netvox R718NL163 Wireless Light Sensor and 1-Phase Current Meter User Manual
- June 5, 2024
- netvox
Table of Contents
R718NL1
Wireless Light Sensor and 1-Phase Current Meter
Wireless Light Sensor and
1-Phase Current Meter
R718NL1
User Manual
Introduction
The R718NL1 series is a Wireless Light Sensor and 1-Phase Current Meter device
for Netvox ClassA type devices based on the LoRaWAN open protocol and is
compatible with the LoRaWAN protocol.
R718NL1 series have different measurement ranges for different varieties of
CT.
It is divided into:
R718NL1 Wireless Light Sensor and 1-Phase Current Meter with 1 x 30A Solid
Core CT (Range:100mA-30A ±1%)
R718NL13 Wireless Light Sensor and 1-Phase Current Meter with 1 x 30A Clamp-On
CT (Range:100mA-30A ±1%)
R718NL17 Wireless Light Sensor and 1-Phase Current Meter with 1 x 75A Clamp-On
CT (Range:100mA-75A ±1%)
R718NL115 Wireless Light Sensor and 1-Phase Current Meter with 1 x 150A Clamp-
On CT (Range:1A-150A ±1%)
R718NL125 Wireless Light Sensor and 1-Phase Current Meter with 1 x 250A Clamp-
On CT (Range:1A-250A ±1%)
R718NL163 Wireless Light Sensor and 1-Phase Current Meter with 1 x630A Clamp-
On CT (Range:5A-630A ±1%)
*The three CT current models — R718NL115, R718NL125, and R718NL163 report 0A when the current is less than 1A.
All other R718NL1 models report 0A when the current is less than 0.1A.
LoRa Wireless Technology:
Lora is a wireless communication technology famous for its long-distance
transmission and low power consumption. Compared with other communication
methods, LoRa spread spectrum modulation technique greatly extends the
communication distance. It can be widely used in any use case that requires
long-distance and low-data wireless communications. For Examples, automatic
meter reading, building automation equipment, wireless security systems, and
industrial monitoring. It has features like small size, low power consumption,
long transmission distance, strong anti-interference ability, and so on.
LoRaWAN:
LoRaWAN uses LoRa technology to define end-to-end standard specifications to
ensure interoperability between devices and gateways from different
manufacturers.
Appearance
Main Features
- Compatible with LoRaWAN protocol
- 2 sections ER14505 3.6V Lithium AA battery
- Protection level: Main body IP53, Sensor IP30
- Compatible with LoRaWAN™Class A
- Frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology
- Configuration parameters can be configured through third-party software platforms, data can be read and alarms can be set via SMS text and email (optional)
- Available third-party platform: Actility / ThingPark, TTN, MyDevices/Cayenne
- Low power consumption and long battery life
Note: Battery life is determined by the sensor reporting frequency and other variables, please refer to http://www.netvox.com.tw/electric/electric_calc.html On this website, users can find battery lifetime for varied models at different configurations.
Set up Instruction
On/Off
| Power on | Insert batteries. (users may need a screwdriver to open) |
|---|---|
| Turn on | Press and hold the function key for 3 seconds till the green |
indicator flashes once.
Turn off (Restore to factory setting)| Press and hold the function key for 5
seconds till the green indicator flashes for 20 times.
Power off| Remove Batteries.
Note| 1. The device will be off after removing the battery and inserting it
again.
2.1t is suggested to wait for at least 10 seconds between turning the device
on and off.
3.At I” -56 second after power on, the device will be in engineering test
mode.
Network Joining
If the device has never joined the network| Turn on the device, and it will
search for the network to join.
The green indicator light stays on for 5 seconds: joins the network
successfully The green indicator light remains off: fail to join the network
---|---
If the device has joined the network and it is not set to default| Turn on the
device, and it will search for the previous network to join.
The gran indicator light stays on for 5 seconds: joins the network
successfully The green indicator light remains off: fail to join the network
If the device fails to join the network (when the device is turned on)| For
the first two minutes: the device will wake up every 15 seconds to send a join
request.
After two minutes: the device will enter sleep mode and wake up every 15
minutes to send a join request. Note: It is suggested to remove the batteries
if the device is not in use to save power.
It is suggested to check the device verification information on the gateway
or consult your platform server provider when tic device fails to join the
network
Function Key
Press the function key and hold the pressing for 5 seconds| The device will be
set to default and turned off
The green indicator light flashes for 20 times: success The green indicator
light remains off: fail
---|---
Press the function key once| The device is in the network: green indicator
light flashes once and sends a report
The device is not in the network: green indicator light remains off
Sleeping Mode
The device is tamed on and in the network| Sleep period: Min Interval.
When the report change exceeds the setting value or the state changes: send a
data report according to Min Interval.
---|---
The device is turned on but not in the network| First two mins: wake up every
15 seconds to send the request.
After two mins: enter sleeping mode and wake up every 15 minutes to send the
request.
Note: Suggest removing batteries if the device is not used.
Suggest checking device verification on the gateway.
Low Voltage Warning
| LOW Voltage | 3.2 V |
|---|
Data Report
The device will immediately send a version packet report along with an uplink
packet including current, illuminance and battery voltage.
The device sends data in the default configuration before any configuration is
done.
Default setting:
Maximum time: Max Interval =30 min (1800 s)
Minimum time: Min Interval =30 min (1800 s)
*Please configure more than 30 seconds
CurrentChange:0x0064 (100 mA)
IlluminanceChange: 0x0064 (100 Lux)
Light sensors support 3 ranges of Illuminance:
0x00, 3~65000 Lux (default)
0x01, 3~130000 Lux
0x02, 3~220000 Lux
Note:
- The device report interval will be programmed based on the default firmware which may vary.
- The interval between two reports must be the minimum time.
- If the Minime configuration less than 30 seconds, it will configure 30 seconds.
- R718NL1 series would take about 15 seconds for the CT to sample and process the collected value, If the current changes frequently, the sampling result might be wrong.
Please refer Netvox LoRaWAN Application Command document and Netvox Lora
Command Resolver
http://loraresolver.netvoxcloud.com:8888/page/index to resolve uplink data.
Data report configuration and sending period are as follows:
Min. Interval (Unit: second)| Max. Interval (Unit: second)| Reportable Change|
Current Change≥ Reportable Change| Current Change＜Reportable Change
---|---|---|---|---
Any number between 30~65535| Any number between Min.~65535| Can not be 0.|
Report per Min. Interval| Report per Max. Interval
Example of Report configuration
FPort：0x07
| Bytes | 1 Byte | 1 Byte | Var(Fix =9 Bytes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CmdID | DeviceType | NetvoxPayLoadData |
CmdID – 1 byte
DeviceType – 1 byte – Device Type of Device
NetvoxPayLoadData – var bytes (Max=9bytes)
Description| Device| CmdID| Device Type|
NetvoxPayLoadData
---|---|---|---|---
ConfigReportReq| R718NL1| 0x01| 0x98| Minime
(2bytes Unit:s)| Maxime (2bytes Unit:s)| CurrentChange (2byte Unit:1mA)|
Illuminancechange
(2bytes Unit:1Lux)| Reserved (1Bytes,Fixed 0x00)
ConfigReportRsp| 0x81|
Status (0x00_success)
|
Reserved (8Bytes,Fixed 0x00)
ReadConfig ReportReq| 0x02| Reserved (9Bytes,Fixed 0x00)
ReadConfig ReportRsp| 0x82| Minime
(2bytes Unit:s)| Maxime
(2bytes Unit:s)| CurrentChange (2byte Unit:1mA)| Illuminancechange (2bytes
Unit:1Lux)| Reserved (1Bytes,Fixed 0x00)
-
Configure report parameters MinTime = 1min, MaxTime = 1min, CurrentChange=100mA, IlluminanceChange= 100Lux
Downlink: 0198003C003C0064006400
The device returns:
8198000000000000000000 (Configuration succeeded)
8198010000000000000000 (Configuration failed) -
Read device configuration parameters
Downlink: 0298000000000000000000
The device returns: 8298003C003C0064006400 (current device configuration parameters)
Report Current and Illuminance Data Example
R718NL1| 0x98| 0x01| Battery (1Byte, unit:0.1V)| Current (2Bytes, Unit:1ma)|
Multiplier(1Byte), the real current should convert with Current* Multiplier|
Illuminance (4Bytes, unit:1Lux)
---|---|---|---|---|---|---
FPort:6 Report Data: 01980124 03E8 01 00000003
Actual Current Value = Current*Mulitplier
When illuminance less than 3 lux, the reported value is 3 lux
Example for MinTime/Maxime logic
Example#1 based on MinTime = 1 Hour, MaxTime= 1 Hour, Reportable Change i.e.
BatteryVoltageChange=0.1V 
Note: MaxTime=MinTime. Data will only be report according to MaxTime
(MinTime) duration regardless BatteryVoltageChange value.
Example#2 based on MinTime = 15 Minutes, MaxTime= 1 Hour, Reportable Change
i.e. BatteryVoltageChange= 0.1V.
Example#3 based on MinTime = 15 Minutes, MaxTime= 1 Hour, Reportable
Change i.e. BatteryVoltageChange= 0.1V.
Notes :
- The device only wakes up and performs data sampling according to MinTime Interval. When it is sleeping, it does not collect data.
- The data collected is compared with the last data reported. If the data variation is greater than the ReportableChange value, the device reports according to the MinTime interval. If the data variation is not greater than the last data reported, the device reports according to Maxime interval.
- We do not recommend to set the MinTime Interval value too low. If the MinTime Interval is too low, the device wakes up frequently and the battery will be drained soon.
- Whenever the device sends a report, no matter resulting from data variation, button push or Maxime interval, another cycle of MinTime/Maxime calculation is started.
Installation
This product comes with a waterproof function.
When using it, the back of it can be adsorbed on the iron surface, or the two
ends can be fixed to the wall with screws.
When installing the current transformer, separate the live and neutral wires,
and take out the live wire separately and start the measurement according to
the wiring below. 
If the
live wire and the neutral wire are connected together at the same time, they
will offset each other and the measurement is 0.
-
The single-phase current detector (R718NL1) has a built-in magnet (as the figure below). It can be attached to the surface of an object with iron during installation, which
is convenient and quick. To make the installation more secure, please use screws (purchased separately) to fix the device to the wall or other objects (such as the installation diagram).
Note: Do not install the device in a metal shielded box or in an environment surrounded by other electrical equipment to avoid affecting the wireless transmission of the device. -
Open the split current transformer, and then pass the live wire through the current transformer according to the installation.
Note: “L←K” is marked on the bottom of the CT. -
Precautions:
- Before using, user must check whether the appearance is deformed; otherwise, the test accuracy will be affected.
- The using environment should be kept away from strong magnetic fields, so as not to affect the test accuracy. It is strictly forbidden to use in humid and corrosive gas environments.
- Before installation, please confirm the current value of the load. If the current value of the load is higher than the measurement range, select a model with a higher measurement range
4. The single-phase current detector (R718NL1) takes 15 seconds to sample the
current, that is, the device starts sampling 15 minutes before the arrival of
MinTime. If the current value of the sample is relatively compared with the
current value reported last time, it exceeds the set value (default value
100mA), when the Minime is reached, the current value of the current sample is
immediately reported. If the current change does not exceed the default value,
the data will be reported regularly according to Maxime. Short press the [Key]
of the device to start sampling data and report the data about 15 seconds
after pressing the key.
Note: Minime cannot be set less than 30 seconds. Maxime must be set
greater than Min Time.
The single-phase current detector (R718NL1) is suitable for the following scenarios:
- School
- Factory
- The mall
- Office building
- Smart building
Where the electrical data of the equipment needs to be detected. 
Note:
Please do not disassemble the device unless it is required to replace the
batteries.
Do not touch the waterproof gasket, LED indicator light, or function keys when
replacing the batteries. Please use a suitable screwdriver to tighten the
screws (if using an electric screwdriver, it is recommended to set the torque
as 4kgf) to ensure the device is impermeable.
Information about Battery Passivation
Many of Netvox devices are powered by 3.6V ER14505 Li-SOCl2 (lithium-thionyl
chloride) batteries that offer many advantages including low self-discharge
rate and high energy density.
However, primary lithium batteries like Li-SOCl2 batteries will form a
passivation layer as a reaction between the lithium anode and thionyl chloride
if they are in storage for a long time or if the storage temperature is too
high. This lithium chloride layer prevents rapid self-discharge caused by a
continuous reaction between lithium and thionyl chloride, but battery
passivation may also lead to voltage delay when the batteries are put into
operation, and our devices may not work correctly in this situation.
As a result, please make sure to source batteries from reliable vendors, and
it is suggested that if the storage period is more than one month from the
date of battery production, all the batteries should be activated.
If encountering the situation of battery passivation, users can activate the
battery to eliminate the battery hysteresis.
ER14505 Battery Passivation:
7.1 To determine whether a battery requires activation
Connect a new ER14505 battery to a resistor in parallel, and check the voltage
of the circuit.
If the voltage is below 3.3V, it means the battery requires activation.
7.2 How to activate the battery
a. Connect a battery to a resistor in parallel
b. Keep the connection for 5~8 minutes
c. The voltage of the circuit should be ≧3.3, indicating successful
activation.
| Brand | Load Resistance | Activation Time | Activation Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| NONE | 165 Ω | 5 minutes | 20mA |
| RAMSAY | 67 Ω | 8 minutes | 50mA |
| EVE | 67 Ω | 8 minutes | 50mA |
| SAFT | 67 Ω | 8 minutes | 50mA |
Note:
If you buy batteries from other than the above four manufacturers, then the
battery activation time, activation current, and required load resistance
shall be mainly subject to the announcement of each manufacturer.
Important Maintenance Instruction
Kindly pay attention to the following in order to achieve the best maintenance of the product:
- Keep the device dry. Rain, moisture, or any liquid might contain minerals and thus corrode electronic circuits. If the device gets wet, please dry it completely.
- Do not use or store the device in a dusty or dirty environment. It might damage its detachable parts and electronic components.
- Do not store the device under excessive heat conditions. High temperature can shorten the life of electronic devices, destroy batteries, and deform or melt some plastic parts.
- Do not store the device in places that are too cold. Otherwise, when the temperature rises to normal temperature, moisture will form inside, which will destroy the board.
- Do not throw, knock or shake the device. Rough handling of equipment can destroy internal circuit boards and delicate structures.
- Do not clean the device with strong chemicals, detergents or strong detergents.
- Do not apply the device with paint. Smudges might block in the device and affect the operation.
- Do not throw the battery into the fire, or the battery will explode. Damaged batteries may also explode.
All of the above applies to your device, battery and accessories. If any device is not working properly, please take it to the nearest authorized service facility for repair.