Company News
Learn about SSI and the latest news on pulse isolation relays and other electric metering equipment for electric companies, water & gas utilities, and energy service companies.
KYZ Pulses - |
KYZ Pulses are a clever and ingenious means of conveying instantaneous energy use information to other systems with no direct electrical contact, which will allow KYZ Pulse Metering to survive for decades into the future. While it’s true that this methodology – which has been around for many decades – is being replaced in some applications by newer technologies, there are many reasons why KYZ Pulses continue to live on. |
Selecting a Good Pulse Value - |
In selecting a good pulse value, there are three general schools of thought. Of course, these may not be all-inclusive, but over the years I have found that most utilities use one of these general methods or some variation. |
Creating Interval Data with the PMC-1 |
Often times the PMC-1 is called upon to create 15-minute interval data, within a client application program that uses the Modbus protocol. 15-Minute interval data is the standard format of the utility industry for load profiling and billing data. For those not familiar with interval data, electric energy use (in kWh) is tracked usually over a |
Check out our NEW product - SPR-110 |
The SPR-110 pulse isolation relay is designed to provide ten sets of isolated solid state Form C (K, Y & Z) dry-contact outputs from a single field-selectable Form A or C input over a wide voltage range. The SPR-110 relay contains standard-duty solid state outputs. The sense voltage provided by the SPR-110 to the sending device (typically a meter) is +13 VDC. The SPR-110 may be used with meters having high or low voltage semiconductor outputs, or electro-mechanical output contacts (relays). |
Keep the Meters ON with the NEW APU-3! |
The APU-3 is an auxiliary power switchover device designed for instrument metering applications. In the event of power loss to the meter from the primary source, the APU-3 automatically switches the meter potential to one of three auxiliary sources. By using this approach, potential loss of revenue is avoided. |
We've Upgraded |
In continuing our efforts to standardize all SSI Pulse Isolation relay products to the greatest extent possible, we’ve recently upgraded our RPR-33PS 3-Channel isolation relay with our standard SSI input configuration for Form A (2-wire) or Form C (3-wire) inputs for greater field flexibility. This relay is normally used in Watts and Vars applications and sometimes with an end -of-interval(EOI) pulse on one channel. This allows for seamless interfacing of the multiple pulse outputs from |
Picking a good KYZ Pulse Value |
We're often asked "What is the proper pulse value to set a customer?" or "How do you know what to set the pulse output value for?" The answer is -- it depends. It depends primarily on kW size of the customer and what they want to do with the pulses. Most pulse metering applications these days are related nearly exclusively to peak demand applications -- that is, either demand monitoring, demand control, demand response programs, etc. - and less for kWh energy monitoring. |
Check out our new product - MPT-440 |
The MPT-440 is a combination of a four-channel isolation relay and SSI’s MPT-4C totalizer. In this way the four separate duplicating or “splitting” relays are eliminated and all of the pulse metering is in one compact package. In addition, this eliminates all of the field wiring that would be necessary to make a system like this work. |
Check out our new |
Years ago, we introduced the CID-1 Customer Interface Device in response to continued requests from customers for a low-cost convenient termination device which would provide over current protection. It was followed a year later by the CID-2, a two-channel version of the popular low-cost interfacing device. A few more years have gone by, but it’s that time again! In response to customer requests, we’re introducing the CID-3, a three-channel termination device. |
MPG-1 Software Upgrades |
In our efforts to continually upgrade our products, we’ve completed a major software upgrade for our MPG-1 Wireless Meter Pulse Generator. The MPG-1 uses Zigbee wireless technology to receive power use information from a Zigbee-enabled electric meter and generates KYZ pulses of a selected value for customer-side metering or energy management systems. |
PulseConnex Software Upgrades |
In addition to the MPG-1 upgrades, we’ve been hard at work on a variety of projects including software upgrades for our PulseConnex® Energy Monitoring System and Dashboard. Due to the wide variety of network configurations and security protocols on customer sites, we’ve added the capability to use a static IP address on the PulseConnex interface device in addition using standard DHCP. |
Pulse Data from AMI Meters now a RealityFebruary 2016 |
Many times in commercial energy management projects, it’s difficult or just about impossible to get KYZ pulses from the meter. This can be because of the proximity of the meter to the building, the cost or delay of getting a KYZ output installed, or any number of additional factors involved with monitoring energy use and demand. |
New Metering Pulse TotalizersFebruary 2016 |
Streamlined and more Versatile Solid State Instruments is happy to announce an exciting improvement of our line of metering pulse totalizers. In order to take advantage of a faster and more flexible microcontroller, we are releasing the new MPT-2C, MPT-4C, and MPT-8C Metering Pulse Totalizers. |
IEEE487 and A New Low-Cost Short-Hop SolutionOctober 2015 |
The 2015 changes to IEEE 487 Standard called “Electrical Protection of Communications Facilities Serving Electric Supply Locations” are now out. Compliance to this Standard as far as KYZ pulses are concerned, requires that no copper wires leave the substation. If you are bringing KYZ pulses out of a substation for your industrial or large commercial customers, you have two options... |
Line Voltage Isolation Relays are Problematic for Modern MetersAugust 2015 |
Today many utilities continue to do KYZ metering installations the same way they were done 30 and 40 years ago. Yes, they may still work okay. However, it is not the best engineering solution due to the changes in the meter’s KYZ outputs. And the long-term reliability of the meter’s pulse output is compromised. Let’s look at this more closely. |
Transmitting More Pulses, FartherAugust 2015 |
The New OPL-4B and New OPL-8B can Send Multiple Pulses up to 68 Miles Solid State Instruments is introducing the first SSI optical fiber pulse link capable of transmitting multiple pulses over very long distances – up to 65 miles with certain models using single-mode fiber. |
Churches Monitor
August 2015 |
Many organizations are looking to solar to provide relief from high electric bills, but with complicated net metering rates and data provided by the utility up to a month after occurrence, it can be hard to know how efficiently a solar PV array is operating. |
Product Line ChangesFebruary 2015 |
Each January we celebrate the New Year, and then realize that it’s “that time of year” again - time that we take stock of our product line and decide what products will stay and which ones will get the chopping block. This is particularly difficult for us here at Solid State Instruments since we are a low volume, high mix business. |
Introducing the PMC-1
January 2015 |
Access your energy use and demand information. Introducing the PMC-1 Pulse-to-Modbus Converter, the latest specialty KYZ Pulse metering device from Solid State Instruments. Gain access to a building’s energy use and demand information. |
PulseConnexNovember 2014 |
Help your customers unlock the greatest secret in the utility industry with PulseConnex. Your customer's energy use will be at their fingertips, online and instantaneous. |
A Stronger, More Reliable Short-Hop Pulse SolutionAugust 2014 |
Introducing PRL-1200 Solid State Instruments, the leader in pulse isolation relay products brings you a new solution to the common problem of getting pulses from a remote pad-mounted or pole mounted meter across parking lots, fields, roads, railroad tracks or anywhere where it is difficult to get a KYZ pulse from the meter. |
