AMPY 5188A and is the answer not in the manual?

The 5188A Cardmeter is an electricity control device designed for rented accommodation, marinas, holiday lets, and other locations where advance payment for power is desired. Unlike traditional coin meters, it does not store physical money, thereby eliminating the risk of theft. Credit is loaded onto the meter using disposable magnetic "VALUE CARDS."

Function Description:

The core function of the Cardmeter is to manage electricity supply based on pre-paid credit. Landlords sell "VALUE CARDS" (typically £10 each) to tenants. When a tenant inserts a card, the credit is transferred to the meter, the card is erased, and marked with an indentation to indicate use. The meter then allows a set amount of electricity consumption based on programmed unit rates and standing charges. The landlord uses the proceeds from card sales to pay the electricity bill.

The meter can also be configured to recover a standing charge, programmed as a weekly rate. Every 1/100th of a week (1.63 hours), the remaining credit is reduced by 1/100th of the weekly rate.

An "Emergency Credit" feature allows tenants to obtain additional electricity even without available value cards. The "E.AVAIL" setting determines when the Emergency Credit button becomes active (e.g., when credit falls below 50p). Pressing the button adds credit based on the "E.CRED" setting (e.g., £5). Once emergency credit is exhausted, the supply is disconnected. To restore power, the tenant must insert enough value cards to bring the credit back to at least £1. It is recommended to set "E.CRED" to £1 less than the value card denomination to facilitate restoration with a single card.

Dual-rate (Economy 7 tariff) meters are available, allowing separate unit cost rates to be programmed for different times (e.g., day and night). These rates are selected by an internal or external timer. Dual-rate meters can also be used for single-rate applications by setting both rates to the same value.

Important Technical Specifications:

Contactor rating: 100A
Main Terminal diameter: 8mm nominal
Auxiliary terminal diameter: 3mm nominal
Operating voltage: 240V (+/-10%)
Frequency: 50Hz
Current range: 20A to 100A
Anticreep threshold (power): 12.5W (+/-20%) averaged during time
Anticreep threshold (time): Existing below power threshold for 288 seconds
Indication: Pulse led permanently lit during anti-creep active
Deactivation: Exceeding average 12.5W for more than 288 seconds
Ingress protection: IP20 (Protection against fingers or objects not greater than 80mm in length or less than 12.5mm in diameter).
Load support: Up to 100A from the main terminals.

Usage Features:

Getting Started: Upon initial connection, the meter displays the software version and remaining credit. As supplied, meters have £1 credit, showing "R1 CRED £1.00," indicating tariff R1, credit status, and connected supply (relay clunk and front panel LED). The LED remains lit for loads less than 12.5W; consumption is recorded for average loads exceeding 12.5W over five minutes.
Reviewing Settings: Pressing the "SETTINGS DISPLAY" (blue button) allows review of meter settings, visible to both landlord and tenant. These include:
- TIME: Current time for standing charge application.
- T.CREDIT: Total credit inserted.
- T.CARDS: Total cards used.
- STCH/WK: Weekly standing charge rate.
- KWH R1/R2: kWh consumed at Rate 1/2.
- RATE 1/2 ppu: Cost per kWh for Rate 1/2.
- KWH TOT: Total energy passed.
- DISPLAY END: Returns to original display.
- The display reverts to current credit if no key is pressed for 30 seconds. Single-rate meters may not show Rate 2 information.
Setting Rates: A "METERMAN CARD" is required to set the meter's tariff. This card carries no credit, is not erased, and can be reused. It should be stored safely away from magnetic fields.
- Insert the meterman card as indicated. The meter displays "REMOVE CARD" if data is read correctly. Upon removal, "#PROGRAMMING#" is displayed. If not, reinsert the card, ensuring immediate removal when "REMOVE CARD" appears.
- Pressing the "SETTINGS DISPLAY" (blue button) allows review and modification of settings (some are landlord-only).
- To change a setting, press and hold the "EMERGENCY CREDIT" (grey button) to make a cursor appear.
- Tab across text using the "SETTINGS DISPLAY" (blue button).
- To change a value, hold "EMERGENCY CREDIT" and simultaneously press "SETTINGS DISPLAY." If the desired value is missed, continue cycling until it reappears.
- Press "SETTINGS DISPLAY" alone to store the new setting.
Adding Credit:
- Inserting a value card displays "TOKEN VALUE £10" (or appropriate value) for 5 seconds.
- On removal, the card is erased and marked ("clipped").
- If "CARD ERROR" is displayed, the card was likely inserted too quickly or slowly. Reinsert with a smooth action.
- Possible card reading errors: card already used (check for indentation), not a SHOCKWAVES card, or erased by magnetic fields. It is recommended to verify the number of cards bought, inserted, and unused.
Emergency Credit:
- Pressing the "EMERGENCY CREDIT" button when credit is below "E.AVAIL" adds credit based on "E.CRED."
- Once emergency credit is used, the supply disconnects. At least £1 (or more, depending on "E.CRED" and card denomination) must be inserted via value cards to restore power.
Fraud Prevention:
- Reverse energy flow detection: Prevents operating the meter in reverse.
- EMC Fraud: Protection against external electrical influences. If detected, the meter indicates "LOCK OUT" and requires a meterman card reset.
- Third Party Card Supply: Card supply is controlled to prevent unauthorized cards. The meter's card counter should be checked to ensure credit received matches landlord supply.
- Terminal Seals: All upstream connections should be sealed and regularly inspected for tampering.

Maintenance Features:

Reset Function:
- A meter reset is required if the supply is disconnected and locked out.
- This occurs if attempted fraud is detected ("LOCKED OUT" or flashing RED for reverse running).
- To reset, set Rate 1 to 000.00ppu, then repeatedly press "SETTINGS DISPLAY" until "EC&DIS TO CLEAR" is displayed. At this point, simultaneously press both "EMERGENCY CREDIT" and "SETTINGS DISPLAY" buttons.
- Other parameters reset during this process include: Emergency Credit Value, Emergency Credit Availability Point, Pence per kWh for all rates, Outstanding debt, Debt collection per week, Standing charge per week, Total cards, Total credit, Credit (debt), and Reverse running flag.
- After resetting, these registers must be set to desired values.
Meterman Card: Essential for setting up and resetting the meter. Additional meterman cards are available for a nominal charge.
Value Cards: Additional value cards are available. Ensure the printed text on the card is clearly described to receive correctly coded cards for your meter.

AMPY 5188A Specifications

General

Brand	AMPY
Model	5188A
Category	Measuring Instruments
Language	English