MeterGrapher is a compact, efficient, PC based application for polling values from meters that have a modbus communications capability. The polled values are displayed graphically, including visual alarms when values are outside defined limits, and written to log files that can be further analysed in MeterGrapher, or exported to other systems.

Originally designed for use with CDI Meters Inc. flow and pressure meters, it can now log any meter that uses the modbus protocol, e.g. Veris power meters. To log other meter types you will have to supply meter details to CDI Meters Inc.

Gathering values from meters in diverse locations to give a single, real-time display facilitates the rapid identification of fault conditions such as air leaks. Analysis of historical data can show that some equipment is working less efficiently than similar equipment elsewhere, and can show trends in consumption. This information can then be used to manage maintenance and operation activities to reduce consumption and thus costs.

MeterGrapher is available from the CDI Meters Inc website

At present MeterGrapher is free of charge.

Any modern Windows-based PC with either an Ethernet connection to a router, or spare USB ports. A screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or better is recommended. The software has been extensively tested on Windows XP and Windows 7.

Meters are connected, either via COM/USB or TCP/IP, using industry standard adapters, typically one for every 50 meters to be polled.

If the connection is COM/USB the PC should be no more than 4000 feet from the furthest meter. If connecting via TCP/IP the PC can be anywhere in the world!

No. It has been designed for use by engineers with modest IT skills. Setting up the adapters requires a little more knowledge, but the documentation provided here, (including the Quick Start Guide), and from the adapter manufacturer gives full guidance. If you require remote access over the internet you may well need help from the IT Department!

At present up to 250 meters can be logged at once.

This depends to some extent on the nature of the connections, but logging intervals can be down to 200ms per meter.

Yes. MeterGrapher is not hungry for PC resources, unless a very rapid logging rate is invoked.

If the PC crashes while logging, information is lost. However a StartLog utility is provided and this can be added to the PC's start-up so that logging resumes as soon as the PC is rebooted.

Yes. The logs are compact tab-delimited text files.

Yes. The can be imported as tab-delimited text files (See also AnswerGrapher below).

AnswerGrapher is an Excel workbook supplied as part of the MeterGrapher installation. It facilitates the import of a specific log file and provides three types of information:
1. A display of the data highlighting blanks (no value returned from the meter) and extreme values (more than 3SD from the mean).
2. Meta-data: date and time of logging start / finish, number of meters, logging interval, number of readings, counts of blank and extreme values.
3. A graph
This is a valuable tool if the user wants a quick view of the log files.

Comprehensive user documentation, including annotated screen-shots and how-to videos with commentary, is provided on-line. The software writes diagnostic files that can help in resolving issues, particularly those related to communications between the PC and the adapters / meters. In addition telephone and e-mail support is available from the development team.

Yes. All the required functionality is now in a single module and the graphs are updated in real time. The Excel element (AnswerGrapher) has been adapted and retained to provide additional utility.

There is no native application, but users could run windows on the Mac, and MeterGrapher may run on that, but this has not been tested. This is the link that shows how to run Windows on a Mac - http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/guide/windows.

Yes. MGUsageCalcs is an Excel Workbook that calculates Usages for daily, weekly, monthly and user-defined periods. You must set MeterGrapher to log Usage.

Yes. In most cases a single click will import the data and display it as required, and more complex analyses are straightforward. Full instructions are provided.

Yes. If you are a new user with fewer than 50 CDI meters the guide will take you the shortest route to start logging. See Quick Start Guide

This facility is only available for CDI flow meters. On any adapter all meter numbers must be different. If you were supplied with a new meter that had the same number as an existing meter you could change it using this facility. There is no other reason to change the meter number.

Only to get an immediate view that the values being polled matched the meter displays. They would not if, for example, you had selected the wrong units when setting up the configuration.

If logging continues over long periods the log file can get very large, and this can affect the performance of the software. Starting a new log file periodically will keep the file sizes down. It may also be convenient to start a new file, say, every month, so that the information is broken into convenient blocks. MeterGrapher manages the renaming of log files when new logs are started, and no information is ever lost. New log files are always started when the meter or adapter configuration is changed. More information here.

When MeterGrapher is installed the Current Directory - where user files (configuration, logs, etc.), are stored - is set to the installation location. This is the user's choice, but is probably somewhere in Program Files. You can change the Current Directory to somewhere more convenient - My Documents or a network drive. It is also possible to have two different configurations, e.g. one for regular logging and one to rapidly poll problem meters. More information here.

The polling of each meter takes a finite amount of time, and the recommended interval is the product of this time and the number of meters. The time taken will vary from one installation to the next, and MeterGrapher is delivered with default parameters that will suit most occasions. If very rapid logging is required the software can measure actual response times and fine-tune the polling parameters. More information here.

Yes. They must be 6 characters or less and all unique. The software will insist on this.

Ethernet adapters must be set up with an IP Address and a number of parameters defining the type and rate of data flow. If you are using a CDI-recommended adapter you need only set up the IP Address and select this option. The software will complete the configuration. If you are not using a recommended adapter you must configure it yourself, using the manufacturer's instructions. More information here.

Contact CDI Meters Inc with the meter details - a web address will probably be sufficient - and the meter parameters you wish to poll. We will add it to the Library. It must be a meter that uses the Modbus protocol.

Gosh! Five was selected as a number that would suit most installations. If you have more than 5 types of meter / parameter, contact CDI Meters Inc.

When you configure the adapter you give it an IP Address. There may be several ways to do this. For MeterGrapher you MUST choose a static IP Address, or use DCHP. You MUST NOT use BOOTP or Auto-IP. If the IP Address is changing Auto-IP was probably used.

Some users want to ensure that the essential configuration information cannot be changed without authorisation. Users who do not have this concern can set the password to blank, thus requiring a single key-stroke to continue. More information here.

When you choose to Invoke Password the default password is displayed on screen.  If you did not make a note of it you must contact CDI Meters Inc - phone or e-mail.

When you change the password you enter the new password and retype it. Having retyped it you must press 'Enter'. If you don't and just close the form, the password is not changed.