Understanding Device Types

Device types define information about a class of devices, including properties that apply to all devices of a type. Properties defined for a device type can be overridden for an individual device

Specifically, device types provide information about:

  • How a device can be configured by defining the valid list of device configuration types
  • How a device communicates by defining a fallback head end system and a list of valid head end systems.
  • How a device records measurement data through the fallback incoming data shift which plays an important role in daylight savings processing. Refer to Daylight Savings Time Support for more information.
  • The consumption profile of an item: the unit of measure consumed and method of calculation (profile or straight line)
  • Whether the device is attached to a service point or meter (used with items and device communication equipment)
  • Characteristics common to all devices of this type (defined in the Device Type Characteristics zone).

When creating a new device type there are the following options:

Name

Details

Business Object

Smart Meter Device Type

These devices measure consumption for a given service point, support remote commands, and remote collection of measurement and event data. These devices are associated to a head end system.

D1-SmartMeterType

Manual Meter Device Type

These devices measure consumption for a given service point but require a visit to the service point to collect the measurement data. They are not associated to head end systems.

D1-ManualMeterType

Item Device Type

These devices represent various items that consume consumption at a constant rate which are not directly metered. As consumption is calculated rather than measured so there is no need for an association to a head end system. Devices of this type can either be created individually for "badged" items or can be listed directly on a service point for "unbadged items."

These devices may also be configured as equipment that can be attached to a service point.

D1-ItemType

Communications Component Device Type

These devices provide remote collection of consumption data measured by a manual meter on which they are installed. These devices are associated to a head end system.

D1-CommunicationCompMeterType

Device Communication Equipment Type

These devices provide remote collection of consumption data measured by a manual meter to which they are attached. Devices of this sort are sometimes referred to as Encoding Receiver/Transmitter (ERT) modules, or communication modules.

These devices are associated to a head end system.

D1-DvcCommEquipmentType

Device Business Object Options Drive Functionality

The device business object that is associated to a given device type plays an important role in how a device is processed in a system beyond defining the data associated to that device. Below is a list of business object options that are defined on the device business object and their impact on system processing:

  • Device Category: This defines the type of device and correlates to the core device types that are supported (i.e. smart meter, AMR meter, manual meter, item, or communication component). This value is used by smart meter commands, service order management, and other system processes to make processing decisions.
  • Install Event BO: This identifies the appropriate install event business object to use when this device is being installed at a service point. Refer to About Install Events for more information about install events.
  • Valid Command Request BO: This identifies the commands that are valid for any device of this type. This option can be repeated for as many commands as the device supports. Note: the combination of the device and service provider (aka head end) define the true list of available commands by device.
  • More detail about these options can be found by visiting a device business object and inspecting the business object options.

Device Type - Service Quantity

For "badged" and "unbadged" items consumption is not directly measured. Instead, for each item type, the average daily consumption amount is provided. The commodity represented by the daily consumption amount is defined by the item type's unit of measure.

The average daily consumption amount can be effective dated over time to support changes in the consumption profile. This is used in conjunction with the item's calculation method to derive the consumed amount per interval.

Refer to Multiple Time Zone Support for additional information on how device type service quantities are impacted by multiple time zones.

Valid Device Characteristic Types

The Valid Device Characteristic Types zone lists the valid characteristic types that may be instantiated on devices of this type. Characteristics of these types are maintained using the Device Characteristics zone in the Device portal.