Working with OpenWay CENTRON Meters

Note:  OpenWay CENTRON meters are only supported by FDM Tools systems, such as Itron-hosted systems, in which the FDM server is not configured to use signed authentication with OpenWay. See the FDM Server Installation Guide for details.

OpenWay is Itron’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system, using state-of-the-art CENTRON electricity meters at homes and businesses.

Each OpenWay CENTRON meter incorporates the following features:

  • A built-in endpoint, called a communication module.
  • A Zigbee radio that transmits data presentment, load control, and demand response information to the home or business.
  • Support for time-of-use pricing, load profile data, and other data-intensive applications, and for smart grid requirements.
  • A load-limiting remote disconnect and reconnect switch.
  • Power outage detection and restoration notification.
  • Voltage monitoring.
  • Automatic tamper and theft detection.
  • Full two-way wireless communications with other OpenWay devices over an Itron RFLAN (radio-frequency local-area network).
  • The ability to reprogram the meter remotely and upload new firmware through the network.

For detailed information about the OpenWay CENTRON’s characteristics and capabilities, see the OpenWay® CENTRON® Meter Technical Reference Guide. For an explanation of the OpenWay Collection Engine and the OpenWay RFLAN network, see the OpenWay® Collection Engine User Guide.

Note:  Because the OpenWay CENTRON contains a built-in endpoint, the terms meter and endpoint are often used interchangeably in reference to it. The OpenWay Collection Engine user interface usually uses endpoint. This guide uses whichever term is more appropriate to the context it appears in.

The FDM mobile application enables FSRs to perform, on demand at the endpoint location, some of the same CENTRON endpoint tasks that are routinely performed by the OpenWay Collection engine over the network. The OpenWay CENTRON endpoint action command menu includes a Read Meter command similar to the Read Endpoint command for other Itron endpoint types, four Service Switch Commands (Get Service Status, Connect Service, Connect with Intervention, and Disconnect Service; see Service Switch Commands), and several CENTRON-specific action commands: Configure Meter, Force Registration, Force Deregistration, RF LAN Diagnostics, RF LAN Time Sync, and Firmware Download.

You can use FDM to read, program, and diagnose OpenWay CENTRON endpoints through either an OpenWay Zigbee Belt-Clip Radio or a supported optical probe connected to your handheld or laptop. See Bluetooth Device Setup on a Laptop for installation and configuration instructions.

In each of the following OpenWay CENTRON action command procedures, if you are using an Itron Mobile Radio, FDM prompts you for the following information.

  • Existing Key. The endpoint’s existing key type.
    • Select Factory if the endpoint has not been programmed.
    • Select your utility’s customer key if it has been programmed.
  • MAC Address. The endpoint’s MAC address, as shown on the face of the meter.
  • Channel. The communication channel the endpoint is programmed to use for network communications.

If you are using an optical probe, the mobile application simply prompts you to connect the probe and automatically handles these settings for you.