JEM2000 Digital Multifunction
Electricity Meter
Research and design of a multifunctional product interface for Rochester Scientific Columbus
Electricity Meter
Research and design of a multifunctional product interface for Rochester Scientific Columbus
User Researcher, Information Architect, Lead Designer
As electrical power in the United States became deregulated, hardware manufacturers had to rethink their work horse meters to accommodate not one user, but many. Meters owned by electric companies were required to provide data to a new network of users with a variety of needs. Rochester's JEM2000 was their first redesigned meter in this arena. Field research to interview and observe a range of users was executed across the US. Design recommendations were prototyped and usability tested with users. The interface was created in Adobe Photoshop, prototypes were built and tested using Flash, and design specifications were documented and used by Rochester software engineers to build the interface. At product launch this meter was named JEMStar.
As electrical power in the United States became deregulated, hardware manufacturers had to rethink their work horse meters to accommodate not one user, but many. Meters owned by electric companies were required to provide data to a new network of users with a variety of needs. Rochester's JEM2000 was their first redesigned meter in this arena. Field research to interview and observe a range of users was executed across the US. Design recommendations were prototyped and usability tested with users. The interface was created in Adobe Photoshop, prototypes were built and tested using Flash, and design specifications were documented and used by Rochester software engineers to build the interface. At product launch this meter was named JEMStar.
Press Release for JEMStar Electric Meter (http://www.ametekpower.com/press/press.cfm?&Press_Id=15)
.....The new JEMStar meter has made complicated metering a thing of the past. Use of the meter was simplified in two ways. First, it utilizes a graphic display that allows it to display data in a simple to navigate menu format via directional keys. This eliminates the need for encrypted warning codes and combinations of buttons to access certain features. Site verification of wiring can be accomplished by viewing an on-screen vector diagram with amplitudes and phase angles displayed. In addition, communications can be tested before leaving the site.
In addition to the local interface, AMETEK made some revolutionary changes in the software. To simplify the learning and use of the programming software, AMETEK added a configuration wizard similar to the chart and presentation wizards that are used in many Windows¿ based applications.
The wizard walks the user through the configuration step by step in a simple progression that builds the meter configuration file. There is a comprehensive help program available to answer users¿ questions. These simple-to-use tools make it easy to build configurations without the need for comprehensive training classes.
Being simple to use does not mean the user has to give up powerful functionality. In an industry, where an error as low as a fraction of a percent can mean the loss of thousands of dollars, the JEMstar meter captures the money lost through inaccurate measurement. With a watt-hour accuracy of 0.07% of reading, the JEMStar delivers performance the user can take to the bank.
The JEMStar meter features include four-quadrant, per phase, and instantaneous measurements; transformer loss compensation; and Load Profile. In addition, the new meter has some very powerful communications capabilities. With de-regulation, more people then ever are looking for the data from the meter.
The JEMStar offers simultaneous communications across multiple ports. The user can choose from RS-232, RS-485, and an internal modem for communication connections. Each channel can be set with a different protocol to allow the meter to address different communications requirements simultaneously. For security, there are four programmable passwords that can be used to control information access......
.....The new JEMStar meter has made complicated metering a thing of the past. Use of the meter was simplified in two ways. First, it utilizes a graphic display that allows it to display data in a simple to navigate menu format via directional keys. This eliminates the need for encrypted warning codes and combinations of buttons to access certain features. Site verification of wiring can be accomplished by viewing an on-screen vector diagram with amplitudes and phase angles displayed. In addition, communications can be tested before leaving the site.
In addition to the local interface, AMETEK made some revolutionary changes in the software. To simplify the learning and use of the programming software, AMETEK added a configuration wizard similar to the chart and presentation wizards that are used in many Windows¿ based applications.
The wizard walks the user through the configuration step by step in a simple progression that builds the meter configuration file. There is a comprehensive help program available to answer users¿ questions. These simple-to-use tools make it easy to build configurations without the need for comprehensive training classes.
Being simple to use does not mean the user has to give up powerful functionality. In an industry, where an error as low as a fraction of a percent can mean the loss of thousands of dollars, the JEMstar meter captures the money lost through inaccurate measurement. With a watt-hour accuracy of 0.07% of reading, the JEMStar delivers performance the user can take to the bank.
The JEMStar meter features include four-quadrant, per phase, and instantaneous measurements; transformer loss compensation; and Load Profile. In addition, the new meter has some very powerful communications capabilities. With de-regulation, more people then ever are looking for the data from the meter.
The JEMStar offers simultaneous communications across multiple ports. The user can choose from RS-232, RS-485, and an internal modem for communication connections. Each channel can be set with a different protocol to allow the meter to address different communications requirements simultaneously. For security, there are four programmable passwords that can be used to control information access......
