Formula constants

A constant is a named value recognized by the Universal Calculation Engine (UCE), used in a formula to represent specific values. UCE recognizes the following levels of constants:

• Global. The global formula constant represents a value recognized by the entire system every time a user references that constant within the system.

• Service Point. The service point formula constant references a user-defined value by the combination of service point ID and a user-assigned constant name.

• Service Point Channel. The service point channel formula constant references a user-defined value by the combination of service point ID, service point channel number, and a constant name the user assigns. For example, for a particular Service Point, you might have one Service Point Channel (SPC) assigned to kWh, and another assigned to kVAh. You can create formula constants with the same name but different values for each of these SPCs using this function.

The following limitations must be considered when creating formula constants:

• The same name can be used as a global constant name, a service point constant name, and a service point channel constant name.

• There can be multiple service point channel constants with the same name provided the combination of service point ID, service point channel number, and constant name is unique.

• There can be multiple service point constants with the same name provided the combination of service point ID and constant name is unique.

• Formula constants are limited to 10 decimal places.

• The ID cannot start with numbers. For example, it is correct to name your ID "constant_400". It is incorrect to name it "400constant."

• There can be only one global constant with the same constant name.