This document is provided by Elexon as a sample test script for the protocol approval of Half Hourly Metering Equipment, which provides measurements on a half hourly basis for Settlement purposes, for Codes of Practice 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10. In most circumstances this test script will satisfy the requirements for protocol testing in accordance with BSCP601. However, in some cases, changes may be necessary to accommodate alternative test methods but these must only be made with the prior agreement of Elexon and before testing commences.

A Meter type that meets the Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specification (SMETS) is exempt from CoP10 compliance testing and protocol approval. Elexon has produced some guidance on ‘Smart Metering and BSC Codes of Practice’.

Please return the completed test script to the metering team at Elexon for review and agreement - metering@elexon.co.uk. Once agreed, the test script may be used by the Protocol Testing Agent.

Testing Basic Requirements

Samples of Outstations are to be pre-loaded with a minimum of 20 days of non-uniform¹ data before any testing is carried out. Once populated with data, Outstations are to be installed in a suitable test environment and connected to communication equipment which enables remote data collection from the Half Hourly Data Collector’s (HHDC) (i.e. the Protocol Testing Agent) system as well as local or remote interrogation using the Outstation manufacturer’s software.

Application Details

Reference Details	Details
BSCP601 Application Reference Number
HHDC Agent
HHDC Agent MPID
Protocol(s) in Test

Test Result Summary

Test	Pass / Fail
DR1-1 Initial Data Collection
DR1-2 Repeated Data Collection
DR2-1 Incorrect Level 2 Password
DR2-2 Correct Level 2 Password
DR3-1 Clock Resets (UTC minus 10mins) with incorrect Level 2 Password
DR3-2 Clock Resets (UTC minus 10mins) with correct Level 2 Password
DR3-3 Clock Resets (UTC plus 10mins) with correct Level 2 Password
DR4-1a Phase Fail – One Phase/Each Phase in Consecutive Settlement Periods
DR4-1b Outstation Supply Failure – in Consecutive Settlement Periods
DR4-2 Battery Monitor (where fitted)
DR4-3 Equipment Resets – Caused by other than a supply failure (where fitted)
DR4-4 Interrogation Port Access - Data changes (not date and/or time)
DR4-5 Reverse Running (where fitted)

Information to be recorded

Environment
Date of Testing:
Tests carried out by:
Location of Tests:

Outstations
Outstation Type:
Outstation Serial Nos:
Outstation’s Protocol and version No:
Outstation Firmware version:
No. and type of channels set up in the Outstation:
Remote communication method:

Data Collection System
HHDC Data Collection software System name, version No. and Date:
Software environment hosting the HHDC’s system:
System Modules details:
System Module version No. and date:

Outstation Manufacturer’s Software
Outstation manufacturer’s software:
Software Version No.:

Test DR1 – Data Collection

DR1-1 – Initial Data Collection

Ensure that the HHDC’s system² and the Outstation are both set to Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC)³ before starting test.

Objective

Method

Expected Results

Actual Results

Result (Pass/Fail)

To ensure that the HHDC’s system correctly collects data from the Outstation.

Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and correct Level 2 password and collect all⁴ data for a minimum of one day. Then, using the Outstation manufacturer’s software, collect the same data and compare the results.

Both sets of data and time stamps must be the same.

Retain copies of the data collected and append to this report.

DR1-2 – Repeat Data Collection

Ensure that the HHDC’s system and the Outstation are both set to UTC before starting test.

Objective

Method

Expected Results

Actual Results

Result (Pass/Fail)

To ensure that the HHDC’s system repeated data collection does not corrupt any data previously collected from the Outstation.

Collect the same data from test DR1-1 with the correct Level 2 password. Then, using the Outstation manufacturer’s software, collect the same data and compare the results.

The data and time stamps collected must be the identical to those collected in collected in test DR1-1 and both sets of data and time stamps must be the same as those from the Outstation manufacturer’s software.

Retain copies of the data collected and append to this report.

Test DR2 – Passwords⁵

Ensure that the HHDC’s system and the Outstation are both set to UTC before starting tests.

DR2-1 – Incorrect Level 2 Password

Objective

Method

Expected Results

Actual Results

Result (Pass/Fail)

To ensure that the HHDC’s system correctly interprets and handles password errors from the Outstation.

Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and an incorrect Level 2 password. Attempt to collect all data for a minimum of one day.

The HHDC’s system should report a password error and no data is collected.

Retain copies of the HHDC system messages and append to this report.

DR2-2 – Correct Level 2 Password

Objective

Method

Expected Results

Actual Results

Result (Pass/Fail)

To ensure that the HHDC’s system correctly interprets and handles password errors from the Outstation.

Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and the correct Level 2 password. Attempt to collect all data for a minimum of one day.

The HHDC’s system should not report a password error and collect data from the Outstation.

Retain copies of the data collected and HHDC system messages and append to this report.

Test DR3 – Clock Resets⁶

DR3-1 – Clock Reset (UTC minus 10mins) with incorrect Level 2 Password

Ensure that the HHDC’s system is set to UTC and the Outstation is set to UTC minus 10 minutes using the Outstation manufacturer’s software before starting test.

Objective	Method	Expected Results	Actual Results	Result (Pass/Fail)
To ensure that the HHDC’s system does not attempt a time reset when an incorrect Level 2 password is provided.	Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and the incorrect Level 2 password. Attempt to collect data for a minimum of one day.	The HHDC’s system should report an Outstation timing error and is unable to proceed because of a password mismatch.

Retain copies of the any HHDC system messages and append to this report.

DR3-2 – Clock Reset (UTC minus 10mins) with correct Level 2 Password

Ensure that the HHDC’s system is set to UTC and the Outstation is set to UTC minus 10 minutes using the Outstation manufacturer’s software before starting test.

Objective	Method	Expected Results	Actual Results	Result (Pass/Fail)
To ensure that the HHDC’s system is able to correctly detect and correct Outstation clock errors.	Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and the correct Level 2 password. Attempt to collect all data for a minimum of 1 day. After completing, verify that the Outstation is set to UTC using the Outstation manufacturer’s software.	The HHDC’s system should report an Outstation timing error and proceed to correct the Outstation time. Subsequent verification should show that the Outstation time has been corrected to UTC. The HHDC system shows two event alarms in the Settlement Period in which the time was changed. One showing a truncated Settlement Period and the second that a time reset has occurred.

Retain copies of the data collected and HHDC system messages and append to this report.

DR3-3 – Clock Reset (UTC plus 10mins) with correct Level 2 Password

Ensure that the HHDC’s system is set to UTC and the Outstation is set to UTC plus 10 minutes using the Outstation manufacturer’s software before starting test.

Objective	Method	Expected Results	Actual Results	Result (Pass/Fail)
To ensure that the HHDC’s system is able to correctly detect and correct Outstation clock errors.	Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and the correct Level 2 password. Attempt to collect all data for a minimum of 1 day. After completing, verify that the Outstation is set to UTC using the Outstation manufacturer’s software.	The HHDC’s system should report an Outstation timing error and proceed to correct the Outstation time. Subsequent verification should show that the Outstation time has been corrected to UTC. The HHDC system shows two event alarms in the Settlement Period in which the time was changed. One showing an elongated Settlement Period and the second that a time reset has occurred.

Retain copies of the data collected and HHDC system messages and append to this report.

Test DR4 – Event Alarm Flags⁷

Ensure that the HHDC's system and Outstation are set to UTC.

DR4-1a Phase Fail – One Phase/Each Phase⁸ in Consecutive Settlement Periods

Objective

Method

Expected Results

Actual Results

Result (Pass/Fail)

To ensure that the HHDC’s system correctly reports phase failure event alarm flags.

Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and the correct Level 2 password.

For a period, as a minimum, over a Settlement Period Boundary, remove one phase voltage⁹ from the Meter feeding the Outstation.

Collect all data for a minimum of one day including the Settlement Periods in which the phase voltage was removed.

The HHDC’s system should collect all data and show an alarm flag for the Settlement Periods in which the phase voltage was removed. The Alarm should show phase fail.

After restoration of the relevant phase voltage, the following Settlement Period should not have an alarm flag.

Retain copies of the data collected including any HHDC system messages and append to this report.

DR4-1b Outstation Supply Failure¹⁰ – in Consecutive Settlement Periods

Objective

Method

Expected Results

Actual Results

Result (Pass/Fail)

To ensure that the HHDC’s system correctly reports phase failure event alarm flags.

Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and the correct Level 2 password.

For a period, as a minimum, over a Settlement Period Boundary remove all phase voltages¹¹ from the Outstation.

Collect all data for a minimum of one day including the Settlement Periods in which all the phase voltages were removed.

Where the Outstation has an auxiliary supply fitted, this test should be repeated with the auxiliary supply (rather than all phase voltages) removed from the Outstation.

The HHDC’s system should collect all data and show an alarm flag for the Settlement Periods in which all the phase voltages were removed. The Alarm should show phase fail and power outage.

The following Settlement Periods, after restoration of all phase voltages, should not have an alarm flag.

Where the Outstation has an auxiliary supply fitted, the HHDC’s system should collect all data and show an alarm flag for the Settlement Periods in which the auxiliary supply was removed. The Alarm should show power outage.

The following Settlement Periods, after restoration of the auxiliary supply should not have an alarm flag.

Retain copies of the data collected including any HHDC system messages and append to this report.

DR4-2 Battery Fail (where fitted)

Objective

Method

Expected Results

Actual Results

Result (Pass/Fail)

To ensure that the HHDC’s system correctly reports Outstation battery event alarm flags.

Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and the correct Level 2 password.

Disconnect the Outstation’s battery¹² for a period of approx. 5min, then reconnect.

Collect all data for a minimum of one day including the Settlement Period in question.

The HHDC’s system should collect all data and show an alarm flag for the Settlement Period in which the Outstation battery was disconnected or otherwise simulated to have failed (e.g. by reducing a battery life countdown timer to 0 hours). The Alarm should show battery fail.

The following Settlement Period, after restoration, should not have an alarm flag.

Retain copies of the data collected including any HHDC system messages and append to this report.

DR4-3 Metering Equipment Resets - Caused by other than a supply failure (where fitted)

Objective

Method

Expected Results

Actual Results

Result (Pass/Fail)

To ensure that the HHDC’s system correctly reports Equipment reset event alarm flags.

Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and the correct Level 2 password.

Using the Outstation manufacturer’s software reset the Outstation with password level 3 or 4 as appropriate.

Collect all data for a minimum of one day including the Settlement Period in question.

The HHDC’s system should collect all data and show an alarm flag for the Settlement Periods in question. The alarm should show that the Metering Equipment has been reset. The following Settlement Period should not have an alarm flag.

Retain copies of the data collected including any HHDC system messages and append to this report.

DR4-4 Interrogation Port Access

Which changes data other than date and/or time.

Objective

Method

Expected Results

Actual Results

Result (Pass/Fail)

To ensure that the HHDC’s system correctly reports changes to the Outstation other than changes to time and/or date.

Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and the correct Level 2 password.

Using the Outstation manufacturer’s software change the Outstation data¹³ using password level 3 or 4 as appropriate.

Collect all data for a minimum of one day including the Settlement Period in question.

The HHDC’s system should collect all data and show an event alarm flag for the Settlement Period in question. The alarm should show that the Outstation data (other than date/time) has been changed. The following Settlement Period should not have an alarm flag.

Retain copies of the data collected including any HHDC system messages and append to this report.

DR4-5 Reverse Running (where fitted)

Where a Reverse Running monitoring facility is fitted in an Outstation that is integral with a Meter the following test should be carried out.

Objective

Method

Expected Results

Actual Results

Result (Pass/Fail)

To ensure that the HHDC’s system correctly reports reverse running event alarm flags.

Populate the HHDC’s system with the correct standing data and the correct Level 2 password.

For a period, as a minimum, over a Settlement Period Boundary, configure the prevailing conditions to be Active Export recorded by the Outstation.

Collect all data for a minimum of one day including the Settlement Periods in which the voltage was removed.

The HHDC’s system should collect all data and show an alarm flag for the two Settlement Periods in which the Outstation was recording Active Export. The Alarm should show reverse running.

The following Settlement period, once Active Import being recorded, should not have an alarm flag.

Retain copies of the data collected including any HHDC system messages and append to this report.

Further Information

For more information please contact the BSC Service Desk at bscservicedesk@cgi.com or call 0370 010 6950.

Intellectual Property Rights, Copyright and Disclaimer

The copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document are vested in Elexon or appear with the consent of the copyright owner. These materials are made available for you for the purposes of your participation in the electricity industry. If you have an interest in the electricity industry, you may view, download, copy, distribute, modify, transmit, publish, sell or create derivative works (in whatever format) from this document or in other cases use for personal academic or other non-commercial purposes. All copyright and other proprietary notices contained in the document must be retained on any copy you make.

All other rights of the copyright owner not expressly dealt with above are reserved.

No representation, warranty or guarantee is made that the information in this document is accurate or complete. While care is taken in the collection and provision of this information, Elexon Limited shall not be liable for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any information or damages resulting from the use of this information or action taken in reliance on it.

1 The requirement for pre loading Outstations with non-uniform data is so that the data, when collected, can be differentiated from other half hour data stored in the Outstation. This should include data on all channels configured in the Outstation i.e. can include Active Import, Active Export, Reactive Import, Reactive Export, Active Import related Import kvarh, Active Import related Export kvarh, Active Export related Import kvarh, Active Export related Export kvarh, where available.

2 HHDC Systems may be linked to PCs set to British Summer Time but the underlying HHDC System must be synched to UTC.

3 UTC means Co-ordinated Universal Time which bears the same meaning as in the document Standard Frequency and Time Signal Emission, International Telecommunication Union - RTF.460

4 All data is dependent on the design of the Outstation and can include Active Import, Active Export, Reactive Import, Reactive Export, Active Import related Import kvarh, Active Import related Export kvarh, Active Export related Import kvarh, Active Export related Export kvarh.

5 Requirements for Passwords can be found in the relevant CoP - https://www.elexon.co.uk/bsc-and-codes/bsc-related-documents/codes-of-practice/ - Section 5.6 in CoPs 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10.

6 Requirements for Time Keeping can be found in the relevant CoP - https://www.elexon.co.uk/bsc-and-codes/bsc-related-documents/codes-of-practice/ - Section 5.5.2 in CoPs 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10.

7 Requirements for Monitoring Facilities can be found in the relevant CoP - https://www.elexon.co.uk/bsc-and-codes/bsc-related-documents/codes-of-practice/ - Sections 5.1.3 & 5.5.3 in CoPs 1 and 2; Section 5.5.3 in CoPs 3, 5 and 10.

8 Where the Outstation records alarm flags for a specific voltage phase rather than just a generic phase fail alarm that cover any phase this test must be repeated for each possible combination of phase failures that the Outstation will report a separate alarm for.

9 Where the Outstation is fed by a single phase Meter this test can be combined with DR4-1b. For Outstations fed by polyphase Meters repeat for each phase in different Settlement Periods and with each phase failure occurring over a Settlement Period Boundary.

10 The Outstation supply failure for an Outstation powered from the measurement voltage supply will be achieved by removing all voltage phases; where the Outstation is powered from a separate auxiliary supply, it will be achieved by removing that auxiliary supply.

11 Where the Outstation is fed by a single phase Meter this test can be combined with DR4-1a.

12 If battery fitted. If no battery fitted and battery failure cannot be simulated please enter the reason why this test was not performed in the Actual Results cell and mark the Result as ‘Not Performed’

13 For example in the case of an Outstation that is integral with a Meter, changing the display sequence or the time of use tariff scheme programmed into the Outstation. In the Actual Results cell, confirm what was changed in the Outstation.

CONTENTS

BSCP601 Protocol Test Script - CoPs 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10

Introduction

Testing Basic Requirements

Application Details

Test Result Summary

Information to be recorded

Test DR1 – Data Collection

DR1-1 – Initial Data Collection

DR1-2 – Repeat Data Collection

Test DR2 – Passwords5

DR2-1 – Incorrect Level 2 Password

DR2-2 – Correct Level 2 Password

Test DR3 – Clock Resets6

DR3-1 – Clock Reset (UTC minus 10mins) with incorrect Level 2 Password

DR3-2 – Clock Reset (UTC minus 10mins) with correct Level 2 Password

DR3-3 – Clock Reset (UTC plus 10mins) with correct Level 2 Password

Test DR4 – Event Alarm Flags7

DR4-1a Phase Fail – One Phase/Each Phase8 in Consecutive Settlement Periods

DR4-1b Outstation Supply Failure10 – in Consecutive Settlement Periods

DR4-2 Battery Fail (where fitted)

DR4-3 Metering Equipment Resets - Caused by other than a supply failure (where fitted)

DR4-4 Interrogation Port Access

DR4-5 Reverse Running (where fitted)

Further Information

Test DR2 – Passwords⁵

Test DR3 – Clock Resets⁶

Test DR4 – Event Alarm Flags⁷

DR4-1a Phase Fail – One Phase/Each Phase⁸ in Consecutive Settlement Periods

DR4-1b Outstation Supply Failure¹⁰ – in Consecutive Settlement Periods