Eastron energy meter installation and configuration for Calculus C04/C06

This article explains how to install, configure and commission an Eastron energy meter with a Calculus C04 or C06 gateway.

Objective

A technician must be able to install the Eastron energy meter and CTs, configure the required measurement and Modbus settings, connect the meter to the Calculus gateway and verify that the installation is working correctly.

Scope

This guide covers the installation and configuration of an Eastron energy meter in an electrical distribution board, including:

• voltage measurement;

• current transformers (CTs);

• RS-485 / Modbus communication;

• connection to a Calculus C04 or C06 gateway;

• Eastron configuration;

• commissioning and functional checks.

The measurement chain is:

Voltage measurement and CTs → Eastron energy meter → RS-485 / Modbus → C04/C06 gateway → mobile network → Calculus

The configuration steps in this guide are based on the Eastron SDM630MCT-ML.

Project-specific wiring

Always use the project- and model-specific wiring diagram supplied with the installation for the physical wiring. Eastron SDM630MCT, SDM630MCT-ML and MOD-MID versions can use different connections.

For other Eastron models, follow the supplied wiring diagram and the corresponding model-specific configuration.

Safety first

Warning

Installation and maintenance must only be carried out by authorised and qualified personnel.

Before opening the distribution board or changing any wiring:

1. De-energise all power supplies.

2. Secure the installation against accidental re-energisation.

3. Verify that the installation is de-energised.

4. Check the exact Eastron model and the corresponding wiring diagram.

Also observe the following safety requirements:

• Do not use the Eastron meter as the only electrical fault protection for the installation.

• Install the required external protection according to the applicable wiring diagram.

• Never open or disconnect the secondary side of an energised CT.

• Do not disconnect an RJ12 connection while current is flowing through the primary conductor.

Prepare the installation

Before installation, determine how each outgoing circuit will be measured.

Record at least:

• which outgoing circuit is being measured;

• which Eastron and channel are assigned to it;

• the expected maximum current;

• the CT ratio;

• the system type;

• how phases A, B and C correspond to the voltage measurement;

• the Modbus address assigned to each Eastron;

• the name of the measured circuit.

Labelling

Use the same identification on the CT, RJ12 cable, Eastron channel and measured circuit. Consistent labelling makes commissioning and troubleshooting considerably easier.

Select the correct system type

The physical voltage connection and the System Type configured on the Eastron must match.

For a standard three-phase installation with neutral, use 3P4W.

Check before power-up

Verify that the configured System Type matches the phases and neutral conductor that are physically connected.

Install the gateway, power supply and antenna

Install the gateway and power supply

1. Mount the C04/C06 gateway on the DIN rail.

2. Mount the DIN-rail power supply.

3. Connect the DC output of the power supply to the gateway according to the polarity indicated on the devices.

4. Check the output voltage before powering the gateway.

Install the antenna

Install the antenna outside the metal distribution board. The metal enclosure attenuates the mobile signal and can prevent a stable connection.

When installing the antenna:

• select a location with sufficient mobile coverage;

• keep the antenna and cable away from high-current cables and sources of electrical interference;

• use a suitable water- and dust-resistant cable entry if required by the enclosure rating;

• avoid sharp bends or compression of the antenna cable;

• connect the antenna before commissioning the gateway.

Connect the Eastron electrically

Connect the Eastron power supply and voltage measurement according to the wiring diagram for the supplied model.

Check the model designation before using any terminal numbers.

Use the supplied wiring diagram

SDM630MCT, SDM630MCT-ML and MOD-MID versions can have different terminal assignments. Do not copy terminal numbers from another Eastron model or from a previous installation.

After wiring, verify that:

• L1, L2, L3 and N are connected according to the model-specific diagram;

• the required external protection has been installed;

• the DIN-rail power supply and Eastron are supplied correctly;

• all connections are securely fastened and clearly labelled.

Install the CTs

Correct phase matching and CT direction are required for reliable current and power measurements.

1. Fully de-energise the installation and verify that it is de-energised.

2. Install one CT around each phase to be measured or route the phase conductors through the corresponding CT openings.

3. Keep the neutral conductor outside the CT.

4. Position P1 towards the supply side and P2 towards the load side.

5. Connect the RJ12 cable to the correct CT input on the Eastron.

6. Push the RJ12 connector fully into place.

7. Verify that voltage phase A corresponds to CT phase A, B to B and C to C.

8. Label the CT, RJ12 cable and Eastron channel with the same identification.

Negative active power

A negative active power value often indicates a reversed CT or incorrect phase matching.

Check the physical wiring first. Only use the REV setting after the wiring and phase matching have been verified.

Connect RS-485 / Modbus

Connect the Eastron to the gateway using RS-485.

For the C06 setup described in this guide, use the following connections:

For a C04 installation, follow the project-specific wiring diagram for the gateway connection.

All devices connected to the same RS-485 bus must use the same communication parameters. Each physical Eastron must have a unique Modbus address.

Use the following settings:

C06 termination

For the C06 setup described in this guide, set the RS485 Terminator to OFF.

Standard measurement output order

Calculus normally uses four measurement outputs per Eastron.

Use the following order when connecting and labelling the measured circuits:

Project configuration

The project-specific configuration always takes priority. If the assigned mapping differs from this standard order, use the mapping defined for that project.

Configure the Eastron

Configure each Eastron before performing the final functional test.

Configure and test one meter at a time. This makes it easier to verify addresses and channels and prevents multiple devices from obscuring an addressing problem.

Controls

Use the following buttons to navigate through the Eastron settings:

Open the settings menu

1. Hold E for approximately three seconds.

2. When PASS appears, enter the password using M, P and E.

3. Use the default password 1000.

4. Hold E to confirm.

Configure address mode and slave ID

Required setting

Set SET Addr QNTY to 1.

The complete physical Eastron then uses one Modbus address, and channels CH01 to CH04 share the same slave ID.

Do not use QNTY 2, 3 or 4 for this Calculus setup.

If CH01 or CH02 appears while configuring the address, the meter is still operating in multi-address mode.

Use the following standard slave IDs:

To configure the address:

1. Open SET Addr and then SET Addr QNTY.

2. Set SET Addr QNTY to 1.

3. Hold E to confirm.

4. Open SET Addr again.

5. Set the assigned slave ID for the complete meter.

6. Hold E to confirm.

Configure the communication settings

Set the following communication parameters:

Configure CT1

CT1 defines the rated primary current of the connected CT.

The configured value must match the rating shown on the CT. An incorrect CT1 setting causes proportionally incorrect measurement values.

Examples:

To configure CT1:

1. Open SET CT1.

2. Select the required channel from CH01 to CH04.

3. Select L1, L2 and L3 in sequence.

4. Set the primary CT value for each phase.

5. Hold E to confirm.

6. Repeat these steps for every channel that is used.

Check CT2

CT2 is read-only.

For a 100 mA CT version, the displayed value should be:

0.1 A

Configure System Type

Open SET SYS and select the system type that matches the physical voltage connection.

For a three-phase installation with neutral, use:

3P4W

Check CT direction

The normal CT direction is:

FRD (forward)

with:

• P1 on the supply side;

• P2 on the load side.

Use REV only if a physical check confirms that the CT has been installed in reverse and correcting the physical installation is not practical.

Start the installation

Start the installation in stages. This makes it easier to identify which meter causes an addressing or communication problem.

1. After changing addresses or communication settings, fully power down the gateway and all Eastron meters.

2. Power the installation back on.

3. Test Eastron 1 first.

4. Add the remaining Eastron meters one at a time.

5. After adding each meter, verify that all previously connected meters and channels remain reachable.

Commission the installation

Complete the following checks before handing over the installation.

Electrical installation

• All terminals are secure and connected according to the correct wiring diagram.

• CTs, RJ12 cables and Eastron channels are clearly labelled.

• The antenna is installed outside the distribution board and connected.

• The gateway and all Eastron meters power up correctly.

Eastron configuration

• The correct System Type is configured.

• The correct CT1 values are configured.

• SET Addr QNTY is set to 1.

• Every Eastron has a unique slave ID.

• Baud rate is set to 9600.

• Parity is set to NONE.

• Stop bits are set to 1.

Functional check

• Voltages L1, L2 and L3 are present and plausible.

• Every measurement circuit shows a plausible current and active power value.

• There are no unexpected negative active power values.

• Modbus communication between the Eastron meters and gateway is working.

• The gateway comes online through the installed SIM card.

• Every measurement circuit in use has been functionally tested with a load.

Troubleshooting

Record the installation

Record the installed measurement configuration during handover. This information makes future checks and troubleshooting considerably easier.

Record at least:

• gateway type and serial number;

• Eastron type and serial number(s);

• SET Addr QNTY and slave ID for each Eastron;

• baud rate, parity and stop bits;

• CT type and current ratio for each measurement output in use;

• CT1 value for each channel and phase in use;

• name of each measured circuit;

• configured System Type;

• any CT directions changed to REV in software.

Quick reference for the technician

Final check

• Physical wiring checked against the project-specific diagram

• CT direction and phase matching checked

• CT1 values checked

• QNTY = 1

• Unique slave ID assigned to every Eastron

• RS-485 communication settings checked

• All required channels return plausible measurements

• Gateway online

• Modbus communication stable

• Installation details recorded for handover

Ready for handover

The installation is ready for handover when the wiring has been checked, all Eastron meters have unique addresses, the measurement values are plausible and Modbus communication is stable.