Technical Manual

BEC 33
BEC 33 User Manual

All Rights Reserved

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the
part of Merlin Gerin SA (Pty) Ltd t/a Conlog. No part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted,
transcribed or translated into any language without express written permission of Merlin Gerin SA (Pty) Ltd t/a
Conlog.

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 BEC 33 User Manual

Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction ......................................................................... 4
Section 2: Glossary Of Terms .............................................................. 4
Section 3: Specifications...................................................................... 4
Section 4: Environmental ..................................................................... 4
Section 5: Features ............................................................................... 4
5.1 User Interface Unit ...................................................................................4
5.2 MCU Electrical Protection ........................................................................5
5.3 Security ....................................................................................................5
5.4 Reliability ..................................................................................................5
Section 6: Operational Features .......................................................... 5
6.1 Measurement Control Unit .......................................................................5
6.1.1 Disconnect Device ........................................................................................6
6.1.2 Rate LED.......................................................................................................6
6.1.3 Flag Probe Port.............................................................................................6
6.1.4 Meter Serial Number.....................................................................................6
6.2 User Interface Unit ...................................................................................7
6.2.1 User Interface LCD Display ..........................................................................7
6.2.2 Overload Indication .......................................................................................7
6.2.3 Low Credit Indication ....................................................................................7
6.2.4 Zero Credit Indication....................................................................................7
6.2.5 Negative Credit Indication.............................................................................8
6.2.6 Wait (Clock) Indication ..................................................................................8
6.2.7 Token Acceptance Indication........................................................................8
6.2.8 Token Rejection Indication............................................................................8
Section 7: Special User Functions ...................................................... 8
Section 8: Engineering Tokens............................................................ 9
8.1 Programmable Load Limit (Meter Specific) ..............................................9
8.1.1 Maximum Load Limit Token..........................................................................9
8.1.2 Phase Limit Token ........................................................................................9
8.2 Clear Credit Token (Meter Specific) .........................................................9
8.3 Coding Token (Meter Specific).................................................................9
8.4 Test Token (Non-Meter Specific) ...........................................................10
Section 9: Installation of the Meter.................................................... 10
9.1 To Install the MCU on the Wall...............................................................10
9.2 To Wire Up the MCU ..............................................................................11
9.3 To Provide final Inspection of the MCU installation ................................11
9.4 Installing the UIU ....................................................................................12
9.5 To Test the Meter Installation and Seal the Meter..................................12
9.6 To Remove the MCU..............................................................................12
Section 10: Using A BEC 33 Electricity Meter .................................. 13
Section 12: Problem Solving.............................................................. 14
Section 13: Typical Installation Diagrams......................................... 15

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BEC 33 User Manual

Section 1: Introduction
The BEC 33 is a split poly-phase, STS compliant Prepayment Electricity Meter and is ideal for large domestic
homes and for small industrial applications. It is the world’s smallest split poly-phase prepayment meter. It
features a keypad user interface with tactile feedback called the User Interface Unit (UIU) and the
Measurement Control Unit (MCU) which has a single pole 100 Amp latched contactor disconnect device per
phase with automatic reset. The MCU is easy to mount as it uses the international standard BS footprint,
which can be mounted, outside the customers’ premises in an electrical box for easy access for the utility.
The meter also features a programmable current trip. The UIU is mounted inside the customers’ premises.

Section 2: Glossary Of Terms

BEC 33 Budget Energy Controller, 33 (model) It only comes with a Push-button Interface
STS Standard Transfer Specification
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
LED Light Emitting Diode
Icon Pictorial representation of a function and used as part of a display
Interrogator Kit A collection of parts used together with a Notebook PC to obtain parameters
embedded in a meter
Test Load A resistance of known value used with a Rate Probe to check the calibration of a
meter.
Flag Probe An optical probe as used with the Conlog Interrogation Kit.
Gimlet A tool with a screw tip used to remove plastic seals

Section 3: Specifications

• Standard Transfer Specification (STS)

• IEC 1036 Alternating Current Static Watt-Hour Meters for Active Energy.
• NRS 009 (Technical specification for an Electricity Dispensing System for small and domestic
customers).
• IP 51
• Class 2 accuracy.
• Eskom MC 171
• Eskom MC 115
• Eskom MC 195
• Eskom TRMSCAAP rev2
• Eskom DTS 1026

Section 4: Environmental

• Operating temperature: -10 °C to +55 °C.

• Storage temperature: -25 °C to +70 °C.
• Burden: Active Power 30 VA and Real Power 3 W.

Section 5: Features
5.1 User Interface Unit

• Keypad user interface with tactile feedback.

• A large format LCD that supports numeric, bar graphs and icons is used.
• The LCD indicates low credit, token acceptance or rejection, the rate of consumption, remaining
electricity credit, power on, and the status of the disconnect device.
• An LED indicating the rate of consumption. (Flash Rate: 1000 pulses / kWh)
• Clear, user-friendly pictograms.

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5.2 MCU Electrical Protection

• Each phase is protected by Conlog’s 5kA / 5kV surge arrestor.
• Electronic circuits designed to withstand 400V.
• Rated operating voltage per phase 230V AC (180V AC to 265V AC).

5.3 Security
• Provision for lead seals is combined with the “destroy to remove” plastic seals.
• The active unit is completely sealed to prevent tampering and insect ingress.
• Internal register of correctly entered tokens.
• Watchdog facility (fails safe) trips the disconnect switch if the electronics are faulty.
• Each meter has a unique security key.

5.4 Reliability
• Conformal-coated PCB’s, protect against insect, dust and humidity.
• Keypad has a proven reliability of more that one million operations per key.
• Pick and place technology using surface mounted components ensures a high degree of manufacturing
accuracy and repeatability.

Section 6: Operational Features

6.1 Measurement Control Unit

LCD
Display

Flag
Probe
Port

Rate
LED

Meter
Serial
Number

Security
Seal
Termination
Box Cover

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6.1.1 Disconnect Device

The BEC 33 uses one 100 A, 2,4 kA single pole latched contactor as the disconnect device per phase.
This contactor disconnects the consumer when the credit expires or the load limit is exceeded.
When the contactor opens due to the load limit being exceeded (overload) it remains open for approximately
30 seconds and then re-closes. If the overload is still present it opens again. After 5 consecutive 30-second
disconnections the contactor then opens for 30 minutes. This pattern is repeated indefinitely until the
overload is removed.
It should be noted that the contactor is not designed as an over-current protection device and must not be
used to interrupt fault currents.

6.1.2 Rate LED

The meter has a rate LED which pulses 1000 times per kWh delivered and indicates to the consumer the rate
at which electricity is being consumed
It can be used, in conjunction with the Meter Interrogator Optical Probe reader and a test load to check the
calibration of the meter. Note: This calibration verification can only be done per phase.

6.1.3 Flag Probe Port

The Flag Probe Port can also be used together with the Meter Interrogator Kit to perform an optical dump.
This indicates the dispenser serial number, remaining credit, software version, total to date, and status of the
meter, one is also able to separately view the following parameters of the meter; load limit, tariff index, supply
group code, total to date, users total to date and software version.
In the event of meter failure the information available from the Flag Probe Port may also be read directly
using a MC171 Direct Probe in conjunction with an Interrogator Kit, however the meter must be opened in
order to perform this extraction method.

6.1.4 Meter Serial Number

The warranty status of the meter can be easily be determined by deducting the number of months from the
current month to the manufactured month. The Meter Serial Number determines this.

Example: - 04 09 23 8425 6

STS Year of Week of Sequential unit Check digit

manufacturer manufacture manufacture made in week
number

So the interpretation of this serial number is: - the meter was a Conlog meter, made in 1999 in the 23rd week
and it was the 8425th meter to come off the production line that particular week. So basically, the meter was
manufactured in the first week of June 1999, hence this meter is 3 years old and out of warranty.

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6.2 User Interface Unit

The UIU is installed in the house or building with two communication wires that are connected to the MCU,
which is located outside the building. The UIU comes in a two-part construction, the base and the numeric
pad and display. The numeric pad is used to enter credit and initiate special user functions and an LCD
display which indicates credit available (in kWh), rate of consumption and special functions. See Section 7
‘Special User Functions’ for details.

LCD
Display
Rate LED

Security Push-
Screws Button Pad

Base of UIU User Interface Unit

6.2.1 User Interface LCD Display

The display, as it would appear with all the segments in current use highlighted. When “display test” (#3##) is
activated, further icons not shown above will also appear.

Rate of
Energy Consumption
Credit

Clock
Keypad Icon
Icon

Contactor
Token Icon
Accept/Reject

LCD Display Showing Relevant Icons

6.2.2 Overload Indication

The consumer is disconnected when the load power being consumed, averaged over a 15 second period,
exceeds the load limit. When this happens all ten segments of the rate consumption bar-graph flash as an
indication to the consumer to switch off appliances. The load limit is programmable allowing the supply
authority to limit the maximum power an individual consumer is able to draw. See Section 8.1 ‘Maximum
Power Token’ for more details about maximum power limitations.

6.2.3 Low Credit Indication

Low credit is indicated by the keypad icon, which begins flashing when the credit falls below 25.5kWh.

6.2.4 Zero Credit Indication

When the available credit reaches zero the contactor disconnects the load. The keypad icon displays
continuously and the contactor closed icon goes off.

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6.2.5 Negative Credit Indication

Under certain circumstances e.g. through switching delays or a faulty latched contactor, the consumer may
continue drawing current after the trip point has been reached. This is recorded in the meter as negative
credit and is displayed as a negative reading; alternatively the meter can be configured, at the time of
manufacture, so that the display continues to indicate 0,00 kWh whilst the meter registers the negative
credit in its memory. The keypad icon continues to be displayed and the contactor-closed icon is not
displayed.

6.2.6 Wait (Clock) Indication

When the clock icon appears the system is busy and the keypad is disabled. The consumer must wait until
the clock icon disappears before entering data.

6.2.7 Token Acceptance Indication

The token accepted icon appears briefly after the consumer finishes successfully keying in the 20 digit token
number.

6.2.8 Token Rejection Indication

If the token is not accepted the token rejected icon appears briefly followed by the explanatory code.

FFFFFFFF ED Full
dddddddd Duplicate Token
EEEEEEEE Data Entry Error
00000000 Token Expired
See also “Problem Solving” for further explanation of the above codes.

Note that the ED Full indication is given if entering a token would result in the maximum permissible credit
level of 13 MWh being exceeded

Section 7: Special User Functions

Instantaneous Consumption #1#
Type #1# on the keypad and the Instantaneous Consumption (the amount of electrical power in kW
currently being used averaged over a 15 second period) will be displayed for a few seconds before reverting
to the normal credit display.

User Total To Date #2#

Type #2# on the keypad and the User Total To Date (the total amount of electricity credit in kWh inserted into
the meter since it was installed) will be displayed. After a few seconds it will revert to the normal credit
display.

Keypad Test and Display Test #3##

Type #3# on the keypad. The keypad may be tested by pressing each of the keys. The display will fill with
characters relative to the key being tested. I.e. All 4’s, all 5’s, etc.
Type # a second time. Display Test will occur. Once the test is complete it will revert to the normal credit
display.

Meters’ Serial Number #4#

Type #4# on the keypad and the MCU serial number will be displayed on the UIU. After a few seconds it will
revert to the normal credit display.

UIU Software Version #5#

Type #5# on the keypad and the software version number of the UIU will be displayed. After a few seconds it
will revert to the normal credit display.

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Section 8: Engineering Tokens

There are a group of tokens used to configure the meter and perform additional special operations. The
Electricity Vending Unit issues them. Some tokens will only be accepted by a specific meter (known as
“Meter Specific” tokens) and may only be used once while others work in all meters (“Non-Meter Specific”
tokens) and are reusable.

8.1 Programmable Load Limit (Meter Specific)

8.1.1 Maximum Load Limit Token

This token is used to adjust the load limit of the meter and is issued by the Electricity Vending Unit. The
Three Phase BEC 32 P may be set from 0.575 kW to 23 kW. (At unity power factor, this would equate to a
programmable range between 2.5A and 100A). This token is meter specific and may only be used once.

8.1.2 Phase Limit Token

This token is used to adjust the Phase Imbalance in the three-phase meter and is issued by the Electricity
Vending Unit. The Three Phase BEC 32 P may be set from 0.575 kW to 23 kW. (At unity power factor, this
would equate to a programmable range between 2.5A and 100A). What this token does is restricts the load
limit, which is programmable, on a three-phase meter if it detects that there is a phase imbalance. Provided
that the load is always balanced across all three phases, this feature won’t have an effect on the load limit as
programmed into the meter by the ‘Maximum Load Limit Token’ however if an imbalance is detected then
what ever this ‘Phase Limit Token’ was set to will limit all the phases to this limit. This token is meter specific
and may only be used once.

8.2 Clear Credit Token (Meter Specific)

This token is used to clear the “credit remaining” register and the “user total to date” register. It does not
clear the “meter total to date” register. This token is meter specific and may only be used once.

8.3 Coding Token (Meter Specific)

This token is used to replace the existing key with a new one i.e. when changing the Supply Group Code,
Tariff Index or Key revision. It is issued in sets of two, each with a 20-digit number.
After entering the first 20 digits the accept icon appears together with a string of decimal points. Once the
display clears, the second set of 20 digits must be entered within 4 minutes. Upon acceptance the display
appears as CCCCCCCC. If for some reason the second token is not entered, the key will not be changed and
the meter will continue to accept tokens based on the existing key. This token is meter specific and may only
be used once. The use of this token erases the display memory and the SGC can no longer be viewed
although the SGC is still resident in the meter.

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8.4 Test Token (Non-Meter Specific)

This token, defined as STS 0, is used to perform a series of tests on the ED.
Typing in the 20-digit code, initiates the test, which continues to step through the sequence automatically
whilst displaying the data shown for each step. These steps will change from meter to meter and detailed
below are the steps the BEC32 P will go through and what each step indicates.

The 20 Digit number is: - 5649 3153 7254 5031 3471

STS 0 Test: BEC 33

Step Display Action / Explanation

888888.88
All segments turned on
All segments turned on
0 0. nnnn.nn kWh
- . nnnn.nn kWh
1 1. nnnnn.n kWh
2 2. 88888.8 KWh
3 3. nn.
4 4. nn.
5 5. nn.
6 6. nnnn.nn kw
7 7. nnnn.nn kw
8 8. nn.nn
10 10.8888.88
Normal display resumes
Open contactor / trip breaker
Perform LCD display test
Perform optical dump via rate led
Positive credit – contactor closes
Negative Credit – contactor remains open
User total to date. The total amount of credit the present consumer has
entered into his meter
Dispenser total to date. The total credit ever entered into the dispenser.
Key revision number. Revision Number of the security area key.
Key type
Tariff index (used by the consumer).
Load limit. The power in Watts at which the meter is set to trip.
Average power (measured in kW).
ED Software Revision No.
Supply group code.

Section 9: Installation of the Meter

9.1 To Install the MCU on the Wall

1. Determine the cable entry point and meter position (between 1.3m and 1.5m above floor level) with user.
2. Position the enclosed template, as shown in Figure 1, in the above position not closer than 1 meter from
the nearest tap and not directly above a stove or water.
3. Tape the template to the wall.
4. Drill the holes through the template with a 6mm masonry bit deep enough to accommodate wall plugs.
5. Remove the template and fit wall plugs and put the top screw into the wall plug and tighten screw until
5mm is still protruding.
6. Hang the meter on this top screw and line up the two bottom screws into the wall plugs through the holes
provided in the meter.
7. Tighten all three screws.

Figure 1 - BEC 33 Meter Template as supplied in Meter Packaging

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 BEC 33 User Manual

9.2 To Wire Up the MCU

Refer to Figure 2.

1. Caution: The wiring is to be performed by a certified installation electrician and must conform to the
prevailing Government standards and safety regulations.
2. Make sure the incoming power is isolated.
3. Connect incoming BLACK (neutral) to terminal 10.
4. Connect incoming RED phase (line 1) to terminal 1.
5. Connect incoming WHITE phase (line 2) to terminal 4.
6. Connect incoming BLUE phase (line 3) to terminal 7.
7. Connect outgoing BLACK (neutral) to terminal 12.
8. Connect outgoing RED phase (line 1) to terminal 3.
9. Connect outgoing WHITE phase (line 2) to terminal 6.
10. Connect outgoing BLUE phase (line 3) to terminal 9.
11. Connect the communication cable to terminals 13 and 15. Note the comms cable is not polarity
sensitive.
12. Check that all terminal block screws are tight.

Communication Cable

LOAD
LINE
Figure 2 - Wiring Diagram

9.3 To Provide final Inspection of the MCU installation

1. Ensure that the incoming lines are wired as follow:

BLACK (neutral) to terminal 10
RED phase (line 1) to terminal 1
WHITE phase (line 2) to terminal 4
BLUE phase (line3) to terminal 7.
2. Ensure that the outgoing lines are wired as follow:
BLACK (neutral) to terminal 12
RED phase (line 1) to terminal 3
WHITE phase (line 2) to terminal 6
BLUE phase (line 3) to terminal 9.
3. Warning: The meter can be damaged if:
a) One of the incoming phases is connected to the neutral terminal.
b) The neutral terminal is not connected.
4. Ensure that the communication cables are connected to terminals 13 and 15.
5. Ensure that all terminal block screws are tight.
6. Make sure the wiring is neat and tidy
7. Pay attention to exposed copper wiring. (Connections where insulation has been stripped back too far
should be re-made).
8. Replace the terminal block cover.

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9.4 Installing the UIU

1. Determine the cable entry point and UIU position (between 1.3m and 1.5m above floor level) with user.
2. Identify which holes you are going to use in the base and drill them out. Including the cable entry hole.
3. Position the base on the wall and mark the holes on the wall, as shown in Figure 3, not closer than 1
meter from the nearest tap and not directly above a stove or water.
4. Drill the holes in the wall with a 6mm masonry bit deep enough to accommodate wall plugs.
5. Fit wall plugs and screw base on the wall and bring the communication cables in through the pre-drilled
hole.
6. Connect the communication cables to the back of the UIU as shown in Figure 4. Note: these cables are
not polarity sensitive.
7. Tighten all screws on the base making sure that the base is not distorted or twisted.
8. Curl up the cable slack behind the UIU making sure that it doesn’t get damaged or “squashed” when the
UIU is secured to the base.
9. Secure the UIU to the base with the two screws provided.
10. Put in the security seals.

Connect
Mark Holes on Comms.
Wall and Drill Cables Here

Figure 3 - Back Plate of UIU Figure 4 - Back of UIU and Comms. Wires

9.5 To Test the Meter Installation and Seal the Meter

1 Power up the meter via the main isolator breaker.

2 Perform the STS 0 meter test on the UIU, refer to Section 8.4 ‘Test Token’.
3 After the successful completion of the test, place the terminal block cover on and the MCU must be
sealed using the meter plastic seals on the terminal cover as shown in Figure 5, or the lead seals as
designated by the Supply Authority.
4 Complete documentation relating to the customer.

Figure 5 - Plastic Meter Seal

9.6 To Remove the MCU

1. Isolate the power.

2. Remove the seals.
3. Unscrew the Terminal Cover.
4. Remove all the cabling; mark the cables if necessary, so that you know which cable is the Line Side,
which cable is the Load Side and which cable is the communication cable.
5. Unscrew the bottom two screws completely and remove them.
6. Loosen the top screw enough so that the MCU can be lifted off this screw, it doesn’t have to be removed
completely.

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Section 10: Using A BEC 33 Electricity Meter

STEP 1
Before using electricity, credit must be purchased from the nearest electricity sales point. If the ID card is not
available the meter serial number (shown on the bar code, see figure 1) must be known to enable the
purchase of a token.

Important:
The token can only be used for the nominated meter.
The token can only be used once.
Token Expiry: Conlog meters embody a unique token expiry system, which employs a stack of 50 tokens.
Each token in the stack has its date and time recorded. Should the fifty-first token be older than the oldest
token in the stack it will be rejected as an old token.

STEP 2
The 20-digit number from the token must be keyed into the meter. As the numbers are keyed in, they will be
shown on the display. This allows confirmation that the numbers keyed in are the same as those on the
token. If a mistake is made, use the backspace key to clear one number at a time until the mistake is
cleared.
If it is necessary to start from the beginning again, press the # key. This will clear all the numbers entered so
far and allow the re-entry of the numbers.

STEP 3
After entry of the 20-digit number, the meter will check it. If the number is valid the display will flash the
amount of credit purchased for a short time and the icon will appear. The internal switch will then
automatically connect the electricity. After a few seconds the total remaining credit will be displayed.

STEP 4
When switching on lights or any appliances, the red light below the icon will begin to flash.
The more appliances switched on, the faster the light will flash. This indicator will act as a reminder to switch
off appliances that are not in use.

STEP 5
When the credit level starts running low (below 25.5kWh), the icon on the display will start flashing. This
is a warning that another token must be purchased. If the dispenser runs out of credit, the internal switch will
trip and disconnect the electricity supply. To reconnect the electricity supply, a token must be purchased and
the 20-digit number from the token keyed into the dispenser.

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Section 12: Problem Solving

• Should the meter trip and there is still credit remaining, the meter may have been overloaded by the use
of too many appliances at once.
Turn off all appliances and the meter should reconnect automatically.

• Should the meter show a negative credit, the supply authority should be contacted.

• Should the icon appear on the display wait for the symbol to disappear before proceeding.

• Should the number not be accepted, it may be for a variety of reasons:

a) The number may have been entered incorrectly, or the number is not valid for the meter.
The icon will appear and a flashing EEEEEEEE message will be displayed, indicating an error.
After a few seconds it will revert to the normal credit display. Ensure that the serial number on the
token matches that of the ED.

b) The number entered may be a duplicate number.

The icon will appear and a flashing dddddddd message will be displayed, indicating a duplicate
number entry. After a few seconds it will revert to the normal credit display. The token should be
discarded.

c) The ED credit level is too high and will not accept any more credit.
The icon will appear and a flashing FFFFFFFF message will be displayed, indicating the
dispenser is full. After a few seconds it will revert to the normal credit display. The token should be
retained and the token re-entered when the credit level drops

d) The number entered is from an expired token.

The icon will appear and a flashing 00000000 message will be displayed, indicating an old
number was entered. After a few seconds it will revert to the normal credit display. This token can no
longer be used.

e) The display is blank.

The display reverts to blank for approximately 15 seconds when a # is typed and not followed by
further entries. Type # and the display will revert to its normal state.

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Section 13: Typical Installation Diagrams

As can be seen from the diagram below, the MCU is mounted in the meter box inside the customers property
with the outgoing and communication cables running to the distribution board mounted in the customers’
house. The communication cable is then extended out of the distribution box via a piece of conduit to the
UIU.

Alternatively, the MCU can be mounted in the Street Kiosk with the outgoing and communication cables
running to the distribution board mounted in the customers’ house via the old meter box. The communication
cable is then extended out of the distribution box via a piece of conduit to the UIU.

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NOTES:

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