CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION
EPM 6000 MULTI-FUNCTION POWER METERING SYSTEM – USER GUIDE 3–19
3.4 Communications Setup
3.4.1 Description
The EPM 6000 Power Metering System provides two independent communication ports.
The first port, COM1, is an optical IrDA port. The second port, COM2, provides RS485
communication via the Modbus protocol.
3.4.2 IrDA COM1 Port
The COM1 IrDA port is located on the meter faceplate. The IrDA port allows the unit to be
set up and programmed using a remote laptop without the need for a communication
cable. Just point at the meter with an IrDA-equipped computer to configure it.
Use the GE Communicator software package that works with the EPM 6000 IrDA port to
configure the port and poll readings. Refer to the GE Communicator User Manual for details
on programming and accessing readings.
FIGURE 3–15: Simultaneous Dual Communications Paths
Settings for the COM1 IrDA port are configured using GE Communicator software. This port
communicates via the Modbus ASCII protocol only.
3.4.3 RS485 COM2 Port
The EPM 6000 COM2 port uses standard 2-wire, half-duplex RS485 communications. The
RS485 connector is located on the back face of the meter. A connection can easily be
established to a master device or to other slave devices, as indicated below.
Master Host
Modbus
Serial RS485
Wireless Communication
Direct PC Interface